AEK – HC ALKALOID 25-29 (14-16)

Sunel Arena in Athens. Referees: Gytis Sniurevicius and Andrius Grigalionis from Lithuania. Delegates: Olav Oie Svein from Norway and Francisco Blàzquez from Spain

AEK: Genty, Tepper, Arampatzis, Matic 1, Vlastos, Schmidt 4, Keita 1, Panagiotou 4, Lulic 1, Koukoulas, Davyes, Garain 6, Toure 5, Beauregard, Szukielowicz, Sako 3

Seven-meter throws: 1/6 Suspensions: 4 min

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (9 saves), Galevski (5 saves, 2 missed), Djonov, Markoski 1, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 3, Velkovski 2, Simonoski, Ivanovski 3, Bingo 3, Francisco 5, Petkovski 3, Mitev 2, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 4/4 Suspensions: 10 min

HC Alkaloid secured a four-goal victory (29-25) over Greece’s AEK in the opening leg of the EHF European Cup final in Athens.

Inside a packed arena buzzing with tension, the match was paused twice as home fans threw objects onto the court. Undeterred by the hostile atmosphere, HC Alkaloid rose to the challenge, battled with grit, withstood the pressure, and ultimately achieved the result they sought.

In the opening fifteen minutes, the two teams were evenly matched, exchanging leads. However, HC Alkaloid executed their tactics more efficiently, anchored by a rock-solid defense, with the team shouldering the entire burden. The blue-and-white squad found their stride late in the first half, edging ahead to close that period 16-14.

The pace intensified after halftime. HC Alkaloid controlled the scoreboard, as AEK poured every ounce of effort into chasing the tie. The X-factor was goalkeeper Ivan Galevski, who thwarted five of AEK’s seven-meter attempts.

Twice in the second half, play was suspended due to unruly home fans. Nevertheless, HC Alkaloid’s players held firm, delivered a stellar performance, and ultimately broke through AEK’s resistance to claim the hard-fought victory.

The return leg is set for next week at the Boris Trajkovski Arena in Skopje.

HC ALKALOID – HC VARDAR 1961 26-26 (12-12)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Mihajlo Ilievski and Metodija Ilievski from Bitola. Delegates: Dragan Nachevski and Aco Nikolovski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (8 saves + 1 penalty save), Galevski (2 saves + 1 penalty save), Djonov 1, Markoski 2, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 8, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 1, Velkovski, Simonoski 1, Ivanovski 6, Bingo, Francisco 3, Petkovski 3, Mitev 1, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 4/5 Suspensions: 8 min

HC VARDAR 1961: Espinja (11 saves), Gogov, M. Stojanovski, Jagurinovski 2, Alarov, T. Stojanovski, Georgievski 2, Tankoski 2, Koij 1, Lazarevski 6, Horiha 3, Srdanovic 2, Nikolic 1, Petric, Pinto, Borozan 7

Seven-meter throws: 0/2 Suspensions: 8 min

The major Macedonian Super League derby between HC Alkaloid and HC Vardar 1961 ended in a captivating 26-26 stalemate after 60 minutes of end‑to‑end action.

HC Alkaloid seized the early momentum, blending rock‑solid defense with inspired saves from goalkeeper Marko Kizikj to surge into a 5-2 lead and even threatened to extend it further. However, a handful of attacking errors allowed HC Vardar back into the contest, and they quickly drew level at 5-5, turning the match into a goal‑for‑goal shootout with HC Alkaloid dictating the score.

Vardar enjoyed their only lead of the half at 8-7 in the 21^st minute, but Alkaloid hit back instantly to reestablish a 10-8 cushion.

Neither side broke the deadlock as the visiting team drew level at 10-10, and with no further shifts before the break, the halftime score stood at 12-12.

The visitors opened the second half on fire, pulling out to a 17-14 advantage, yet Alkaloid’s resilience shone through as they rallied to claw back.

Martin Serafimov’s second‑half heroics hauled the hosts level at 20-20 before HC Alkaloid seized the initiative.

Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski pulled off several vital saves in the closing moments, but HC Alkaloid nonetheless failed to convert multiple chances that could have secured a two-goal advantage and eased the pressure.

The match remained a back-and-forth battle, and with the visitors netting the last goal just three seconds before the final whistle, it finished with a stalemate.

HC ALKALOID – HC PROLET 62 42-20 (18-12)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Spasko Kjaev and Gligor Kjaev. Controller: Kamer Metalari

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Trajkoski, Djonov 4, Markoski, Mladenovikj 4, Serafimov 2, Karasmanakis 2, Stojkovikj 2, Velkovski, Ivanovski 4, Bingo 4, Francisco 1, Petkovski 4, D. Mitev 8, Savrevski 2, Garbeski 5

Seven-meter throws: 3/3 Suspensions: 8 min.

HC PROLET 62: Daskaloski, Trajkov, Jovic 3, Damchevski 1, Gligorov, Simovski 4, Dimovski, Shilegov 4, Kostenchev, Andonovski 1, Stojanovski 4, Krsteski, Drpljanin 1, Atanasovski 1, Despotovski, Spasovski 1

Seven-meter throws: 3/6 Suspensions: 2 min.

HC Alkaloid routinely completed their task, securing qualification for the Cup’s Final Four by winning both of their matches in a single day. As hosts of the group, they first triumphed in the local derby against HC Multi Essence (37-12), then defeated HC Prolet 62 (42-20) in the final.

They dispatched Prolet convincingly, rotating the squad and giving younger players valuable minutes.

HC Prolet never posed a serious threat in Avtokomanda, with Alkaloid opening up the decisive margin before the break. From a tight 11-10, HC Alkaloid pulled away to lead 18-12 at halftime, then stormed out of the blocks after the interval – scoring 11 while limiting their opponents to only two – to build a 29-14 advantage that sealed the result.

Damjan Mitev led the scoring with eight goals, followed by Maksim Garbeski with five, while Djonov, Mladenovikj, Ivanovski, Bingo and Petkovski each chipped in four.

Joining HC Alkaloid in the Macedonian Cup Final Four are Vardar 1961, Eurofarm Pelister and CHC Ohrid.

HC Alkaloid has reached the EHF European Cup final, and in just their second European campaign, they will compete for the trophy.

Over two legs against Norway’s Runar Sandefjord, HC Alkaloid displayed grit, tenacity, patience – and above all, collective responsibility – performing precisely at the level required to secure their spot in the decider.

Head coach Kiril Lazarov is pleased with the squad’s achievements so far, though he remains mindful of the tougher tests ahead.

“I’m proud of how the team approached these two games against a very strong opponent. Even without some of our key players, we proved that if we operate as a cohesive unit, we can overcome deficits and succeed.

We’re gearing up for an intense finish to the season. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure we are at our best when it really counts.

Reaching the final is a huge milestone not just for the club, but for Macedonian handball as a whole. We’ll need – and expect – the passionate backing of our fans in the final,” Lazarov said.

In the EHF European Cup final, HC Alkaloid will face Greek side AEK Athens. The first leg takes place on May 17/18, with the return match on May 24/25. Home advantage in the second leg will be decided by draw.

Dear media representatives,

The accreditation process is now open for media and media workers for the final of the EHF European Cup between RK Alkaloid and AEK Athens, which will be played on May 25th (Sunday) at 20:30 at the “Boris Trajkovski” Sports Center in Skopje.

Journalists from print media, online portals, and photographers should send their accreditation requests no later than May 22nd. Requests for accreditation should be sent to the following address: marketing@rkalkaloid.mk

Television stations, web televisions, podcasts, radio/web radio must apply directly to the EHF to obtain accreditation to cover the match. Accreditation requests must be submitted through the EHF’s online accreditation platform: https://accreditation.ehf.eu

HC Alkaloid delivered a landmark achievement for Macedonian handball by advancing to the EHF European Cup final, overcoming Norway’s Runar Sandefjord in the second leg following a five-goal victory in Skopje, and ultimately securing their place after winning a penalty shootout (regular time 34:29, penalties 1:3).

As the reigning Macedonian Cup champions, and fielding a squad made up of 95% Macedonian players, HC Alkaloid has secured its shot at a European trophy and will become the fifth club from our country to contest a European title.

Alkaloid’s adversary in the European final will be Greece’s AEK Athens, who ousted Izvidac of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their semifinal tie, with the dates for the Skopje and Athens fixtures to be decided by a forthcoming draw.

Euphoria erupted among the players in Norway following this remarkable feat by the young Alkaloid side, as they—and their “eighth player,” the crowd—celebrated in unison. Hundreds of Macedonian fans, mostly expatriates, gave their support to Alkaloid during the away encounter.