Atticgo Elche Wins in a Tight Showdown at Esperanza Lag
It ended clear, decisive, and earned with effort. The Atticgo Balonmano Elche squad edged out their guests just minutes earlier at Esperanza Lag, delivering a five-goal victory with a final score of 27-22. The win capped a night of competitive swings and a display of resilience from the home team as the match rolled toward its conclusion.
Joaquín Rocamora had warned that the rival team would ride high after their previous performance. They had not claimed a win yet, but they fought hard, trading blows in a close battle that kept spectators on edge until the final moments.
Rocamora on the Win: A Win Declared and a Strong Performance
VL Deltel
Good Vibes on Show
The Elche coach emphasized not just victory, but how it came about. There were moments when the margin felt precarious, with the score neck-and-neck at two points in each half. Yet Atticgo Handball Elche consistently stayed ahead. The opening tally came from Paola Bernabé, and crucial goals in tense moments underscored the team’s composure. Clara Gasco, stepping in as the second striker, helped build a two-goal cushion early, signaling a controlled start for Rocamora’s squad.
The Grafometal side managed to draw level in La Rioja 2 at one point, but they could not sustain the comeback. Elche maintained a level of competitiveness that kept the match within reach until late in the game, and when Elche pulled ahead again, the difference widened, with Elena Martínez delivering a key strike to push the lead to five and seal the late momentum for the home team.
The officiating was tight, drawing reactions from the local fans. Rocamora’s bench earned a yellow card for a protest, and the stat line showed eight penalties in favor of the Elche side against just one against them, underscoring a sometimes rugged but fair contest on the floor.
Best Second Half Emerges
As is often the case, the home team found a dip in the middle of the first period. The second half brought a sharper focus, and Elche’s defense tightened. The visitors managed only two goals during one stretch, while Guilabert did not have his best night, missing a couple of clear opportunities. The most intense defensive sequences and the moments when the green-and-white squad surged ahead defined the tempo. There were occasions when quick throws and fast exchanges produced an edge, while the La Rioja keeper faced uphill battles to contain the rapid counters on display.
In the end, Elche cemented their advantage with disciplined execution, balancing defensive grit with timely scoring to close out the game with confidence.