HC ALKALOID – CHC TIKVESH 35-26 (21-9)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Sasho Krkachev and Gjoko Kolevski. Delegate: Aco Nikolovski

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski 1, Trajkoski, Petrov 1, Markoski 2, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 8, Stojkovikj 1, Mitev 1, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski 3, Bingo 5, Francisco 3, Petkovski 9, Savrevski, Panchevski

Seven-meter throws: 6/7 Suspensions: 10 min.

CHC TIKVESH: Arsic, Anastasovski 3, Temelkoski, Velkov, Sokolov, Andonovski 4, Kofiloski, Dimovski 3, Lazov, Manaskov 2, Gacevic 1, Kocev 3, Letic 2, Krivokapic 6, Danevski, Obina 2

Seven-meter throws: 5/7 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC Alkaloid capped off 2024 with a commanding victory in the derby against CHC Tikvesh, securing their spot at the top of the League standings. In the final round of the calendar year, HC Alkaloid hosted the team from Kavadarci and celebrated a nine-goal triumph.

The match was effectively decided in the first half, where HC Alkaloid dominated from the outset, taking early leads of 10-5 and 12-6. By halftime, the home team had built a commanding 11-goal advantage (21-9).

In the second half, the pace slowed somewhat, leading to a more balanced exchange of goals. HC Alkaloid maintained a lead of nine to ten goals throughout, though the visitors briefly reduced the deficit to six (23-29). Alkaloid responded swiftly, restoring their cushion to finish with a nine-goal margin in favor of the blue-and-whites.

Aleksandar Petkovski and Martin Serafimov led the charge, with Petkovski scoring a match-high nine goals and Serafimov adding eight.

This match concluded HC Alkaloid’s autumn Super League campaign, cementing their position as League leaders. Attention now turns to the senior national team’s participation in the World Championship in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway this January.

HC Alkaloid will resume League play in February, starting with a match against Struga.

HC PRILEP – HC ALKALOID 30-40 (13-18)

Venue: Riste Ristevski Richko in Prilep. Referees: Sashko Krkachev and Gjoko Kolevski. Delegate: Vasil Chavdarov

HC PRILEP: Angeleski, Trenchevski 6, Kastratovikj 2, Rajatovski 2, Adamcheski 3, Bikoski, Ivchevski, Ilieski 5, Organdjiev 2, Burcheski, Cvetanoski 7, Hristoski, Levani, Kvastek 3, Trajkoski, Trajchevski

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

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Trajkoski, Djonov 4, Petrov 1, Markoski 1, Mladenovikj 2, Serafimov 2, Stojkovikj 3, Mitev 1, Gjorgiev 5, Velkovski 2, Bingo 3, Francisco 3, Petkovski 9, Savrevski 4

Seven-meter throws: 1/2 Suspensions: 8 min.

HC Alkaloid secured their 14th Super League victory, ensuring they remain firmly atop the standings following the current penultimate round in 2024. The team delivered a commanding 10-goal triumph on the road against HC Prilep in an offensively charged match that saw a total of 70 shots scored.

Coming into the game as firm favorites, led by coach Kiril Lazarov, HC Alkaloid lived up to expectations. They seized control early, jumping to a 7-4 lead and maintaining a comfortable three-to-four-goal cushion throughout the first half. A late surge allowed Alkaloid to extend the advantage to 16-10 before heading into the break with an 18-13 lead.

The second half followed a similar rhythm, with Alkaloid maintaining full control. The gap consistently hovered between six and eight goals before the visitors closed the match with a decisive 10-goal margin (40-30).

Aleksandar Petkovski shined once again, leading all scorers with nine goals, while Igor Gjorgiev added five to the tally.

HC Alkaloid will wrap up the year with a home clash against CHC Tikvesh from Kavadarci. The final round of 2024 is scheduled for December 18 at 17:00 in the Avtokomanda arena.

HC ALKALOID – HC BUTEL SKOPJE 32-24 (16-15)

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

HC ALKALOID: Galevski 3, Trajkoski, Petrov, Markoski, Mladenovikj 2, Serafimov 6, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 1, Mitev 4, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski 2, Simonoski 3, Bingo 4, Francisco, Petkovski 5, Savrevski 1

Seven-meter throws: 5/7 Suspensions: 10 min

HC BUTEL SKOPJE: Blazhevski, Subashevski, Todeski 1, Gjeorgievski 6, Nikolov 9, Stojanoski, Spasovski 1, T. Uzunchev 3, Kiselovski, Boshkovski, Nikolovski, Mihajlovikj, Cvetkovski, Sopic 4, Davitkovski

Seven-meter throws: 3/8 Suspensions: 14 min

HC Alkaloid continued its winning streak in what have traditionally been challenging encounters against HC Butel Skopje, securing its 13th Super League win of the season out of 14 matches played. This victory also marked their 18th triumph in 17 official matches since the season’s start.

The visitors came out determined, even taking an early lead and keeping pace with the hosts throughout much of the first half. Our team responded with determination, however, taking control of the match in the first half and heading into the break with a narrow one-goal edge.

Alkaloid asserted its dominance more strongly in the second half, establishing a lead of up to nine goals at times. They concluded match with a decisive 32-24 victory.

This victory sees HC Alkaloid reclaim the top spot in the League standings. The team faces two more challenges before the end of 2024—an away clash with HC Prilep and a home showdown against CHC Tikvesh.

After an impressive four-game winning streak in the knockout rounds against Klaipeda Dragunas in the second round and West Wien in the third, HC Alkaloid has earned a spot in the Round of 16 of the EHF European Cup.

In the draw for this stage, HC Alkaloid has been paired with Italy’s SSV Brixen. The two-leg encounter, scheduled for February, will determine which team advances to the EHF European Cup quarterfinals.

Our next opponent has over 50 years of history in handball, with notable achievements including two Italian Serie A championship titles and three Italian Cup victories. On the European stage, they have participated 11 times including the current season, with their highlight being a semi-final appearance in the Challenge Cup during the 2000/2001 season.

Last season, Brixen reached the EHF Cup Round of 32 but fell to eventual finalist Olympiacos in back-to-back matches in Athens.

The team includes three foreign players and three athletes with dual citizenship: Ukrainian goalkeeper Maksym Voliuvach, Argentinian Tomas Valentin Canete, and Brazilian back Paulo Vinicius de Oliveira Candido. Pivot Andrea Basic also holds Croatian citizenship, while the duo Endrit and Ardian Iballi also hold Kosovan citizenships.

The team is led by head coach Rudolf Neuner, who stepped in this season to replace Serbian coach Davor Cutura.

Two Brixen players, left wing Stefano Arcieri and pivot Endrit Iballi, are on the extended roster for Italy’s senior national team, while goalkeeper Alessandro Lubinati is part of the junior team.

This season, SSV Brixen eliminated H71 from the Faroe Islands in the second round. In the third round, they pulled off an upset against higher-ranked Czech side Lovosice in two matches played in the Czech Republic.

The Round of 16 matches are set for February 15/16 and 22/23. HC Alkaloid will play the first leg away.

HC RADOVISH – HC ALKALOID 21-46 (9-25)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Silvana Karbeska and Marija Ilieva. Delegate: Vladimir Sazdovski.

HC Radovish: Ristov, Kostadinovski, Petrov 2, Gjorgјiev 1, Postolov, Markovikj, Jankovski 1, Sokolov 2, Stojanoski, Gjorgjiev, Stojanov 1, Talevski 2, Trajanov 3, Onchev 3, Kostadinov 3, Atanasov 3.

Seven-meter throws: 3/5. Suspensions: 4 minutes.

HC Alkaloid: Kizikj, Trajkoski, Petrov 1, Mladenovikj 6, Serafimov 1, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovikj 3, Gjorgjiev 3, Simonoski 3, Bingo 4, Francisco 4, Petkovski 8, Savrevski 4, Garbeski 7, Kovachevikj 1.

Seven-meter throws: 3/4. Suspensions: 8 minutes.

HC Alkaloid returned to form in the Super League and reclaimed the top spot. In Round 13, acting as potential host at the Avtokomanda arena, our team outplayed HC Radovish, securing a commanding 46-21 victory (25-9) in what was the highest-scoring match of the season across all competitions.

The match at the Avtokomanda arena was fast-paced and uninterrupted, with no suspense as HC Alkaloid led from start to finish. HC Radovish stayed competitive for only a few minutes before HC Alkaloid pulled ahead to 10-4 and continued to extend the lead consistently.

Midway through the first half, the score was 16-9, and by halftime, Alkaloid had gone on a nine-goal run to lead 25-9. The second half featured efficient play, resulting in a resounding victory. Coach Lazarov gave all players a chance to contribute, and every player scored. Among them were young talents Maksim Garbeski (7 goals) and Marko Kovachevikj (1 goal).

In the next round of the Super League, HC Alkaloid will face HC Butel Skopje.

HC Alkaloid achieved its objective and, with two victories over Austria’s West Wien, advanced to the Round of 16 in the EHF European Cup. Following the second match at the Avtokomanda arena, which ended 32-29 in favor of our team, a press conference was held featuring representatives from both clubs.

Kiril Lazarov, Head Coach of HC Alkaloid: “Our main objective was to secure a spot in the next round, and we delivered. We faced a talented and youthful Austrian team that demonstrated a modern, relentless style of play, fighting until the very last whistle. I respect their mentality — despite an 11-goal deficit from the first leg, they never backed down. Across both matches, I ensured all our players got time on the court. While I knew we had the edge in experience and overall quality, we took some calculated risks to assess our squad’s depth. That said, I’m not entirely pleased with the performance of certain players. We need to work harder, and everyone must realize that we need to break away from old habits if we’re to reach the level I envision as a coach and that we, as HC Alkaloid, aim to achieve. I am concerned because tougher matches lie ahead. As for our next round, I don’t know all the names of the potential opponents. Among those listed, the Scandinavian teams are unknown to us, and I would prefer to avoid Olympiacos, but we’ll see when the full list is available.”

Ivan Galevski, HC Alkaloid player: “This was an incredible experience for us. We faced an excellent team. Playing two matches against the same opponent within 24 hours is not easy. We came off a tough week in the domestic championship, but thanks to the staff, we were well-prepared for West Wien. We had a big task, and we’re thrilled with two wins, advancing to the next round of the EHF European Cup.”

Roland Marouschek, Head Coach of West Wien: “I would like to thank HC Alkaloid for the excellent hospitality in Skopje. We are happy to have been here; this was a great experience and memorable journey for our team. We have a young team and are heading home with a sense of satisfaction. Congratulations to our opponent, Alkaloid, who proved to be the stronger side. I wish them success in the next round. Considering the quality of the teams, we had a good second match. We are a young team; this was a lesson for us. Last year, we played in the second division and made it to Europe by winning the Austrian Cup. These matches were a valuable experience for us.”

Paul Pfeifer, West Wien player: “The coach summed it up perfectly. We made too many errors in the attack during the first match, which really hurt our chances. The opponent built a significant lead in the opening minutes, but we showed significant improvement in the second game. Our defense tightened, and we didn’t allow our opponent to score easy goals. Playing against a more experienced team was a great learning experience for us.”

The draw for the Round of 16 in the EHF European Cup is scheduled for December 3. The matches in this stage will take place in mid and late February 2025.