AtticGo Elche Pursues European Success After a Vocal Domestic Triumph
Following a convincing 34-22 victory last Saturday, the State derby against Elda placed the team atop the rankings as they head into a European week. AtticGo Elche has set itself to a high level of competition in the Guerreras-Iberdrola League and now shifts into European mode for the third round of the EHF European Cup. The upcoming opponent is OFN Ionas of Greece.
Both clubs agreed to host the matches at the Esperanza Lag field, with the first game scheduled for Wednesday at 20:30 and the return leg on Thursday at the same time. Initially, the qualifying round was planned for the weekend, but celebrations for the Esperanza Monument Delay are taking place at the Elche sports ground, affecting the schedule.
The tie is set by Joaquín Rocomara. The Elche squad enjoyed a bye in the first round and clearly advanced in the second. HC Byala from Bulgaria was their opponent in a 97-30 aggregate victory. In this round, the adversaries are tougher, including Greek side Arts once again.
AtticGo Elche Is Taking Europe by Storm
VL Deltell
Franjiverdes players carry high hopes in this European campaign. Last season they reached the semi finals, only to be edged by Atlético Guardés, denying them a final berth. This year they aim to improve and to write another chapter in the handball history of Elche and the province, chasing both domestic glory and continental progress.
AtticGo Elche has been delivering a standout performance in the Guerreras-Iberdrola League, tallying eight wins with just one defeat so far. The Rocamora-led squad appears ready to chase every available prize in this campaign.
In the double confrontation against the Greeks, coach Rocamora faced one notable decision: youngster Maria Carrillo sustained a mild ankle sprain while playing for the reserve team last weekend. Otherwise, the roster is fully available, and the team is set to rotate players across matches.
Rocamora spoke with evident enthusiasm about the EHF European Cup, noting a steady rise in recent years. He recalled past challenges: a Covid interruption, a quarter final stint two years ago, and a semi-final appearance last season. He emphasized that the competition has largely been dominated by clubs from Spain and Greece, and he remarked on the vibrant atmosphere when Esperanza Lag was packed for last season’s semi final against Atlético Guardés.
Rocamora: The EHF European Cup Is the Tournament That Excites Him Most and AtticGo Elche Has the Capacity to Reach the Final Rounds
JA Galvan
The AtticGo Elche coach hopes for strong fan support again and cautions that the upcoming draw will be more challenging than the previous match against Bulgaria’s Byala. He described the Greek side as a well-balanced squad with top players, noting that some stars, including Tatiana, rank among the world’s best alongside Russia. The comparison with Byala underscores the tougher path ahead. The coach expressed confidence that his team will show an improved performance and continue advancing through the rounds with determination.