HC Alkaloid is nearing the conclusion of its debut European season as the Macedonian representative in the group stage of the EHF European League.

Two remaining European challenges lie ahead for our team. First, they will face HC Vojvodina in Novi Sad on Tuesday, followed by a match against Spain’s Logroño La Rioja seven days later in Skopje, marking the end of the group stage and the autumn segment of the European club season.

HC Alkaloid’s final European visit takes them to Serbia, where the city of Novi Sad and the renowned Slana Bara arena will be hosting our team.

The role of frontrunner, along with the pressure of securing a favorable result, lies with the home club. Vojvodina needs to secure at least one point from the match against HC Alkaloid to confirm their spot in the group stage. Failing to do so would transfer the outcome of the match to the last round.

Our team, on the other hand, has no pressure regarding the result, aside from the responsibility to uphold the club’s reputation and the aspiration to deliver a more impressive performance before the Novi Sad, as well as the broader handball audience. This favorable situation will allow us to play more freely and leave a stronger impression. Any potential outcome, whether it’s securing a point or claiming victory, would significantly contribute to boosting self-confidence and serve as another positive element integrated into the system being patiently and painstakingly built in the Avtokomanda arena.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday starting at 06:45 PM, and will be broadcast live on MTV-3 and TV Arena Sport.

HC Alkaloid played its fourth EHF European League match. We visited the group’s strongest contender – Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from Denmark. Despite being convalescent, our center back Marko Mitev put on an excellent performance and emerged as the top scorer netting nine goals from nine shots.

“This game holds significant importance for me, as well as, I believe, for all my teammates, regarding what lies ahead. Despite not securing a victory in this match, we have gained valuable experience. I believe that in future, we will continue to improve, becoming more courageous when competing in such major and significant matches.

I would like to congratulate the opponents. The return match clearly demonstrated the importance of having experience in European competitions, as well as that Silkeborg players are far more experienced than us.

I consider these matches to be an opportunity for myself and my teammates to grow by developing and improving our style of play,” said Marko Mitev.

BJERRINGBRO SILKEBORG – HC ALKALOID 35-31 (17-16)

Jysk Arena in Silkeborg. Referees: Jaap Klompers and Koen Stobbe from the Netherlands. Delegate: Kristijan Halldorsson

BJERRINGBRO SILKEBORG: Lovqvist (17 saves 1 seven) Hallback 6, Ilsoe, Boldsen 6, Oris 6, Lauge, Lynggaard 1, Friden 4, Toft Hansen, Bogojevic 4, Balling 4, Vibe, Bjerring, Solstad 4, Knudsen, Sand

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

HC ALKALOID: Trajkoski (5 saves), Galevski (4 saves), Djonov 4, Markoski 1, Serafimov 4, Stojchevikj, Stojkovic 3, M. Mitev 9, Gjorgiev 2, Velkovski 2, Omeragikj, Bingo 4, Kofiloski, D. Mitev, Savrevski 2

Seven-meter throws: 3/4 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC Alkaloid played its fourth match in the EHF European League. This evening, playing as visitors in Silkeborg, our team engaged in a closely contested match against the Danish team on their home court. However, a challenging period at the start of the second half took a course in favor of the opponent, which ultimately secured the points with a score of 35-31.

The home team, propelled by their goalkeeper who made 10 successful saves in the opening 15 minutes, capitalized on our squad’s missed opportunities early in the match, establishing a 7-3 lead.

Nevertheless, we managed to get back into the game, employing patient defensive play and constant pressure, transitioning to their defensive line.

We narrowed the deficit to 8-9, subsequently reaching a tie at 13-13, 15-15, and 16-16, before heading into halftime with the hosts leading 17-16.

The beginning of the second half proved detrimental to our team, altering the course of the game. In the initial eight minutes, our poor execution, coupled with technical errors, resulted in us failing to score any goals and conceding five, which enabled Silkeborg to establish a six-goal lead (22-16).

Then followed an extended period of staging a comeback.

Our team showed character by pressing on and refusing to accept the negative outcome. We narrowed the deficit to three goals, creating an opportunity to make the match more dramatic. The home team, however, halted their decline in the offensive by employing a “7 on 6” tactic in one period, managing to stay in control until the conclusion of the match.

HC MULTI ESSENCE – HC PROLET 62 31-32 (17-16)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Dimitar Mitrevski and Blagojche Todorovski. Controller: Igor Ognenov

HC MULTI ESSENCE: Ermanoski, Dimevski 6, Kostovski, Ilieski 5, D. Uzunchev 3, Petreski, Trajchev, Trajkovski, Vasilevski, T. Uzunchev, Dimovski 7, Jordanov 6, Karasmanakis 3

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

HC PROLET 62: Petkovski, Jovanovski, Krsteski, Pecakovski, Vasilevski 3, Kocharov, Dimov, Andonoski 5, Majnov 6, Dimkovski 1, Stojanovski 1, Jachev, Mihaljevic, Palevski 5, Arsenovski 8

Seven-meter throws: 4/5 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC Prolet emerged victorious in the Avtokomanda arena, this evening, securing three points from the match against HC Multi Essence with the sound of the final buzzer.

The visiting team was considered the stronger contender, but our young squad put on an impressive performance, not only avoiding a subordinate position, but also seizing the lead at the conclusion of the match, with a real chance to secure not just one point but all three.

The visitors took an early lead in the first half with a 5-2 start, but HC Multi Essence managed to level the score at 8-8. Subsequently, our team took the lead and held a one-goal advantage at halftime (17-16).

In the second half, the visiting team once again held a one to two goal lead, but the match remained closely contested, with our team pressing on.

Following a tie at 25-25, HC Multi Essence finally took the lead with scores of 27-26 and 29-28. In the closing moments, HC Multi Essence attempted to secure an equalizer.

In the last 10 seconds, despite leveling the score at 31-31 with a zeppelin shot, HC Multi Essence found themselves without a goalkeeper due to a player being sent off.

The substitution was not executed swiftly enough for the goalkeeper to return to his area, allowing HC Prolet to score with a shot from the center of the court into the empty net, securing the victory.

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.