Today in the Lithuanian city of Klaipeda, HC Alkaloid will try to reach its first European victory on away field. In the first meeting in Skopje, HC Alkaloid celebrated a convincing victory by 11 goals (42-31), but the goal is not only to defend the difference and secure a place in the next round, but to get another victory over the fast team of Klaipeda Dragunas.

The team has been in Lithuania since yesterday, did a training session in the gym where the match will be played and got to know the atmosphere in the home of the Lithuanian „dragons”. The coaching staff and the handball players are optimistic about the outcome of the return match, despite the fact that they had a busy week in which they already played two matches, and now they are once again waiting for a competition with the Lithuanian team in their hall. The match starts at 15:00.

KIRIL LAZAROV, COACH OF HC ALKALOID:

I expect a tough match because in six days we will play three matches and not just any matches, but two matches from the European Cup and a derby match with Eurofarm Pelister, and we have a long journey. I know it won’t be easy. We have a handicap with the injury of Nikola Kosteski, we should mention that. I’m careful, because the audience in Avtokomanda saw that we have as our opponent a team that wants to play, that wants to compete for the whole match. We analyzed and saw that in the 48th minute there was only a six difference, and in the 54th minute it was a 13 difference. It could have been different, maybe the result is a little unrealistic.

We have a large stock, but that should not make us relax, we will go for victory, that is our goal. It will be very uncertain until the end, we want victory, but we will have to earn it. We will have to sweat hard to win, and it will not be easy, because, as I said, we play a third strong game in six days, and we also had a long trip. The boys are ready, but they are also exhausted, because they played two great games and are a little emotionally worn out after the joy they had after the two meetings. They will need to run a lot, we are aware of that in the coaching staff and we will do everything to look good and win in the end.

IVAN GALEVSKI, GOALKEEPER OF HC ALKALOID:

An 11-goal first-leg win is big, but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything about who wins the second leg. Dragunas is a quality team that runs for 60 minutes and they will surely be extra motivated after the heavy defeat in Skopje. That is why we will be maximally focused, motivated and concentrated. We will not defend a difference, but we will go for victory, as always in this match.

HC JEHONA – HC MULTI ESSENCE 22-36 (12-14)

Venue: Mladost in Gostivar. Referees: Sasho Jankulovski and Martin Jovanovski. Delegate: Gordana Gjorgjeska

HC JEHONA: Kizikj 1, Davidoski 5, Kostovski 2, Fichuroski 2, Jovanoski, Taseski 4, Selmani 1, Strezoski 1, Rushiti, Saliu 1, Dimitrieski 1, Shazivari, Gjorgjeski, E. Selmani, Mahajloski 4, Nikoloski

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

HC MULTI ESSENCE: Trajkovski, Krstevski 5, Popovski 3, Gjokeski 2, Angelevski, Nasevski, Ilievski, Pecanovski, Karakalashev 3, Nikolovski, Trajchev 1, Stojkov 10, Gurmeshevikj 8, Trajkovski, Tevdovski, Petreski 1

Seven-meter throws: 2/5 Suspensions: 16 min.

HC Multi Essence kicked off the new season with a victory. This year, players from cadet and junior competitions will play a key role on the roster, which has been completely revamped and rejuvenated.

In the first round, HC Multi Essence traveled to Gostivar and secured a dominant 14-goal win (36-22) against the Jehona team.

Our young squad played a fast-paced transition game, quickly establishing an eight-goal lead (12-4) in the first half. However, after a sluggish start, the home team gained momentum and narrowed the score to 10–12, threatening a potential comeback.

HC Multi Essence did not allow them to get any closer. After taking back control, the squad led 18–12 and, at 26–16, reached a double-digit advantage for the first time.

With a final score of 36-22, our team secured a dominating victory and its first points of the season.

In the next round, HC Multi Essence will host HC Aerodrom.

HC BUTEL SKOPJE – HC ALKALOID 27-34 (13-19)

Venue: Anton Dimitrov in Skopje. Referees: Sasho Krkachev and Gjoko Kolevski. Delegate: Dragan Nachevski

HC BUTEL SKOPJE: Stojanoski, Blazhevski, Subashevski, Todeski 4, Gjeorgievski 5, Nikolov 6, Novakovski, Spasovski, T. Uzunchev, D. Uzunchev 5, Milosheski, Kiselovski 2, Kaevski, Mihajlovikj 2, Sopic 3, Davitkovski

Seven-meter throws: 2/5 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski, Djonov 3, Markoski, Kosteski 6, Mladenovikj 2, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis 1, Stojakovikj 2, M. Mitev, Gjorgiev, Velkovski 2, Simonoski 1, Bingo 7, Silva 3, Petkovski

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

HC Alkaloid went into a winning streak with a victory over the always formidable HC Butel Skopje, in their first away match of the season. Without much tension in the score, HC Alkaloid proved to be the stronger team tonight, securing two points.

HC Alkaloid dominated the first half of the game from almost the beginning. The home team led only until the score was 3-3; after that, both Alkaloid’s play and defense progressively improved. After several scores were tied, Alkaloid pulled ahead with a more comfortable 10-8 margin. The two-goal lead did not last long, though, as Alkaloid surged ahead 12–10, followed by a decisive 5-1 run, bringing the score to 17-12 and shifting the momentum of the game entirely.

Arnaud Bingo and Nikola Kosteski were the most effective players in this phase of the match. HC Alkaloid opened up a seven-goal advantage in the second half (20-13, 21-14, and 23-16). A brief lull, however, made it possible for the home team to narrow the deficit to 24-21, threatening a more dramatic finish.

With 10 minutes remaining, HC Alkaloid scored two consecutive goals, regaining a comfortable five-goal advantage (27-22). By the five-minute mark, the lead had increased to eight, securing the victory.

HC Alkaloid will play HC Prilep at home, in the upcoming round.

HC ALKALOID – HC RADOVISH 33-23 (11-14)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Silvana Karbeska and Marija Ilieva. Delegate: Ljupcho Janevski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Trajkoski 1, Djonov 4, Petrov, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 4, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovikj 4, Gjorgiev 1, Simonoski 1, Bingo 4, Silva 4, Petkovski 6, Savrevski 1, Garbeski 1

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

HC RADOVISH: Ristov, Petrov, J. Gjorgjiev, Postolov 6, Markovikj, Jankovski 3, Sokolov, Stojanoski 3, K. Gjorgiev, Stojanov 2, Talevski 2, Trajanov, Onchev 5, Kostadinov, Atanasov 2, Kostadinovski

Seven-meter throws: 2/2 Suspensions: 10 min.

HC Alkaloid hosted the team of HC Radovish at home for the second championship round. Following their first-round derby victory over HC Vardar 1961, HC Alkaloid triumphed against HC Radovish, easily winning by a 10-goal margin (33-23).

Head coach Kiril Lazarov selected a combined squad for this match, leaving out Marko Mitev, Damjan Mitev, Nikola Kosteski, Martin Velkovski, Ivan Galevski, and Nikola Markoski.

The visiting side took advantage of HC Alkaloid’s casual play in the first half, particularly in defense, and won comfortably by six goals after 23 minutes of play, leading to a three-goal advantage at halftime.

In the second half, HC Alkaloid tightened up their defense, played with greater focus, equalizing the score after only 2 minutes, and by the 40th minute, went on a 7-0 run to secure a solid six-goal lead (26-20).

HC Alkaloid had complete control on the court to the very end, winning by a comfortable 10-goal margin.

Winger Aleksandar Petkovski was the team’s top scorer with six goals, followed by Martin Serafimov, Arnaud Bingo, Marko Stojkovikj, Ivan Djonov, and Francisco e Silva, each contributing four goals.

HC Alkaloid will play its first away match of the season against HC Butel Skopje in the upcoming round.

HC ALKALOID – HC VARDAR 1961 33-30 (18-17)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Mihajlo Ilievski and Metodija Ilievski. Delegate: Dragan Nachevski

HC ALKALOID: Galevski (5/1 saves), Kizikj (3 saves), Djonov 2, Markoski, Kosteski 6, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 8, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 1, Mitev 8, Gjorgiev 4, Velkovski 1, Simonoski 2, Bingo 1, Silva, Petkovski

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

HC VARDAR 1961: Espinha (7 saves), Gogov, Jagurinovski, Alarov, Stojanovski, Georgievski 4, Hanser, Krsmancic 2, Tankoski 3, Kooij 2, Lazarevski 6, Horiha 5, Srdanovic 3, Nikolic 1, Margheli 4, Kosevski

Seven-meter throws: 2/3 Suspensions: 4 min.

Following their 33-30 triumph over Eurofarm Pelister in the Super Cup, HC Alkaloid began the Super League with an identical victory of 33-30 against HC Vardar 1961 in a major derby encounter.

From the start of the game, both teams played strong, executing swift transitions and quick yet potent attacks. We held a three-goal lead (8–5) after 12 minutes since our team was more suited for this game. The opposition team’s coach then requested a time-out, which allowed the game to pick up a more balanced pace.

At this time, HC Alkaloid controlled the outcome for a while, but HC Vardar managed to tie the score and even took the lead once. However, Nikola Kosteski’s incredible goal earned HC Alkaloid a goal edge at halftime.

In the second half, our team took back control. Marko Mitev pushed the assault and found ways to get past the opposition’s defense. Meanwhile, our defense was able to stop their main goal scorers thanks to vital saves by goalkeepers Kizikj and Galevski. HC Alkaloid began to assert their dominance ten minutes into the game, establishing leads of 25-21 and 26-22, paving the way to victory.

Vardar made a valiant effort to move closer, closing the gap to 24-26, but was stopped there. We quickly responded with two goals, bringing the score to 29–25, but then the weather began to impact the game. Although we briefly faced pressure at 31-29, two more goals secured our final 33-30 win and earned us our first Super League points of the season.

HC EUROFARM PELISTER – HC ALKALOID 30-33 (14-19)

Venue: 26 April in Gevgelija. Referees: Gjorgji Nachevski and Slave Nikolov. Delegates: Dragan Nachevski and Kamer Metalari

HC EUROFARM PELISTER: Mitrevski, Ivic, Manaskov 4, Cehte, Kuzmanoski 2, Tajnik 1, Borzas 1, Radivojevic 4, Kuzmanovski 5, Abutovic 2, Gjorgovski 2, Petar Atanasijevikj, Peshevski 2, Cikatic, Hosni 4, Pavle Atanasijevikj 4

Seven-meter throws: 5/6 Suspensions: 8 min. Red Card: Filip Kuzmanovski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (12 saves), Galevski (3), Djonov, Markoski, Kosteski 8, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 5, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovikj 1, M. Mitev 6, Gjorgiev 3, Velkovski 1, Simonoski 5, Bingo 3, Oliveira, Petkovski

Seven-meter throws: 4/6 Suspensions: 12 min

HC Alkaloid has claimed the Macedonian Super Cup title. This evening, in Gevgelija, our team won the first trophy of the new season in a straight-up match against the defending champions, HC Eurofarm Pelister, etching their name into the prestigious history of this championship.

HC Alkaloid played a modern, team-oriented game, which was especially noticeable in the first half. The opponents held their own until the score reached 7–7, but from that point on, our team’s strategy began to pay off with each passing minute. After taking a 14–10 lead, HC Alkaloid extended the advantage by one goal, leaving for break with a score of 19–14.

The opposing team strengthened its defense in the second half and quickly erased a two-goal deficit. From that point on, every square inch of the court became a battleground.

Each goal and every save had the potential to shift the outcome of the match. In this game of nerves, our players performed admirably and held onto the lead until the very end.