HC PROLET 62 – HC ALKALOID 26-39 (15-20)
Venue: Macedonsko Sonce in Skopje. Referees: Viktor Andonov and Stojanche Jovanovski. Delegate: Aco Nikolovski

HC PROLET 62: Trajkov, Totic 1, Gligorov 1, Dimkovski, Dodevski, Daskalovski, Shilegov 1, Andonovski 5, Bakar 4, Majnov 2, Stojanovski 7, Stojchevikj, Mladenovski, Jachev, Palevski 4, Spasovski 1
Seven-meter throws: 2/3 Suspensions: 10 min

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj 1, Trajkoski, Djonov 4, Markoski, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis 2, Stojkovikj 1, Mitev 5, Velkovski 1, Simonoski 4, Bingo 5, Francisco 3, Petkovski 3, Savrevski 3
Seven-meter throws: 1/3 Suspensions: 4 min

Tonight, HC Alkaloid secured their ninth consecutive Super League victory this season, beating HC Prolet 62 away (39-26). This marks their 12th straight win in all official matches since the start of the season, scoring over 30 goals in each game.

HC Alkaloid entered the match as favorites and didn’t disappoint. Although HC Prolet 62 displayed fighting spirit, they couldn’t keep up with the tempo set by HC Alkaloid, remaining competitive only in the first ten minutes.

HC Alkaloid first took a comfortable lead after the tenth minute, pulling ahead 9-5. The home team briefly fought back to 8-11, but HC Alkaloid responded with another scoring run, extending the lead to 15-8. The remainder of the half saw balanced play, with HC Alkaloid heading into the break at 20-15.

The second half saw complete domination from HC Alkaloid, especially in the latter part. The lead, which hovered around five to six goals early in the half, grew as Alkaloid’s playstyle took effect, pushing the margin to ten goals at 35-25 before finishing with a 13-goal difference.

Martin Serafimov with six goals, and Marko Mitev and Arnaud Bingo with five scores each, were HC Alkaloid’s top scorers in this match.

Next up, HC Alkaloid will face MHC Kumanovo at home in the Avtokomanda arena on Friday, November 1, 2024.

HC Alkaloid achieved their objective, progressing to the third round of the EHF European Cup. Coach Kiril Lazarov and pivot Valentin Karasmanakis shared their thoughts after the away win (37-31) in Lithuania.

KIRIL LAZAROV: “It’s never easy to beat any opponent on their home court, especially in a European Cup match. We secured the victory in style; by the 22nd minute, we were up by nine goals. Then we eased up a bit, and struggled throughout the game. However, all of this is new for our players, and I understand—we need to learn from our mistakes. We defeated a quality team that runs hard for all 60 minutes; it’s not easy to prepare for that. This may be just the first European round, but I’m proud of what we achieved, especially given the demanding three-game week we’ve had.

Analyzing the opponent, our first match was more challenging. I could tell they were a quality team with a clear vision. The Spanish system brought structure over the past four or five months, and although some found it amusing when I mentioned caution, it proved necessary. We entered the game with discipline and managed to build a comfortable lead in Skopje, which let us rest a bit easier. We aimed to win the rematch as well, and it was easier for us to play here because we knew what to expect.

Now we move on to the third-round draw. We have our preferences, which would increase our chances, but regardless of who we draw, we won’t put any undue pressure on ourselves. Our focus is on progressing and keeping our system effective. We’re not going onto the court with a white flag, regardless of the opponent’s name or strength.”

VALENTIN KARASMANAKIS: “We played a tough match. We had our advantage from the first game, but we knew our opponent would give their all, especially with their home crowd behind them. We managed to get the job done and advance to the next phase. There were errors in this match, but I know we’ll correct them in the games to come. This match in Lithuania was tougher for us than the one in Skopje.”

HC DRAGUNAS KLAIPEDA – HC ALKALOID 31-37 (17-21)

Arena: SBV in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Referees: Alice Watson and Line Welin from Sweden. Delegate: Ventsil Kalev from Estonia

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (3 saves), Galevski 1 (9 saves + 1 penalty), Petrov, Markoski, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 7, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 3, Mitev 6, Gjorgiev 3, Velkovski 1, Simonovski, Bingo 6, Silva 3, Petkovski 6, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 4/7 Suspensions: 8 minutes

HC Alkaloid achieved their objective, advancing to the third round of the EHF European Cup with a second win over HC Dragunas Klaipeda (37-31). From start to finish, our team commanded the game, claiming another victory in this two-leg series against Lithuania’s Dragunas and securing a place in the next stage.

Our team opened the match strong, with Bingo, Mitev, and Stojkovikj leading the charge, Alkaloid took a quick 6-2 lead just seven minutes in, soon extended by two more goals from Petkovski to reach an 8-2 advantage, prompting a timeout from the hosts. Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski was instrumental in this run, notching four crucial saves. As expected, the game then intensified, with the match picking up a rhythm similar to that seen in Avtokomanda, with thrilling moments of high-paced play and scores. After 15 minutes, Alkaloid held a 15-8 lead, at times stretching it to nine goals. Following a few errors on both sides, Alkaloid closed the first half 21-17.

In the second half, Dragunas Klaipeda’s goalkeeper stepped up, helping the home team to chip away at Alkaloid’s lead. Ten minutes in, Dragunas cut the gap to just two goals (25-27) during an offensive dry spell for Alkaloid. The offense clicked right when it was needed most, as HC Alkaloid scored three consecutive goals, pushing the lead to 25-30 and regaining a comfortable cushion. Our players kept their composure until the end, leaving no room for nerves and giving the opponent no chance for a comeback.

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 ALKALOID – HC EUROFARM PELISTER 32-25 (16-12)

Hall: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Gjorgji Nachevski and Slave Nikolov. Delegates: Marjan Nachevski and Aco Nikolovski

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

Seven-meter throws: 6/6 Suspensions: 14 min

HC EUROFARM PELISTER: Mitrevski (11 saves), Ivic, Manaskov 3, Cehte, Ristevski 2, C. Kuzmanoski 1, Tajnik, Borzas, Radivojevic 2, F. Kuzmanovski 12 (6), Abutovic, Peshevski 1, Gjorgovski, Hosni 1, Hadzic, Pavle Atanasijevikj 3

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

HC Alkaloid won their eighth straight championship victory in as many matches, a particularly significant one as it was a derby match against the reigning champion, HC Eurofarm Pelister.

HC Alkaloid had already taken down HC Eurofarm Pelister in the season opener, during the Super Cup match, but tonight’s game brought an entirely different pace, flow, and finish.

HC Alkaloid came out strong, with their defense clicking early, opening up a three-goal lead (4-1) just five minutes in. Bitola’s team goalkeeper, national team player Nikola Mitrevski, staved off several attacks shortly after, which the visiting players capitalized on, allowing them to get back into the game.

Nikola Kosteski and Arnaud Bingo led the charge in this phase, and the team quickly regrouped, allowing Pelister only to level the score at 6-6. Alkaloid immediately responded with two goals, taking a new two-goal lead (8-6), with the margin fluctuating between one and two goals for the next ten minutes.

HC Alkaloid played an outstanding match with the team operating at peak collective performance, soon pulling away to a 14-9 advantage. They maintained this gap until the end of the first half, which concluded with a score of 16-12.

The second half saw more of Alkaloid’s stellar teamwork pay off, with their lead extending to six or seven goals as the match settled into a goal-for-goal rhythm. An unfortunate setback struck when Nikola Kosteski had to leave the court in the 38th minute due to injury. But the tempo didn’t dip. HC Alkaloid held their ground, even widening the gap to a maximum eight-goal lead (30-22).

As the clock wound down, the energized crowd cheered HC Alkaloid to a resounding seven-goal victory. This win preserved their two-point cushion atop the league standings. Their next match is scheduled for Saturday in the Lithuanian city of Klaipeda, where they will play the return leg of the second round in the EHF European Cup. The result of the first match was 42-31 for HC Alkaloid.

KIRIL LAZAROV, HEAD COACH OF HC ALKALOID:

“It was a true derby; we played very well, and this may be one of our best performances. Eurofarm Pelister didn’t quite play to their potential; I don’t know if was because of us or perhaps fatigue from their Champions League schedule. I’ve been in this position, and it’s tough to focus on a match like this with thoughts already on the next challenge against a team like Veszprem. We have the utmost respect for them and their entire team.

We are proud and satisfied. I said after the Klaipeda match that I’m happy with how we’re playing. Some may appreciate that win, some may not, but I felt that it was something special. We took a day or so to regroup and prepare, and it paid off.

Hats off to all the players, all of them as a team. I told them it doesn’t matter who scores—it’s all about functioning as a unit. And so far, that’s exactly how it’s been, and I hope it continues,” said Lazarov.

HC ALKALOID – KLAIPEDA DRAGUNAS 42:31 (18:12)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Erdogan Vitaku and Arsim Vitaku from Kosovo. Delegate: Iskandar Azgarov from Azerbaijan

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (1 save), Galevski 1 (9 save), Djonov, Markoski, Kosteski 10, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovikj 4, Mitev 5, Gjorgiev 4, Velkovski, Simonoski 1, Bingo 9, Petkovski, Savrevski,

Seven-meter throws: 6/7 Suspensions: 10 min.

KLAIPEDA DRAGUNAS: Pakalniskis (9 odb), Korzhuk 1, Odinokov 2, Simonavicius 4, Buchius 2, Lapiniauskas 4, Paulikas, Juskenas 2, Draksas 1, Cesna 1, Smantauskas 4, Butkus 6, Kairys, Plakhotin, Stropus 4

Seven-meter throws: 2/5 Suspensions: 4 min.

HC Alkaloid kicked off their EHF European Cup campaign with success, claiming their second European victory. In the first match of the second round of the EHF European Cup, HC Alkaloid convincingly defeated Lithuania’s Klaipeda Dragunas by an 11-goal margin.

The match had a blistering pace right from the first whistle, a tempo that played perfectly into HC Alkaloid’s hands, as they thrive on a fast, running game with quick transitions. HC Alkaloid quickly took a 3-1 lead, but the visitors showed they had plenty of quality as well, keeping up with the fast tempo and leveling the score over the next ten minutes.

Once the early feeling-out period passed, HC Alkaloid’s defense became more secure and solid, paving the way for a growing lead. Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski was a standout, pulling off several key saves that set up easy goals, allowing HC Alkaloid to settle into their well-known rhythm. Wingers Kosteski and Bingo were also in top form, excelling in transition and netting some spectacular goals.

By the 15th minute, Alkaloid hit their most effective stretch of the match. From a 9-9 tie, they surged to a 17-10 lead, completely changing the tone of the game.

At halftime, the score was 18-12, and the tempo remained unchanged in the second half. The visitors tried a deeper defensive setup but couldn’t slow down the pace, as both teams continued to play fast handball until the final whistle.

Throughout the second half, HC Alkaloid held a steady lead, ranging from six to nine goals. By the 50th minute, they were up 33-24. The margin hit double digits for the first time in the 52nd minute (35-25), eventually stretching to a maximum lead of 12 goals, before the final whistle confirmed a 42-31 victory.

Post-Match Press Conference: HC Alkaloid – HC Dragunas Klaipeda

HC Alkaloid has set themselves up with a great chance to advance to the next round of the EHF Cup. The “Blue Team” dominated Dragunas Klaipeda with a commanding 42-31 victory in the Avtokomanda arena in the first leg of the 2nd round. With this big win, Kiril Lazarov’s squad has a solid cushion heading into the return leg in Lithuania. After the match, both teams’ coaches, as well as a player from each side, shared their thoughts during the post-game press conference.

KIRIL LAZAROV (Head Coach, HC Alkaloid): “I’m proud of my team. I have great respect for Klaipeda because, as I said before the game, they’re a strong team. Nobody expected such a big win by 11 goals. Despite the convincing victory, we won’t relax; I still believe we need to stay sharp. We were prepared for their fast-paced style of play, we responded well, and we beat a good, albeit not-so-well-known, opponent. The second leg will be tough, especially if we don’t approach it the right way. This was a match played at a true European tempo.”

MARTIN SERAFIMOV (Player, HC Alkaloid): “Klaipeda played a good game, so the goal difference from this first leg doesn’t guarantee anything for the second match. Their counterattacks were strong, and it was hard to keep up with them, but in the end, we came out on top. We’ve got another match ahead of us, and these eleven goals don’t mean much—we have to stay focused in the return leg to secure our spot in the next round.”

JUAN ANTONIO MORENO RODRIGUEZ (Head Coach, HC Dragunas Klaipeda): “Congratulations to Alkaloid on the win. Both teams played at a fast pace, but we failed to capitalize before their goalkeepers. When up against teams like Alkaloid, you need to play much better. We made too many mistakes in crucial situations, and our opponent didn’t let us off the hook.”

KAROLIS STROPUS (Player, HC Dragunas Klaipeda): “We just finished a tough match. Maybe we need more games like this to be more competitive in the future. It was a fast-paced game—we were running and scoring quickly, but then we missed a few key chances, and our game plan fell apart. In some critical moments we failed to score, and if we had, maybe things would’ve been different. But that’s how it goes; we move forward, and this was a good experience for us. We’re ready for the rematch in Lithuania.”