Vardar PRO end Metalurg domination

After three-years of domestic domination by HC Metalurg, there is a new Macedonian league champion.

Vardar PRO beat their local Skopje rivals 22:20 in the last and decisive round of the domestic championship.

The sides have met on six occasions this season (domestic championship, national cup and SEHA league), but this was by far the most important win.

The prize on offer was huge, a direct place in the VELUX EHF Champions League. Vardar needed victory, while Metalurg would be satisfied with a draw.

The match in SRC Kale lasted more than two hours, with delays for the three red cards shown for Filip Mirkulovski (Metalurg), Ilija Abutovic (Vardar) and home coach Veselin Vujovic, who was later given a one-year suspension for his actions.

The three red cards partially calmed the atmosphere on the bench and the following exchanges were calmer, but the tension remained throughout the match.

“I was responsible for the red card, and I apologise for such behavior. I am pleased we got the title.”

Metalurg went into the game with a number of injury worries; Dejan Manaskov had been out of the squad for a long period of time, Goce Georgievski broke his right hand three weeks ago, goalkeeper Petre Angelov suffered a knee injury and Miladin Kozlina has had shoulder problems.

On the other side, Vardar were keen to gain revenge for their recent loss in the semi-final of the cup.

Metalurg managed to start brightly and both teams remained neck and neck for the opening exchanges.

However, Vardar ware better prepared both mentally and physically and began to take a hold on the game.

Igor Karacic, with 8 goals, and Strahinja Milic, with 12 saves, were the key factors in Vardar’s victory, but each player had their part to play.

Naumce Mojsovski reduced the lead to 21:19 with just two minutes to play and were looking likely to grab that desperately needed draw, but a Karacic goal sealed the victory and sparked celebrations on the bench and in the crowd as they secured their the Macedonian championship and a place in the VELUX EHF Champions League after a three year absence.