AtticGo Elche faces a decisive test this Saturday, with the action kicking off at 6:30 in the evening inside the Esperanza Lag arena. The match pits Green-Glory battles against a team emerging as a formidable challenger in the Guerreras League-Iberdrola, a season highlighted by strong campaigns and rising competitiveness. The reward on offer for the visitors is significant, with a potential surge in momentum that could redefine the early standings in the league.
The gap between the two teams has narrowed considerably, and the coming showdown is pivotal for securing a place among the top three in the standings. Currently, Valladolid Culture Class has a lighter schedule, while Elche has become one of the few sides to win their first five league matches in the EHF European Cup, including a pair of wins against Bulgarian side Byala. Joaquín Rocamora remains undefeated in this period. Donostiarras, on the other hand, have tasted defeat only once against the heavy favorites, Costa del Sol Malaga.
Bera Bera has been competing against Elda Prestigio in Elda since midweek and has secured multiple wins on Alicante soil, eager to demonstrate strength again at Esperanza Lag on Saturday. A victory for the Franjiverdes would place them firmly in the mix, reinforcing their status as serious contenders after their opening-day win against Malaga.
“Everyone expects Costa del Sol Málaga, Bera Bera, and AtticGo Elche to be near the top, and any duel among these three teams draws attention,” Rocamora notes.
The AtticGo coach confirms his squad is in good shape, with no injuries to report. Paola Bernabé has recovered, and the group is healthy across the board. He expects a welcoming crowd at Esperanza Lag and aims for an entertaining match that showcases the team’s strengths.
The Oriolan coach acknowledges that the gap between Elche and Bera Bera has shrunk over the years. He does not crown either side as outright favorites, saying that defeating Bera Bera is not an insurmountable feat and that a win would signal a return to a balanced, competitive landscape. He envisions a tough, evenly matched encounter where both teams try to impose their playing styles. He hopes the match serves as a strong introduction for fans, a display of two capable teams at a moment when Elche believes it can measure up to its rival. He also believes adapting to the current reality is essential and is determined to see his team prevail.
AtticGo Elche netted a fifth goal in the clash, bringing the score to 28-32
The focus now shifts to the keys of the match: preserving possession, remaining efficient in attack, and preventing opponents from gaining the upper hand. The team knows their opponents can be dangerous in transition, so they aim to show their hallmark traits—sharp finishing, varied attacking options, and solid defense. A season ago, their most challenging defeat came at the hands of Bera Bera, a game decided by one-on-one battles. The lesson remains clear: control the tempo, dominate in key moments, and leverage every advantage in the physical duel at the front line.
The Elche coach believes Bera Bera has not become weaker this year. He asserts that the opposition’s coaching and squad depth remain strong, highlighting the additions of players with notable speed and defensive tenacity. He underlines that Costa del Sol Málaga remains a strong favorite, but the depth of Bera Bera also adds to the competition’s intensity. The message is clear: this is a great test for Elche, a chance to prove itself against a top-tier opponent.
Finally, the Oriolano coach expresses a wish for the Esperanza Lag pavilion to deliver a charged atmosphere, similar to the latter part of last season. He speaks of a historic September where the team won all seven matches and put together a 40-point aggregate victory in Europe. Even against a squad with substantial capability, Elche believes a strong performance can yield a decisive result. He invites fans to attend, aiming for a crowd that approaches a thousand rather than the current five hundred, to witness a game that could set the tone for the season.