HC RADOVISH – HC ALKALOID 23–35 (13–18)

Venue: 25 Maj in Radovish. Referees: Rubincho Sedloski and Goran Angeleski. Delegate: Gjorgji Duchkov.

HC RADOVISH: Paunov, Dimov 2, Petrov, Postolov 8, Trajchevski 3, Acev, Jankovski 2, Ristov, Tabakov 2, Jovanovski, Trajanov, Kakovski 4, Gjorgiev, Onchev, Atanasov, Kostadinov 2

Seven-meter throws: 1/2 Suspensions: 4 min

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski, Djonov 2, þordarsson 6, Markoski, Serafimov 2, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovic 5, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski 3, Simonoski, Ivanovski 2, Kosteski 3, Petkovski 1, Borzas 4, Gjorgovski 5

Seven-meter throws: 5/6 Suspensions: 2 min

HC Alkaloid secured a victory over HC Radovish in the fourth round of the Super League, marking their second win of the season.

Alkaloid started the match stronger. With two opening goals from Ulfar þordarsson and three consecutive scores from Marko Stojkovic, the Skopje-based blue-and-whites built an early 5-2 lead. Martin Serafimov then extended the advantage to 6-2 before the home team briefly restored some balance.

HC Alkaloid’s lead continued to grow, reaching a six-goal margin (9-3, 11-5). Their largest lead of the first half was seven goals (9-16), and they headed into the break with a comfortable 18-13 advantage.

After halftime, the home team attempted to stay competitive; however, HC Alkaloid maintained firm control of the game and gradually pulled away. By the 47th minute, they had built a double-digit lead for the first time (19-29).

In the closing minutes, the margin hovered around ten goals, with the match ending in a 35-23 victory for HC Alkaloid.

Þordarsson led the scoring with six goals, while Marko Stojkovic and Emilijan Gjorgjovski added five goals each.

For the next round, HC Alkaloid will return home to face HC Prilep.

HC ALKALOID – HC EUROFARM PELISTER 33–33 (15–14)

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

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski, þordarsson 7, Markoski, Serafimov 5, Karasmanakis, Stojkovic, Gjorgiev 2, Velkovski 1, Simonoski 1, Ivanovski 1, Kosteski 3, Petkovski 1, D. Mitev 6, Borzas 5, Alarov 1.

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

HC EUROFARM PELISTER: Mitrevski, Brestovac, Heidarirad, Manaskov 6, Cehte 1, Hackbarth 6, Tajnik 4, Walid 1, Henigman, Radivojevic, Kuzmanovski 10, Kalajdjieski, Petar Atanasijevikj, Peshevski 1, Hosni 3, Pavle Atanasijevikj 1.

Seven-meter throws: 7/8 Suspensions: 14 min

The first half at the Avtokomanda Arena unfolded with HC Alkaloid steadily building mild initiative and control. The hosts quickly established a two-goal lead within five minutes and stretched it to three (7-4) just five minutes later. The court battle intensified as both teams fought to establish their rhythm, with Þordarsson emerging as a key figure for HC Alkaloid, netting two spectacular goals from fast transitions. HC Alkaloid maintained this control of the scoreline throughout the half, though Eurofarm Pelister showed their resilience by leveling the score in the 20th minute and again right before the break. Despite the late push, Alkaloid headed into halftime with a slim 15-14 advantage after Pelister failed to convert their final attack.

At the start of the second half, HC Alkaloid tightened up its defense and pulled away on the scoreboard. A crucial save from goalkeeper Galevski was pivotal in this phase, and by the 37th minute, Kiril Lazarov’s squad had built their largest lead of the night at 19-15. Two rushed plays, however, allowed the visitors to claw their way back into the game, reducing the deficit to just one and two goals, yet HC Alkaloid continued to hold onto their lead. The scoreboard showed 24-22 in the 46th minute, and the teams entered the final ten minutes with Alkaloid ahead 27-25. But a critical lapse in Alkaloid’s focus and execution in the closing stages allowed Eurofarm Pelister to capitalize on the very last attack, scoring as the clock expired to snatch a draw at the Avtokomanda Arena.

CHC TIKVESH – HC ALKALOID 22–24 (9–14)

Venue: Jasmin in Kavadarci. Referees: Dimitar Mitrevski and Blagojche Todorovski. Delegate: Aco Nikolovski.

CHC TIKVESH: Panov (1 save), Pecurica (2 saves), Velkov (3 saves), Magdi, Stojanovski, Cejovic 3, Dimovski 2, Lazov, Manaskov 4, Tajnik 1, Kocev 4, Simic 1, Cvetkovski 4, Simonovski, Mijuskovic 2, Grishikashvili.

Seven-meter throws: 1/3 Suspensions: 4 min

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski (10 saves), þordarsson 2, Markoski, Serafimov 2, Karasmanakis, Stojkovic 1, Gjorgiev 5, Velkovski 2, Ivanovski, Kosteski 2, Petkovski, Mitev 6, Borzas 3, Alarov, Gjorgovski 1.

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

HC Alkaloid secured their first away victory of the season against CHC Tikvesh in the premiere match of the second round.

HC Alkaloid started the season debut on the road strong. Goals from Borzas, Mitev, and Kosteski propelled them to a 4-0 lead, which they quickly extended to a five-goal advantage (7-2). They reached their peak margin in the 19th minute when captain Gjorgiev found the net for a 10-6 lead.

The home team managed to stabilize the game and find their rhythm towards the end of the first half, but HC Alkaloid maintained a solid 14-9 lead at the break.

HC Alkaloid struck first in the second half to push their lead to 15-9 , but a series of exclusions and missed chances allowed the home team to narrow the gap to 16-17 by the 41st minute.

For the next ten minutes, the match hung in the balance. HC Alkaloid managed to rebuild a three-goal cushion at 21-18, only for the hosts to once again close in to a one-goal deficit (20-21). HC Alkaloid regained control, pulling ahead by three goals (23-20) in the 54th minute and successfully shutting down any further attempts from the home side to mount a comeback.

In the next round, HC Alkaloid is set to host HC Eurofarm Pelister on home court.

HC ALKALOID – CHC OHRID 24-24 (11-13)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Silvana Karbeska and Marija Ilieva. Delegates: Marjan Nachevski and Dushko Kamishevski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (6 saves), Galevski (3 saves), Djonov, Þordarsson 4, Markoski, Serafimov 3, Karasmanakis 3, Stojkovic 1, Gjorgiev, Velkovski 1, Ivanovski 2, Kosteski 3, Petkovski, Mitev, Borzas 6, Alarov 1

Seven-meter throws: 2/4 Suspensions: 6 min

CHC OHRID: Chanevski (1 save), Blazhevski (10 saves), Gjorgeski, Strmljan 1, Ojleski 2, Ivankovic 4, Kukulovski, Vejin 3, Risteski, Taseski 1, Morales, Savrevski 2, Jotic 3, Liapis 1, Petric 2, Dukic 5

Seven-meter throws: 1/3 Suspensions: 12 min

The first round of the Macedonian Super League season ended with a derby clash as HC Alkaloid and CHC Ohrid battled to a 24-24 draw at the Avtokomanda Arena.

From the opening whistle, both teams set a blistering pace, prioritizing fast transitions while maintaining intense defensive pressure, resulting in a goal-for-goal exchange. The visitors from Ohrid managed to carve out a slight edge, maintaining a fragile lead that Alkaloid consistently erased, though the hosts repeatedly missed crucial opportunities to surge ahead.

This pattern of play continued throughout the first half, with the two teams tactically probing each other. After 30 minutes, it was Ohrid who carried a slim 13-11 advantage into the break. The halftime interval proved transformative for Alkaloid, as they started the second half in stark contrast to how they finished the first.

They exploded with a 6-0 run, completely flipping a 13-15 deficit into a lead. New signing Uros Borzas orchestrated the attack with precision, while the defense solidified, not conceding a single goal for a full ten-minute stretch and building a 19-15 lead. Ohrid responded immediately with a timeout, after which they scored three consecutive goals to close the gap to 19-18. However, after the visitors squandered a chance to level the score, Alkaloid’s Kosteski responded and extended the lead to 20-18. The final minutes delivered pure drama, and the game ultimately ended in a draw, with Valentin Karasmanakis scoring the goal that sealed the 24-24 result.

HC Alkaloid fell short once again in the return leg (28-29) against German Bundesliga side TSV Hannover-Burgdorf, thus concluding their campaign in the EHF European League qualifiers. The German team proved superior across both matches, securing their spot in the competition’s group stage.

Christian Prokop (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf):

“We played two intense matches against Alkaloid’s team. Our goal was to win both games, and we achieved that. I am happy about it because we have a young team that needs these kinds of matches outside the Bundesliga to gain experience. We are eagerly looking forward to the group stage of the European League.”

Justus Fischer (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf):

“We faced two tough and intense matches against a team with excellent individuals. I believe our defense was key; our goalkeepers were outstanding and saved a lot of shots. In the end, we accomplished our main objective – two wins in two matches.”

Kiril Lazarov (HC Alkaloid):

“Full credit to Hannover, their victory was well-deserved. I am disappointed because we missed a total of nine 6-meter shots across both legs. With that kind of statistic, it’s impossible to overcome a team that plays in the Bundesliga. We knew Hannover was the stronger team, but this is too much. And when you consider that this is an opponent that beats teams like Magdeburg or Füchse Berlin, it puts into perspective just how difficult it was with our poor statistic.”

Igor Gjorgiev (HC Alkaloid):

“I would like to congratulate Hannover on the victory and wish them luck in the group stage of the EHF European League. Unfortunately, our European journey concludes here, and our focus will now shift entirely to domestic competitions.”

HC ALKALOID – TSV HANNOVER BURGDORF 28-29 (14-14)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Mihai Pirvu and Radu Potirniche from Romania. Delegate: Mihail Bashev from Bulgaria

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (3 saves), Galevski (13 saves), Djonov, Þordarsson 7, Serafimov, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovikj 2, Gjorgiev 2, Velkovski, Simonoski, Ivanovski, Kosteski 5, Petkovski, Mitev 2, Borzas 8, Alarov 1

Seven-meter throws: 1/5 Suspensions: 4 min.

TSV HANNOVER BURGDORF: Birlehm (17 saves), Gade, Tissier 2, Poulsen 7, Orlov 1, Steinhauser 5, Michalczik 3, Aho 1, Stutzke 1, Solstad, Fischer 8, Feise, Weber, Rodriguez

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

German side TSV Hannover Burgdorf were the overall winners of the two-legged duel, defeating HC Alkaloid again in Skopje (28–29) to advance further. Fired up to prove themselves, the players of HC Alkaloid delivered a fierce contest, with a pace worthy of the Bundesliga. The Germans embraced that style, giving the fans a rare chance to enjoy handball at full speed, with all the beauty and setbacks such a game brings.

Once again spurred by the saves of goalkeeper Birlehm, Hannover took the early initiative, pulling ahead by two (4-2). The match picked up rhythm, but the visitors adjusted perfectly, building leads of 9-6 and later 12-6. The character of HC Alkaloid’s players was tested, and they rose to the challenge. Ivan Galevski had a brilliant first half, balance was restored, and we finally saw the blue-and-white in full flight, erasing a six-goal deficit in 15 minutes and heading into halftime level at 14-14.

In the second half, HC Alkaloid conceded three in a row, but quickly struck back with five unanswered goals, turning the scoreboard to 19-17 in their favor. From there it was a back-and-forth battle, with the score tied at 20-20 and again at 27-27. A fourth missed penalty by Alkaloid proved costly, however, giving the German side just enough of a cushion in the closing minutes to secure victory in Skopje.