HC Alkaloid played its fourth EHF European League match. We visited the group’s strongest contender – Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from Denmark. Despite being convalescent, our center back Marko Mitev put on an excellent performance and emerged as the top scorer netting nine goals from nine shots.

“This game holds significant importance for me, as well as, I believe, for all my teammates, regarding what lies ahead. Despite not securing a victory in this match, we have gained valuable experience. I believe that in future, we will continue to improve, becoming more courageous when competing in such major and significant matches.

I would like to congratulate the opponents. The return match clearly demonstrated the importance of having experience in European competitions, as well as that Silkeborg players are far more experienced than us.

I consider these matches to be an opportunity for myself and my teammates to grow by developing and improving our style of play,” said Marko Mitev.

BJERRINGBRO SILKEBORG – HC ALKALOID 35-31 (17-16)

Jysk Arena in Silkeborg. Referees: Jaap Klompers and Koen Stobbe from the Netherlands. Delegate: Kristijan Halldorsson

BJERRINGBRO SILKEBORG: Lovqvist (17 saves 1 seven) Hallback 6, Ilsoe, Boldsen 6, Oris 6, Lauge, Lynggaard 1, Friden 4, Toft Hansen, Bogojevic 4, Balling 4, Vibe, Bjerring, Solstad 4, Knudsen, Sand

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

HC ALKALOID: Trajkoski (5 saves), Galevski (4 saves), Djonov 4, Markoski 1, Serafimov 4, Stojchevikj, Stojkovic 3, M. Mitev 9, Gjorgiev 2, Velkovski 2, Omeragikj, Bingo 4, Kofiloski, D. Mitev, Savrevski 2

Seven-meter throws: 3/4 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC Alkaloid played its fourth match in the EHF European League. This evening, playing as visitors in Silkeborg, our team engaged in a closely contested match against the Danish team on their home court. However, a challenging period at the start of the second half took a course in favor of the opponent, which ultimately secured the points with a score of 35-31.

The home team, propelled by their goalkeeper who made 10 successful saves in the opening 15 minutes, capitalized on our squad’s missed opportunities early in the match, establishing a 7-3 lead.

Nevertheless, we managed to get back into the game, employing patient defensive play and constant pressure, transitioning to their defensive line.

We narrowed the deficit to 8-9, subsequently reaching a tie at 13-13, 15-15, and 16-16, before heading into halftime with the hosts leading 17-16.

The beginning of the second half proved detrimental to our team, altering the course of the game. In the initial eight minutes, our poor execution, coupled with technical errors, resulted in us failing to score any goals and conceding five, which enabled Silkeborg to establish a six-goal lead (22-16).

Then followed an extended period of staging a comeback.

Our team showed character by pressing on and refusing to accept the negative outcome. We narrowed the deficit to three goals, creating an opportunity to make the match more dramatic. The home team, however, halted their decline in the offensive by employing a “7 on 6” tactic in one period, managing to stay in control until the conclusion of the match.

HC MULTI ESSENCE – HC PROLET 62 31-32 (17-16)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Dimitar Mitrevski and Blagojche Todorovski. Controller: Igor Ognenov

HC MULTI ESSENCE: Ermanoski, Dimevski 6, Kostovski, Ilieski 5, D. Uzunchev 3, Petreski, Trajchev, Trajkovski, Vasilevski, T. Uzunchev, Dimovski 7, Jordanov 6, Karasmanakis 3

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

HC PROLET 62: Petkovski, Jovanovski, Krsteski, Pecakovski, Vasilevski 3, Kocharov, Dimov, Andonoski 5, Majnov 6, Dimkovski 1, Stojanovski 1, Jachev, Mihaljevic, Palevski 5, Arsenovski 8

Seven-meter throws: 4/5 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC Prolet emerged victorious in the Avtokomanda arena, this evening, securing three points from the match against HC Multi Essence with the sound of the final buzzer.

The visiting team was considered the stronger contender, but our young squad put on an impressive performance, not only avoiding a subordinate position, but also seizing the lead at the conclusion of the match, with a real chance to secure not just one point but all three.

The visitors took an early lead in the first half with a 5-2 start, but HC Multi Essence managed to level the score at 8-8. Subsequently, our team took the lead and held a one-goal advantage at halftime (17-16).

In the second half, the visiting team once again held a one to two goal lead, but the match remained closely contested, with our team pressing on.

Following a tie at 25-25, HC Multi Essence finally took the lead with scores of 27-26 and 29-28. In the closing moments, HC Multi Essence attempted to secure an equalizer.

In the last 10 seconds, despite leveling the score at 31-31 with a zeppelin shot, HC Multi Essence found themselves without a goalkeeper due to a player being sent off.

The substitution was not executed swiftly enough for the goalkeeper to return to his area, allowing HC Prolet to score with a shot from the center of the court into the empty net, securing the victory.

The EHF European League season is entering the second half of the group stage. With one point secured after three matches, HC Alkaloid is gearing up for the next match set to be held on Tuesday, where they will go against the Danish representative Bjerringbro-Silkeborg.

The duel with the group’s frontrunner will be a new opportunity for our team to experience the intensity of playing on the away court in a European competition and once again measure its strength against a Scandinavian team. Competing against teams that play this type of handball provides valuable experience that we hope will contribute to the enhancement of our game, yielding benefits in upcoming matches.

“Bjerringbro – Silkeborg proved that they are the top favorite in our group and currently the strongest team. Our upcoming match in Denmark will be a valuable opportunity to gain new experience, which we must use to our advantage in future challenges. I am hopeful that we will deliver a better performance in the second leg, by demonstrating greater fighting spirit and motivation”, said Kiril Lazarov, coach of HC Alkaloid.

Goalkeeper Blagojche Trajkovski continues to play a crucial role this season, providing essential support to the defense. His experience proves valuable for the young players on the team, while he also views the upcoming match with the Danish representative as an opportunity for the team to grow.

“In the initial encounter with Bjerringbro – Silkeborg we experienced both positive and challenging moments throughout the match. The missed penalties and shots resulted in our second defeat in Europe. Facing Silkeborg, we gained a firsthand understanding of the strength of Danish handball, providing invaluable experience for our young players. In the coming days, we will continue analyzing the Danes, identifying our mistakes in order to correct them and ensure we deliver our best in the duel in Denmark,” said goalkeeper Blagojche Trajkoski.

The match on Tuesday will take place at Jysk Arena in Silkeborg. The game is set to commence at 08:45 PM, and it will be broadcast live on MTV 3.

HC ALKALOID – HC AERODROM 42-28 (19-18)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Ismail Metalari and Nenad Nikolovski. Delegate: Vladimir Sazdovski

HC ALKALOID: Galevski 3, Trajkoski, Djonov 2, Mladenovikj 4, Serafimov 4, Stojchevikj, Stojkovic 2, Gjorgiev 1, Omeragikj 1, Bingo, Kofiloski 9, Petkovski 4, D. Mitev 3, Savrevski 9

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

HC AERODROM: Bogdanovski, Pajkoski 3, Buchukovski 1, Meloski 6, Mitrevski 4, Kostov 3, Markovic, Pavlichkovski, Oltovski 2, Stojanovski 2, Trifunoski 2, Trajchevski, Vasilev, Anakievski 3, Angjelkovski 2, Grujevski

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

HC Alkaloid took part in the 11th round match in the Macedonian Super League in between competing in two European matches against Denmark’s Bjerringbro – Silkeborg.

HC Aerodrom was the visiting team at the Avtokomanda arena, with the encounter concluding with a 42-28 victory for our team.

The score was tied during the first half. HC Alkaloid maintained control on the court and held a lead that ranged between one and two goals.

The score was 19-18 at halftime. In the second part, HC Alkaloid took a more serious approach, initiating a 7-0 run from a score of 21-20. This propelled them to a lead of 28-20, and they navigated the rest of the match comfortably.

Coach Kiril Lazarov spared some players, while David Savrevski and Dario Kofiloski were tonight’s best scorers, each netting nine goals. Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski demonstrated excellence once again, even contributing three goals to the score.

HC ALKALOID – BJERRINGBRO SILKEBORG 23-31 (12-16)

Venue: Jane Sandanski in Skopje. Referees: Davor Loncar and Zoran Loncar from Croatia. Delegate: Jan Rudinsky from Slovakia

HC ALKALOID: Romero, Trajkoski, Djonov 7, Markoski, Mladenovikj 2, Serafimov 5, Stojchevikj, Stojkovic 3, Gjorgiev 2, Velkovski 2, Omeragikj 1, Bingo 1, Kofiloski, Petkovski, D. Mitev, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 3/8 Suspensions: 4 min.

BJERRINGBRO – SILKEBORG: Lovqvist, Hallback 9, Ilsoe, Boldsen 4, Oris, Lauge 2, Lynggaard 2, Friden, Bogojevic, Toft Hansen, P. Christensen 7, M. Christensen, Bjerring 2, Solstad, Sand 2

Seven-meter throws: 1/2 Suspensions: 10 min.

HC Alkaloid was unable to secure points in the duel against the group’s favorite, Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from Denmark, in the third round. The away team adapted more quickly and performed more effectively in the match, ultimately securing the points.

The more seasoned visiting team lived up to their frontrunner status, although HC Alkaloid put up substantial resistance and battled all through the match. There were opportunities throughout the game to achieve a better outcome, but the missed chances, particularly the unsuccessful seven-meter shots were the decisive factors in the end.

HC Alkaloid had a promising start to the match, taking a 3-0 lead in less than three minutes. The Danish club, however, demonstrated its quality by swiftly adjusting to the game, leveling the score at 4-4 after eight minutes.

Subsequently, the away team maintained its lead, but HC Alkaloid had several promising opportunities to shift the momentum. Regrettably, despite creating goal-scoring situations, our young squad missed several chances, including shots from seven meters, allowing the Danes to take control of the score.

The advantage for the visiting team extended by the end of the half, heading into halftime with a score of 12-16.

The second half of the match continued with a similar tempo. The visitors reached a six to seven-goal difference which was aided by the crucial saves made by their goalkeeper.

In the final ten minutes, HC Alkaloid had multiple chances to get back in the game and narrow the gap by minus three goals, which could have potentially altered the course of the match.

However, they failed to capitalize on these opportunities, allowing the opponent to take advantage and ultimately secure a 31-23 vict