Provincial handball begins in Benidorm
Bright Saturday action is set to unfold as the Valencian Community hosts a prestigious international handball event this weekend in Benidorm. From Friday through Sunday, Palau d’Esports L’Illa will stage the Global Tourism Handball AON tournament, featuring elite clubs from Alicante and other parts of Spain along with notable European names in both men’s and women’s divisions.
The Benidorm Men’s team features prominently, joined by the women’s squads from Loft Elche and Elda Prestigio as part of an exciting lineup. Alongside local powerhouses, respected European clubs arrive to add depth to the competition. French side Ivry Handball, competing in the Stayer League, and BBM Bietigheim from Germany’s 2. Bundesliga appear in the men’s draw. Dutch VOC Amsterdam, contesting the AFAB Eredivisie, will also participate in the EHF European Cup loop, while Norway’s REMA 1000 Legan will send a women’s team to the event.
The tournament schedule kicks off with the first two semifinals this Friday. At 18:30, a clash between the Dutch and Norwegian sides will set the tone, followed by a 20:45 meeting featuring Benidorm and the German Bietigheim. On Saturday, the other two semifinals take place, including a local derby between AtticGo Elche and Elda Prestigio in the women’s division, and a high-stakes men’s clash between Fertiberia Sagunto and US Ivry Handball. The weekend promises intense battles as teams push toward Sunday’s finals.
Saturday also brings a headline battle between AtticGo Elche and Elda Prestigio, both representing the provincial pride in the Guerreras-Iberdrola framework. The day’s schedule features a key men’s duel as well, with Fertiberia Sagunto facing US Ivry Handball in a pivotal Liga Asobal test. The mix of local talent and international exposure is designed to help Alicante clubs sharpen their form ahead of the regular season.
Sunday’s schedule arranges a full slate of morning matches, including third and fourth place games for the girls and boys at 11:00 and 12:45, followed by the main events in the evening. The women’s final is set for 18:30, with the men’s final closing the weekend at 20:15. The event aims to showcase high-level handball while giving Alicante clubs a valuable preparation platform ahead of the official league launch in early September.
The Benidorm squad aims to perform well and serve as a welcoming host for visiting teams. The team, led by Sergio Carballeira, recently played a series of friendlies to fine-tune player fitness. In a recent test, they faced Dutch and Cuenca squads, earning a 22-21 win against the Dutch side and finishing 18-18 in a draw with Cuenca. The tournament winner was Cuenca, who defeated Volendan 29-19 in a decisive result. Matches for the partner events were structured in two 20-minute halves to accommodate the festival-like format of the competition.
In a regular-season context, the Benidorm lineup posted a 32-31 victory in a Sunday friendly against a Dutch opponent, signaling a competitive start to the weekend. Coach Carballeira faces considerations about squad fitness, with Serbian playmaker Djurovic experiencing muscle discomfort that may limit minutes this weekend. If healthy, he could contribute during the tournament’s critical moments as the team builds cohesion for the league opener.
In the women’s division, two highly anticipated semi-finals pit the Netherlands against Norway in a global power matchup, followed by a provincial derby between AtticGo Elche and Elda Prestigio. Elche currently sits near the top of the Guerreras-Iberdrola table, and the club looks to defend its position against the returning-to-top-flight Elda Prestigio, who reenters the elite ranks after a 16-year absence. The women’s lineup features notable international talent, including Brazilian Fernanda Lima and Argentine Sofia Rivadeneira, who are making impressions during this week’s tournament.
The tournament also serves as a proving ground for the Villacarrillo and Costa del Sol squads, with the aim of building momentum for the local handball community and providing valuable preparation ahead of the season’s official start. Aiming for consistent performance, all participating teams seek to balance development with results as they test tactics and player combinations in a high-stakes environment.
Final notes on the event emphasize the competitive spirit and community impact. The tournament calendar highlights a weekend packed with strategic matchups, cross-border competition, and the opportunity to witness young talents alongside seasoned professionals. The overall goal remains to advance handball in the Valencian Community while celebrating a sport that unites fans across regions and nations. [Citation: Local sports organizers, event program information to be attributed accordingly.]
In closing, the Benidorm tournament stands as a key milestone for teams in Alicante and beyond, a showcase of talent and a testbed for strategies that will unfold during the upcoming league schedule. The weekend promises dramatic handball, bold plays, and a sense of regional pride that resonates with fans across the Valencian Community and the broader handball world. (Citation: event previews and team announcements, attributed to participating clubs and league organizers.)