after the disappointment of defeat Valladolid in the first match of Liga Guerreras-Iberdrola AtticGo Elche managed to deliver the season’s first bright moment yesterday. At home, the green fringe warriors celebrated their debut victory and did so against Mecalia Atlético Guardés, a high-flying opponent near the top of the standings.
As expected, the first half unfolded with balance. The Galician side started strong, pulling ahead early (3-4), but Joaquín Rocamora’s players quickly steadied the ship and flipped the script to lead 7-4. The match then swung back and forth for a stretch, with neither side able to gain a clear edge. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read a tight 14-14, signaling a classic back-and-forth struggle.
The second half picked up with a similar rhythm. Guardés nudged ahead at 16-17, but Elche answered with renewed intensity. The home side tightened their defense, Nicole Morales produced key saves in goal, and the attack began to move with more clarity and purpose. This sparked a decisive 7-2 run over the next quarter of the game, lifting the score to 23-19 in favor of AtticGo Elche.
Although the Galicians fought to close the gap, they could not bridge the distance. The final horn confirmed a 24-21 win for Elche. The result marks the team’s first points of the season and, more importantly, brings them closer to the objective that the coach from Orihuela has been pursuing.
Kiko Martínez and a moment to remember
It was a special afternoon for several reasons. It marked the opening of Esperanza Lag pavilion, Elche’s new home after leaving Carrús. Before the game, the club honored world boxing champion Kiko Martínez, and many familiar faces gathered to celebrate the occasion.
Among the players on court, the Mecalia Atlético Guardés roster included African Sempere and Giselle Menéndez, who both contributed last season, while Miriam Sempere and a Galician goalkeeper, Miriam Sempere, were on the opposing side. There was also a familiar face from Elche Handball Club who joined the A team, strengthening the narrative of memories and connections that defined the afternoon.
There were hugs and recollections of the past at the final whistle, but the joy settled with AtticGo Elche who walked off with the win.
DATA SHEET:
ATTIGO ELCHE: Nicole Morales, Katia Zhukova (3), Paula Agulló, Lisa Oppedal, Celia Guilabert, Patricia Méndez, Nuria Andreu (1), Danila So Delgado (5), María Flores (2), Zaira Benítez (3), Udane Bernabé, María Carrillo, Pipy Wolfs (1), Paola Bernabé (3), Raquel Moré (3) and Keren Teplinsky (3).
MECALIA ATLÉTICO GUARDÉS: Marisol Carratu, Miriam Sempere, Ángela Nieto, Africa Sempere (2), Sandra Marqués (5), Giselle Menéndez (4), Cristina Cifuentes (3), Patricia Da Silva (2), Celia López, Elena Amores (1), Carla Gomez, Maria Sancha (1) and Danila Moreno.
EVERY 5 MINUTES MARK: 3-4, 7-4, 9-8, 11-10, 13-12, 14-14 (rest) 16-17, 17-18, 21-19, 23-19, 24-20 and 24-21 (final).
REFEREES: Oriol Alvarez and Raul Escoda.
MANSION: Hope Lake.