AtticGo CBM Elche wrapped up the third round of the European Cup qualifiers with a convincing home win over Serbian side Naisa Nis, clinching their place in the next stage. After a dramatic 24-28 victory in the second leg, Elche completed the tie in the town of Elche over the weekend, sealing their progression with a strong overall performance.
From the opening minutes, Joaquín Rocamora’s squad pressed high and forced errors, building pressure even though they had already secured ten goals the day before. The visitors found no easy answers as Elche’s disciplined defense and relentless tempo kept them on the back foot. By applying constant pressure, the Franjiverdes built a lead that the second match extended rather than endangered, and the home side maintained control throughout the encounter.
The hosts remained the protagonists, dictating play and pushing ahead by small but steady margins. Their initiative shone on the scoreboard, alternating between two and three goals in the advantage. Unlike the first leg, Elche did not need to sprint to the finish; their steadiness and tactical cohesion allowed them to manage the clock and the result with confidence.
When the first half ended, Elche already held a comfortable lead on the aggregate score, and the second half offered a sense of relief rather than tension. The Serbian side pressed to narrow the gap, but the Illicitan team’s collective defense and efficient attacking transitions kept them at bay, ensuring the tie ended with the desired outcome for the home club.
AtticGo Elche secured a ticket to the next European round with a decisive 33-23 result on the night, underscoring the club’s continued growth and consistency on the continental stage. The weekend proved fruitful for the squad, as the win combined with a strong overall performance highlighted the depth and versatility of the roster in pursuit of front-line success in Europe.
In the post-match reflections, Rocamora praised the group for their resilience and team spirit. He emphasized that the current squad’s character mirrors the broader values of the club and the city, noting that the players have grown into a cohesive unit with a clear identity on the court. The coach also made room to acknowledge the contributions of several young players, who earned minutes and showcased their potential under pressure as the season progresses.
Celia Guilabert and Danila So Delgado stood out as the most impactful performers for AtticGo Elche in the tie, with both players delivering critical goals and steady defense. The coaching staff leveraged the match to experiment with different systems and lineups, ensuring that minutes were shared across the squad and that emerging talents gained valuable experience in a high-stakes European setting.
Gasco returns to the lineup
The weekend carried another happy note for AtticGo Elche. Clara Gascó returned to action, marking a comeback after recovering from an injury that had kept her sidelined for the start of the season. Her return added depth to the squad as they moved through the tie, and her early impact showed her readiness to contribute on both ends of the floor. The reception from teammates and fans alike highlighted the sense of optimism surrounding the team as they push toward the next round.
Gascó’s reappearance also complements the recent addition of Alexandra Nascimento, the Brazilian veteran who has tasted major international success with her national team. Nascimento, who turned 41, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to Elche as she follows a planned schedule toward her debut in the green-and-white shirt later in the year. Her presence is expected to elevate the squad’s performance in the European campaign as well as in domestic duties.
DATA SHEET
NAISA NIS: Nedeljkovic, Petkovic, Milosevic, Djurovic, Veljkovic (3), Simonovic (7), Kosanovic, Mladenovic, Ivanovic, Jelena Stojanovic, Stamenkovic (2), Nikolic (8), Milovanovic (1), Rajkovic, Mihajlovic (3) and Branka Stojanovic.
ATTICGO CBM ELCHE: Morales, Rodriguez, Zhukova, Van Zijl (2), Guilabert (5), Méndez (1), Andreu (1), SoDelgado (6), Gascó (3), Flores (1), Benitez (4), Bernabé, Carrillo, Wolfs (2), More (1) and Teplitsky (2).
REFEREES: Gianna Stella Merisi and Andrea Alejandra Pepe (Italy).
CORNER: Esperanza Delay (Elche). The Serbs served as the local team, contributing to a competitive atmosphere throughout the tie.
Note: All details reflect the on-court action and roster developments that shaped AtticGo Elche’s European Cup journey over the weekend. Attribution: Official match reports and club communications.