TM Handball Benidorm is set to ramp up for the season with a weekend of first practice matches. The aim is clear: sharpen the squad ahead of the Asobal League opener on September 9 against Sinfín Santander.
Under the guidance of new head coach Sergio Carballeira, supported by a dedicated technical staff, the team is integrating several new faces. The roster has grown by seven signings, and the coaching team is working to help everyone settle into the system as smoothly as possible.
After two weeks of intense training, the group began their morning and afternoon sessions at Palau L’Illa on August 1, braving the heat as they translated early on-pitch work into live play. The focus remains on cohesion, conditioning, and timely execution as the season approaches.
Provincial handball begins
The Benidorm squad, now entering the third edition of their international tournament, prepares for a weekend of 3×1 format matches, each lasting two 20-minute halves. The schedule promises a brisk pace and a chance for fans to see the team in action early in the campaign.
At 5:00 p.m., Carballeira’s side will contest a fixture with Handball Kras Volendam from the Netherlands. At 6:30 p.m., Volendam will meet Rebi Cuenca, another opponent from the Spanish Asobal League. Then, at 8:00 p.m., TM Benidorm takes the court against Cuenca in a high-profile clash to cap the opening day.
With little time to rest, Benidorm and Volendam are slated to face each other again at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. This rematch will be a standard game comprising two 30-minute halves, offering a different rhythm and strategic test for both teams.
Fans who have already secured their season subscriptions will gain free access to this weekend’s games. Those without a pass can purchase tickets at 10 euros for two days, or five euros for a single day, continuing to support the club as it builds toward a competitive season.
Local supporters will witness the unveiling of the squad’s new signings: Italian left winger Tomasso De Angelis, Spanish left winger Leo Alonso, right winger David Roca, Polish goalkeeper Krystian Witkowski, and central defender Nacho Vallés, returning to Benidorm after a few seasons away.
Discontinuity
Notable absences on the weekend will include Serbian forward Mirko Djurovic, who has been limited to physical work while recovering from an injury, and Argentine right winger Lautaro Blanco, who has not yet arrived in the city. Both players are expected to join the squad soon as travel logistics allow.
Sergio Carballeira also plans to rotate during the tournament, including youth prospects in the first-team environment. Among those invited to gain pre-season exposure are Mikel Alvarado, Jaume Planelles, and Eric Gavilán, each given chances to earn a spot in the Asobal League as the campaign unfolds.
Argentine center Kalhil Tarazi, who would normally join the national setup for a World Junior Championship, will be unavailable this weekend as he competes with the national team elsewhere. The staff will monitor his availability as the season progresses and tournament commitments shift.
TM Benidorm’s campaign is defined by significant changes to the bench and the club presidency, yet the objective remains straightforward: stay in Spain’s top tier, aim for top standings, and surprise on occasion, echoing past seasons when the club reached a Cup final and earned a European berth. The weekend will mark a clear statement of intent from a team intent on competing at the highest level in national and continental play, while building toward the long arc of the season. (Source attribution: TM Benidorm communications desk).