The Handball Club AtticGo Elche is already preparing for a decisive third round in the Women’s EHF European Cup, with a clear understanding of their upcoming opponent. Following the Tuesday draw at the European Handball Federation headquarters in Vienna, Elche will meet Valur Reykjavik, a club with a multifaceted sports program that places a strong emphasis on handball. This matchup signals a valuable test for the Spaniards as they aim to advance in a competition that is widely followed across Europe.
The tie is scheduled for December 3 and 10, aligning with a period that includes the European National Team Championship set to run from November 4 to 20, and relevant league fixtures. Coach Joaquin Rocamora confirms that the team will be ready to play next Sunday at 13:30, while keeping a tight schedule for the upcoming Hearth of the season. The plan is for Elche to use the home court advantage at the Esperanza Lag pavilion to its fullest, reducing travel fatigue and leveraging local support to push for a favorable result. The previous encounter against a Serbian side, ZRK Naisa Niis, ended with clear wins of 33-23 and 24-28, demonstrating a strong home-court performance that the squad hopes to mirror in the upcoming clashes.
Valur progressed to the third round after overcoming Dunajska Streda from Slovakia. They lost the first game 29-26 but bounced back with a convincing 31-24 victory in the return leg, illustrating their resilience and tactical flexibility. AtticGo Elche will be aiming to replicate this resilience in a bid to stretch the tie to its second leg and secure a favorable result on home soil. The Icelandic club traveled to Spain last summer and took part in the Benidorm International Tournament, where they were edged 24-23 in a tight contest against Benidorm. The experience from that tournament, along with their performance in the EHF Cup so far, positions Valur as a credible challenge for the Elche side, yet the home fans will be eager to push their team forward in the decisive rounds [source: tournament records and club histories].
Coach Rocamora noted that information on Valur is still being gathered, but he expects a mid-level squad similar to KA/POR from Iceland, which Elche faced in the same round in the previous season and navigated with difficulty. The coach expressed confidence that qualification remains within reach, especially if both legs are held in Elche, leveraging the supporters and familiar surroundings to gain the edge in the tie [tactical remarks from press briefings].
The scheduling comes at a favorable moment for the AtticGo squad, allowing nearly a full month to prepare due to the league recess caused by European selection duties. The team will also have time to integrate a new rhythm ahead of the April fixtures and the Granollers clash. Players Clara Gasco and Tessa Van Zijl, recently back from injuries, are expected to regain full pace in time for the double confrontation with Valur. Rocamora will also monitor the rehabilitation of Paola Bernabe and the return timelines for Ivet Monsoons and Elena Martinez, aiming to maintain a deep and effective roster for the tie [team updates and coach commentary].
AtticGo Elche Handball Club dreams of a deep run in the EHF European Cup this season. Historical notes show that the club faced strong opposition in the rounds leading up to this stage, with rivals from Slovakia, Iceland, and other Spanish teams influencing the journey. The progress of the team continues to be watched closely by supporters and analysts who recognize the potential of Elche to challenge higher-seeded opponents in pursuit of a celebrated campaign in Europe [season review insights].