AtticGo Elche remains outside European competition after a tough loss
Following a string of heavy defeats, including a league clash against KH-7 Granollers in the Guerreras Iberdrola, and two semifinal defeats in the EHF European Cup against Mecalia Atlético Guardés, AtticGo Elche showed resilience in La Rioja. The visitors defeated Grafometal La Rioja by a robust 23-31, a result that underscored Elche’s fight even as their European hopes dimmed for the season.
With this win, Franjiverdes moved into fourth place in the standings, tallying 23 points. The push to secure a European berth remains alive, but the path grows more demanding as the regular season approaches its final stages.
Two days remain in the domestic schedule. This coming Saturday, at 19 hours, Elche Motive.co Gijón will host Beti Onak from Pamplona, while the league table and final positions are being settled across the remaining rounds. The tension is palpable as teams jockey for places and momentum heading into the postseason.
Dutch player Tessa Van Zijl is featured in photographs from the match, highlighting the blend of international and local talent on the floor. Her performances, along with the efforts from teammates and coaching staff, illustrate a side focused on building for the future despite the current results.
Coach Joaquín Rocamora guided a match plan designed to sustain recovery momentum. The Elche squad faced a tight first half that remained balanced throughout, with the green and black side often leading by a one goal margin. The halftime score stood at 13-14, reflecting a contest that could tilt in either direction after the break.
In the second half, Rocamora emphasized a disciplined defensive effort that limited Grafometal La Rioja to just four goals in the opening stretch. This defensive solidity enabled Elche to transition quickly into attacking moves, extending their lead as the clock ticked onward. The final whistle confirmed a 23-31 result, a decisive margin that nonetheless left room for learning and growth for the visitors.
On the floor, Clara Gascó stood out with five goals from the wing, while Maria Carrillo and Elena Martínez contributed with three and four goals respectively. The coach took the opportunity to rotate the squad, providing minutes for nearly every rostered player. The lone noticeable absence was the Brazilian Alexandra Do Nascimento, who did not appear in this match. The younger talents seized the moment, with several players marking important contributions to the team’s overall performance.
From a broader perspective, the match served as a barometer for Elche’s development this season. The depth of the roster is evident in the scoring sheet and the distribution of goals across multiple players. Clara Gasco used the opportunity to reinforce her form, while Maria Carrillo and Pipi Wolfs each hit the five-goal mark in a display of collective effort that bodes well for future fixtures. The balance between offense and defense remained the key narrative of the contest, highlighting the team’s capacity to adapt under pressure.
Data from Grafometal La Rioja listed a starting lineup featuring Tatiana Lozano and Lorena Pérez among others, while Elche fielded a line-up built around a blend of experience and youth. The scoring sheet tracked a varied array of goal scorers, underscoring the team’s breadth. The match rhythm advanced in increments, with a clear pattern of alternating momentum that captivated spectators and provided coaching staff with tangible insights for training and preparation.
Refs Jordi Pinilla and Eric Deiros presided over a competitive clash at the Logroño Sports Palace, a venue that has witnessed many intense league games this season. The attendance and atmosphere underscored the importance of these clashes for both teams as they navigation the late-season schedule.
In sum, AtticGo Elche delivered a competitive performance that reinforced the team’s fighting spirit and demonstrated growth across all positions. While European dreams may be tempered by recent results, the squad demonstrated a clear trajectory toward stronger performances in the months ahead. The focus remains on refining the defense, sharpening the counterattack, and giving minutes to a broader group of players to build depth and experience for the challenges to come.
Data source notes and team rosters reflect the social and league records for the respective clubs and match day statistics. [Source: official league reports and club statistics report, with post-match summaries available through the federation’s compiled results and team press notes].