AtticGo CBM Elche advanced to the EHF European Cup round of 16 with a commanding 25-30 win on the road. This first leg sets up a decisive second leg against Icelandic Valur, scheduled for Sunday at 12:00, broadcast on À Punt. The round of 32 clash is a short two-match tie, with the return leg taking place at the Esperanza Lag pavilion.
The Elche women opened strong, asserting control from the outset with aggressive pressure and a solid defensive tempo. Early success translated into a 0-3 lead as María Flores and Clara Gascó found scoring position in the opposing area, while steady work on the crease kept Valur under pressure.
AtticGo Handball Elche returns to European competition this weekend
The visitors from Iceland attempted to settle into the match, but Elche quickly reasserted control and recovered their rhythm after a brief spell. By mid first half the home side managed to widen the gap again, with effective defense and reliable shotmaking proving decisive. Pamela Rodriguez’s disciplined play gave Elche an important edge, helping maintain the lead as the teams traded goals.
Rocamora’s squad carried its momentum into the second period, matching Valur’s intensity and preserving a comfortable advantage. The French-green defense continued to clamp down, while Elche displayed patience in attack, keeping the scoreboard moving in their favor and preventing a late surge from the Icelanders.
With the goalkeeper change to maintain momentum, Elche pressed on and refused to concede an equalizing break. The team demonstrated discipline at both ends of the floor, a crucial factor as the clock wound down and the distance on the scoreboard remained relentless. The period ended with a clear Elche advantage and the sense that a strong performance in the second leg could seal the tie for the club.
Joaquín Rocamora extends his contract with AtticGo Elche for two more seasons
After a stretch of sustained pressure, Elche weathered a short spell of lax play and regrouped with strategic timeouts that helped reset momentum. The team’s focus remained on controlling tempo and finishing with conviction. A late push featured a pivotal sequence by the pivot and a rapid sequence of attacks that threatened to close out the match in style. Although Valur showed resilience, Elche’s persistent defense and efficient finishing carried the day, leaving the Icelanders with a five-goal deficit to overcome in the return leg.
#Penthouse COMING FOR YOU! @valurhandbolti 25:30 #Penthouse UN Elche
#EHF European Cup / R.3 Saturday, December 10 ️Delay Hope Mansion #MasCojonesQuePalmeras
Atticgo Handball Elche confirms its European campaign with a solid performance on the road and heads into the home leg with every reason to believe in a successful result.
match summary
VALUR (10+15): Hauksdottir, Helgadottir, Hjaltadottir, Oskarsdottir, Bjornsdottir, Agustsdottir, Asgeirsdottir, Olafsdottir, Porleifsdottir, Einarsdottir, Gestsdottir, Eradzet, Magnusdottir.
ATTICGO CBM ELCHE (16+14): Rodrigues, Zhukova, Agulló, Van Zijl, Guilabert, Mendez, Andreu, SoDelgado, Morales, Gascó, Flores, Benítez, Carrillo, Wolves, Bernabé, More.
REFEREES: Jaap Klompers and Koen Stobbe.
PAVILION: Esperanza Lag. The Icelandic team acted as the home side in this leg.