HC Alkaloid is about to play a historic match in which it could secure its first European title. On Sunday at 20:30, the second leg of the EHF European Cup final will take place at the Boris Trajkovski arena in Skopje.

The first leg of the final in Athens ended in a 29-25 victory for Alkaloid, a lead they must protect to claim the trophy.

On the eve of the second leg, HC Alkaloid held a press conference.

KIRIL LAZAROV, HEAD COACH OF HC ALKALOID

I want to thank everyone for their support throughout this European journey. Reaching the final is of great importance for our club and for Macedonian handball. We delivered an outstanding performance in Greece, and I can confidently say the result exceeded expectations. Holding a four-goal advantage is excellent; the players executed our plan perfectly, and we head into the second leg with a substantial cushion.

On one hand, I remain cautious, aware of our mindset and the fact that 19 of our squad members are Macedonian… but on the other, sensing the atmosphere two days before the match, we need to approach the second leg with a bit more composure. We have to enjoy this moment… as a former player who’s been to more finals than I’ve won (I’m referring to Champions League finals), I believe that experience helps me prepare the team effectively. I don’t want the players feeling any pressure – I’m confident they’ll give their all on Sunday.

Our system is functioning well, though we do have some weaknesses. I don’t want to dwell on missing four or five key players in the second half of the season. I hope our younger players won’t be overwhelmed and that we’ll handle this positive pressure.

IVAN GALEVSKI, HC ALKALOID GOALKEEPER

“AEK is an experienced, high-quality team with players well-established in world handball. Even with our four-goal lead, nothing will be easy because we know what kind of opponent we’re up against in Skopje. We do have one advantage we lacked in the away leg, our home crowd. I’m sure that if we play well and follow the coach’s instructions, we can celebrate and lift a European trophy which is no small achievement for a club that has existed for four years.”

NIKOLA MARKOSKI, HC ALKALOID PLAYER

“AEK is a top-notch team full of quality players. Despite the four-goal deficit, I believe they’ll fight to demonstrate their best. It’s our responsibility to stick to our game plan. We’re preparing to minimize technical errors and, with a solid defence, secure another victory and a historic European title.”

“Dear audience, valued supporters, our eighth player on the court.

As we look forward to the EHF European Cup final clash between HC Alkaloid and HC AEK, we call on our fans to express their passion for Macedonian handball and HC Alkaloid through fair and sportsmanlike cheering.

Let us cheer wholeheartedly, with reverence, demonstrating that genuine supporters add to the fair play demonstrated on the court.

We appreciate the dedicated support to date and the positive feedback following the first encounter with HC AEK. On Sunday, another demanding 60 minutes awaits us. The team needs the crowd more than ever to show their support and back us while respecting and honoring the visiting side in the spirit of sportsmanship.

Joining us in the stands will be our youngest fan, just two years old, while our official supporters’ group, “Kafetinki,” exemplifies loud and passionate yet respectful cheering.

Let us set a standard of sportsmanship for our club, our opponents, and the European handball community, because sport is not only a battle for victory but also a celebration of respect, unity, and honorable play. Let us cheer fairly and with passion: Go Alkaloid!”

Sincerely,
President of HC Alkaloid,

Goran Minov

Tickets for the EHF European Cup final featuring HC Alkaloid and AEK, scheduled for May 25 at the Boris Trajkovski arena in Skopje, starting at 20:30, are on sale!

They can be purchased through the MKTickets sales network, with prices set at 200 and 300 denars.
Below is the list of MK Tickets outlets:

Online at mktickets.mk or at https://www.karti.com.mk/rk-alkaloid-aek.nspx

Skopje:

LiteraturaMK – City Mall

LiteraturaMK – East Gate

LiteraturaMK – Diamond Mall

Literatura – TC Bunjakovec

JK Travel – TC Biser

Makpetrol – Kozle

Makpetrol – Ilindenska

Makpetrol – Vlae

Veles:

Unison

Prilep:

TA Bran

Kumanovo:

Tobacco Agora

Tetovo:

Tobacco Monaco

Grand Tobacco

Gostivar:

Tobacco Vona 5

Ohrid:

TA Vis Poj

Bitola:

Literatura

Tobacco Brothers

Strumica:

LiteraturaMK

TA Safari

Shtip:

City Tobacco

Dear media representatives, the media and media workers accreditation process for the EHF European Cup final between HC Alkaloid and AEK Athens, scheduled for Sunday, May 25 at 20:30 at SC Boris Trajkovski in Skopje, is now open.

Journalists from print outlets, online portals, and photographers must submit their requests no later than May 22. Please send accreditation requests to [email protected].

Television stations, web TV channels, podcasts, and radios/web-radios must apply directly to EHF to secure accreditation for the match. All such requests must be made through the EHF online accreditation platform: https://accreditation.ehf.eu

AEK – HC ALKALOID 25-29 (14-16)

Sunel Arena in Athens. Referees: Gytis Sniurevicius and Andrius Grigalionis from Lithuania. Delegates: Olav Oie Svein from Norway and Francisco Blàzquez from Spain

AEK: Genty, Tepper, Arampatzis, Matic 1, Vlastos, Schmidt 4, Keita 1, Panagiotou 4, Lulic 1, Koukoulas, Davyes, Garain 6, Toure 5, Beauregard, Szukielowicz, Sako 3

Seven-meter throws: 1/6 Suspensions: 4 min

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (9 saves), Galevski (5 saves, 2 missed), Djonov, Markoski 1, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 3, Velkovski 2, Simonoski, Ivanovski 3, Bingo 3, Francisco 5, Petkovski 3, Mitev 2, Savrevski

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

HC Alkaloid secured a four-goal victory (29-25) over Greece’s AEK in the opening leg of the EHF European Cup final in Athens.

Inside a packed arena buzzing with tension, the match was paused twice as home fans threw objects onto the court. Undeterred by the hostile atmosphere, HC Alkaloid rose to the challenge, battled with grit, withstood the pressure, and ultimately achieved the result they sought.

In the opening fifteen minutes, the two teams were evenly matched, exchanging leads. However, HC Alkaloid executed their tactics more efficiently, anchored by a rock-solid defense, with the team shouldering the entire burden. The blue-and-white squad found their stride late in the first half, edging ahead to close that period 16-14.

The pace intensified after halftime. HC Alkaloid controlled the scoreboard, as AEK poured every ounce of effort into chasing the tie. The X-factor was goalkeeper Ivan Galevski, who thwarted five of AEK’s seven-meter attempts.

Twice in the second half, play was suspended due to unruly home fans. Nevertheless, HC Alkaloid’s players held firm, delivered a stellar performance, and ultimately broke through AEK’s resistance to claim the hard-fought victory.

The return leg is set for next week at the Boris Trajkovski Arena in Skopje.

HC ALKALOID – HC VARDAR 1961 26-26 (12-12)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Mihajlo Ilievski and Metodija Ilievski from Bitola. Delegates: Dragan Nachevski and Aco Nikolovski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj (8 saves + 1 penalty save), Galevski (2 saves + 1 penalty save), Djonov 1, Markoski 2, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 8, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 1, Velkovski, Simonoski 1, Ivanovski 6, Bingo, Francisco 3, Petkovski 3, Mitev 1, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 4/5 Suspensions: 8 min

HC VARDAR 1961: Espinja (11 saves), Gogov, M. Stojanovski, Jagurinovski 2, Alarov, T. Stojanovski, Georgievski 2, Tankoski 2, Koij 1, Lazarevski 6, Horiha 3, Srdanovic 2, Nikolic 1, Petric, Pinto, Borozan 7

Seven-meter throws: 0/2 Suspensions: 8 min

The major Macedonian Super League derby between HC Alkaloid and HC Vardar 1961 ended in a captivating 26-26 stalemate after 60 minutes of end‑to‑end action.

HC Alkaloid seized the early momentum, blending rock‑solid defense with inspired saves from goalkeeper Marko Kizikj to surge into a 5-2 lead and even threatened to extend it further. However, a handful of attacking errors allowed HC Vardar back into the contest, and they quickly drew level at 5-5, turning the match into a goal‑for‑goal shootout with HC Alkaloid dictating the score.

Vardar enjoyed their only lead of the half at 8-7 in the 21^st minute, but Alkaloid hit back instantly to reestablish a 10-8 cushion.

Neither side broke the deadlock as the visiting team drew level at 10-10, and with no further shifts before the break, the halftime score stood at 12-12.

The visitors opened the second half on fire, pulling out to a 17-14 advantage, yet Alkaloid’s resilience shone through as they rallied to claw back.

Martin Serafimov’s second‑half heroics hauled the hosts level at 20-20 before HC Alkaloid seized the initiative.

Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski pulled off several vital saves in the closing moments, but HC Alkaloid nonetheless failed to convert multiple chances that could have secured a two-goal advantage and eased the pressure.

The match remained a back-and-forth battle, and with the visitors netting the last goal just three seconds before the final whistle, it finished with a stalemate.