HC ALKALOID – CHC TIKVESH 26:25 (14:12)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Mihajlo and Metodija Ilievski. Controller: Dragan Nachevski

HC ALKALOID: Galevski, Trajkovski, Djonov 5, Petrov 1, Markoski, Mladenovikj, Serafimov 8, Karasmanakis, Stojkovic 2, M. Mitev 7, Velkovski, Omeragikj, Bingo 2, D. Mitev, Savrevski 1, Dimovski

Seven-meter throws: 3/7 Suspensions: 8 min.

CHC TIKVESH: Gemaljevic, Velkov, Anastasovski 1, Mijatovic 1, Temelkoski, Sokolov, Bakev, Stefanovic 2, Manaskov 6, Okardov, Shuleski 1, Kocev, Simic 6, Majic 1, Gacevic 1, Obina 6

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

Even after the conclusion of the second round, HC Alkaloid remains at the top of the Playoff table. In a closely contested derby against CHC Tikvesh at Avtokomanda, our team clinched a narrow victory with a score of 26-25, earning three valuable points.

Unfortunately, coach Kiril Lazarov had to manage without captain Igor Gjorgiev during this match. There was a positive development for the team, however, as picker Kostadin Petrov made a comeback after an extended period of being sidelined due to injury.

The game started with an even score (6-6), but then the visiting team capitalized on our errors, embarking on a 4-0 run to take a 10-6 lead. They held onto this lead until the 24th minute (12-8). However, our team started to tighten its defense as expected, receiving a boost from goalkeeper Blagojche Trajkovski. This shift in momentum changed the course of the game, allowing HC Alkaloid to go on a 6-0 streak and head into halftime with a two-goal advantage (14-12).

The strong performance persisted in the initial ten minutes of the second half, during which we maintained a lead of up to five goals (18-13).

The flow of the game was disrupted, however, by an exclusion and several missed chances, allowing the visiting team to narrow the gap to two goals (19-21), and subsequently to just one. By the 53rd minute, the score was tied at 23-23.

HC Alkaloid kept their focus and continued scoring until the end of the match. In the last attacking move by the visitors, our defense held strong, forcing them to take a shot, which was saved by our goalkeeper, securing our victory.

In the upcoming two rounds, HC Alkaloid will be competing in away matches. They will face Struga in the first match, followed by an away game against GHC Ohrid.

HC MULTI ESSENCE – HC VARDAR (N) 25-27 (13-15)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Dimitar Mitrevski and Blagojche Todorovski. Controller: Ljupco Janevski

HC MULTI ESSENCE: Ermanoski, Dimevski 3, Kostovski 5, Ilieski 2, Nasevski, D. Uzunchev 2, Petreski 2, Trajchev, Omeragik 5, G. Trajkovski, Ivanoski, Todeski, T. Uzunchev, J. Trajkovski, Jordanov, Stojchevikj 1

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

VARDAR (N): Micev, Bugarinovikj 8, Kuzev, Oreshkov 2, Acev, Mitevski 5, Micev, Grujovski, Gjorgjev, Petrov, Adamovic 6, Mitic 3, Icev, Peovski, Jovanovski, Trajanov 3

Seven-meter throws: – Suspensions: 8 min.

HC Multi Essence failed to make a successful run in the Super League Playout. Despite their triumph over HC Golden Art in the previous home match, our young team lost points to HC Vardar Negotino, a team that significantly strengthened its roster during the winter transfer period. The match was closely contested and evenly matched for the most part, but missed opportunities in the final moments cost us three points.

HC Multi Essence initially surged to a 3-0 lead at the start of the match, but struggled to maintain momentum. The visitors then responded with a 5-1 run, leveling the game. Throughout the first half, HC Multi Essence managed to maintain a narrow lead of one to two goals, with the score standing at 13-11. However, towards the end of the half, they experienced a significant setback, conceding a 4-0 run to the opposing team, resulting in a halftime score of 15-13 in favor of the Negotino team.

In the second half, following an even start, the visiting team capitalized on the advantage of having an extra-player and established a 21-17 lead.

Subsequently, our wing player Mihajlo Kostovski netted three consecutive goals, narrowing the margin to 20-21 for HC Multi Essence. Despite two missed opportunities to level the score, on the third attempt, we managed to equalize at 21-21. There were instances thereafter however, where the visitors succeeded in reclaiming a two-goal lead.

Afterward, HC Multi Essence made several attempts to equalize the score. Despite narrowing the goal difference, the team struggled to maintain its defensive stance as time passed. The pressure mounted, leading to the final score of 25-27 in favor of the visiting team, who secured the points.

HC PROLET 62 – HC ALKALOID 17:22 (9:10)

Venue: Makedonsko Sonce arena in Skopje. Referees: Dimitar Mitrevski and Blagojche Todorovski. Delegate: Igor Ognenov

HC T. PROLET: A. Petkovski, Stojanovski 1, Totic, Majnov, H. Petkovski, Spasovski, Andonovski 4, Mihaljevic, Palevski 4, Pecakovski, Vasilevski 2, Arsenovski 2, Dimkovski 1, Dimov, Dodevski 3, Krsteski

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

HC ALKALOID: Trajkoski, Galevski, M. Mitev 2, Savrevski, Kofiloski 1, Karasmanakis 2, Djonov 3, Stojkovikj 1, Mladenovikj, Markoski, D. Mitev 1, Velkovski 3, Omeragikj, Serafimov 5, Dimovski 1, Gjorgiev 2,

Seven-meter throws: 1/3 Suspensions: 12 min.

HC Alkaloid kicked off the Super League Playoff with a victory. Today, our team lived up to its frontrunner status, securing points in an away match against HC Prolet 62.

The home team had a stronger start and maintained the lead in the initial twenty minutes of the game.

During the final ten minutes, HC Alkaloid found a better rhythm. The team demonstrated exceptional defense, keeping the opponent scoreless for 11 minutes and securing a 10-9 lead with a 4-0 run. However, they missed several opportunities to extend the lead.

The strong defensive performance by HC Alkaloid kept the opponent from scoring for the initial eight minutes of the second half. During that period, our team built a five-goal advantage (14-9).

Subsequently, HC Alkaloid maintained this lead without any major issues. Although the home team attempted to narrow the gap and create uncertainty, they couldn’t bring the difference below five goals. In a controlled finish, we secured the first points of the spring season.

HC GOLDEN ART – HC MULTI ESSENCE 23-24 (16-11)

Venue: Jane Sandanski SC in Skopje. Referees: Nenad Nikolovski and Ismail Metalari. Controller: Cano Kurtovikj.

HC Golden Art: Trajkovski, Hristoski, Onchev 1, Gligorov, Daev 1, Shilegov 3, Jankovski, Goshevski 5, Daskalovski 1, Stojanoski 2, Milanov 1, Trajkov, Milosheski 7, Drpljanin 1, Bardakoski, Gajic 1.

Seven-meter throws: 2/2 Suspensions: 14 min.

HC MULTI ESSENCE: Ermanoski, Dimevski 10, Kostovski 1, Ilieski 4, Nasevski, Uzunchev 2, Petreski 1, Trajchev, Omeragikj, Trajkovski, Ivanoski 6, Todeski, Uzunchev, Trajkovski, Jordanov, Stojcevikj

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

HC Multi Essence secured a victory against Golden Art (24-23) in the initial playout match of the men’s handball Super League, staging a remarkable comeback in the second half. Despite facing a five-goal deficit at halftime, the team demonstrated a committed performance in both offense and defense, clinching a crucial triumph as they embark on the journey to maintain their status in the elite realm of Macedonian handball.

The playout opening match commenced with an equal score. It stood at 4-4, then progressed to 5-5, and subsequently to 7-7. Key contributors to HC Multi Essence’s offensive efforts were Dimitar Uzunchev and Mihail Ivanoski, tallying a combined total of five goals. The turning point occurred after the 15th minute, as Multi Essence lost possession twice in the offence, allowing Golden Art to capitalize with two goals and pull ahead to 8-10.

Following the opponent’s run, coach Bochkarovski called the first timeout of the match, but it proved ineffective. Additionally, Multi Essence faced the spirited and seasoned goalkeeper Daskaloski, who blocked two penalties, resulting in a halftime score of 11-16 in favor of HC Golden Art. HC Multi Essence concluded the first half with three missed seven-meter shots (0/3).

During the opening ten minutes of the second half, our team was much more focused than the opponent, adopting a more assertive defensive approach and capitalizing on easy scoring opportunities to level the score at 18-18, reintroducing uncertainty into the match. Following another error by the opponent, David Dimevski swiftly reestablished Multi Essence’s lead with an exceptional goal from nine meters, marking the first advantage for the team in a while (19-18).

At the very beginning of the final ten minutes, Dimevski scored another goal, this time with a zeppelin shot, achieving the first two-goal lead in the match (23-21). Golden Art retaliated with two goals, leveling the score at 23-23, which led to a dramatic conclusion that favored our team. During the crucial moments, goalkeeper Gjorgji Ermanoski delivered the most crucial defensive play of the match, particularly in the final offensive by Golden Art.

HC Alkaloid is back in action on home ground as they resume their participation in the Super League. In the playoffs, they embark on the quest for the ultimate goal: clinching the Macedonian handball title and securing a spot in the EHF European Cups.

Our club concluded the most successful first phase so far, with a perfect record of 14 wins in 14 games in Group A of the Super League. The primary focus now shifts to the playoffs, where, as per regulations, three points are carried forward. Similarly, Vardar 1961, topping Group B, will also begin this phase with the same number of points.

Other teams entering the playoffs include CHC Ohrid and Eurofarm Pelister, each carrying over 2 points, CHC Tikvesh and Butel Skopje with 1 point each, and Prolet 62 and Struga without transferring points. The playoffs are set to commence in February and will extend until June. HC Alkaloid’s first playoff challenge will be against Prolet 62. The match is scheduled for February 10^th (Saturday) at 04:00 PM in the Makedonsko Sonce arena in Skopje.

In the upcoming playoffs, HC Alkaloid will introduce three new players to the roster, all promoted from HC Multi Essence. Pivot Valentin Karasmanakis, right wing Martin Dimovski and goalkeeper Viktor Vasilevski are joining our club.

Meanwhile, international goalkeeper Alejandro Romero Carreras has departed from the team, and pivot Stefan Stojchevikj from HC Alkaloid has been transferred to HC Multi Essence.

PLAYOFF MATCH SCHEDULE

1st round: HC Prolet 62 – HC Alkaloid

2nd round: HC Alkaloid – CHC Tikvesh

3rd round: HC Struga – HC Alkaloid

4th round: CHC Ohrid – HC Alkaloid

5th round: HC Alkaloid – HC Vardar 1961

6th round: HC Butel Skopje – HC Alkaloid

7th round: HC Alkaloid – HC Eurofarm Pelister

8th round: HC Alkaloid – HC Prolet 62

9th round: CHC Tikvesh – HC Alkaloid

10th round: HC Alkaloid – HC Struga

11th round: HC Alkaloid – CHC Ohrid

12th round: HC Vardar 1961 – HC Alkaloid

13th round: HC Alkaloid – HC Butel Skopje

14th round: HC Eurofarm Pelister – HC Alkaloid

HC Alkaloid concluded the second phase of preparations for the Super League Playoffs having spent eight days at the sports center in Stara Pazova. Alongside training sessions, the team also participated in three friendly matches during this period. HC Alkaloid faced the Croatian vice-champion Nexe in two matches, securing a win (29-27) and suffering a narrow defeat (29-30). On the day of their return to Skopje, the team played another match against Jugovic’s squad, where the “reserves” had an opportunity to showcase their skills. The match concluded without a definitive winner (35:35). Subsequently, HC Alkaloid returned to Skopje and will conduct its preparations in the local gym leading up to the commencement of the Super League Playoff, set to kick off this weekend. In the initial playoff round, HC Alkaloid is scheduled to face HC Prolet 62 in an away match.