The reigning EHF European Cup champions, HC Alkaloid, officially launched their preparations for the upcoming season with a first team gathering earlier today. The players and coaching staff were addressed by Mr. Zhivko Mukaetov, CEO and President of the Management Board of ALKALOID AD Skopje, who wished the squad a successful and victorious season ahead.

Head coach Kiril Lazarov will count on a 23-man roster for the new campaign. All players reported for duty at the opening meeting, including Marko Mitev and Nikola Kosteski, who are currently undergoing rehabilitation and will train under a tailored program. Both are expected to rejoin full team activities during the autumn half of the season.

Alkaloid’s preseason will be divided into three phases. The first leg of preparations will be held in Skopje. Next Monday, the team heads to Mavrovo for a ten-day training camp to complete the second phase. Wrapping things up, Alkaloid will go on a mini-tour through Serbia and Croatia, playing eight friendlies against teams from Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia.

The official season opener for HC Alkaloid is set for August 31 with a away fixture against Bundesliga outfit TSV Hannover-Burgdorf. The return leg and Alkaloid’s first European home game will take place in Skopje seven days later.

Today, HC Alkaloid found out its opponent in the Qualifiers for a spot in the EHF European League group stage as it drew against German side Hannover-Burgdorf.

The aggregate winner of the two legs between Alkaloid and Hannover-Burgdorf will secure a spot in the EHF European League group stage.

The first leg is set for August 30/31 in Hanover, while the return match will take place in Skopje on September 6/7.

Alkaloid was handed the top-seeded team among the potential matchups. Hannover-Burgdorf is coming off an impressive campaign, finishing sixth in the highly competitive Bundesliga. They are led by Kristijan Prokop, former head coach of the German national team. Ahead of the new season, they have managed to retain their core lineup and have brought in quality reinforcements to fill any gaps.

This Friday, HC Alkaloid will take part in another EHF European League draw to set the first phase groups. There they will learn who awaits, if they manage to get past the challenge of Hannover-Burgdorf.

HC Alkaloid stays true to its vision of fielding a roster largely composed of Macedonian talent who benefit from elite training facilities, a professional regimen, and ample opportunities to shine on both domestic and European stages.

Several high-potential players, promising for both club success and Macedonia’s senior national team, will arrive next season, and together we embark on a new mission packed with challenges at the club and international levels, across domestic and continental competitions.

Nenad Kosteski, the national team’s right wing, is set to join HC Alkaloid next season. The 24‑year‑old from Struga is already familiar with his new teammates from national duties, and he’ll even line up alongside his older brother, Nikola Kosteski, who has featured for HC Alkaloid this season.

Emilijan Gjorgovski, one of Macedonia’s brightest left‑back prospects, is our latest acquisition. Also hailing from Struga, the 22‑year‑old will have a genuine chance at HC Alkaloid to unleash his full range of skills. He’s represented his country at every youth level and has periodically trained with the senior squad.

Mihail Alarov, the national team pivot renowned for his two‑way prowess, will strengthen HC Alkaloid’s lineup next season. Having showcased his caliber throughout the Macedonian championship, we anticipate he’ll slot into our system swiftly and become a crucial component in the campaign ahead.

After a season of development with Serbia’s HC Dubocica, right back Mihail Ivanoski returns to HC Alkaloid’s fold. His progress last season was closely tracked by our staff, and he now rejoins to bolster our squad.

HC Alkaloid’s development program continues to bear fruit in the form of young goalkeeper Gjorgji Nikolovski. Exceptionally gifted and insightful, he impressed through the club’s youth ranks and at HC Multi Essense, fully earning his promotion to the first team. He’ll complete the goalkeeping unit alongside Marko Kizikj and Ivan Galevski.

Another rising star joins us next season – David Trajkoski, a left wing recruited from HK Prilep. A standout in youth competitions with Super League experience under his belt, he’s poised to demonstrate his abilities in the HC Alkaloid colors.

Finally, Serbia international Uros Borzas has been secured for the left‑back position. The sharpshooting back arrives with an impressive resume, proven credentials, and we expect him to integrate seamlessly into our squad.

HC BUTEL SKOPJE – HC ALKALOID 22-31 (11-14)
Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Ismail Metalari and Nenad Nikolovski. Delegate: Marjan Ognjanovski
HC BUTEL SKOPJE: Blazevski, Subashevski 1, Georgievski, Nikolov 3, Janevski, Novakovski, Spasovski, T. Uzunchev 2, D. Uzunchev 5, Milosheski 3, Kiselovski, Kaevski 2, Mihajlovic 4, Solic 1, Davitkovski
Seven-meter throws: 2/5 Suspensions: 2 min.

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski, Djonov 5, Markoski 1, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 5, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 4, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski, Simonoski, Ivanovski 2, Bingo, Francisco 3, Petkovski 5, Savrevski 5
Seven-meter throws: 5/7 Suspensions: 8 min.

HC Alkaloid concluded its Super League campaign with a convincing 31-22 victory over HC Butel Skopje in the final match of the championship.

While the outcome of this fixture had no bearing on the final league standings, both sides approached the contest with professionalism and commitment. Due to technical circumstances, the game was played at the Avtokomanda arena, where HC Alkaloid, despite being listed as the visiting team, imposed its control from the outset. After establishing an early 5-2 lead, HC Alkaloid extended the gap to 7-4. Butel Skopje managed to respond, leveling the score twice at 8-8 and 9-9.

By halftime, however, HC Alkaloid had restored its advantage to 14-11. The second half saw the match open with an exchange of goals before HC Alkaloid gradually pulled away. The lead doubled to 20-14 and grew to a commanding 26-17 margin. HC Alkaloid maintained a comfortable buffer of eight to nine goals through to the final whistle, sealing a 31-22 triumph.

HC ALKALOID – CHC OHRID 33-24 (11-9)
Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Rubin Sedloski and Goran Angeleski. Delegate: Zoran Kimovski
HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Trajkoski, Djonov 6, Mladenovikj, Karasmanakis 4, Stojkovikj 1, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski, Ivanovski 3, Bingo 2, Francisco 5, Petkovski, Savrevski 1, Garbeski 8, Panchevski 1, Sekulovski 1
Seven-meter throws: – Suspensions: 6 min.

CHC OHRID: Krsteski, Pupuncoski 1, Buleski, Siljanoski 2, Trajcheski 1, Krsteski, Jancheski 3, Ristevski, Stefanovikj 1, Sofkoski 1, Kostov 6, Vinicius 9, Risteski
Seven-meter throws: 1/1 Suspensions: 2 min.

HC Alkaloid wrapped up its final home fixture of the current Super League season, with only one away game remaining against HC Butel Skopje before the championship concludes.

Prior to kickoff, the club extended its appreciation to three players for their contributions: veteran goalkeeper Blagojche Trajkoski, left-handed defender David Savrevski, and Portuguese international Francisco Oliveira e Silva.

For their last appearance at the Avtokomanda arena this season, HC Alkaloid hosted CHC Ohrid, a side bolstered by several young additions for this encounter. The first half lacked intensity and tempo, particularly in physical duels, and ended with a narrow 11-9 advantage for the home team.

HC Alkaloid stepped up its performance after the break, immediately pulling away from the visitors. Within six minutes of the restart, the lead had grown to 16-10, and by the 43rd minute, the hosts had established a double-digit cushion at 22-12. From there, HC Alkaloid comfortably managed the remainder of the game to secure another routine two points.

HC Alkaloid is proud to announce that, following an official decision by the European Handball Federation (EHF), it has been crowned champions of the 2024/25 EHF European Men’s Cup.

In the decisive return leg staged in Skopje, the hosts were awarded a 10-0 win, sealing their second triumph in the final series. This followed their opening victory in Athens, where HC Alkaloid prevailed 29-25, to complete a clean 2-0 sweep and lift the coveted European trophy.

This title marks HC Alkaloid’s first European trophy in its brief four-year history and represents a landmark achievement for Macedonian club handball. Equally notable is the feat of head coach Kiril Lazarov, who became the first Macedonian coach to lift a European title. The club expresses profound gratitude to Lazarov for his leadership, tireless work, and selfless commitment.

HC Alkaloid applauds EHF’s decision, which proves the value of sportsmanship, fair play, and dedication in reaching the pinnacle of sport.

The club extends heartfelt thanks to its supporters, players, and staff for their steadfast support and contributions on the journey to this historic triumph.