HC DRACHEVO – HC ALKALOID 26-44 (15-21)

Venue: Avtokomanda in Skopje. Referees: Gjorgji Vasilevski and Blazhe Mihajlov. Delegate: Monika Gjorgjievska

HC DRACHEVO: Tanevski, Dabevski 2, Lalov 1, Ristovski 1, Shumoski 1, Bozhinov 1, Dimov 2, Stojanov 4, Ilievski, Angelovski, Dimchevski 2, Petkovski 2, Veljanovski, Duka 10

Seven-meter throws: 0/3 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC ALKALOID: Trajkoski, Galevski 2, Djonov 1, Markoski 4, Mladenovikj 4, Stojchevikj 5, Gjorgiev 3, Omeragikj 3, Bingo 1, Kofiloski 6, D. Mitev 5, Savrevski 2, Garbeski 8

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

HC Alkaloid played its final home match for the 2023 calendar year in the Avtokomanda arena, with only the upcoming visit to Kavadarci scheduled for December 16th remaining in this part of the season.

This evening at the Avtokomanda arena, HC Alkaloid emerged victorious against HC Drachevo in a Macedonian Cup match, part of the elimination phase leading to the competition’s group stage, securing a score of 44-26.

HC Alkaloid competed with a reduced squad, as several injured and rested players were absent. Cadet Maksim Garbeski, in the company of senior teammates, took the field for the second time and once again emerged as the most effective player in the lineup.

HC Alkaloid easily secured the desired victory, even though HC Drachevo kept up in the early stages of the match.

The score remained close until it reached 11-9, after which HC Alkaloid found a better rhythm, leading with 15-9 and maintaining a six-goal advantage until halftime.

The lead continued to expand in the second half, reaching double digits (26-16) early on, with no significant score fluctuations until the finish.

HC Alkaloid secured a spot in the group stage of the Macedonian Cup, becoming seeded in the upcoming draw which will be scheduled after this elimination round is completed.

HC Alkaloid concluded its first European season on a positive note with a triumph over the Spanish team Logroño La Rioja, securing the third spot in the group. Following the match, coach Kiril Lazarov and top scorer Marko Mitev spoke at the press conference.

“I am extremely happy for our club’s first historic victory. I would like to congratulate my players and La Rioja for engaging in a fair-play match. I know what Logroño La Rioja means to Spanish handball, as I have spent seven years in Spain. This is a big triumph for us even though we repeated some mistakes, including missing three penalties and a few shots from six meters. However, I am aware that many of our players are experiencing a European competition for the first time. It is evident that we lack experience in this group stage, but it is also clear that we are progressing. I hope we will be better in future. We deservedly secured a victory in the group stage. I would also like to thank the fans that supported us in these matches, appreciating our Macedonian endeavor”, said Lazarov.

This evening, Marko Mitev was not only the best scorer, but also contributed the crucial goals that led Alkaloid to victory.

“I am thrilled about this triumph, achieved with the determined effort of my teammates. This is a credit to the entire team. We are now focusing on our Super League and what lies ahead. This match will serve as additional motivation for all the young players in the team to give their all. Competing in this match will yield benefits for us in terms of the experience we accumulate from each game.” said Mitev

HC ALKALOID – BM LOGROÑO LA RIOJA 28-27 (15-13)

Venue: Jane Sandanski in Skopje. Referees: Jakub Jerlecki and Maciej Labun from Poland. Delegate: Vladimir Jovic from Bosnia and Hercegovina

HC ALKALOID: Trajkoski, Galevski (17 saves), Djonov 5, Markoski 2, Mladenovikj, Stojchevikj, Stojkovic 3, M. Mitev 10, Gjorgiev, Velkovski 4, Omeragikj, Bingo 2, Kofiloski, D. Mitev, Savrevski

Seven-meter throws: 0/3 Suspensions: 12 min.

BM LOGROÑO LA RIOJA: Palasics (17 saves), Abdelmotaleb, Soler 3, Preciado 1, Fernandez, Modi 1, Alves 6, Zaja 8, Tua 2, Urios 1, Ortiz, D. Cadarso 1, Palomino, E. Cadarso 4

Seven-meter throws: 2/4 Suspensions: 14 min.

HC Alkaloid recorded its first European victory in the club’s history! This evening in Skopje, our team emerged victorious against Spain’s Logroño La Rioja (28-27), rounding off the debut season in the much-desired fashion. HC Alkaloid played without several players due to injuries, yet succeeded in maintaining a high level of performance to achieve their set goal. Although we initially led 2-0, the visiting team assumed control and established a 10-5 lead. Our team showed character by refusing to succumb to the pressure, aided by an exceptional performance from goalkeeper Ivan Galevski, they gradually worked their way back into the game.

In the 24th minute, we leveled the score at 12-12, and by halftime, we secured a 15-13 lead. In the second half, our team took the lead with 18-14, however, the Spanish team displayed resilience and initiated a comeback leveling the score at 18-18. Thereafter, a tense game ensued with a back-and-forth exchange of goals.

After a lot of struggle, energy and emotional investment, our team successfully orchestrated a turnaround to secure the lead towards the end of the match. In the final minute, despite a two-goal advantage, there was a dramatic finish. The visitors narrowed the margin to 27-28, and following a technical error from our team, they had an opportunity to level the score. Our defense, however, performed admirably, successfully thwarting the crucial attack and securing the team’s first full set of points. Marko Mitev, having scored 10 goals and Ivan Galevski, with 17 saves, stood out as the most prominent contributors in today’s match.

Tickets for the HC Alkaloid – BM Logroño La Rioja match, scheduled for the sixth round of the EHF European League on December 05, 2023 (Tuesday), with kick-off at 6:45 PM, are now available for purchase.

Tickets for the match between HC Alkaloid and BM Logroño La Rioja from Spain can be purchased through the MKTickets sales network:

РК Алкалоид – РК Логроњо Ла Риоха

The ticket prices for the duel at the Jane Sandanski SC in Skopje are set at 100 MKD and 150 MKD. Blocks 1, 2, 9, and 10 are available for 100 MKD, while tickets for blocks 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, and 16 are priced at 150 MKD.

On Tuesday, HC Alkaloid will bring its first European season to a close, representing Macedonia in the group stage of the EHF European League, with a match against Spain’s Logroño La Rioja.

The upcoming clash with the Spanish team marks the sixth match of the season for HC Alkaloid. We secured one point on the opponent’s home court, setting the stage for the rematch on Tuesday.

BM Logroño La Rioja is a strong team that has been Spain’s representative on the European stage for several consecutive years. Spain has one of the richest handball traditions in Europe regularly winning medals on the big stage.

This team has improved its form since our last match, scoring five victories in the meantime, four of which were in the Spanish championship and one away against HC Vojvodina in Novi Sad. They conceded both defeats at home, against HC Vojvodina and a minimal defeat against Bjerringbro Silkeborg in the last round.

These outcomes not only indicate an enhancement in their performance, but also that they play better in away games, making them even more formidable for the upcoming match.

HC Alkaloid delivered its most impressive performance against La Rioja, securing their first European point. The team is motivated and wants to conclude its debut season in the EHF European League with a victory on the European stage.

PROGRAM FOR THE HC ALKALOID – BM LOGROÑO LA RIOJA MATCH

The match will take place on Tuesday in the Jane Sandanski arena in Skopje, starting at 06:45 PM. The two referees Jakub Jerlecki and Maciej Labun come from Poland, while Vladimir Jovic from Bosnia and Herzegovina will delegate.

Tickets for the match, priced at 100 and 150 MKD, will be available through the MK Tickets sales network.

HC MULTI ESSENCE – HC VARDAR 1961 23-40 (11-20)

Venue: Jane Sandanski in Skopje. Referees: Ivo Georgievski and Igor Naumovski. Controller: Kamer Metalari

HC MULTI ESSENCE: Ermanoski, Dimevski 5, Kostovski 1, Ilieski, T. Uzunchev, Petreski, Trajchev, Trajkovski, Vasilevski, Todeski, D. Uzunchev 3, Dimovski, Jordanov 6, Karasmanakis 8

Seven-meter throws: 1/3 Suspensions: 4 min.

HC VARDAR 1961: Tomovski, Jagurinovski 6, Alarov 1, Georgievski 3, Karapaleski 4, Hanser 2, Lazarevski 7, Srdanovic 4, Nikolic 5, Petric 3, Dukic 2, Atanasovski, Stojanovski 1, Kjosevski, Mishevski 2, Gogov

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

In tonight’s return match, with the roles of hosts reversed, HC Multi Essence played as the home team against HC Vardar in the Jane Sandanski arena. Vardar 1961 entered the match as a significant favorite and lived up to that status on the court, securing a convincing 40-23 victory and claiming three points.

HC Multi Essence quickly got into a position to recover from a deficit as the opponent took a 4-1 and later a 6-2 lead. A period of a more balanced match play ensued, however the margin, albeit at a slower pace, continued to widen, reaching a score of 11-20 by the end of the first half. The second half proceeded at a similar pace, ultimately resulting in a final score of 40-23. Valentin Karasmanakis, having scored eight goals, and Oleg Jordanov, with six goals, emerged as the most effective players in our team tonight.