04.09.2008, 09:00
Elda preparing for CL challenges

Elda's first big test will be the Spanish Super Cup on Saturday.

Elda preparing for CL challenges

The Spanish champions are preparing for the new season. Elda, with a new coach and a changed team, are going for the first trophy of the season, the Spanish Super Cup.

Test matches

The first test match of the season was played already on 9 August. Back then, Elda defeated Vicar Goya, team ranked 10 in Spain last season. It was 28:21 (12:12) in favour of Elda with 7 goals of the Romanian international Oana Soit.

On 16 August, the team led by the emblematic Diana Box had a more serious rival, Aarhus from the Danish TOMS league. Elda lost this one by 24:25.

On 22 August Elda managed to defeat Alicante, ranked 6 in Spain, by 28:27. Just a day later, the two teams repeated the same result, but finally at the third attempt the Spanish champions won by 29:25.

In the first part of the preparations, coach Box could not count on two Brazilian internationals, Fabiana Carvalho and right winger Vivianne Rodriguez Jacques.

Changes in the team

The Spanish team will start the new season without some familiar faces. Back players, Tanja Dajcman and Natalia Martynenko, left the club and joined Las Palmas. Line player Diana Box retired from playing handball and took over the coaching position after Angel Sandoval decided to retire. The other line player, Begona Fernandez, also decided to leave the club and returned to Itxako.

New players also arrived: line player Mari Cruz Asensi came from Ribarroja and one of the best Spanish defence players, Isa Bastero, arrived from Roquetas.

Elda vs. Sagunto for Spanish Super Cup

The first big challenge of the season is coming up this weekend on 6 September.

The Spanish Super Cup will be played in Elda against the Spanish Cup winner and Spanish League Cup winner Balonmano Sagunto.

TEXT: Ivan Ambros