This Eibar Sports Community faces their rival Elche CF this Saturday in a game that serves as a mirror for both clubs—yet the reflection is not about vanity, but about ambition and resilience. Elche’s aim remains clear: to climb back into the Primera Division after a seven-year stint in the second tier, a journey that followed their relegation at the end of a season with high hopes. In the two campaigns that followed, aided by the financial momentum of a smart strategic landing, the club kept its sights set on returning to the top flight. Despite promising signs, Elche’s bids were halted by playoff defeats that prevented promotion on both occasions.
Elche’s campaign cresting into the 2021-2022 season saw them triumph with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Girona, a moment that breathed life into their promotion push. Yet, in another away game at Ipurúa, the team disappointed with a 0-2 loss that left them needing a reset and a fresh plan for the rest of the season.
Last year, the team spent a substantial portion of the campaign competing near the top of the table, only to miss direct promotion and have to settle for the playoff route. The sting of that shortfall lingered after a defeat to Alavés left them empty-handed again, a reminder that the climb back to the top division is a grind, not a sprint.
This upcoming season marks Elche’s third straight attempt to secure promotion. The club took a deep breath and restructured at the right moment, welcoming a new voice in charge: Joseba Etxeberria, a former Athletic Bilbao player and Spain international who made an immediate impact at Mirandés before taking over the Elche project. His arrival signaled a shift in mentality and a renewed focus on sustainable growth.
Etxeberria: “Elche has great potential and a top-notch staff”
JA Galvanized
They have maintained a solid core, keeping key performers from the last two seasons and those who had already started to prove themselves in the higher levels. Players like Tejero, Arbilla, Stoichkov, Jon Bautista, Leschuk, Quique González, Aketxe, Corpas, and goalkeeper Luca Zidane remain central to the squad’s plans.
The club also added depth by bringing in a midfielder on loan from Athletic Club Bilbao, strengthening the center of the park. They also secured an exciting loan option for the attacking prospect Conrad from Athletic and another loan spell for the forward La Fuente from Marseille, ensuring more creativity and pace in forward areas.
Further reinforcements included Malaga’s left-back Cristian Gutiérrez and the dynamic left winger Mario Soriano from Deportivo La Coruña. They also revived the relationship with Francho after his productive spell in Cartagena and helped Amorebieta edge closer to a confirmed promotion to the Second Division last season.
After a preseason that showed promise, the team faced a blunt test in the opening match, losing decisively to Santander on matchday one, a result that stung but also set the tone for what needed to be corrected as the season progresses. The message from the staff and players was clear: improve quickly, stay united, and push for consistent results in a demanding schedule.