WEST WIEN – HC ALKALOID 29-32 (12-16)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Filip Faner and Lukas Kubis from Poland. Delegate: Boris Ivanovic from Serbia.

WEST WIEN: Weik 1, Edionwe, Meleschnig 4, Mostl 3, Derdak 3, G. Kofler 1, Drager 2, Bernkop 2, Huber 2, Fruhstuck, Pfeifer 2, Bryslawski 4, Gareis 4, Payer, Wiegrefe, J. Kofler.

Seven-meter throws: 1/2. Suspensions: 6 minutes.

HC ALKALOID: Galevski (5 saves), Kizikj (7 saves), Djonov 3, Markoski, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 7, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 1, Mitev 3, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski 1, Bingo 2, Francisco 2, Simonoski 3, Petkovski 7, Savrevski 2.

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

HC Alkaloid has clinched a spot in the EHF European Cup Round of 16, achieving another significant milestone in the club’s history.

Following the 38-27 triumph in the first leg against Austrian West Wien, this evening Alkaloid confirmed their advancement to the Round of 16, featuring the top 16 teams in the competition. Although West Wien was officially considered the home team, the second match took place in Skopje’s Avtokomanda arena.

HC Alkaloid will learn their next opponent for the February fixtures on Tuesday.

The tempo of tonight’s game wasn’t as fast-paced as the first encounter, but HC Alkaloid adapted better even with a slower style of play.

Our team dictated the pace, maintaining a lead of one to two goals during the first 20 minutes, after which a decisive 5-0 run extended Alkaloid’s lead to seven goals (15-8). By halftime, West Wien managed to reduce the deficit slightly, ending the first half at 16-12.

In the second half, both teams traded goals early on, with Aleksandar Petkovski stepping into the spotlight. The lead remained steady between three and four goals (21-17 at 37 minutes), reaching five goals again in the 40th minute (23-18).

With eight minutes remaining, Alkaloid held a commanding 30-25 lead, closing out the match without any major difficulties and securing their spot in the EHF European Cup Round of 16.

HC ALKALOID – WEST WIEN 38-27 (20-14)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Filip Fanner and Lukas Kubis from Poland. Delegate: Boris Ivanovic from Serbia.

HC ALKALOID: Galevski (10 saves), Trajkoski (6 saves), Djonov 2, Petrov, Markoski, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 8, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 2, Mitev 7, Gjorgiev, Velkovski 2, Bingo 6, Francisco 2, Petkovski 9, Savrevski.

Seven-meter throws: 4/6. Suspensions: 10 minutes.

WEST WIEN: Weik, Edionwe, Meleschnig 8, Mostl 2, Derdak, G. Kofler 3, Drager 4, Bernkop 2, Huber 1, Fruhstuck 1, Pfeifer, Bryslawski 4, Gareis, Payer, Wiegrefe, J. Kofler 1.

Seven-meter throws: 5/7. Suspensions: 8 minutes.

HC Alkaloid took a significant step towards the Round of 16 in the EHF European Cup with today’s victory over Austrian West Wien.

Once again, HC Alkaloid faced a team that maintained a fast pace throughout the game, regardless of the scoreline.

The visitors initially led 2-0, but HC Alkaloid quickly responded. With Arnaud Bingo scoring five goals in the first ten minutes, the team turned the tide and led 8-4.

Five minutes later, the score was 12-6, and the match settled into a rhythm where HC Alkaloid maintained a six-to-seven-goal lead until halftime.

Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski delivered key saves during this stretch, while right-winger Aleksandar Petkovski stood out, scoring five goals in the initial 30 minutes. Nine minutes into the second half, HC Alkaloid extended their lead to 10 goals for the first time (26-16).

The dynamic play produced goals on both sides, with goalkeeper Blagojche Trajkoski also making an impact, recording six saves in a short span. Ultimately, HC Alkaloid secured an 11-goal victory (38-27) and will enter the second leg with a more comfortable position.

The return match is scheduled for tomorrow at the Avtokomanda arena, starting at 19:00h.

After an impressive start to the season, with 14 consecutive wins, including two matches in the EHF European Cup against Lithuania’s Klaipeda Dragunas, HC Alkaloid is gearing up for its second European challenge of the season.

In the third round—the last to be played in 2024—HC Alkaloid will battle Austria’s West Wien over two legs for a spot in the Round of 16.

West Wien is a club with a rich, nearly 80-year history and an impressive record, including six domestic championship titles and a semifinal appearance in the EHF Champions League.

Their most recent championship win came in 2023, but financial difficulties forced the club to withdraw from the top league that same season.

They quickly bounced back, reclaiming a spot in the top division and winning the Austrian Cup, securing their place in this year’s EHF European Cup.

In the second round, West Wien played two matches in the Faroe Islands against Vestmanna IF. They won the first leg 29-22 and defended their aggregate lead despite a 30-34 loss in the second leg.

Both matches will be played at the Avtokomanda arena, scheduled for Friday (November 29) and Saturday (November 30), with both games starting at 19:00h.

HC Alkaloid held a press conference today, with head coach Kiril Lazarov and player Martin Serafimov previewing the upcoming two-legged tie.

“We cleared the second round against a tough Lithuanian team. Now we’re up against a well-coordinated side composed of young Austrian national players, a team that our youth team faced to a draw this summer.

This opponent is technically sound and excels in fast-paced play. That suits us because we also play a similar style of handball. Fans will get to enjoy two high-quality matches within 48 hours. Our goal is to win, but to do that, we must perform at our best. We need to approach these games with maximum seriousness and continue to build on our system. I hope to see a strong crowd in the Avtokomanda arena because these players have earned the support, especially in European matches,” said Lazarov.

Martin Serafimov also shared his thoughts, emphasizing the team’s determination to secure two wins.

“After a strong start in the European Cup, we now face two home games against West Wien. We are ready to take on the challenge, deliver on our objectives, and, of course, win both matches. I hope the fans will come out and support us,” said Serafimov.

HC VARDAR 1961 – HC ALKALOID 29-27 (15-13)

Venue: Jane Sandanski in Skopje. Referees: Sasho Krkachev and Gjoko Kolevski. Delegates: Dragan Nachevski and Dushko Kamishevski.

HC Vardar 1961: Espinha, Gogov, M. Stojanovski 1, Jagurinovski 1, Alarov, T. Stojanovski, Georgievski 1, Tankoski 1, Kooij 2, Horiha 7, Srdanovic 6, Nikolic 4, Petric 2, Margheli 2, Kjosevski, Borozan 2.

Seven-meter throws: 4/7. Suspensions: 10 minutes.

HC Alkaloid: Kizikj, Galevski, Djonov 4, Markoski, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 3, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 2, Mitev 5, Gjorgiev 2, Velkovski, Simonoski 4, Bingo 1, Francisco 1, Petkovski 3, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 4/6. Suspensions: 10 min

After triumphing in 14 consecutive official matches since the start of the season, HC Alkaloid tasted defeat for the first time in a closely contested Macedonian Super League derby against HC Vardar 1961 on their home court.

The hosts had a stronger start, quickly establishing a 5-2 lead. HC Alkaloid rallied, however, leveling the score at 6-6, and the game settled into an intense “goal-for-goal” rhythm.

HC Alkaloid took the lead late in the first half, going up 11-9, but HC Vardar managed to turn the game around, closing the half with a 15-13 advantage.

In the second half, HC Alkaloid once again fought back, equalizing at 19-19 and creating several opportunities to take the lead.

In their eagerness to make a comeback, however, our plays rushed several key plays, missing critical chances in pivotal moments. Ultimately, the match slipped away, ending in a narrow 29-27 loss for Alkaloid.

HC Alkaloid remains atop the standings, tied on points but holding a better goal difference and head-to-head record against HC Vardar 1961.

The team now shifts its focus to the EHF European Cup. On Friday and Saturday, HC Alkaloid will host Austrian side West Wien at the Avtokomanda arena.

CHC OHRID – HC ALKALOID 22:29 (14:16)

Venue: Biljanini Izvori in Ohrid. Referees: Dimitar Mitrevski and Blagojche Todorovski. Controllers: Dragan Nachevski and Aco Nikolovski.

CHC OHRID: Chanevski, Ojleski 1, Matsuoka, Jukic 2, Shipinkoski, Taseski 4, Safranko 2, Jotic 1, Kukoski, Krstevski, Pesic 4, Kukulovski 1, Orjonikidze 2, Bojanic 1, Cirar 4, Gjorgjeski.

Seven-meter throws: 2/5. Suspensions: 4 min.

HC ALKALOID: Kizikj, Galevski, Djonov, Markoski, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 12, Karasmanakis, Stojkovikj 2, Mitev 5, Gjorgiev 1, Velkovski 1, Simonoski 1, Bingo 2, Francisco 2, Petkovski 1, Savrevski 1.

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

HC Alkaloid extended its undefeated run with an impressive victory in the challenging and traditionally tricky away game against CHC Ohrid in a packed Biljanini Izvori arena. Our team notched its 11th Super League win this season, maintaining a flawless record across 14 official matches since the start of the campaign.

The home team displayed a fighting spirit, but our squad was prepared for a game full of duels, battling for every ball right from the start. This intense play saw our team dictate the lead, although CHC Ohrid managed to equalize multiple times.

The goal-for-goal game became more manageable mid-half when HC Alkaloid took a two-goal lead (9-7, 10-8) and even stretched it to three goals at one point (12-9). The halftime score stood at 16-14 in our favor.

Martin Serafimov delivered a stellar performance, converting all his seven-meter throws and finishing with 12 goals. Marko Mitev excelled in breaking down CHC Ohrid’s defensive zone, orchestrating plays alongside Igor Gjorgiev from the central back position, and contributing five goals himself. Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski was instrumental in the second half, recording seven saves, including three crucial stops on seven-meter throws.

At the start of the second half, CHC Ohrid pushed hard with a high-intensity defense, trying to erase the deficit. However, HC Alkaloid successfully met this challenge, and after maintaining a 20-18 lead, as the home side failed to break our resistance, we took control of the game and shifted into a counter-offensive. A 4-0 series followed, extending the lead to 24-18. With a calm and controlled finish, they avoided any potential comeback from the home side, steering the game to its conclusion.

HC Alkaloid achieved a maximum nine-goal lead late in the match (29-20), with the final whistle confirming a 22-29 victory.

The next match for HC Alkaloid is again on the road. In the 12th round, we will face HC Vardar 1961 for the second time this season, this time at the Jane Sandanski arena.