Handball Club Elche is not backing away from its summer work. By June, the roster for next season was already closed. The Elche complex has undergone a notable renovation, with eight signings and ten players continuing from the previous campaign, shaping a fresh yet familiar squad.
The club’s identity remains clear: a focus on youth and a belief in young players with significant growth potential, a philosophy that has defined its DNA for years. The leadership under coach Joaquin Rocamora continues to push for development and bold progress, aiming to blend raw talent with strategic experience.
Rocamora, who is preparing for this weekend’s matches, brings a broad wealth of handball knowledge to the table, ready to compete against teams with larger budgets. The squad blends local talent with international experience, reinforcing their aim to challenge stronger programs while remaining within Elche’s means.
Eight new players joined Elche this season. The most notable addition is right-back Tessa van Zijlinternational from the Netherlands, who is set to spearhead the offensive line and bring international experience to the attack.
Another important signing is Spanish-Portuguese winger Danilo So Delgado, who left Valladolid. He joins Rocamora’s defensive system and is expected to sharpen his finishing and contribute consistently on the scoresheet.
Elche also welcomed Israeli winger Keren Teplisky, who faced the franciverdes in European competition with Maccabi before joining the project. Alongside Teplisky, the young Dutch talent Pipy Wolf enters the squad, bringing versatility and fresh energy to the wings.
The remaining four signings are investments in future potential. Maria Carillo, a rising star from Agustinos de Alicante, Zaira Benitez from Elda Prestigio, and Lisa Oppedal, who previously played with Torrevieja, are all bringing international experience at junior levels to Rocamora’s squad. Each player is part of Spain’s national youth teams, which Rocamora knows well as a young coach who values future promise in development pathways.
In addition to the eight newcomers, a backbone from last season remains important. Gatekeepers Nicole Morales and Pamela Rodrigues return, and the defense includes Clara Gasco and Celia Guilabert, along with midlines Paola Bernabé and Ivet Musons. The array of wings includes Maria Flores, Nuria Andreu, and Elena Martinez, with Katya Zhukova anchoring the pivot position. Together, they aim to imprint the Elche DNA across every match and practice session.
Altogether, the squad totals 18 players, but injuries alter the timeline. Ivet Musons and Elena Martínez recently underwent knee surgeries and are expected to be unavailable until the end of the year, possibly into January, delaying their return to action. This setback is noted but handled with a plan to integrate them safely back into competitive play when fit.
Elche stands as the sole representative from the Valencian Community in the Guerreras-Iberdrola League, carrying high expectations after recent seasons. The team has previously challenged for national titles, lifting the Queen’s Cup and the Spanish Super Cup, and demonstrated strong competitiveness in European play. This past campaign the team advanced to the quarterfinals of the European competition but fell to Rocasa Gran Canaria, who went on to lift the title.
Last season’s performance saw Elche finish sixth in the Guerreras-Iberdrola League, narrowly missing a berth in Europe. The club remains hopeful for a future invitation that would allow them to wear the green stripe again on the European stage, continuing to raise the level of competition in the region.
Rocamora expressed satisfaction with the squad’s formation, noting that the club has built a strong structure despite a more modest budget compared with other teams. He emphasized the value of signing top talents within the province and maintaining a paid, committed workforce that supports the project for the upcoming seasons. The emphasis is on sustainable growth and cultivating talent for long-term success.
The coach from Orihuela preferred a cautious approach, acknowledging the many changes and the need to see how the newcomers adapt. He avoided setting explicit goals or ceilings for the team, choosing instead to focus on adaptation and growth. His stance is clear: stay confident and prepare to compete hard in every match, with a plan to maximize the potential of the assembled group as the season progresses.