Elche CF’s youth squads were in Villarreal yesterday, competing in the group stage of a prominent national youth event. It is the XXXI edition of the Pamesa LaLiga Promises Santander National Football-7 Tournament, a competition organized by LaLiga in partnership with the José Ramón de la Morena Foundation. After a rocky start that included two losses and two draws, the franjiverde youngsters found a positive rhythm as the day progressed. The two groups in the tournament collectively allowed Elche players to advance through the group stage for the first time across their four appearances in this event, marking a milestone for the club’s academy.
The first fixture for the Elche youth side was against Real Madrid’s academy. It proved to be a tightly contested match, a true one-on-one battle that lasted until the final whistle, with Real Madrid claiming a narrow 1-0 victory. The opponents demonstrated their strength by winning their subsequent contest in convincing fashion, underscoring the level of competition on display throughout the day.
The second match of the day came in the morning, this time against Alavés. Played in quick succession after an early lunch break, the game ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that kept Elche in the mix as the schedule marched on with two more matches scheduled for the afternoon.
In the late afternoon, Franjiverdes faced Getafe CF at 18:30 and settled for a 2-2 draw, showing resilience and an ability to fight back. A short while later, at 19:00, they were defeated 3-0 by Real Betis. Despite the setback, the team had already secured advancement to the knockout stage for the first time in this competition, thanks to the two draws and the overall solid performance across the day. The plan for the following day was clear: a round of 16 matchup slated for 12:30 against Atlético de Madrid, with everything still to play for in the pursuit of a deep run in this national event.
A wide assembly of 20 senior league teams participated in this grassroots football festival. The Elche expedition departed from the Martínez Valero stadium the day before, and one of the first team captains, Fidel Chaves, offered words of encouragement, wishing the young players an unforgettable experience and urging them to savor every moment on this national stage.
Coverage of the tournament has been available through live streams on LaLigaSportsTV, LaLigaTV Bar, and LaLiga’s YouTube channel. These platforms have allowed fans and families to follow the action in real time as the teams compete for prestigious National Promises recognition.
Elche CF Promises comprises a group of 12 players structured by positions across the lineup. Goalkeepers: Daniel Martínez Marín and Héctor Román. Defenders: Ayan Mihai Grigore and Oliver Friis Madir. Midfielders: Jesús Guardiola Rosado and Alejandro García Carcelén. The right winger: Alfredo Miralles Ramírez and Hugo Eugenio Lorente. Left winger: Felipe Herencia Vicente. Midfield: Ayoze Beranger. Forwards: Hugo Rico Poveda and Diego Navarro Alonso. The squad traveled to Villarreal under the guidance of coach Antonio Alarcón Asencio, with junior football coordinator Rubéns Hernández Mula, physical trainer Fran Díez, and delegate Ferrán Torregrosa Calabuig also accompanying the group. The overall setup reflected Elche’s commitment to youth development and competitive growth on a national stage.
Cadet B Elche CF arrived in Basauri in the Basque Country yesterday afternoon to participate in the Memorial Piru Gainza. Their group-stage schedule features a clash with Alavés at 11:15 am, followed by a 7:00 pm match against Real Sociedad. Elche’s cadet teams have consistently performed well in Spain’s top tournaments, underscoring the club’s strong developmental pipeline as they continue to compete with the country’s best.