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: [email protected]

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.

HC RUNAR SANDEFJORD – HC ALKALOID 34-29 (19-15) Penalties: 1-3

Venue: Runarhallen in Sandefjord, Norway. Referees: Francesco Simone and Pietro Monitillo (Italy). Delegate: Hlynur Leifsson (Iceland)

HC RUNAR: Bjønarstad, Tryggestad, Økern, Gurrich 8, Gram, Rambo 6, Haugen 1, Bøe, Lindell 3, Bergli 2, Rivesjø 1, Myklebust 2, Sjursen 1, Knutsen 2, Venemyr 1, Wulvik 7

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

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski, Djonov 3, Markoski, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 7, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovikj 1, Velkovski 4, Simonoski, Ivanovski 4, Bingo, Francisco 1, Petkovski, Mitev 8, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 6/7 Suspensions: 8 min.

HC Alkaloid have secured their place in the EHF European Cup final! After defending their five-goal cushion from the first leg in Skopje, Alkaloid held their nerve to win the shootout and eliminate Norway’s Runar Sandefjord.

The 60-minute contest finished 34-29, but Alkaloid’s superior penalty execution (3-1) booked them a showdown with AEK Athens for the coveted trophy.

The two legs of the final are set for May 17/18 and May 24/25.

The hosts burst out of the blocks, racing to a 6-1 lead and setting the scene for a 50-minute fierce battle in which both sides exchanged momentum and tactical blows. The Norwegian side was in control, but HC Alkaloid showed resilience, gradually clawing back to 13-16 before the break, leaving the halftime score at 19-15.

In the second half, HC Alkaloid briefly reduced the gap to two goals, even with an understrength lineup, before the home side pulled clear to seal the 34–29 result.

With the tie deadlocked, the shootout fell in Alkaloid’s favour thereby earning their spot in the grand finale.

HC ALKALOID – HC BUTEL SKOPJE 33-30 (16-13)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Ismail Metalari and Nenad Nikolovski. Delegate: Ljupcho Janevski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Djonov 4, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 11, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 1, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski 2, Ivanovski 2, Bingo 4, Francisco 2, Petkovski 4, Mitev 2, Savrevski, Garbeski

Seven-meter throws: 8/10 Suspensions: 10 min

HC BUTEL SKOPJE: Stojanoski, Blazhevski, Subashevski 1, Todeski 5, Gjeorgievski 2, Nikolov 11, Novakoski, Spasovski 1, T. Uzunchev 1, D. Uzunchev, Milosheski, Kiselovski, Kaevski, Mihajlovikj 4, Solic 3, Davitkovski 1

Seven-meter throws: 1/2  Suspensions: 16 min.

HC Alkaloid earned their third playoff victory in the Macedonian Super League. With only one day’s rest after their EHF European Cup semi-final, they hosted HC Butel Skopje at the Avtokomanda arena and notched a 33-30 win, securing two more hard-fought points in line with expectations given their busy schedule.

Clashes between HC Alkaloid and HC Butel Skopje always carry extra weight and city derby spice, and tonight was no exception. The visitors showed plenty of fight and matched HC Alkaloid on the scoreboard at times, but HC Alkaloid dictated the play for the full 60 minutes, never trailing.

HC Alkaloid led from the outset, though Butel Skopje pegged them back to 9-9. HC Alkaloid then forged ahead 11-9, extended the lead to 12-9 and 13-10, and maintained that three-goal cushion through to halftime.

In the second half, HC Alkaloid opened up a 17-13 advantage, but Butel rallied to level at 17-17.

A goal-for-goal battle ensued until HC Alkaloid again went to three-goal lead at 23-20, and the margin oscillated between two and three goals thereafter.

Both sides had chances—Alkaloid to stretch it to plus four, Butel to cut it to minus one—but fine goalkeeping kept the scoreline in check. In the closing stages HC Alkaloid hit their biggest lead at 33-29, with Butel only able to reduce the deficit before the final whistle.

HC Alkaloid now turn their attention to a European showdown: on Sunday they travel to Norway, armed with a five-goal cushion, for the second leg of their EHF European Cup semi-final against Runar Sandefjord.