Super Amara Bera Bera secured a 26-24 victory against Rocasa Gran Canaria on Gran Canaria, claiming their fifth win to open the league season. The milestone matches a start to the league campaign that the San Sebastián club has not achieved in seven seasons.
Operating with a roster in transition that includes new signings and multiple absences—including the coach, who did not travel to the Canary Islands—the visitors relied on composure during tight moments. Xabat Beloki managed the bench on the night, guiding the team through a physical encounter marked by momentum swings and a slow start.
Rocasa Takes Early Lead Before Bera Bera Responds
The hosts opened the scoring through María Zaldua, establishing an early rhythm designed to disrupt the Guipuzcoan attack. Rocasa capitalized on early errors, forcing nine turnovers from Bera Bera in the opening thirty minutes—double the concession rate of the home side.
With Rocasa holding an 8-4 lead, the Bera Bera bench called a tactical timeout to reset the defense. Etxeberria sparked the response by penetrating the central defensive gap, followed by successful penalties from Plotton, a wing finish from Shunu, and contributions from Arroyo and Fonkeng. A subsequent 5-0 scoring run culminated in a steal and long-range empty-net goal by Álvarez, pushing the visitors ahead 9-10 before Tort narrowed the gap to 11-12 at the halftime break.
Composure Decides the Finish
The second half remained tightly contested, with Bera Bera maintaining a narrow edge and preventing Rocasa from reclaiming more than a one-goal advantage. Despite accumulating five player exclusions during the match, the visitors protected their lead into the final minutes.
With the score tied at 24-24 and under four minutes remaining, a foul on Gavilán yielded a seven-meter penalty. Carmen Arroyo stepped to the line, converting with a slow, placed shot into the corner to restore the advantage. Goalkeeper Balzinc added two crucial saves, and in the closing attack, Elena Amores located Elba Álvarez, who scored from a tight angle to seal the 26-24 final score.
Match Statistics and Officials
Rocasa Gran Canaria (24): Cuadrado, Morentín (1), Rodríguez (5), Zaldua (3), Poles (4, 1p), Söthe (1), Ramírez (3) —starting seven— Botella (1), Ranz (2), Tort (3), Oliveira (1), Castillo, Medina, and Palomino.
Super Amara Bera Bera (26): Balzinc, Louis (5), Plotton (3p), Fonkeng (2), Álvarez (6, 2p), Ishikawa (2), Etxeberria (1) —starting seven— Arroyo (2, 1p), Gavilán, Amores (2), Erauskin, Shunu (3), Murgiondo, and Prades.
Scoring Partials: 3-2, 4-4, 9-5, 9-7, 10-10, 11-12 (halftime); 14-14, 16-15, 16-18, 20-22, 23-24, and 24-26 (full time).
Referees: Murillo and García issued exclusions to Poles, Ishikawa, Louis, Fonkeng, Gavilán, Arroyo, and Imanol Álvarez.
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