It was so close that it stirred a deep sadness. AtticGo Elche came up just short of a first-ever championship in its history, the Guerreras-Iberdrola League. The green-haired warriors fell in the third and decisive match against Costa del Sol Málaga with 30-26.
A defeat and disappointment that should not spoil a remarkable season for a team led by Joaquín Rocamora in Elche, a city known for its passion for handball.
AtticGo Elche stood at the edge of glory on the brink of a dream. Yet the season’s story remains noble: runners-up in the league, semi-finalists in the EHF European Cup, and quarter-finalists in the Queen’s Cup. The last matches filled the Esperanza Lag pavilion with energy, turning every home game into a memorable moment for the Elche Handball Club family.
People admired a group of players who, under a modest budget, stood shoulder to shoulder with the best and demonstrated that there are many talents and bright futures ahead for this squad.
Not defeated in the end, they planted a seed that grows quickly and is sure to reach the highest goals soon.
For a modest club devoted to youth and to its quarry, reaching four finals in the last three years is a testament to their resilience. After winning the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup in 2021, there was a historic opportunity to complete the circle of national competitions by winning the Iberdrola Warrior League.
It wasn’t meant to be, but as Joaquín Rocamora noted in the final break, the team should lift their heads and take pride in all they had achieved.
Game three against Costa del Sol Málaga was a true roller coaster. The green-haired warriors kept the tempo, testing Silvia Arderius, yet Estela Doiro and Esperanza López found gaps left by the defense. Veteran Merche Castellanos, with 19 saves, delivered a standout performance in goal, shaping a tense finish that fueled AtticGo’s late surge.
That surge left room for AtticGo’s hopes as the second half unfolded.
The match and the league would be decided in the final ten minutes. A stretch of unforced errors and ineffective attacks weighed down the green-fringed fighters, and the defense could not sustain the pressure. Nicole Morales helped keep the team in contention, but Malaga stretched clear in the closing minutes.
With a four-goal burst and six goalless minutes, Elche’s dreams faded. In the final moments, Malaga held a three-goal advantage and indeed sealed the result at 30-26.
AtticGo Elche accepted defeat with honor and showed Spain that they possess a young, fearless roster that will not settle for what they accomplished this season. Most of the squad and coach Joaquín Rocamora are set to return next season, with renewed hope of challenging for the title again.
That dream may not have reached completion this time, but the team can be proud of its spirited performance and the level they reached. The players proved they are capable of competing with the best and will likely make their supporters proud again soon.
DATA SHEET:
COSTA DEL SOL MALAGA: Merche Castellanos; Silvia Arderius (2) Elena Cuadrado, Campigli (3), Esperanza López (9), Estela Doiro (6) and Isa Medeiros – starting seven – Sara Bravo (4), María Pérez (1), Almudena Gutiérrez, Laura Sánchez (1), Rocío Rojas (4), Virginia Fernández (points) and Sol Azcune.
ATTICGO ELCHE: Nicole Morales; Zhukova, Celia Guilabert, Patricia Méndez (2), Danila So Delgado (7), Paola Bernabé (1) and Alexandra Do Nascimento (4) – starting from seven – Pamela Rodrigues (ps), Van Zijl (5), Lisa Oppedal (1), Nuria Andreu (1), Clara Gascó (1), María Flores (1), Wolfs and Zaira Benítez (3).
A MARKER EVERY 5 MINUTES: 3-1, 6-5, 8-8, 11-11, 13-13, 16-15, 18-17, 19-19, 22-22, 24-22, 26-23 and 30-26.
REFEREES: Jorge and Jesus Escudero (Cantabria).
PAVILION: Perez Canca-Carranque from Malaga. 1,800 spectators.