Atticgo Elche Sets the Tone for the Season
In a bold start to the Iberdrola Guerreras League, Atticgo CBM Elche earned a clear statement victory over Costa del Sol Málaga, triumphing 33-26 in the season opener. The rematch of last year’s final showcased Elche’s readiness and ambition as the new campaign began, signaling that their squad is keen to repeat or even surpass the heights they reached before the break.
Elche opened the season with a confident display that reflected the team’s continued momentum from the previous campaign. The coaching staff and players had crafted a game plan centered around disciplined defense and rapid transitions, aiming to leverage the team’s depth and balance across the lineup. The early exchanges were tight, but Elche gradually asserted itself, building a lead that Málaga found hard to erase as the clock moved forward.
The performance in goal and at the back was a cornerstone of Elche’s success. Morales delivered a standout showing between the posts, turning aside a series of Málaga attempts and coordinating the defense with steady authority. His presence, combined with precise positioning from Benítez and sharp execution from Van Zijl, gave Elche the edge as the first half progressed. A pivotal stretch just after halftime widened the gap, with Elche scoring eight unanswered goals to push the score to 26-18 by the 44th minute, signaling a decisive shift in the match’s trajectory.
From the outset, Atticgo Elche demonstrated a clear offensive intent. Gascó kicked off the scoring for the home team, and although Málaga managed early responses, Elche’s tempo and tactical discipline quickly set the pace. The home side moved the ball efficiently, finding shooting angles and sustaining pressure that Málaga found difficult to counter. It was a performance that suggested this team is serious about a high-level run this season.
AtticGo Elche Coach Joaquín Rocamora Signals Bold Aspirations
Under the guidance of coach Joaquín Rocamora, Elche presented a game plan that combined resilience in defense with a varied and purposeful attack. The visitors, Málaga, found it hard to unlock the Elche defense, particularly in moments that demanded precision in goalkeeping and shot selection. The Elche squad displayed a multi-faceted attack, with contributions coming from several players and a willingness to share the scoring load rather than relying on a single source.
Castellanos in Málaga’s goal faced a tough evening as the Elche attack moved with variety and pace. Although Castellanos did make several notable saves, the overall pace and teamwork of Elche kept Málaga off balance. The Elche lineup answered with a balanced scoring sheet, highlighted by Van Zijl’s seven goals and Benítez’s six. Delgado contributed five, while ten different players found the scoresheet, underscoring the depth and collective strength of the team. The upcoming fixture in Porriño on Wednesday looms as another test of their continuing form and cohesion.
MATCH BOARD
Atticgo Elche: Morales, Carratu, Zhukova (4), Van Zijl (7), Oppedal, Guilabert (2), Méndez (3), Andreu, So Delgado (5), Gascó (1), Flores, Benítez (6), Wolfs (2), Bernabé (1), Do Nascimento and Rosa (2).
Costa del Sol Malaga: Castellanos, Fernández, Piñeira (1), Jiménez (1), Doiro (2), Cesáreo (1), Arderius (6), Sole López (3), Berasategi, Campigli, Lima (1), Espe López (5), Sánchez, Vela (1) and Medeiros (5).
Get points every 5 minutes: 2-2, 3-3, 4-6, 8-8, 12-10, 15-12 (rest); 18-14, 21-17, 26-18, 28-22, 30-24 and 33-26.
Referees: Yon Bustamante and Javier Álvarez. They disallowed some opportunities for both sides, enforcing discipline and maintaining the pace of the match. The arena was Esperanza Lag in Elche, providing an energetic backdrop for the season opener.