Spain and the Euro 2024 Qualifiers Move to Elche’s Martínez Valero Stadium
Last Sunday, the draw for the Euro 2024 qualifying phase took place in Germany, placing Spain in Group A alongside Norway, Scotland, Georgia, and Cyprus. The calendar soon followed, revealing that the Spaniards would begin their journey toward the final tournament at home against Norway. The match, featuring the current world’s most celebrated striker Erling Haaland, is set for March 23, 2023, and is expected to be staged at the Martínez Valero Stadium in Elche, a venue tied to strong memories for Spain. This fixture marks an important moment in the squad’s road to Euro 2024 within the continental schedule that governs the group stage. (citation: Elche local sports desk)
As reported earlier, the club submitted a request to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) during Elche’s centennial celebrations. The federation had promised to evaluate the proposal, given the historical significance of the centric events and the need to accommodate a high-profile qualifying match within March. Sources from Elche indicated that the arrangement was close to finalization, though official confirmation had not yet been issued at that time. Once the schedule was published following the draw, Spain’s qualifying opener against Norway emerged as one of the early fixtures in the road to Euro 2024, and one of the first competitive tests for the national team after the World Cup. (citation: Elche city press)
Upcoming home matches for La Roja include Cyprus on September 11, then Scotland and Georgia on October 12 and October 19 respectively, followed by November 19. All of these dates are aligned with the centennial season celebrations and the broader schedule. In this context, staying open to venue confirmation remains a priority, with Martínez Valero potentially hosting the Spain-Norway clash because of the stadium’s appeal and the opportunity to feature Haaland in a marquee encounter. (citation: national federation updates)
The Spanish Football Federation has historically weighed in on the special events surrounding clubs, especially during the long-running centennial milestones of major teams, and it has generally supported the logistics if the required infrastructure is in place. When it comes to Martínez Valero and the franciverde family, the federation has demonstrated, on multiple occasions, that Elche can stage high-profile matches with significance beyond the ordinary calendar. (citation: federation communications)
The federation has consistently praised Elche’s facilities and the warmth of its fans. Every time the senior team has visited Elche’s arena, the stands have filled to capacity. (citation: federation assessments)
Historically, Spain has played six matches at Martínez Valero: a 1986 victory over Belgium (3-0); a 1995 win against Macedonia (3-0); an earlier 2003 win over Ukraine (2-1); a 2006 win against Egypt (2-0); a 2008 victory over Italy (1-0); and the 2018 Nations League match where Croatia triumphed 6-0 in a decisive result. The stadium remains a lucky talisman for La Roja, a factor that could influence the decision if the venue is chosen for the qualifying clashes. (citation: match archives)
Elche CF’s stadium continues to be perceived as a potential beacon for La Roja, offering a compelling combination of history, atmosphere, and strategic advantage. This backdrop adds another layer of motivation for the national team as it eyes the path toward Euro 2024. (citation: club history summaries)