Irudek Bidasoa Irun opens its 2026/27 EHF European League group stage campaign this Wednesday at 20:45 local time (18:45 UTC) at Artaleku, hosting Icelandic side HF Hafnarfjordur. Head coach Álex Mozas has challenged his squad to honor the club’s storied European history as they embark on another continental run alongside group opponents Marítimo da Madeira and Limoges.
Artaleku Prepares for Opening European Test
The Basque club enters the fixture carrying a flawless start to the Liga Asobal season with a clean sweep of victories. Their first continental visitors, commonly known as HF, arrive in Irun holding third place in their domestic competition. The Icelandic team traveled to the city early, signaling careful preparation for a group that Mozas has described as deceptively difficult despite lacking the high-profile name recognition of previous years.
«If we want to pass this group, which is a bit deceptive because the names are not as flashy as last year’s, we have to win this match here yes or no,» Mozas said during his pre-match press conference. «If we don’t win, qualification is going to get very complicated, and that is why this match is so important and why the pavilion needs to be like it is in the great moments.»
Tactical Breakdown and the Challenge of HF Hafnarfjordur
Analyzing the visitors, Mozas pointed to the squad’s distinctive playing style, shaped by their manager, legendary former player Aron Pálmarsson. While Scandinavian sides typically employ static defensive schemes, Pálmarsson has introduced a more aggressive approach designed to disrupt opposition attacks.
«He gives them a certain touch of what he has experienced defensively,» Mozas noted regarding Pálmarsson. «It is not as static a defense as the Nordic ones usually are. They have the intention of pressing, of making the attack doubt, which I think could even suit us well.»
The Bidasoa coach also highlighted the physical profile of the Icelandic roster, warning his players about their direct style of play and exceptional individual speed. «The insulting youth of some of them, with a lot of individual quality and imbalance,» Mozas said. «They do not complicate things too much in the game, which is very direct. Being direct does not mean being individualistic. From direct play, they achieve very good continuities and they are also very fast people in transitions.»
Honoring the Legacy at Artaleku
To prepare mentally for the continental opener, Mozas revealed he recently watched footage of the historic Elgorriaga Bidasoa against Girondins de Bordeaux European Cup Winners’ Cup tie from the 1990/91 season. The viewing served as a reminder of the arena’s rich sporting heritage.
«I didn’t even dream of being in a competition like this,» said Mozas, emphasizing the weight of the club’s past. «We have to honor the history of Bidasoa by playing great games here again. We have to put the club back, like these last years, at least among the best in the competition.»
Artaleku has long served as a fortress for the Basque side, witnessing memorable European nights against opponents such as Benfica, Limoges, and Saint-Raphaël. Mozas stressed that the current squad faces rising talents who will soon feature for Europe’s elite clubs, making home support vital.
«They are aware of where they come from, to a field with a lot of history,» Mozas said of the visiting team. «For the young kids they have, it will be an experience they will not forget. Let’s hope they don’t forget it, either, because they lose decisively. That is what we are going to look for, to make the best possible match and for them to remember us for how we played, defended, and imposed ourselves on them. I think people come here knowing they are coming to the home of a former European champion team.»
Match Details and Group Context
The encounter between Irudek Bidasoa Irun and HF Hafnarfjordur gets underway at 20:45 local time at Artaleku. Alongside the Icelandic club, Group includes Portuguese side Marítimo da Madeira and French club Limoges. Bidasoa requires a victory on home soil to establish early momentum in a group where dropped points could prove decisive in the race for the next round.
