Elche women’s handball, Queen’s Cup and Super Cup champions: a team of fighters on the court
The Queen’s Cup second round draw took place at the Royal Spanish Handball Federation headquarters this week. As the competition marks its 45th anniversary, six teams will accompany Super Amara Bera Bera from San Sebastian as champions and organizers: KH-7 Granollers in the final stage, Gipuzkoa as last year’s finalist, and two clubs from Alicante. AtticGo Elche, celebrating its rise to the top division, earned its place alongside Elda Prestigio, who has returned to the highest level of Spanish women’s handball this season.
In the opening rounds, six teams in pot A earned qualification in the first round: Motive.co Gijón La Calzada, CICAR Lanzarote City of Arrecife, Replasa Beti-Onak, Lobas Global Atac Oviedo, Zuazo Feleneno, and Elda Prestigio. Pot B held the Guerreras-Iberdrola League clubs that were already directly classified: Costa del Sol Málaga, Rocasa Gran Canaria, Caja Rural Aula Valladolid, Mecalia Atlético Guardés, Conservas Orbe Rubensa Porriño, and AtticGo Elche.
Matches were drawn as follows
- Elda Prestigio vs Rocasa Gran Canaria
- Female Zuazo vs Costa del Sol Malaga
- Lobos Global Atac Oviedo vs AtticGo Elche
- Replasa Beti-Onak vs Conservas Orbe Rubensa Porriño
- CICAR Lanzarote City of Arrecife vs Caja Rural Aula Valladolid
- Motive.co Gijón La Calzada vs Mecalia Atlético Guardés
Qualifiers are scheduled for a single match on January 20 and 21, 2024. The home team in Pot A will host, though dates may shift to accommodate teams involved in European competitions.
Queen’s Cup round table
Last year’s Cup champion Super Amara Bera Bera advanced directly to the Cup quarter finals for the final stage, and the runner-up KH-7 Granollers earned the same direct pass as a reward for last season’s performance.
AtticGo Elche sits second in the Guerreras-Iberdrola League after the first round, while Lobas Global Atac Oviedo finished near the bottom with only one win. The defending champions are clear favorites, but the road to a later stage remains unpredictable, especially when matches are away from home.
Rocamora on AtticGo Elche: a tough test ahead
Rocamora described the upcoming tie with AtticGo Elche as a challenging matchup. He noted that Elche is a well-prepared opponent with a strong game model that exploits the strengths of its roster. The emphasis for Rocamora is on staying focused to push through the qualifiers. The coach added that the team is excited about reaching the final stage and intends to prepare thoroughly to secure qualification.
Rocamora also highlighted the importance of the forthcoming matches and the chance to perform on a bigger stage, with the whole squad aiming to give their best effort to advance.
The coach stressed the need for precise preparation and unity to navigate the ties successfully. The team’s leadership and plan will be tested by a disciplined Elche unit and a demanding schedule that may require strategic adjustments as the rounds unfold.
In the upcoming clash, Elda Prestigio will face Rocasa Gran Canaria, a longtime contender in Spanish women’s handball known for their broader experience and high level of competition. Elda Prestigio currently sits mid-table in the Guerreras-Iberdrola League, with a balance of wins and losses. The team will rely on its depth and the advantage of playing at home to tilt the tie in its favor, while the visitors will bring a tested approach and a proven track record in this competition.