Great game atmosphere tied closely to a single moment and a familiar spell of excitement. Lucas Boyé returned to see his old teammates and sparked a wave of energy among fans hoping for his comeback after a drought of goals from his team. In the same breath, Oscar Planowas drew applause from the audience.
A typical holiday day unfolds with a sense of familiarity. Roscón still lingers on the palate as many treat it as a snack. For some, entry felt like a royal gift. An afternoon filled with high expectations in the countryside, drawing a crowd of 15,518 spectators, and a buzz in the packed press room. The gathering looked historic, banners flying expressively for now, with fans from across the state. Villena welcomed Juan Carlos Ferrero, and strangers mingled among the supporters like an ordinary green Franji.
like the first one
A match that evoked Elche’s recent league outings. Packed with children, despite the chill. The wind blew strong for 90 minutes, yet the crowd remained convinced they could topple Girona, the co-leaders of the division.
The rival who earned promotion last year showed why small teams crave moments like this. Elche held its own against Barça and more recently faced Atletico, proving resilience and grit.
The stands offered sober, realistic commentary. “Let’s enjoy the game and let fate decide.” “An incredible gift from the Three Kings would be amazing, but it is unlikely.” Hope stayed tempered, with little ones wearing coats from visitors and locals alike. Collared coats dominated, yet peacocks, beanies, and hats added color to the scene.
Teams warmed up to applause, while the Elche squad line grew familiar. Beccacece stood out as the strongest starting XI voice among the supporters, and Edgar Badia stood out as the Cup’s goalkeeper after a costly error. Some fans began to chant and bid him farewell with encouragement and claps, signaling a possible loan to Zaragoza and a heroic memory left behind. The crowd sang with sentiment: “We will never forget you!”
Edgar Badia leaves Elche for Zaragoza
The atmosphere in the stands shifted as news spread about Badia’s departure.
Exits during the attack
The match commenced with both sides eager for momentum. Elche pressed forward, trading chances with a precise, counterpunch Girona that kept pace. In the first half, the pace stayed high even as both teams struggled to convert opportunities. The overall tone reflected a season of close calls and spirited resistance.
The second half opened with similar energy, as counterattacks became more pronounced. Each side showed dangerous intent, yet the final meters remained elusive. The crowd’s mood swayed between hope and realism as the clash continued.
Till the end
With little time left, the sense of possibility lingered, but the balance tipped toward a controlled Girona performance. A miracle seemed possible only for a moment, then faded as the visitors asserted control and the match moved toward its conclusion. Still, the stands stayed electric, held by a crowd unwilling to leave before the whistle.
Fans clung to a familiar refrain: “We did our best.” The team fought with everything, players pushing every moment, horns and all. The focus now turned toward the league, with whispers about strengthening the forward line, as everyone agreed that reinforcements were necessary. The staff acknowledged the effort and applauded the team for keeping faith with the game plan.