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.

HC VARDAR 1961 – HC ALKALOID 34-26 (15-13)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Gjorgi Nachevski and Slave Nikolov. Delegate: Kamer Metalari and Aco Nikolovski

HC VARDAR 1961: Espinha (14 saves), Gogov, Jagurinovski, Alarov, Stojanovski, Georgievski 3, Hanser, Tankoski 3, Lazarevski 5, Horiha 6, Srdanovic 3, Nikolic 1, Petric 1, Kosevski, Borozan 9

Seven-meter throws: 4/7 Suspensions: 12 min.

HC ALKALOID: Galevski 1 (6 saves), Trajkovski (4 saves), Djonov 1, Petrov, Markoski 1, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis, Stojkov 4, Gjorgiev 3, Velkovski 4, Ivanovski 1, Bingo 1, Francisco 1, Petkovski 1, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 4/9 Suspensions: 8 min.

HC Alkaloid enters the playoffs with just the two bonus points carried over from the regular season, following the opening derby match for the Macedonian Super League championship. In the first round, HC Alkaloid was the away team against HC Vardar 1961 at the Jane Sandanski arena, where the home side triumphed with a 34-26 victory.

Kiril Lazarov did not have the ideal lineup tonight. The club has been facing a challenging season, juggling its participation in the European EHF Cup and significant contributions to the Macedonian national team, which appears to have taken its toll on the players’ performance.

For about twenty minutes at the start, HC Alkaloid managed to keep pace with their opponents, drawing 9-9 at the 20-minute mark. However, as the first half progressed, the home team began to secure a narrow lead by pulling ahead by two goals.

This gap widened even further at the outset of the second half, which forced HC Alkaloid into a relentless chase throughout the remainder of the game. A drop in focus during the final five to six minutes resulted in an even larger deficit.

Looking ahead, HC Alkaloid is set to host CHC Tikvesh at the Avtokomanda arena on Sunday.

HC ALKALOID – HC BAIA MARE 32-25 (18-12)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Mads Fremstad and Jorgen Jorstad from Norway. Delegate: Branka Maric from Serbia.

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski 2 (9 saves), Djonov, Petrov, Markoski, Kosteski 1, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 3, Stojkovikj 5, Gjorgiev 4, Velkovski 1, Ivanovski 2, Bingo, Francisco 4, Petkovski 7, Savrevski

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

HC BAIA MARE: Al-Khafadji, Terekhov, Nagy 1, Chis, Botea, Rakolta 1, Kumpanici 8, Dalin 3, Kotrc 1, Sinku, Kozakevych 4, Burzak 1, A. Pop 1, E. Pop, Da Silva 4, Fotache 1

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

HC Alkaloid has secured a spot in the semifinals of the EHF European Cup, marking another remarkable milestone in the club’s history. In the quarterfinals, they eliminated the Romanian side Baia Mare to advance in the competition, and they will now face Norwegian team Runar Sandefjord.

The Avtokomanda arena was packed as the home crowd paid tribute to the victims of the Kochani tragedy before showing their support for the HC Alkaloid squad. The team set the tone early by opening the match strongly, securing a 4-0 advantage before the visitors’ coach even called a timeout.

Strong defensive play helped the blue-white squad push their lead to 6-2 by the 10th minute, and further to 7-2 in the 11th.

HC Alkaloid maintained control of the game, steadily increasing their lead, with Martin Serafimov extending the gap to six goals. During this period, the Romanians attempted a 7-on-6 play; however, goalkeeper Ivan Galevski capitalized on the situation with two consecutive empty-net goals to preserve Alkaloid’s advantage.

The defense continued to excel, and by the 17:10 mark, a counterattack goal from Martin Ivanovski further solidified their performance, leading to an 18-12 score at halftime.

In the second half, both sides exchanged goals, but Alkaloid maintained a lead of six to seven goals. The defense played a key role, and by the 35th minute, HC Alkaloid had built an eight-goal advantage (23-15), marking the first time they led by such a margin.

In the 38th minute, following a lengthy pause, Nikola Kosteski returned to the court and scored a penalty, pushing the score to 24-16.

As the game progressed, time favored HC Alkaloid. By the 53rd minute, the score reached 29-22, intensifying the pressure on the opponents who were forced to quicken their pace and take risks.

Gjorgiev added another goal in the 55th minute to make it 30-22, effectively sealing the outcome. With little left for the visitors in the final minutes, HC Alkaloid closed the match at 32-25, earning their rightful place in the semifinals.

After concluding the regular season of the Super League and before the Playoffs commence, HC Alkaloid faces a new challenge in the EHF European Cup. The team will host Romania’s HC Minaur Baia Mare in a crucial match for a spot in the semifinals of the European competition.

The first leg in Romania ended in a 31-31 draw, meaning HC Alkaloid will play at home for a chance to reach the top four teams in Europe. Aware of the challenges ahead and what it takes to achieve further success in Europe, head coach Kiril Lazarov and defender Marko Stojkovikj shared their thoughts at a press conference.

Kiril Lazarov (Head Coach of HC Alkaloid):

“We are entering a crucial phase where we are fighting for a spot in the semifinals of a European competition. This match is extremely important not only for our club but also for Macedonian handball and sport as a whole. We will approach the rematch with Baia Mare cautiously. I would like to take this moment, since the match wasn’t broadcast live, to congratulate my players on everything they went through before, during, and after the game, especially when facing a formidable Romanian side and the challenges of playing on their home turf. I am proud of the quality we showed and the positive result we achieved. It might not be obvious during the games, but it’s important to understand that, based on my experience, away matches can present unpredictable challenges. That’s why I try to keep the team alert and motivated, especially since our squad is composed of 99% Macedonian players, with 90% being young and full of promise.

I’m extremely cautious and a bit anxious about what’s ahead on Sunday. The club received incomplete footage of the previous match—the second half wasn’t recorded at all—so we lack that important review material. Despite this setback, our plan is to regroup and deliver a quality performance. There were several moments when players were nearly sent off, yet only two cautions were issued. This is a squad packed with national team talent along with a dozen foreign players, so an extra push is needed to secure our spot in the semifinals. I also expect our fans to show their support. Baia Mare is arriving two days early, having postponed their championship game to better consolidate their lineup.

Marko Stojkovikj (HC Alkaloid player): “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families affected by the Kochani tragedy, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery on behalf of myself and all our players. We’ve thoroughly analyzed our opponent and are preparing diligently to achieve a positive result that will see us through to the semifinals. I urge our fans to come out in large numbers to support us so that we can eventually celebrate together. We’re going into the match cautiously, but with a clear intent to secure a win.”

The match between HC Alkaloid and HC Baia Mare is set for March 30 at 7:00 PM at the Avtokomanda arena in Skopje. The main referees, Mads Dalby Fremstad and Jorgen Jorstad from Norway, will oversee the game, with Branka Maric from Serbia serving as match delegate.

The winner of this two-legged match will advance to the semifinals of the EHF Cup, where they’ll face either HC Olympiacos from Greece or HC Runar from Norway.