Following a setback stretch of four defeats, Elda Prestigio aims to rebound in a crucial test this season. The next fixture, at 18:00 on Saturday, will unfold inside the Rocasa Gran Canaria venue, the City of Elda-Florentino Ibáñez mansion, a setting steeped in handball history and expectation.
Historically, the Balearic Islands have not been a frontline cradle for the sport on the peninsula in recent years. The current season has seen the top teams maintain their impressive form, while the table shows Rocasa Gran Canaria hovering near mid-table. Elda Prestigio, meanwhile, occupies a position just after the adversaries, a sign that even prestigious clubs must chase consistency.
Thus, despite Rocasa’s storied past, Chema Vives, head coach of Elda Prestigio, underscored the gravity of the moment: the club has more at stake than a simple win could justify, and every point matters in the race up the standings.
The Canarian squad, led by Silvia Navarro and Lulu Guerra, is recognized for its ability to deliver on the international stage. The Elda coach added that Rocasa would not take long to display its capabilities and urged his roster to confront them now rather than later, highlighting the importance of seizing the initiative early in the match.
Chema Vives expressed confidence that his team would replicate the strong showing they produced against a formidable opponent midweek, a game they pushed right to the limit before narrowly falling short, 32-33. The recent setback was seen as a learning moment, with a focus on sharpening tactics and maintaining composure under pressure in upcoming fixtures.
The Queen’s Cup will proceed with its own narrative this season, as the Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM) announced the first-round draw on a Friday. The format grants top finishers from the Guerreras-Iberdrola League last season exemption into the next phase, recognizing consistency across the campaign.
In the draw, Elda Prestigio has been paired with ERRECE Almassora, a club currently competing in the Honors Division B. The match will take place on Castellón soil, in November, on either the 18th or 19th, in a single-elimination encounter. A victory would set up a meeting with another Guerreras-Iberdrola side in the second round, with eight teams progressing to the cup’s final stage as the tournament advances toward its decisive rounds.