AtticGo Elche’s coach Rocamora warns: “Rocasa will be a very dangerous opponent”

AtticGo Elche rose to the occasion on Tuesday with a standout performance that underscored their growing strength in the league. The match unfolded with the Canary Islands side, Rocasa Gran Canaria, dominating the scoreboard early on, but Elche responded with discipline and a relentless defensive effort that paid off as the game progressed. By the final whistle, the visitors had secured a convincing win, a testament to Elche’s strategic focus and execution across both halves. The result added a new layer of tension to an otherwise balanced season in the league, signaling that the home team is ready to challenge the status quo in upcoming fixtures.

A victory that temporarily places Joaquín Rocamora’s squad in second place in the standings, just behind the Costa del Sol Malaga team and ahead of Gijón in a tightly contested table. This position reflects not only the day’s win but also the consistency shown across recent rounds, marking Elche as a genuine contender in the competition.

The win also serves as a morale booster ahead of the first leg of the EHF European Cup last 16, a match scheduled to be staged on Portuguese soil in Madeira. The team looks to translate domestic momentum into European success, a goal that has attracted attention from fans and analysts alike.

Atticgo Elche will play against Madeira on January 13 and 20

The tactical reshuffle implemented by Rocamora emerged as one of the defining features of the game. Several players received extended minutes, including Maria Carrillo and Raquel Moré, who stepped into larger attacking roles. In addition, Patricia Méndez logged significant playing time in offense, her role underscoring the shift in approach that helped Elche impose themselves during the contest. While the defense remained solid, questions about defensive balance surfaced occasionally, inviting further refinement ahead of the European tie.

The change in personnel and the willingness to rotate gave the squad a fresh dynamic, allowing attackers to express themselves with greater freedom and creating opportunities that stretched Rocasa’s defensive structure. The strategic moves paid dividends as the team built a comfortable lead and maintained it through the closing stages.

The match also highlighted the depth of the Elche roster, proving that the team can rely on multiple contributors when required and that the coaching staff is prepared to adapt to the flow of a game in real time.

Openly, Elche’s brave, strong and comprehensive defense smothered Rocasa, a side that had shown danger in prior outings. When Rocasa managed to breach the arc, Elche’s goalkeepers and line play responded with resilience. Nicole Morales and Marisol Carratu, among others, flashed moments of individual quality, reminding spectators of the individual talents spread across both teams.

Rocamora made a number of position changes throughout the match, particularly on the first line, to counter Rocasa’s varied attacking thrusts and to maximize the effectiveness of Elche’s own counterattacks. The tactical flexibility was evident and contributed to the overall control displayed by Elche as the game unfolded.

The game felt smoother and more manageable than expected, with Elche seizing the initiative from the opening minutes and the Canary Islands side rarely gaining a sustained foothold. As the first half concluded, the scoreboard reflected a comfortable cushion, and the team carried that momentum into the second period.

With a European campaign on the horizon, the team is eager to switch focus, travel to Madeira, and approach the continental stage with renewed confidence and clear objectives. The early-season expectations have evolved into tangible results, reinforcing the message that this squad is capable of competing at a high level across competitions.

DATA SHEET:

Atticgo Elche: Nicole Morales, Marisol Carratu, Katia Zhukova (2), Tessa Van Zijl (4), Lisa Opedal, Patricia Méndez (4), Danila So Delgado (4), Clara Gascó (2), María Flores, Zaira Benítez, María Carrillo (1), Pipy Wolf (3), Paola Bernábé (2), Alexandra Do Nascimento (2), Raquel Moré (2) and Kelly Rosa (6).

BIG GRANARIA ROCK: Silvia Navarro, Melania Falcón, Arinagua Pérez, Jalena Terzic, Larissa Da Silva, Lourdes Guerra, Rebeca López, Jhenifer Dos Santos, Marta Siñal, Martina Lang, María Zalzua, Eider Poles and Danila Moreno.

MARKER EVERY 5 MINUTES: 1-1, 3-3, 6-5, 10-6, 11-6, 13-7 (rest) 16-8, 18-9, 21-9, 23-11, 27-13 and 32-16.

REFEREES: Tania Rodríguez and Lorena Gracía.

PAVILION: Esperanza Laga in front of approximately 500 spectators.

RESULTS AND CLASSIFICATION:

Monday, January 8

KH-7 Granollers-Valladolid 36-25

Tuesday, January 9

ATTIGO ELCHE-Rocasa 32-16

Wednesday, January 10

Costa del Sol-Gijón 20:00

Saturday, January 13

ELDA PRESTIGE-Oviedo 18:00

Porriño-Beti Onak 18:30

Guardes-Bera Bera 20:00

CLASSIFICATION:

1- Super Amara Bera Bera 22

2- ATTICGO ELCHE 22

3- Costa del Sol Malaga 22

4- Caja Rural Aula Valladolid 21

5- Mecalia Atlético Guardés 16

6- Canned Orbe Rubensa Porriño 16

7- KH-7 Granulators 15

8- Rocasa Gran Canaria 10

9- Replasa Beti Onak 8

10- ELDA PRESTIJ 4

11- Motive.co Gijón La Calzada 2

12- Lobas Global Oviedo 2