The Macedonian senior national team delivered a strong performance at the 29th World Championship held in Croatia, Norway, and Denmark.

Our national team finished among the world’s top 16, securing 15th place, and once again captured the hearts of handball fans with their relentless fighting spirit, uncompromising mentality, improved quality of play, and a more modern approach to the game.

Macedonia notched two wins, two draws, and two losses at the World Championship. We triumphed over Guinea (29-20) and Qatar (39-34), while holding favoured Hungary (27-27) and Austria (29-29) to draws. The only matches where we failed to pick up points were a somewhat controversial defeat to the Netherlands (32-37) and a loss to the world’s Top 4 national team, France (25-32).

The Macedonian national team played consistently at a high level throughout all six matches, showing significant improvement compared to previous tournaments. This was a clear sign that this almost completely revamped and youthful squad, led by head coach Kiril Lazarov and his experienced staff, is on the rise and already achieving top results.

HC Alkaloid, as a handball project focused on giving Macedonian players the chance to progress and develop into elite athletes through high-quality training and competition, played a key role in this overall success.

HC Alkaloid’s head coach, Kiril Lazarov, along with his assistants Biljana Crvenkoska and Ninoslav Pavelikj, fitness coach Petar Basnarkov, and physiotherapist Toshe Trajkovski, were all part of the coaching staff for the Macedonian national team.

Among the 18 players who took the court in the six matches of World Championship preliminary and main rounds were HC Alkaloid athletes: Marko Kizikj, Ivan Galevski, Ivan Djonov, Marko Mitev, Igor Gjorgiev, Martin Serafimov, Martin Velkovski, Aleksandar Petkovski, Nikola Markoski, Marko Stojkovikj, and Valentin Karasmanakis. HC Alkaloid takes great pride in these 11 players, who each, in their own way, represented the Macedonian national team with unwavering dedication. Their contributions, both on and off the court, played a major role in the team’s success and in promoting Macedonia with pride on the global handball stage.

Three Macedonian national team players from HC Alkaloid and HC Multi Essence have been selected by the European Handball Federation to join the Respect Your Talent project – Class of 2024.

A total of 30 young handball players, who made a lasting impression at the M18 EHF Euro held in Montenegro this summer and were named Player of the Match, were invited to participate in the annual camp in Vienna. At the camp, they had the opportunity to learn and engage in off-the-court discussions with EHF handball ambassadors, including renowned former players Hans Lindberg (Denmark), Ljubomir Vranjes (Sweden), Vid Kavticnik (Slovenia), and Carlos Prieto (Spain).

Players Damjan Mitev, Marin Krstevski, and Gjorgji Nikolovski were the Macedonian representatives at this event.

The selected players discussed key topics with the famous ambassadors including nutrition, social media, anti-doping, dual careers, psychological exercises, and sports laws.

For each subject, the ambassadors had a dedicated expert by their side, who ensured every aspect was professionally analyzed and thoroughly explored.

“I definitely want to reach the top. I know it’s a tough task, but there’s time, and I believe we’re on the right path. The sky’s the limit, and with the advice we’ve received from the ambassadors, anything is possible. They shared their story with us, and that will be very helpful in the future,” said Marin Krstevski.

Photos: Uros Hocevar/Kolektiff

HC ALKALOID – CHC TIKVESH 35-26 (21-9)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Sasho Krkachev and Gjoko Kolevski. Delegate: Aco Nikolovski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski 1, Trajkoski, Petrov 1, Markoski 2, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 8, Stojkovikj 1, Mitev 1, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski 3, Bingo 5, Francisco 3, Petkovski 9, Savrevski, Panchevski

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

CHC TIKVESH: Arsic, Anastasovski 3, Temelkoski, Velkov, Sokolov, Andonovski 4, Kofiloski, Dimovski 3, Lazov, Manaskov 2, Gacevic 1, Kocev 3, Letic 2, Krivokapic 6, Danevski, Obina 2

Seven-meter throws: 5/7 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC Alkaloid capped off 2024 with a commanding victory in the derby against CHC Tikvesh, securing their spot at the top of the League standings. In the final round of the calendar year, HC Alkaloid hosted the team from Kavadarci and celebrated a nine-goal triumph.

The match was effectively decided in the first half, where HC Alkaloid dominated from the outset, taking early leads of 10-5 and 12-6. By halftime, the home team had built a commanding 11-goal advantage (21-9).

In the second half, the pace slowed somewhat, leading to a more balanced exchange of goals. HC Alkaloid maintained a lead of nine to ten goals throughout, though the visitors briefly reduced the deficit to six (23-29). Alkaloid responded swiftly, restoring their cushion to finish with a nine-goal margin in favor of the blue-and-whites.

Aleksandar Petkovski and Martin Serafimov led the charge, with Petkovski scoring a match-high nine goals and Serafimov adding eight.

This match concluded HC Alkaloid’s autumn Super League campaign, cementing their position as League leaders. Attention now turns to the senior national team’s participation in the World Championship in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway this January.

HC Alkaloid will resume League play in February, starting with a match against Struga.

HC PRILEP – HC ALKALOID 30-40 (13-18)

Venue: Riste Ristevski Richko in Prilep. Referees: Sashko Krkachev and Gjoko Kolevski. Delegate: Vasil Chavdarov

HC PRILEP: Angeleski, Trenchevski 6, Kastratovikj 2, Rajatovski 2, Adamcheski 3, Bikoski, Ivchevski, Ilieski 5, Organdjiev 2, Burcheski, Cvetanoski 7, Hristoski, Levani, Kvastek 3, Trajkoski, Trajchevski

Seven-meter throws: 4/5 Suspensions: 10 min.

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Trajkoski, Djonov 4, Petrov 1, Markoski 1, Mladenovikj 2, Serafimov 2, Stojkovikj 3, Mitev 1, Gjorgiev 5, Velkovski 2, Bingo 3, Francisco 3, Petkovski 9, Savrevski 4

Seven-meter throws: 1/2 Suspensions: 8 min.

HC Alkaloid secured their 14th Super League victory, ensuring they remain firmly atop the standings following the current penultimate round in 2024. The team delivered a commanding 10-goal triumph on the road against HC Prilep in an offensively charged match that saw a total of 70 shots scored.

Coming into the game as firm favorites, led by coach Kiril Lazarov, HC Alkaloid lived up to expectations. They seized control early, jumping to a 7-4 lead and maintaining a comfortable three-to-four-goal cushion throughout the first half. A late surge allowed Alkaloid to extend the advantage to 16-10 before heading into the break with an 18-13 lead.

The second half followed a similar rhythm, with Alkaloid maintaining full control. The gap consistently hovered between six and eight goals before the visitors closed the match with a decisive 10-goal margin (40-30).

Aleksandar Petkovski shined once again, leading all scorers with nine goals, while Igor Gjorgiev added five to the tally.

HC Alkaloid will wrap up the year with a home clash against CHC Tikvesh from Kavadarci. The final round of 2024 is scheduled for December 18 at 17:00 in the Avtokomanda arena.

HC ALKALOID – HC BUTEL SKOPJE 32-24 (16-15)

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

HC ALKALOID: Galevski 3, Trajkoski, Petrov, Markoski, Mladenovikj 2, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 1, Mitev 4, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski 2, Simonoski 3, Bingo 4, Francisco, Petkovski 5, Savrevski 1

Seven-meter throws: 5/7 Suspensions: 10 min

HC BUTEL SKOPJE: Blazhevski, Subashevski, Todeski 1, Gjeorgievski 6, Nikolov 9, Stojanoski, Spasovski 1, T. Uzunchev 3, Kiselovski, Boshkovski, Nikolovski, Mihajlovikj, Cvetkovski, Sopic 4, Davitkovski

Seven-meter throws: 3/8 Suspensions: 14 min

HC Alkaloid continued its winning streak in what have traditionally been challenging encounters against HC Butel Skopje, securing its 13th Super League win of the season out of 14 matches played. This victory also marked their 18th triumph in 17 official matches since the season’s start.

The visitors came out determined, even taking an early lead and keeping pace with the hosts throughout much of the first half. Our team responded with determination, however, taking control of the match in the first half and heading into the break with a narrow one-goal edge.

Alkaloid asserted its dominance more strongly in the second half, establishing a lead of up to nine goals at times. They concluded match with a decisive 32-24 victory.

This victory sees HC Alkaloid reclaim the top spot in the League standings. The team faces two more challenges before the end of 2024—an away clash with HC Prilep and a home showdown against CHC Tikvesh.

After an impressive four-game winning streak in the knockout rounds against Klaipeda Dragunas in the second round and West Wien in the third, HC Alkaloid has earned a spot in the Round of 16 of the EHF European Cup.

In the draw for this stage, HC Alkaloid has been paired with Italy’s SSV Brixen. The two-leg encounter, scheduled for February, will determine which team advances to the EHF European Cup quarterfinals.

Our next opponent has over 50 years of history in handball, with notable achievements including two Italian Serie A championship titles and three Italian Cup victories. On the European stage, they have participated 11 times including the current season, with their highlight being a semi-final appearance in the Challenge Cup during the 2000/2001 season.

Last season, Brixen reached the EHF Cup Round of 32 but fell to eventual finalist Olympiacos in back-to-back matches in Athens.

The team includes three foreign players and three athletes with dual citizenship: Ukrainian goalkeeper Maksym Voliuvach, Argentinian Tomas Valentin Canete, and Brazilian back Paulo Vinicius de Oliveira Candido. Pivot Andrea Basic also holds Croatian citizenship, while the duo Endrit and Ardian Iballi also hold Kosovan citizenships.

The team is led by head coach Rudolf Neuner, who stepped in this season to replace Serbian coach Davor Cutura.

Two Brixen players, left wing Stefano Arcieri and pivot Endrit Iballi, are on the extended roster for Italy’s senior national team, while goalkeeper Alessandro Lubinati is part of the junior team.

This season, SSV Brixen eliminated H71 from the Faroe Islands in the second round. In the third round, they pulled off an upset against higher-ranked Czech side Lovosice in two matches played in the Czech Republic.

The Round of 16 matches are set for February 15/16 and 22/23. HC Alkaloid will play the first leg away.