AtticGo Handball Elche kicks off pre-season in Costa del Sol
In a weekend of intense prep for the upcoming campaign, AtticGo Handball Elche faced Costa del Sol Malaga in a pair of tightly contested friendlies that tested early form and team chemistry on the Nine of the Costa del Sol court. The squad from Elche, known for their green haired stamina and relentless pace, entered the matches aiming to translate Friday’s sharp offensive bursts into steady, consistent play across two exhibitions in Malaga.
The events unfolded as a dual contest where both teams showed contrasting strengths. On Friday, the visitors from Elche began with a confident rhythm, delivering precise throws and maintaining pressure on the Malaga defense. The opening exchanges were even, but Elche managed to edge ahead before the break, finishing the first half with a narrow advantage that set the tone for a dramatic second period. The final score of that Friday tilt was 26 to 21, a margin that confirmed the visitors as the team to watch in the early days of the pre-season. This performance added momentum to the tournament and reinforced expectations for a competitive season ahead for AtticGo. At the same time, the clash served as a valuable diagnostic for the Franjiverde squad, highlighting areas to tighten as the team prepared for the rigorous schedule to come. This result and the reactions around it were widely discussed among fans and analysts following the event.
The following day brought another chapter in the Malaga weekend, with both teams eager to refine tactics and build rhythm. The game adopted a familiar structure with a balanced opening, and the squads again exchanged blows with neither side able to break the stalemate decisively during the early minutes. By the halfway mark, the scoreboard showed a tight tie, and the atmosphere grew progressively more competitive as the two teams swapped leads in a display of attacking intent and defensive discipline. The second half proved pivotal as Costa del Sol Malaga managed to establish a three goal cushion, a separation that AtticGo found difficult to bridge despite sustained effort and renewed focus. A moment of misfortune in conversion and a handful of wasted 7 metre opportunities contributed to the eventual outcome in favor of the Malaga side, despite the matchups producing moments of high quality and promise for the Elche players. The day concluded with Costa del Sol Malaga claiming the win, while AtticGo took away tangible lessons that will shape their training weeks ahead.
In the post-match assessment, the club’s leadership emphasized that the team had used both games to gauge capacity and refine execution. The coach publicly noted that the difference between the two duels lay in the execution of producing scoring chances and converting them under pressure. The club’s report highlighted the need to reduce errors in shooting and to translate created opportunities into successful finishes when the game tempo accelerates. The players remained focused on translating the weekend’s learnings into lasting improvements as they prepared for the next rounds of friendlies and the return journey to Elche. The coaching staff praised the commitment shown by the entire squad, acknowledging that two close encounters in a single weekend provided a clear picture of where the team stands and what remains to be done to reach peak form.
The head coach’s assessment highlighted the balance achieved in the first match and the challenges faced in the sequel. There was recognition of the drop in accuracy in critical moments and a note that the team must sharpen its capability to turn halftime discussions into decisive action on the court. The players who took on additional minutes expressed confidence in their ability to grow from the experience and to contribute more consistently in upcoming fixtures. It was a weekend that reinforced a strong sense of purpose within the squad and confirmed the coaching staff’s drive to build a resilient, cohesive unit for the season ahead.
Looking ahead, the team will treat Sunday as a recovery and rest day before resuming training on Monday with a full morning and afternoon session. The next set of friendly matches is slated for the following weekend in Benidorm, with a sequence of fixtures that pits AtticGo against Elda Prestigio and BM Morvedre on Saturday, followed by a Sunday clash that will pit VOC Amsterdam against Sola HK in a test of travel stamina and tactical depth. The schedule promises more opportunities for evaluation and growth as the squad continues to build its identity and readiness for the official competitions on the horizon. The weekend in Malaga thus served as a practical barometer for AtticGo’s pre-season progress and a clear signal that the team is ready to push toward higher levels of performance in the weeks to come.
The Oriolano coach of the Franjiverde group allocated playing time evenly across the two engagements in Malaga, with eighteen players taking part in the two bouts. Injuries were noted but not debilitating and did not derail the squad’s overall preparation for the season. Raquel More and Danila So Delgado faced muscle discomfort, while Udane Barnabas was involved with the youth Spanish team in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of ongoing EHF Championship preparations. None of these factors altered the strategic approach, and the club remained committed to a balanced development path for the athletes involved.
In the club’s official review, AtticGo Technical Director emphasized the contrast in the two games, attributing the victory margin in the first match to sharper throwing execution and better overall decision-making. He acknowledged a rough patch in the second game where several seven-meter throws went astray and scoring chances were not maximized. The editor for the Franjiverde program echoed these sentiments, noting a rough spell in the second half that impacted the result but believing the team still demonstrated clear potential in the build-up play and defensive structure. The takeaway was simple: continue refining the basics, stay composed under pressure, and translate hard work into more consistent performances in the next rounds. The team left Malaga with a clear sense of direction and renewed drive as they head toward a demanding schedule and the upcoming tests in Benidorm.
Next matches
AtticGo players will treat Sunday as a rest day after completing their two Malaga fixtures and arranging the travel back home. The squad will reconvene on Monday for a split session that will emphasize recovery, conditioning, and tactical review. The forthcoming friendlies in Benidorm will be crucial for cementing roles and building the collective rhythm that will carry AtticGo through a busy pre-season period. The schedule is designed to sharpen the team’s adaptability and resilience as they approach the start of the regular competition, where every session counts toward establishing a competitive edge and a consistent, high-intensity style of play.