Elche CF has never played at Andorra FC’s home ground in the Second League. The team will debut in this category at the Estadi Nacional this Sunday, though there are few precedents for Second B, with the last one dating back to the 1996-1997 season.
That victory was a milestone for the coach at the time, Fabriciano González Penelas, known as “Fabri.” The win mattered first for the rival, then the leader of Second B, and finally because of the challenging circumstances. In several areas the pitch was protected by the snow that had fallen in the hours before kickoff. As remembered by Elche journalist Pepe Morago from the Ser network: “Elche last visited Andorra in the 1996-97 season and won 0-1 thanks to a goal from Eloy Jiménez, a striker from UD Las Palmas. There was heavy snow that weekend, and the match was nearly postponed, but eventually the stadium workers cleared the snow, there was no more precipitation, and the game could proceed. I recall my colleagues Santiago Gambín, Paco Gómez and Julián Palomar joining that trip.”
That editor, who was then covering Elche for Sport, wrote in a historical piece: “Despite the pitch being in very poor condition, the Franjiverdes played pragmatic football that carried them to victory. These three points should calm the atmosphere and start the climb toward the lead. Yesterday, the Elche supporters showed that they have a great team.”
On that day, the players who entered the field included Iru, Alberto, Sergio, Gustavo, Juanmi, Manel, Héctor (min. 73), Jaume, Paco García, Emilio, Olsson (Moreno, min. 84) and the substitute who joined the action in the final minutes, Tarare.
Celebrating the victory over Andorra last October. AXEL ALVAREZ
To present
Twenty-eight years later, Elche and Andorra met again in this campaign. On October 9, Martínez was at Valero. The goal scored by Borja Garcés in the 89th minute sealed a 2-1 victory for Beccacece’s team, in a moment that held significance for the coach and his future plans.
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In the first clash between these two teams in the second tier, Elche lined up with San Román, Mario Gaspar, Bigas (Nico Castro, min. 84), Clerc, Lautaro Blanco (Tete Morente, min. 84); Josan (Carreira, min. 69), Febas, Nico Fernández, Fidel, Óscar Plano (Mourad, min. 69) and Sergio Léon (Borja Garcés, min. 75).
Before more than 15,000 spectators, the Franjiverde side played a sharper game than their rival. They took the lead with a goal from Óscar Plano in the 22nd minute. Scheidler equalized in the 64th minute, and Garcés scored almost in stoppage time.
Borja Garcés celebrates scoring against Andorra last October. AXEL ALVAREZ
To go forward
The team has progressed since then, though some players who joined during that period are not available now. Sergio León appears to have completed his stint with the squad. Óscar Plano endured a long injury layoff. Lautaro Blanco has moved on from Beccacece and may be involved in transfer activity. Josan and Fidel remain in recovery, while Tete Morente could not participate due to muscle discomfort.