Father Milla earned the defining moment of his career with a spectacular head shot that sealed the victory. A celebration erupted as the stands emptied, matching the pride of a city that watched Elche rise from the shadows of doubt to a remarkable promotion. Bragarnik had already reshaped the squad for the next season, while the Girona match at Montilivi on Sunday, August 23, 2020, lingered as a bittersweet memory shaped by the pandemic. For Elche fans, it was a year of unmatched joy, a turning point after a difficult period.
Elche reclaimed their place in La Liga, guided by a squad that carried itself with dignity and unity. They fought through the playoffs with unwavering belief, savoring a group dynamic that felt almost invincible. In a city that would never forget its coach and a veteran striker named Nino who fulfilled a lifelong dream of leading his team back to the top flight, the moment felt inevitable even when it seemed improbable.
on the front page
The following day, BI LGI proclaimed that Elche, under Pacheta with Nino as a talisman, had reached new heights. The coach and the seasoned forward inspired a squad that rose from the non-league levels to the Primera Division within two seasons, an ascent that remained the talk of the town.
Pacheta and Nino’s Elche go to heaven
JE Munera
The scene in the final moments saw Edgar Badia steering the defense, with Gonzalo Verdú and Dani Calvo ahead, joined by Josema and Óscar Gil. In midfield, Ramón Folch, Iván Sánchez, and Juan Cruz moved the ball to the forward line, where Jonathas, Josan, and Nino awaited scoring chances. In the second half, Víctor Rodríguez, Dani Escriche, Fidel, Mfulu, and Pere Milla—who found the net in the 96th minute—snapped up the decisive goal after a superb run to the far post by a Huelva-born winger feeding Catalan for the finish.
five survivors
Only a portion of this historic squad remains, but a handful stay on the roster. Edgar Badia, Gonzalo Verdú, Josan, and Pere Milla will return on Sunday (14:00) to play again at Montilivi, stepping onto the Primera Division stage after achieving promotion the previous summer. Fidel will miss the return to Montilivi due to five yellow cards that carry a suspension. José Ángel Carmona, sidelined by a muscle tear, will not participate in this match.
worst moment
The memories of the ascent are bright, yet Elche arrives at Girona’s stadium amid a rough stretch. They sit bottom of the table with only 13 points and five coaches having left the helm. The manager changed multiple times, and even those who stayed faced a testing time. The club’s players have endured a period of hardship, though a spark of optimism persisted as the season stretched on. Now, with ten days left, belief in a miracle has waned and the task ahead feels monumental.
In Montilivi, Elche witnessed its highest moment in recent years, even as the next match loomed with tension and unease. It would be the first top-tier visit of Elche to Girona in the Primera Division, a premiere that reflected both clubs’ humble beginnings and their current trajectories. The season’s challenges have drawn the teams closer to a shared truth—that both are now navigating their destinies in a tougher league.
The best of Girona
Their next opponent sits 11th in the standings, with 35 points and a quiet confidence about avoiding relegation. Girona had managed to snatch three points at Martinez Valero in a match that arrived with inevitable timing. It has been five months, and the season’s reaction remains uneven across the squad.
Currently, survival requires 17 more points, and 30 remain at stake. Although relegation looked plausible for weeks, the group continues to persevere. The arrival of Sebastián Beccacece did little to alter the dynamics. It is a Second Division Elche that must return to the First as soon as possible. Multiple coaching changes failed to unlock the desired form, and the clock ran short. Montilivi marked a pivotal moment in the centennial club’s recent history, a symbol of resolve as Elche prepares for a difficult journey ahead, facing Girona in a high-stakes contest.