HC Alkaloid secured a 42:37 victory over HC Runar Sandefjord in the first leg of the EHF European League semi-final. After the match in Skopje, both coaches and a player from each team shared their thoughts at the post-game press conference.

Kiril Lazarov (HC Alkaloid): “I expected a tough game; we had plenty of material on Runar. They’ve played well all season, both domestically and in the European Cup. We respect them. We won by five goals, but we have seven days to prepare properly for the rematch. I’m sure the return leg will be much harder than this match. Perhaps we deserved the win, but not by five goals—maybe one or two, but no more.”

Ivan Djonov (HC Alkaloid): “I want to congratulate our opponents, Runar. They’re a strong team playing fast handball; it was hard to keep pace with them, but we managed to prevail. They can play well 7-on-6, so we’ll have to prepare thoroughly for the rematch.”

Bjarte Myrhol (HC Runar Sandefjord): “First, congratulations on the match. It unfolded just as we expected. We analysed Alkaloid and knew they play fast handball like us. We struggled defensively to contain their attack. Conceding 42 goals is too many. About going head-to-head with Lazarov, whom I once played alongside, I can say that Kiril has always been one of the smartest players and today he executed a game plan that effectively isolated us. I expected a tactical battle, given what was at stake for both sides. However, in international handball there are many changes, and we saw that he knew how to isolate us and catch us off-guard. It was an honour to play in Skopje against Lazarov and Alkaloid.”

Lars Gurrich (HC Runar Sandefjord): “We played a fast-paced game. Alkaloid managed to isolate us very well. We must improve for the rematch and prepare better.”

The return leg between HC Alkaloid and HC Runar Sandefjord is set for April 27 at 17:00 in Norway, with the Italian refereeing pair Francesco Simone and Pietro Monitillo, and delegate Hlynur Leifsson from Iceland.

HC ALKALOID – RUNAR SANDEFJORD 42-37 (21-20)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Georgios Panayides and Marios Andreou from Cyprus.

Delegate: Vladimir Sokol from Croatia

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (3 saves), Galevski (4 saves), Djonov 6, Markoski, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 10, Karasmanakis 4, Stojkovikj 4, Gjorgiev 4, Velkovski 2, Ivanovski 3, Bingo 1, Francisco 2, Petkovski 4, Mitev 1, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 6/7 Suspensions: 4 min

RUNAR SANDEFJORD: Bjørnstad (2 saves), Tryggestad (6 saves), Økern 1, Gurrich 3, Gram, Rambo 11, Haugen, Bøe, Lindell 3, Bergli, Rivesjö 4, Myklebust 5, Sjursen, Knutsen 7, Venemyr, Wulvik 4

Seven-meter throws: 2/3  Suspensions: 10 min

HC Alkaloid defeated the Norwegian side Runar Sandefjord with 42-37 in the first leg of the EHF European Cup semi-final. The match took place in Skopje, with the return fixture scheduled next week in Norway. The aggregate winner will advance to the grand final of the European competition.

The game between HC Alkaloid and Runar Sandefjord exceeded expectations in intensity and pace, with both teams emphasizing fast-break transitions that produced a high number of attacks and goals. Our side adapted better to the trademark Scandinavian style.

Runar enjoyed a slightly better start and luck early on, as HC Alkaloid struck the framework twice in the opening attacks. This saw the visitors lead 3-1 and then 4-2, but Alkaloid quickly consolidated, scoring twice to level at 4-4 before taking control.

In the ensuing goal-for-goal phase, the visitors resorted to attacking with seven players, further challenging Alkaloid’s defense.

After 20 minutes of play, HC Alkaloid led by three goals (15-12), but the Norwegian side fought back to trail by just one at halftime (21-20).

The visiting side peaked in the 40th minute when they led 29-27. Thereafter, HC Alkaloid ramped up their defense and unleashed a 3-0 mini-run to regain the lead.

On two occasions during the match HC Alkaloid failed to convert opportunities for plus four goals, but they finally achieved it at 36-32 for the first time. A fierce battle then ensued to defend that margin, and when Runar’s 7-on-6 push was punished with an empty-net goal, Alkaloid extended the lead to 41-36. Each team scored once more to complete the final 42-37 scoreline.

Martin Serafimov topped HC Alkaloid with 10 goals, and Ivan Djonov was perfect with seven from seven. Veteran Christoffer Rambo led all scorers with 11 goals.

Next, HC Alkaloid return to domestic action on Tuesday in the Macedonian Super League against HC Butel Skopje, before heading to Norway for the semi-final rematch.

HC Alkaloid is facing a new European challenge! Our team is looking forward to the first match of the semi-final of the EHF European Cup, where we will face HC Runar Sandefjord from Norway. We will play the first match in Skopje, while the second leg is on away soil, and the better of the two matches travels to the grand final.

Before the match, HC Alkaloid held a press conference at which coach Kiril Lazarov and captain Igor Gjorgiev summarized their impressions of the Norwegian handball rival so far and announced the first meeting in Skopje.

Kiril Lazarov: “We are expecting a tough match against a tough opponent. In the past period, we have had quite tough matches, with quality opponents in the league within the play-offs. We have analyzed Runar quite a bit, with a lot of materials. We have a lot of information that shows us that this is a serious team with a Scandinavian style that has not suited us very well throughout history. Runar reached the semi-finals with victories over quality rivals such as Celje, Besiktas and Olympiacos. Runar eliminated all of these opponents that I listed in two matches, so we are expecting a very tough match not only in Skopje, but also in Norway. The placement in the semi-finals with Macedonian forces is certainly a success, I hope that we will have the strength and energy after the tough matches to go out on the field and fight a hard fight for the entire 60 minutes, knowing their style.”

Igor Gjorgjiev: “We are expecting a match of great importance. First European semi-final for us. A big moment for both Alkaloid and Macedonian handball. As a team, we are proud that we managed to qualify for this phase and play for the final. Runar is a team that plays typical fast Scandinavian handball, the first match is at our home ground. That is why I want to call on all handball fans to be our support, our seventh player and fight for a historic moment and a European final. Considering that we have three or four players injured, I as a captain am aware, and so are the players, that we must function as a team. If we continue the way we have been playing so far, we have great chances both in the European Cup and in the league playoffs”

The match between RK Alkaloid and RK Runar Sandefjord will be played at the “Avtokomanda” hall on Sunday (20.4) starting at 19:00. The main judges are Georgios Panayides and Marios Andreou from Cyprus, while the delegate to the competition is Vladimir Sokol from Croatia.

CHC OHRID – HC ALKALOID 28-36 (14-16)

Venue: Biljanini Izvori in Ohrid. Referees: Ismail Metalari and Nenad Nikolovski. Delegates: Marjan Nachevski and Dragan Nachevski

CHC OHRID: Ristevski, Gjorgeski, Ojleski 2, Jukic 3, Kostov, Taseski 3, Safranko 4, Jotic 4, Kukoski, Krstevski, Pesic 2, Kukulovski, Orjonikidze 6, Bojanic, Vinicius, Cirar 4

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

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski 1, Djonov 3, Markoski 3, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 5, Karasmanakis 3, Stojkovikj, Gjorgiev 6, Velkovski 1, Ivanovski 2, Bingo 3, Francisco 4, D. Petkovski 3, Mitev 2, Savrevski

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

HC Alkaloid recorded its second playoff win on the road by overcoming ambitious CHC Ohrid by eight goals, 36–28, keeping their hopes alive for an even higher finish in the standings.

The visitors asserted themselves early, but CHC Ohrid responded to level at 7-7 before HC Alkaloid regained control and carried a lead into the break. In the closing stages of the first half, HC Alkaloid extended their advantage to two (11-9, 12-10), keeping their lead until the break and leading 16-14 at intermission.

HC Alkaloid opened the second half strongly, pushing the margin to four (18-14) with two consecutive goals. CHC Ohrid answered with a 4-0 run to draw level at 18-18, and the game settled into a goal-for-goal rhythm. Yet Alkaloid’s patient, efficient play paid dividends: ten minutes from the final whistle they once again led by four (28-24), then dominated the final period to close out a convincing 36-28 victory.

Top scorers in our squad were Igor Gjorgiev with six goals, Martin Serafimov with five, and Francisco e Silva with four.

Next up for HC Alkaloid is a European challenge. On Sunday at 19:00h in Skopje, they will host the first leg of their EHF European Cup semi-final against Norway’s Runar Sandefjord.

HC EUROFARM PELISTER – HC ALKALOID 30-28 (18-15)

Venue: „Boro Čurlevski“ in Bitola. Referees: Sašo Krkacev and Gjoko Kolevski. Delegates: Dragan Načevski and Duško Kamiševski

HC EUROFARM PELISTER: Mitrevski, Ivić, Manaskov 4, Ristevski, Kuzmanoski 2, Tajnik 1, Borzaš 1, Radivojević 7, Kuzmanovski 8, Kosteski, Abutović, Peševski 2, Hosni 1, Hadžić 1, Pavle Atanasijević 2, Mamdu 1
Seven-meter throws: 9/11. Suspensions: 10 min.

HC ALKALOID: Kizic, Galevski, Djonov 2, Markoski 2, Mladenovic, Serafimov 9, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovic 3, Gjorgiev 3, Velkovski, Ivanovski 1, Bingo 1, Francisco 3, Petkovski 3, D. Mitev, Savrevski
Seven-meter throws: 6/7. Suspensions: 14 min.

HC Alkaloid played a competitive and quality match on the road in Bitola against the team of HC Eurofarm Pelister. In a dramatic finish, when the winner of the match was decided within seconds, the home team scored the winning goal with fifteen seconds left in the match and won both points, with a final score of 30-28.

The home team had a better start to the match and led 5-2, 8-5, 10-7. HC Alkaloid established balance and reached a minimal deficit (10-11, 11-12), but the home team managed to return the difference to plus three goals (18-15) by the end of the half.

In the second half, the score ranged between one and two goals for the most part. The home team managed to take the lead at the finish with 29-25, but a series of HC Alkaloid followed with which it came closer with 28-29. In its last attack, with about 15 seconds left, the home team scored a goal for 30-28 and that was the final score.

In the next round, HC Alkaloid will visit the team of CHC Ohrid in the home Playoff, and on Sunday in Avtokomanda will play a historic match from the semifinals of the EHF European Cup.

HC ALKALOID – CHC TIKVESH 34-27 (16-12)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Ismail Metalari and Nenad Nikolovski. Delegate: Dushko Kamishevski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski, Djonov 3, Markoski, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj, Gjorgiev 3, Velkovski 1, Ivanovski 4, Bingo 5, Francisco, Petkovski 5, D. Mitev 6, Savrevski 1

Seven-meter throws: 5/6 Suspensions: 8 min.

CHC TIKVESH: Arsic, Velkov, Anastasovski 2, Temelkoski, Sokolov 1, Andonovski, Kofiloski, Dimovski, Manaskov 3, Gachevikj 1, Kocev 2, Letic 4, Krivokapic 7, Danevski, Obina 7

Seven-meter throws: 3/4 Suspensions: 12 min.

HC Alkaloid recorded their first playoff win after defeating CHC Tikvesh from Kavadarci on their home court.

HC Alkaloid celebrated a 34–27 victory in a match where, following an injury break, back Damjan Mitev returned and emerged as the top scorer for the blue and whites. The team controlled the score throughout the entire game. In the opening ten minutes, the scoreline was very tight, but the gap eventually widened in our team’s favor. The maximum lead of six goals in the first half was achieved at the finish (16–10); however, the visiting players managed to notch the last two goals in that period, closing the half at 16–12.

A well-organized second half translated into a consistently dominant performance, with our team at times establishing an eight-goal advantage (27–19, 30–22).

Ultimately, HC Alkaloid secured a 34–27 win and reclaimed third place in the playoff standings.

Up next is another derby clash. In the third round, HC Alkaloid will travel to Bitola for a showdown against HC Eurofarm Pelister.