Bidasoa-Irun has secured a remarkable victory against French Limoges, taking the lead in their group in the main phase and cementing their spot in the EHF European League quarterfinals. This win can be attributed to one of their best performances of the season, with a notable mention of the unfortunate injury to Gorka Nieto being the negative note in an otherwise triumphant match.
The Artaleku pavilion was packed to the brim, with the home crowd providing an electric atmosphere that propelled the Basque team forward. Initially, the match saw both teams exchanging blows, with Bidasoa’s central player Gorka Nieto displaying exceptional skill. However, the French team, Limoges, managed to match the scoreboard, relying heavily on their counterattacks and capitalizing on some of Bidasoa’s weaker moments to take a three-goal lead. This prompted Bidasoa’s coach, Álex Mozas, to make a strategic move, which eventually paid off as the team regained their momentum.
As the match progressed, Bidasoa found their footing once more, thanks in part to the efforts of Alberto Entrerríos, who called his team to order, and the outstanding performance of Gey-Emparan. Towards the end of the first half, Brazilian player Pacheco scored two crucial goals, which gave Bidasoa a slight edge. This lead was short-lived, however, as Limoges quickly caught up, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
The second half saw the game remain evenly matched, with the Greek player Boskos standing out. Three of his goals put Bidasoa in the lead, but their advantage was threatened when Gorka Nieto suffered an injury, a setback that could have derailed their momentum. Nevertheless, the team persevered, with Asier Nieto’s goal in superiority granting Bidasoa the momentum they needed to push forward. From there, with Leo Maciel delivering an immense performance in goal, Bidasoa took control of the game, securing a significant victory that not only solidified their position as group leaders but also guaranteed their passage to the European League quarterfinals.
Technical details of the match highlight the strengths of both teams. Bidasoa-Irun ended with 35 points, courtesy of goals from Rodrigo Salinas, Asier Nieto, Dariel García, and others, with Leo Maciel and Faílde in goal. Limoges, with 30 points, saw notable performances from Turchenko and El Deraa, among others, with Slavic and Gauthier as their goalkeepers. The match was overseen by Austrian referees Bolico and Hurich, with several players from both teams receiving exclusions. The final scorecard reflects the intense competition, with Bidasoa’s victory marked by determination and skill. The match, attended by 1,800 fans at Artaleku, was the third in the access phase to the European League quarterfinals.