JA Galvanized
The San Sebastian side Bera Bera carried an almost flawless record, having lost only a couple of points all season. Elche pressed hard, using strength, a stout defense, and moments of clarity on offense, especially in the first half, to challenge the leaders and push for a memorable result.
The Rocamora team entered with eight straight wins across League, Cup, and European matches, a streak that kept growing as nine straight appearances loomed. The draw left them very much in the race for second place in the Guerreras Iberdrola League, and morale remained high ahead of the first leg of the EHF European Cup quarter-finals. The upcoming Spanish duel against Motive.co Gijón on Sunday provided another opportunity to test their mettle.
AtticGo Elche’s European dream runs through Gijón
The Elche vs Bera Bera contest was tightly contested from the start. Both sides exchanged leads, and the balance of the match suggested a fair distribution of points could be earned by either team. Elche began strongly, using a classic forward defense anchored by Dutch player Tessa Van Zijl, who contributed both defensively and offensively to put the team ahead by as many as three goals early on, 20-10 to 7.
Yet Bera Bera responded decisively. Paula Arcos and Laura Hernández helped swing the momentum back in favor of the Basques. Bera Bera reversed the situation before the timeout, and the scoreline reached 13-13 at a peak moment, signaling a tense second half ahead.
The second half carried the same intensity. The score remained tightly divided, and there was a spell when the Basques looked poised to pull away. Elche battled back, struggling to crack the defensive setup around Tessa Van Zijl, until Nicole Morales delivered crucial tackles that kept her team in contention.
AtticGo Elche continues to plan for its future
The Rocamora squad managed to level the score in the final ten minutes, reaching 21 apiece. Elche pressed on, committing a few unforced turnovers but staying competitive. Bera Bera briefly held the advantage again, yet Elche refused to fold. Brazilian Alexandra Dos Nascimento stepped up to spark a late surge, and San Sebastian’s last chance to win at zero was thwarted by a solid defensive stand.
A fair distribution of points marked a great contest at the end.
Data sheet:
ATTICGO ELCHE: Nicole Morales, Pamela Fernandes, Katia Zhukova (1), Tessa Van Zijl (8), Celia Guilabert, Patricia Méndez (2), Nuria Andreu, Danila So Delgado (3), Clara Gascó, María Flores, Zaira Benítez (2), Elena Martínez, María Carrillo, Paola Bernabé (4), Alexandra Do Nascimento (4).
SUPER AMARA BERA BERA: Alice Fernandes, Esther Arrojería (3), Mariane Fernandes (5), Marie Louis (3), Alba Menéndez (3), Laura Hernández (3), Maitane Echeverria (1), Maddi Aalla, Elke Karsten (1), June Loidi, Paula Arcos (3), Anne Martínez, Guiliana Gavilán and Cristina Polonio (2).
A marker every 5 minutes: 2-2, 5-4, 7-6, 10-7, 11-12, 13-13, 15-16, 17-18, 19-21, 21-21, 22-23, 24-24 (end).
Referees: Alejandro Hoz and Axel Riola.
Pavilion: Hope Delay.
Citations: The match showcased a balanced tactical battle with moments of individual brilliance and team discipline that underlined both teams’ continental ambitions. [Source: Official match report]