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.

HC ALKALOID – HC NEXE 29:30 (19-14)

Sports center in Stara Pazova

HC ALKALOID: Galevski, Trajkovski, Markoski 1, Djonov 2, Mladenovikj 4, Serafimov 3, Karasmanakis, Stojkovic 1, M. Mitev 7, Gjorgiev 3, Velkovski, Omeragikj 2, Bingo 3, Kofiloski, D. Mitev, Savrevski 3

Seven-meter throws: 7/8 Suspensions: 10 min.

HC NEXE: Car, Kuzmanovic, Racic 4, Rakic 2, Hromin 5, Vejin 4, Srsen 1, Moslavac, Manci-Micevic, Velkavrh 1, Bezjak 4, Strlek 2, Moscanic, Cenic, Cohen 4

Seven-meter throws: 5/6 Suspensions: 10 min.

HC Alkaloid is concluding the second phase of its preparations for the Super League Playoff in Macedonia by engaging in friendly matches at the sports center in Stara Pazova. The Croatian vice-champion Nexe served as our team’s practice opponent, engaging in two friendly matches. Following HC Alkaloid’s triumph yesterday (29-27), today the Croatian team secured a narrow victory with a one-goal difference (30-29).

Following a balanced beginning in which HC Nexe held a slight advantage, HC Alkaloid seized control and asserted dominance until the conclusion of the first half. We leveled the score at 5-5, subsequently taking the lead with a two-goal margin (10-8). As the first half unfolded, our team got even better, extending the lead to a five-goal advantage (16-11), maintaining this difference until halftime (19-14).

In the second half, our opponent successfully erased a two-goal deficit after ten minutes of play, yet we maintained a three-goal lead until the final ten minutes. Starting from a score of 26-23 in favor of HC Alkaloid, HC Nexe narrowed it down to 25-26. Subsequently, they showcased their best performance, initiating a 3-0 streak to secure a lead of 28-27.

HC Alkaloid leveled the score at 28-28 and 29-29, however Nexe netted the last goal.

Marko Mitev, netting seven goals, and Mihajlo Mladenovikj, with four goals, were HC Alkaloid’s best scorers today.

HC ALKALOID – HC NEXE 29-27 (15-11)

Sports center in Stara Pazova.

HC ALKALOID: Galevski, Trajkovski, Djonov 4, Markoski 2, Mladenovikj 1, Serafimov, Karasmanakis 1, Stojkovic 3, M. Mitev 4, Gjorgiev 4, Velkovski 2, Omeragikj, Bingo 2, Kofiloski 2, Savrevski 5, Dimovski

Seven-meter throws: 2/3 Suspensions: 8 min.

HC NEXE: Kuzmanovic, Car 1, Radovanovic, Racic 2, Bakic 2, Hromin 4, Vejin 1, Srsen 4, Manci-Micevic 3, Velkavrh, Bezjak 2, Strlek 2, Moslavac 2, Cenic 2, Cohen

Seven-meter throws: 6/8 Suspensions: 6 min.

HC Alkaloid competed in its first friendly match as part of the preparations for the Macedonian Super League Playoff. Our team is currently stationed at the sports center in Stara Pazova, and their initial friendly encounter took place today featuring the vice-champion of Croatia, HC Nexe.

HC Alkaloid secured a victory with a score of 29-27 in a match where they notably took control, particularly in the second half.

The Croatian team had a slightly better start and maintained a lead in the initial phase of the match, mainly with a one to two-goal difference (4-2, 5-3). HC Alkaloid leveled the score at 5-5, and from that moment on, both teams traded goals until the score reached 10-10. Following this, Dario Kofiloski and Marko Mitev initiated a series of goals, concluded by Ivan Djonov with two goals, allowing HC Alkaloid to take the lead at 15-10.

The first half ended with a score of 15-11, and throughout the second half, our team consistently maintained a lead, keeping the margin between five and six goals (17-11, 19-13, 21-15).

At one point during the second half, HC Nexe orchestrated a 3:0 run, narrowing the gap to 21-23. HC Alkaloid swiftly responded however, maintaining control with a lead of 26-22 and 28-24. The triumph held firm until the very conclusion of the game, even though HC Nexe was able to mitigate the defeat and reduce it to a two-point difference.

David Savrevski emerged as the most effective player in our team, netting five goals, followed closely by Marko Mitev and Igor Gjorgiev, both contributing with four goals each.

Tomorrow, HC Alkaloid and HC Nexe are scheduled to compete in another friendly match.

HC Alkaloid is putting in intensive effort to ready itself for the forthcoming Macedonian Super League Playoff matches. Following the initial phase in Skopje, the team has spent four days preparing at the sports center in Stara Pazova.

Coach Kiril Lazarov has at his disposal the complete roster of players he will rely on for the upcoming season, which promises numerous challenges and duels against the best Macedonian teams as they vie for top positions in the Super League standings.

“Following the winter break, we are pleased to begin preparations. Being together and training are crucial, considering we were apart for nearly a month. The facilities here are fantastic, and the training atmosphere is excellent. We intend to maximize our time here in order to ensure that we are well prepared for the upcoming challenges in the season’s second half,” commented coach Kiril Lazarov.

HC Alkaloid is set to engage in two friendly matches on Wednesday and Thursday against the Croatian vice-champion, Nexe from Nasice. A third match is scheduled to take place on Saturday. Following this series, the team will return to Skopje and continue its preparations in Macedonia leading up to the commencement of the playoff championship.

HC Alkaloid’s players resumed their club responsibilities, starting the final phase of preparations ahead of the Super League Playoff matches. The team was reinforced as the seven players who took part in the European Championship in Germany rejoined training, contributing to the Avtokomanda sessions with renewed energy in full force.

HC Alkaloid will conduct its final preparations, engaging in friendly matches at the renowned sports facility in Stara Pazova. This sports center is among the most modern in the region, equipped with all the necessary training facilities.

Throughout the eight-day stay, HC Alkaloid is set to participate in a minimum of three friendly games. Matches against the Croatian vice-champions, Nexe from Nasice, are lined up for both Wednesday and Thursday. A third friendly match is scheduled for Saturday, marking the completion of this phase of preparations, after which the team is returning to Skopje.