The AtticGo Elche handball team captivated fans from Elche, the Alicante province, and across Spain last season. Finishing second in the Guerreras-Iberdrola League, they earned a spot in the EHF European Cup semifinals and came agonizingly close to clinching the title. The squad has signaled their intention to push even further this year and chase glory once again.
Preseason momentum is solid, with Elche signaling their potential to dream big. A few weeks ago, they dominated the Villa Frigiliana Cup in Malaga, claiming the championship in a tight format that had them briefly trail Costa del Sol in the standings before overtaking them on tiebreaks. The result reinforced the team’s belief that top-tier success is within reach this season.
AtticGo Elche Defeats Costa del Sol to Take Villa de Frigiliana Cup
JA Galvanized
Earlier in the preseason, AtticGo Elche sealed a second title on the calendar by triumphing in the Global Tour Handball Tournament hosted in Palau L’Illa de Benidorm. In the semifinals, Elche defeated Elda Prestige 33-27 and then beat Sola HK of Norway 32-27 in the final, a club that had competed in the EHF Europa League. This continental competition sits just below the Champions League in prestige and serves as an early indicator of form for the season ahead.
The Best Handball Comes to Benidorm
JA Galvanized
Elche’s preseason grind continues with two more high-caliber tune-ups on the horizon. The league launch is slated for September, with the anticipated rematch against Costa del Sol Malaga in the prior season’s title race. Coach Joaquin Rocamora praised the squad’s performance in Benidorm, noting that facing Europa League-level competition and a strong Norwegian side provided a welcome confidence boost. He cautioned that focus must sharpen on the details because the Guerreras-Iberdrola League is close enough to demand full preparation.
Two crucial warm-up matches lie ahead this weekend to gauge current form. AtticGo Elche will play two important fixtures during a triangular event featuring big teams like Costa del Sol Malaga and Icelandic Valur. The first match is Friday at 19:00 against the Malaga squad at Esperanza Lag, followed by Saturday at 12:30 against Valur. The outcomes will serve as a stern test before the competitive season begins.
EHF European Cup
Elche announced two matches in the second round of the EHF European Cup against HC Byala from Bulgaria. The tie will be staged at Esperanza Lag, with the first leg Friday, September 22 at 20:00, and the return leg Sunday, September 24 at 11:30. The squad is excited by the prospect of their first European title this season, a milestone that would mark a turning point for the team in continental play.
TM Benidorm and Elda Prestige
The Global Tour Handball Tournament also featured TM Benidorm, who finished fourth in the men’s competition after losing the semifinals to SG BBM Bietigheim of Germany (20-27) and then dropping a close contest with US Ivry Handball of France (25-30) for bronze. In the women’s bracket, Elda Prestige came in fourth, following a 33-27 victory over VOC Amsterdam from the Netherlands in the semifinals and a 22-25 loss in the final to a Dutch opponent.
Elche has further strengthened its roster with standout players, including Brazilian Fernanda Lima and Argentine Sofia Rivadeneira, who have pushed the squad to new heights during the preseason. The team’s coaching staff, led by Chema Creatures, is guiding them through a demanding schedule that includes two key friendlies this coming week. On Wednesday, August 23 at 20:00, Elche will face Morvedre in the Division de Honor Oro, and on Thursday, August 24 at 20:00 they will play the current league champions Costa del Sol Málaga. Both games will be hosted at the Florentino Ibáñez Sports Centre, serving as a final vote of confidence before the season truly begins.