The EHF European League season is entering the second half of the group stage. With one point secured after three matches, HC Alkaloid is gearing up for the next match set to be held on Tuesday, where they will go against the Danish representative Bjerringbro-Silkeborg.

The duel with the group’s frontrunner will be a new opportunity for our team to experience the intensity of playing on the away court in a European competition and once again measure its strength against a Scandinavian team. Competing against teams that play this type of handball provides valuable experience that we hope will contribute to the enhancement of our game, yielding benefits in upcoming matches.

“Bjerringbro – Silkeborg proved that they are the top favorite in our group and currently the strongest team. Our upcoming match in Denmark will be a valuable opportunity to gain new experience, which we must use to our advantage in future challenges. I am hopeful that we will deliver a better performance in the second leg, by demonstrating greater fighting spirit and motivation”, said Kiril Lazarov, coach of HC Alkaloid.

Goalkeeper Blagojche Trajkovski continues to play a crucial role this season, providing essential support to the defense. His experience proves valuable for the young players on the team, while he also views the upcoming match with the Danish representative as an opportunity for the team to grow.

“In the initial encounter with Bjerringbro – Silkeborg we experienced both positive and challenging moments throughout the match. The missed penalties and shots resulted in our second defeat in Europe. Facing Silkeborg, we gained a firsthand understanding of the strength of Danish handball, providing invaluable experience for our young players. In the coming days, we will continue analyzing the Danes, identifying our mistakes in order to correct them and ensure we deliver our best in the duel in Denmark,” said goalkeeper Blagojche Trajkoski.

The match on Tuesday will take place at Jysk Arena in Silkeborg. The game is set to commence at 08:45 PM, and it will be broadcast live on MTV 3.

HC ALKALOID – HC AERODROM 42-28 (19-18)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Ismail Metalari and Nenad Nikolovski. Delegate: Vladimir Sazdovski

HC ALKALOID: Galevski 3, Trajkoski, Djonov 2, Mladenovikj 4, Serafimov 4, Stojchevikj, Stojkovic 2, Gjorgiev 1, Omeragikj 1, Bingo, Kofiloski 9, Petkovski 4, D. Mitev 3, Savrevski 9

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

HC AERODROM: Bogdanovski, Pajkoski 3, Buchukovski 1, Meloski 6, Mitrevski 4, Kostov 3, Markovic, Pavlichkovski, Oltovski 2, Stojanovski 2, Trifunoski 2, Trajchevski, Vasilev, Anakievski 3, Angjelkovski 2, Grujevski

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

HC Alkaloid took part in the 11th round match in the Macedonian Super League in between competing in two European matches against Denmark’s Bjerringbro – Silkeborg.

HC Aerodrom was the visiting team at the Avtokomanda arena, with the encounter concluding with a 42-28 victory for our team.

The score was tied during the first half. HC Alkaloid maintained control on the court and held a lead that ranged between one and two goals.

The score was 19-18 at halftime. In the second part, HC Alkaloid took a more serious approach, initiating a 7-0 run from a score of 21-20. This propelled them to a lead of 28-20, and they navigated the rest of the match comfortably.

Coach Kiril Lazarov spared some players, while David Savrevski and Dario Kofiloski were tonight’s best scorers, each netting nine goals. Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski demonstrated excellence once again, even contributing three goals to the score.

HC ALKALOID – BJERRINGBRO SILKEBORG 23-31 (12-16)

Venue: Jane Sandanski in Skopje. Referees: Davor Loncar and Zoran Loncar from Croatia. Delegate: Jan Rudinsky from Slovakia

HC ALKALOID: Romero, Trajkoski, Djonov 7, Markoski, Mladenovikj 2, Serafimov 5, Stojchevikj, Stojkovic 3, Gjorgiev 2, Velkovski 2, Omeragikj 1, Bingo 1, Kofiloski, Petkovski, D. Mitev, Savrevski

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

BJERRINGBRO – SILKEBORG: Lovqvist, Hallback 9, Ilsoe, Boldsen 4, Oris, Lauge 2, Lynggaard 2, Friden, Bogojevic, Toft Hansen, P. Christensen 7, M. Christensen, Bjerring 2, Solstad, Sand 2

Seven-meter throws: 1/2 Suspensions: 10 min.

HC Alkaloid was unable to secure points in the duel against the group’s favorite, Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from Denmark, in the third round. The away team adapted more quickly and performed more effectively in the match, ultimately securing the points.

The more seasoned visiting team lived up to their frontrunner status, although HC Alkaloid put up substantial resistance and battled all through the match. There were opportunities throughout the game to achieve a better outcome, but the missed chances, particularly the unsuccessful seven-meter shots were the decisive factors in the end.

HC Alkaloid had a promising start to the match, taking a 3-0 lead in less than three minutes. The Danish club, however, demonstrated its quality by swiftly adjusting to the game, leveling the score at 4-4 after eight minutes.

Subsequently, the away team maintained its lead, but HC Alkaloid had several promising opportunities to shift the momentum. Regrettably, despite creating goal-scoring situations, our young squad missed several chances, including shots from seven meters, allowing the Danes to take control of the score.

The advantage for the visiting team extended by the end of the half, heading into halftime with a score of 12-16.

The second half of the match continued with a similar tempo. The visitors reached a six to seven-goal difference which was aided by the crucial saves made by their goalkeeper.

In the final ten minutes, HC Alkaloid had multiple chances to get back in the game and narrow the gap by minus three goals, which could have potentially altered the course of the match.

However, they failed to capitalize on these opportunities, allowing the opponent to take advantage and ultimately secure a 31-23 vict

LOGROÑO LA RIOJA – HC ALKALOID 29-29 (18-15)

La Rioja Sports Hall in Logroño, Spain. Referees: Ivars Cernavskis and Edmunds Bogdanovs from Latvia. Delegate: Marco Brandi from Italy

LOGROÑO LA RIOJA: Soler 2, Preciado 7, Fernández 4, Ponciano, Zaja 3, Tuá 2, Uríos 3, Ortíz, Palasics, D. Cadarso 4, Palomino 3, E. Cadarso 1, Abdelmotaleb

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

ALKALOID: Romero, Trajkoski, Djonov 6, Markoski 2 Mladenovikj, Serafimov 3, Stojchevikj, Stojkovic 2, M. Mitev 2, Gjorgiev, Velkovski 4, Omeragikj, Bingo 7, Petkovski 3, D. Mitev, Savrevski

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

HC Alkaloid commenced the match with less anxiety, despite some missed shots and technical errors. The home team initially maintained control and gained a 4-1 lead. Arnaud Bingo was in a goal-scoring mood and until the first crisis passed he kept the team in the game. Subsequently, Alkaloid overcame the pressure, with other players contributing to tie the game at 7-7 within the first 14 minutes of play.

However, the home team maintained a high conversion rate, allowing them to maintain their lead, while Alkaloid consistently remained close, just a step behind. But whenever we were in a position to equalize, technical errors or the opposing goalkeeper’s strong defense thwarted our efforts. As a result, La Rioja retained their lead until the end of the first half. With the final goal, they managed to reestablish a three-goal lead, setting the score at 18-15.

At the start of the second half, Blagojche Trajkovski found his form between the posts. His strong performance allowed HC Alkaloid to go on a scoring spree, reversing the score from a 20-16 deficit to a 20-21 lead with five goals. From that point on, the match in Spain turned into a tense, nerve-wracking battle. HC Alkaloid had several opportunities to extend their lead to a two-goal advantage, but their lack of experience proved costly, resulting in missed scoring opportunities.

La Rioja capitalized on this, taking a 27-25 lead with seven minutes remaining. However, Trajkovski once again delivered a stellar performance, making two crucial saves and, combined with Djonov’s sixth goal, brought the score to a draw at 28-28. In the final play of the match, winger Petkovski scored, securing a draw and the first point in our team’s history.

Post-match statements:

ARNAUD BINGO: “It is not easy for the young players in our team to compete against teams that have extensive experience and numerous appearances in European competitions. Hence, I believe this is a good result for the club. Nevertheless, I also know that we can perform much better.”

IVAN DJONOV: “The draw is a favorable outcome, but we missed the opportunity to secure two points. Our focus dropped. At one point, we had a series of unsuccessful attacks. Our opponents also made errors and missed opportunities, but if we capitalized on our chances, we could have come out victorious. We are content with the draw, but we will not stop there. We will approach every upcoming match with the determination to win.”

HC GOLDEN ART – HC MULTI ESSENCE 30-21 (15-10)

Venue: Jane Sandanski in Skopje. Referees: Ismail Metalari and Nenad Nikolovski. Delegate: Dushko Kamishevski

HC GOLDEN ART: Daskalovski, Trajkovski 4, Onchev 1, Gligorov, Daev 4, Stamenkovikj, Shilegov 5, Jankovski 5, Goshevski 4, Stojanoski, Milanov, Leshnikoski, Milosheski 5, Drpljanin, Bardakoski, Gajikj 1

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

HC MULTI ESSENCE: Ermanoski, Dimevski, Kostovski, Ilieski 5, Petkovski, D. Uzunchev, Petreski, Trajchev, Omeragikj 2, Vasilevski, Todeski, T. Uzunchev, Dimovski 1, Trajkovski, Jordanov 5, Karasmanakis 5

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

The team of HC Multi Essence failed to mount a comeback against HC Golden Art. This afternoon, our young players left empty-handed after their match with the new rival from Skopje at the Jane Sandanski arena.

The match ended with a final score of 30-21. During most of the first half, HC Multi Essence was evenly matched with the opponent, but from a score of 9-8, the home team embarked on a 6-2 run, leading to a 15-10 halftime advantage.

The second half played out in a similar fashion, with the home team ultimately securing a 30-21 victory and winning the points.

HC ALKALOID – HC SKOPJE 2020 38-25 (21-10)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Ivo Georgievski and Igor Naumovski. Delegate: Marjan Ognjanovski

HC ALKALOID: Romero, Djonov 3, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov 1, Stojchevikj 3, Stojkovic 6, M. Mitev, Gjorgiev 5, Galevski, Velkovski, Omeragikj 2, Bingo, Kofiloski 2, Petkovski 6, D. Mitev 3, Savrevski 6

Seven-meter throws: 1/2 Suspensions: 10 min.

HC SKOPJE 2020: Stojkoski, Fidanovski, Mishevski, Chakalikj 1, Trkalevski, Jakimovski 1, Shokoski 9, Mitikj 8, Ristovski, Stojkoski, Fichoroski 3, Grujovski, Stojanovski 1, Kiselovski 1, Rangelov, Stojanovski

Seven-meter throws: 3/6 Suspensions: 2 min.

HC Alkaloid secured their second victory over HC Skopje this season, extending its lead at the top of the table in Group A.

In preparation for their upcoming first European away match on Tuesday, HC Alkaloid fielded a mixed squad, giving several players the opportunity to showcase their skills. Among them, Marko Stojkovic, David Savrevski, and Aleksandar Petkovski excelled, each scoring six goals.

HC Alkaloid maintained the lead throughout the game. The score was even in the early stages of the match, at 3-2, 5-4, 8-6… but a 4-0 run extended the lead from 9-7 to 13-7. The first half concluded with HC Alkaloid in complete control, holding an 11-goal advantage at 21-10.

The second half proceeded at a more relaxed pace, and HC Alkaloid’s lead reached a maximum of 15 goals on multiple occasions. Ultimately, the game concluded with a final score of 38-25 in favor of HC Alkaloid.