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HC ALKALOID – HC VARDAR 1961 32-33 (17-19)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Dimitar Mitrevski and Blagojche Todorovski. Delegates: Marjan Nachevski and Leri Mirchevski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski, Djonov 2, Þordarsson, Markoski, Nikola Kosteski 7, Stojkovic 5, M. Mitev 5, Velkovski 2, Ivanovski, Nenad Kosteski, D. Mitev 3, Borzas 5, Alarov, Nikolov 3, Gjorgovski

Seven-meter throws: 9/9 Suspensions: 12 min.

HC VARDAR 1961: Stojanovski, Gogov, Valach, Vorkapic 10, Bono 1, Georgievski, Keita, Mitrovic 3, Tankoski, Lazarevski 2, Tuzolana 3, Horiha 6, Atanasovski, Silva 6, Malus 1, Jankovski 1

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

Only a week after their previous showdown in the final round of the championship, HC Alkaloid and HC Vardar 1961 renewed their rivalry, this time in the opening round of the Macedonian Super League Playoffs.

The match took place at the packed Avtokomanda arena, which once again proved too small to accommodate all fans eager to witness the encounter live. In the end, the visitors edged a narrow 33-32 victory.

HC Alkaloid entered the match without the injured captain Igor Gjorgiev, and right back Martin Serafimov. Despite the absences, head coach Kiril Lazarov’s side delivered a spirited display, remaining level on performance and within touching distance on the scoreboard throughout the encounter.

Vardar made the brighter start, edging ahead in the early stages (5-4, 8-7). HC Alkaloid responded confidently, overturning the deficit through Djonov and Nikola Kosteski, turning the score in their favor (9-8, 10-9). Over the next ten minutes, a goal-for-goal battle unfolded, before the visitors regained the edge and went into halftime with a 19-17 advantage.

The two-goal margin persisted throughout much of the second half in what was an intense and high-tempo contest. Vardar maintained their slim cushion, while HC Alkaloid stayed within striking distance, constantly threatening a comeback. The pivotal stretch came in the 55th minute when HC Alkaloid failed to capitalize on a crucial attack, allowing the visitors to extend their lead to 33-29.

HC Alkaloid held their ground and managed to come within reach of a comeback, but at 31-33 they missed a clear chance to make the finish even more dramatic. In the end, the opponent held a one‑goal lead with ten seconds left and possession of the ball, which they successfully converted into the final score.