AtticGo Elche Clinches Second Win by Narrow Margin Over Granollers
AtticGo CBM Elche secured their second victory of the season in a hard-fought match against Granollers, snapping a four-game winning streak and rebuilding momentum after a one‑month break in the Iberdrola Warrior League. The Catalan side started the season with rough form, providing Elche’s coach Joaquín Rocamora with clear reasons to stay confident about the team’s direction.
Elche’s lineup featured Paola Bernabé and Tessa van Zijl, who returned from injuries to contribute on Catalan soil. Alongside them, Clara Gascó produced more scoring chances than in the weeks preceding the European Championship break.
The opening phase was intense as both teams sought a swift response to their early-season slumps. Elche built a two-goal lead with a goal from Zhukova at 12 minutes, a gap that remained until the timeout as Rocamora’s squad dictated play with a sturdy defense and timely finishes.
Elche’s press defense stifled Granollers, yet the Catalans staged several counterattacks that kept the score tight due to multiple offensive turnovers. A standout performance by Nicole Morales added danger for Granollers, giving Elche chances to widen the margin in key moments.
As the first half progressed, Elche extended their lead by forcing Granollers into foul trouble, converting two seven‑meter opportunities and capitalizing on a late break that kept the advantage at two goals, aided by Raquel Moré’s successful penalty attempt.
Difficult Second Half for the Hosts
The second period opened with a Morales save followed by a Van Zijl score, signaling a shift as Granollers finally closed the gap and attempted to seize an elusive triple lead. The visitors’ defense tightened, yet Granollers struggled to translate pressure into consistent goals. Elche maintained control through stubborn defense and disciplined finishing, despite some cautions that briefly interrupted the rhythm, including Van Zijl’s temporary exclusion and María Flores receiving a direct‑step penalty for a high‑impact collision.
Elche Responds to European Campaign with League Resolve
By mid‑second half, the visitors had pulled to within reach, but Elche answered with a composed display and reestablished a safe margin. Nicole Morales stood out as a key playmaker, guiding Elche to a relatively comfortable finish and a six‑point win over the Green‑Franjiverde Warriors as the league table continued to take shape after the European tour.
match report
KH7 BM GRANOLLERS: Wiggins (p), Mera (ps); Ben Chayhab (1), Tort, Vila (2), Sau, Kofler, Brazil (1), Vegué (4), Somaza (1), Milagros, González (4), Santos (1), Castañera and Capdevila (3).
ATTICGO CBM ELCHE: Morales (p, 1), Rodrigues (ps); Zhukova (1), Agulló (1), Van Zijl (5), Oppedal, Guilabert (4), Méndez, Andreu, So Delgado (1), Gascó (1), Flores, Benítez (4), Wolves (1), Barnabas (5) and More (2).
SCORE EVERY 5′: 3-3, 5-6, 6-8, 8-9, 8-10, 10-12 (rest); 10-13, 10-15, 11-17, 14-19, 14-20 and 17-26.