On Saturday at 18:00, Elche CF’s first team hopes to silence a surprising Girona, who sit at the top of the Copa del Rey standings in the round of 32. Elche Juvenil also dreams of carving out more history in this knockout competition.
The coach Carlos Geraldo steered the team into the Cup with a standout performance after finishing the first phase of the league in second place in Group 7. The side added a handful of wins and a handful of draws, accumulating a total of 32 points after ten victories, two draws, and just three defeats. This result helped the team secure a seeded position for the round of 32 draw, with the tie scheduled to begin at home.
Elche Juvenil makes history for the second year in a row
They will face Racing de Santander, the third-placed team in the group, with the match set for a confirmed date. The game will take place at the Diego Quiles stadium in the Altabix sports complex.
This moment marks a historic milestone as Elche aims to overcome the draw and advance to the quarterfinals, potentially reaching the Final Four at the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s Football City in Las Rozas. While the path is uncertain, the challenge promises excitement.
A large crowd is expected to support Elche, with first-team season-ticket holders granted free entry using their card this season. General admission is set at ten euros, and children under six may enter free of charge.
Carlos Geraldo expressed confidence that the tie against Racing de Santander will be contested with great enthusiasm. He said, Living is a beautiful thing. The squad has worked hard from the first day of pre-season to be among the top four so they could compete in the Cup.
The Elche Juvenil coach believes his players are well prepared for this big challenge: We expected some nerves, and they showed courage, but they backed it up with determination. Despite coming back from New Year celebrations, they arrived with focus and resolve.
Carlos Geraldo added: We face this challenge with great enthusiasm. It is a historic moment, and we look forward to tomorrow.
The club’s social channels highlighted the upcoming clash, underscoring the anticipation and the collective effort to reach the next stage. The team will rely on a balanced approach, combining solid defense with purposeful attacks, as they meet a quality opponent.
Geraldo warned that Racing de Santander will present a tough opponent. We began planning the moment the draw was made, and after reviewing several matches we see a strong, capable team. They finished the first round in third place in their group, but they know there are still hurdles to clear. They started a bit cautiously with draws against Celta, Deportivo, and Oviedo, yet in the last six weeks they have avoided defeat more often and have won the majority of their matches.
This match is more than a single game; it is a step in a journey that has energized Elche’s youth program and the wider club. It showcases the potential of the academy to compete against top-tier teams and to deliver memorable moments for the fan base. The outcome remains uncertain, but the focus, community support, and strategic planning leave no doubt about the ambition behind Elche Juvenil’s Cup run. The team will now prepare for a clash that could echo through the club’s history and inspire the next wave of young players.