Super Amara Bera secured a spot in the EHF European League group stage on Sunday, playing to a 21–21 draw against Rocasa Gran Canaria at the Josean Gasca pavilion and advancing on a three-goal aggregate lead from the first leg in Telde, El Diario Vasco reported.
More than 1,900 spectators filled the San Sebastian venue, creating an intense atmosphere as the home side weathered a late surge from the visitors. Elba Álvarez led the local scoring effort with eight goals, including five from the seven-meter line, while Amandine Balzinc delivered eight saves in the first half alone.
The result sets up an international schedule across January and February. The club now awaits the draw in Vienna on Thursday, where officials will determine the three opponents for the upcoming round-robin phase.
Sora Ishikawa opened the scoring with a long-range shot that energized the home crowd. Bera built a solid foundation during the first half, pushing the interval score to 13–9 and extending their advantage to 17–11 shortly after the restart.
Rocasa Gran Canaria mounted a fierce comeback in the second half, orchestrating a 4–0 run sparked by goals from María Paula Rodríguez and Larissa da Silva Oliveira. Two consecutive turnovers allowed the visitors to level the match at 17–17 with ten minutes remaining.
The tension peaked inside the final minute when a penalty conversion from Álvarez restored a vital cushion. Although Ana María González Poles equalized for the visitors before the buzzer, Bera’s defensive resilience and the aggregate advantage from the first leg preserved their qualification.
When the final whistle sounded, players and staff rushed the floor in celebration. Injured teammates Elke Karsten, Eider Tapia, and Ester Somaza joined the group wearing shirts bearing the message “Aupa Meli” to support French winger Melinda Marie Louis, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during the opening leg.
Outgoing coach Jon Begiristain and incoming successor Imanol Álvarez shared an emotional embrace on the court. Álvarez had spent the match watching and encouraging the squad from the stands.
“Objetivo conseguido. Encima en casa y con nuestra gente, así que creo que ha sido muy bonito. Todavía estoy eufórica, con las revoluciones a mil,” Maitane Etxeberria told El Diario Vasco.
“Hemos tenido un bache en ataque en el que no podíamos meter gol y cometimos varias pérdidas, pero no bajamos los brazos atrás y seguimos juntas; creo que esa ha sido la clave, junto con la ayuda de la portería,” Etxeberria told El Diario Vasco.
Bera’s starting lineup featured Amandine Balzinc in goal alongside Elena Amores, Carmen Arroyo, Laura Fonkeng, Elba Álvarez, Sora Ishikawa, and Maitane Etxeberria. Shula Gavilán, Anne Erauskin, Esther Fresco, Lyndie Shunu, Dione Kruijswijk, Alice Plotton, Uxue Murgiondo, and Alba Prades also appeared.
Rocasa Gran Canaria deployed a starting seven comprising Silvia Palomino, Marta Ranz, María Paula Rodríguez, María Zaldua, Ana María González Poles, María Tort, and Arine Ramírez. Their bench included Almudena Botella, Linnea Söthe, Larissa da Silva Oliveira, Rebeca Castillo, Martina Medina, Melania Morentín, and Lulu Cuadrado.
The officiating pair Dragana Jakovljevic and Danijela issued two exclusions to Bera players Ishikawa and Arroyo, while cautioning Rocasa player Tort once during the physical encounter.
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