CICAR Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife substantially improved compared to the first two games of the season, taking a step forward and putting Atticgo Balonmano Elche, one of the favorites in the category, against the ropes. Small details tipped the match in favor of the Elche team in the final minutes, with San José Obrero maintaining their options until the final stretch of the match. It was not enough and they were defeated by 19 to 23.
The first half of the match was marked by equality, alternatives in the game, and the brief advantages reflected on the scoreboard. The first significant difference was for Atticgo Balonmano Elche, with Zaira Benítez and Carmen Figueiredo scoring to make it 4-2, with CICAR Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife reacting with goals from Thais Fermo from the wing and Gema Trujillo with a seven-meter throw.
CICAR Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife strived in defense to stop the opponent's attacks, and it was in offensive actions where they had the most problems. After passing the halfway point of the first half, the two-goal advantage of Atticgo Balonmano Elche was neutralized with two good actions from the Brazilian Thais Fermo, forcing Joaquín Rocamora to request a timeout (7-7).
Atticgo Balonmano Elche managed to have a three-goal lead at the end of the first half, ending the period with a seven-meter throw converted by Vanessa Rubio. The first thirty minutes of the match ended with a score of 9 to 12.
The Elche team managed to have a five-goal advantage at the beginning of the second half, forcing Alfredo Rodríguez to stop the match (10-15). Following the instructions from the bench, the game of CICAR Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife grew, showing great security in defense and Ana Marín being very successful in goal.
With eleven minutes left in the match, Alba Tort scored a seven-meter throw to put her team one goal behind (17-18). Atticgo Balonmano Elche tightened up in defense, and only the individual actions of Ana Rodavic kept CICAR Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife alive in the match.
The match was decided by small details, and it tipped in favor of Atticgo Balonmano Elche. Lisa Oppedal culminated a quick counterattack, and Vanesa Rubio closed the match by scoring a seven-meter throw.
The match ended with a score of 19 to 23, in a game in which CICAR Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife took a step forward, but it was not enough to achieve a positive result. This is the path to follow, having two weeks to prepare for the next league commitment against Rocasa Gran Canaria.
