Rocamora: “The competition that excites me the most is the EHF European Cup and AtticGo Elche has the capacity to reach the final rounds.”
JA Galvan
For now, the green Franji warriors are on the right track. They were eliminated in the first round by HC Byala of Bulgaria, in the second round by Nea Ionas of Greece, and in the third by Madeira Andebol of Portugal. The campaign concluded last Saturday at the Esperanza Lag pavilion.
Atticgo Elche reached the quarter-finals of the EHF European Cup
David Marine
The quarter-final draw took place in Vienna this Tuesday, pairing Joaquín Rocamora’s squad with HC Gjorche Petrov-WHC Macedonia Skopje. The first leg will be played on March 9 or 10 at the Esperanza Lag arena in Elche, with the return leg scheduled for March 16 or 17 in Skopje.
The other three qualifiers will be decided in head-to-head clashes: MSK Iuventa Michalovce of Slovakia will meet Dutch side Hanbal Vento, Rocasa Gran Canaria will clash with KH-7 Granollers in a Spanish duel, and Armada Praxis Yalikavasport from Turkey will face Sporting de Portugal-Benfica.
AtticGo Elche players celebrate a victory.
Beating the Macedonian squad would set up a semi-final clash against the winner of Rocasa-Granollers.
Joaquín Rocamora offered an early assessment once the draw was known: “The overall mood is positive. We avoided the strongest early matchups and, in this stage, many pairs will eliminate one another. If we reach the semi-finals, a Spanish team will appear in the final.”
The AtticGo technician added: “The team must now focus on assessing the level of the Macedonian outfit and decide whether both matches can be hosted in Elche. We want more home legs after the first match and the rematch were played at home. It feels like a favorable draw, and when the time comes, hard work will be needed to progress and make history again for AtticGo Elche.”
Paola Bernabé attempts a shot on goal.
Queen’s Cup
Meanwhile, the Green-Franjire team prepares to play this Tuesday at seven in the evening at the Florida Arena in Oviedo. The match is part of the second stage of the Queen’s Cup, with Lobas Global facing AtacIt advancing directly to the final eight.
In the league, Elche’s squad sits in a strong position while the rival Guerreras-Iberdrola League leaders, Costa del Sol Málaga, hold the top slot. Elche trails in third place with 22 points, just two behind the leaders, and ahead of Súper Amara Bera Bera in second. The upcoming fixtures will determine whether Rocamora’s group can sustain momentum into the late stages of the season.
Citations: AtticGo Elche press materials and post-draw comments [Citation: Club communications].