At 32, Nikola Kosteski will be one of the most experienced players in HC Alkaloid’s squad this season. The winger is currently in a special training program in Mavrovo, gradually returning to rhythm after last year’s injury. He is working with Marko Mitev under the supervision of physiotherapist Toshe Trajkovski, with cycling also being part of his rehabilitation.

On training with HC Alkaloid…

“We’re in a recovery phase with physiotherapist Toshe Trajkovski, who is leading the muscle rehabilitation process. I feel good, and I hope everything goes as it should. I’m training together with Marko Mitev to get back into form, under a special program that also includes cycling.”

On team goals and playing in Europe…

“I can say that our team is well put together, we’ve strengthened the roster, and we have set high goals. Our first obstacle in Europe is Hannover, and those will be our first two official matches. We probably got the toughest possible opponent, but we’ll fight. We won’t back down, even though Hannover is a Bundesliga side that was in first place for most of last season.”

On the Macedonian championship…

“At the moment, the Macedonian league is at a very high level, and this year there are four to five quality teams competing for the top of the table. Our goals are, of course, the highest, both in the league and the Cup. We’ll go all out against everyone.”

On sharing the locker room with his brother Nenad Kosteski for the first time in a club…

“It’s wonderful to finally play together and I’m very happy. As the older brother, I’m here to guide him in everything necessary so we can both improve and reach the goal, building ourselves and the team. We once played together in the national team, but this is the first time in a club. We have a strong roster this year, and ahead of us is a long and difficult season.”

Mihail Alarov is one of the newest additions to HC Alkaloid. The 27-year-old pivot didn’t need long to adjust to his new environment, as he now shares the locker room with plenty of familiar faces. Preparations are on track, ambitions are high, but as Alarov points out, predictions can wait.

“We’re working extremely hard, and we’ve got enough time to shape our form exactly the way coach Lazarov wants so we’re ready for a demanding season, one that promises to be the most exciting yet. We’ll face a tough rival in Europe, but as players we’re giving our maximum every day. The squad is united, and step by step we’re building toward our objectives.

I’ve blended into HC Alkaloid perfectly since I already knew most of the players. The conditions are top-class and fully professional, and I’ve got no complaints. As for expectations, I’m not someone who talks about trophies ahead of time. What matters is to work and earn results. Our goals are, of course, ambitious, we want to make it to the EHF European League group stage. Whether we get there or not, time will tell. What’s up to us is to work hard,” said Alarov.

Once again, Macedonian national team player Ivan Galevski will stand between the posts for HC Alkaloid. Preparations in Mavrovo are in full swing, and both his personal and team expectations for the season are at the highest, matching the club’s ambitions.

“We’re back together, working hard, and now comes the preparatory phase where we sharpen our technical and tactical play. We know these sessions are tougher than usual, but we need to push through and follow the coach’s plan to reach the level we want.

We’re sharpening every aspect of our game, building up our fitness as well, and it’s crucial to maintain this rhythm so we hit peak form at the end of August, just in time for the tough season opener.

We’ll open the EHF European League with a two-legged clash against Hannover from the Bundesliga, and then go straight into a tough Super League schedule at home. It won’t be easy, but preparations are on the right track, and the team chemistry is excellent. Our ambitions are clear, this team was built to win, and we’ll aim for victory in every match, showing our very best,” said Galevski.

This season, Nikola Markoski will be the most experienced player in HC Alkaloid’s squad. His leadership and skills in defense, his ability to force errors, and his knack for punishing opponents remain vital to the team’s game plan.

“We’ve been together in the club for several years now, and we know the principles of how preparations are run. This season we didn’t repeat past mistakes, everyone stayed in shape during the break, so we arrived ready for the work ahead.

This stage is crucial so that later we can handle the next phases, including the matches waiting for us. After Mavrovo, we’ll move into the next stage, which includes friendly games.

The conditions in Mavrovo are excellent, this isn’t our first time, so the surroundings are familiar. The squad is handling the preparations well, the atmosphere is great, and I’m confident we’ll be ready for the challenges ahead, especially in September, when we’ll play five key matches that could shape the entire season,” said Nikola Markoski.

Dear fans,

Once again, we express our GRATITUDE for giving us your unwavering support and for coming in great numbers to the “Boris Trajkovski” Sports Center for the final match of the EHF European Cup. We regret that the match did not take place because the visiting team refused to step onto the court and compete for the trophy in a sportsmanlike manner.

Your tickets purchased online will be refunded within a period of 15 working days. The funds will be returned directly to the account through which the tickets were purchased. Tickets bought at a physical sales point can be refunded at the place of purchase by presenting the corresponding fiscal receipt and the ticket.

Once again, we thank you for your continued support and patience. We hope that together we will celebrate new successes in the future.

Respectfully,
Handball Club Alkaloid

Dear fans,

A HUGE THANK YOU for your support that you gave us tonight at the “Boris Trajkovski” Sports Center. It was wonderful to see full stands, cheering for our club and offering their support. Unfortunately, through no fault of our own, the final match against HC AEK from Athens did not take place because the opposing team refused to come out onto the court and play the return leg.

Our club is in constant communication with the EHF regarding the further outcome of the match, and you will be informed through our official club channels. Once again, a big THANK YOU to everyone who came to the arena and gave their support to HC Alkaloid!

Respectfully,
Handball Club Alkaloid