Success in goals and defense defines AtticGo Elche-Granollers today.
HE AtticGo Elche has shown in recent seasons that it can do anything when its offensive intensity is high, backed by courage and foresight. Yet the same team can stumble when that edge is missing, and Wednesday’s clash against the Warriors of Franciverdes highlighted that truth once more. The match needed to be a comfortable win for Apriori, but KH-Granollers emerged with a 20-22 result.
There was a sense of purpose as the game began to unfold. The Elche crew aimed for quick, clean goals while trying to disrupt KH-7 Granollers’ rhythm. The visitors started stronger, grabbing the initiative early, but AtticGo responded with a surge that changed the momentum. The seesaw of the first half saw both sides trading blows, with Elche tightening up in defense just enough to stay within reach before the break.
In a premonition of the semifinals fate later this week, the crowd could feel the pressure. The historic date loomed large as Mecalia Atlético Guardés waited in the wings, and the Elche squad carried a sense of unfinished business into the court. The opening minutes betrayed a team that seemed distracted, and the guests capitalized on those moments to push the scoreline forward.
Joaquín Rocamora’s group displayed some erratic spells, failing to convert key chances and paying for moments of hesitation. AtticGo Elche found themselves in a rough patch, unable to sustain their attack when the defense of Valles stood firm, ultimately paying the price as the scoreboard tilted away from them in the late stages of the game.
Granollers began with a marginal lead, around 3-4 early in the match, but Elche answered with a strong push, turning the tide to lead 8-6 as the half-hour approached. The visitors trimmed the gap to 8-10, then 11-10 at the break, keeping the contest close and inviting a tense second half.
The second half picked up pace. Elche opened with better rhythm and led 18-16 with fifteen minutes remaining, hinting at a possible climb to the standings. Yet KH-7 Granollers adjusted their approach, shifting targets and injecting new energy into their lineup, a move that altered the course of the match. A notable change involved replacing the foreign player Nicole Wiggins with Marta MerOh, a decision that proved pivotal in the closing stretch.
Elche appeared to rush their plays at times, each player hungry to force an advantage and send the attack through without enough patience. Repeated clashes with Granollers’ defense slowed the flow and left gaps in transition—a moment when precision mattered most but didn’t arrive. The referees faced pressure as some decisive moments went unwhistled, including a non-whistle on an offensive foul and a cautious approach in a late penetration by Paola Bernabé. The officiating discourse added another layer of tension to a game charged with importance.
Ultimately, AtticGo Elche could not maintain the momentum. The 20-22 final score left the hosts a step farther from the runner-up battle, a reminder that fine margins define this league and that every possession counts when the fight for the podium tightens.
Alexandra Do Nascimento contributed modestly, scoring once, while the overall balance of the match leaned toward the visitors at decisive moments. The data sheet lists the players who took the court for both sides, underscoring the depth and experience on display as the season nears its apex.
DATA SHEET:
ATTICGO ELCHE: Pamela Rodrigues, Nicole Morales, Katia Zhukova (1), Tessa Van Zijl (2), Celia Guilabert (3), Patricia Méndez (2), Nuria Andreu, Clara Gascó (1), María Flores, Zaira Benítez, Elena Martínez (3), María Carrillo (1), Pipu Wolfs (2), Paola Bernabé (3), Alexandra Do Nascimento (1) and Raquel More (1).
KH-7 GRANULES: Nicole Wiggins (1), Marta Mera, Imane Ben Chayhab, Alba Tort, One Vila, Lea Kofler (3), María Pereira, Ona Vegue (3), Esther Somoza (3), Ana González (2), Sabryne Santos, Jana Castañera, Kadidiatau Jallow (2) and Martina Capdevila (8).
A MARKER EVERY 5 MINUTES: 1-2, 3-4, 6-6, 8-6, 8-10, 11-10 (remainder) 12-12, 16-14, 18-16, 19-19, 19-21 and 20-22 (end).
REFEREES: Jose Manuel Iniesta and Alberto Garcia.
PAVILLION: Hope Delay.
DAY 18 RESULTS
ATTIGO ELCHE-KH-7 Granols 20-22
La Rioja-Costa del Sol Malaga 22-31
Motive.co Gijon-Barakaldo 22-19
Beti Onak-Rocasa Canaries 22-25
Class Valladolid-Bera Bera 33-31
Guardés-Porriño 27-24
CLASSIFICATION:
1- Super Amara Bera Bera 31
2- Costa del Sol Malaga 24
3- Rock Gran Canaria 24
4- Canned Orbe Rubensa Porriño 21
5- ATTICGO ELCHE 21
6- Mecalia Atlético Guardés 19
7- Rural Fund Class Valladolid 19
8- Motive.co Gijon 18
9- KH-7 Granols 13
10- Gürpea Beti Onak 11
11- Zuazo Barakaldo 8
12- Grafometal La Rioja 7