Celje Pivovarna Laško’s handball players lost to Ohrid 27:29 (11:11; 24:25) in the return semi-final match of the European Cup in North Macedonia after performing a seven-meter throw and were eliminated from further competition. In addition to Ohrid, the Hungarian Tatabanya also qualified for the grand final, which was better than Izviđač from Bosnia and Herzegovina in two games.
After 22 years, Celje handball players had a great opportunity to once again qualify for the grand final of one of the three handball cups. In 2004, they won the prestigious Champions League after a victory against the German Flensburg, but in this year’s matches against Ohrid, they did not succeed. After a close home victory in the first match with 27:26, they lost 27:29 in the return match in a well-known tourist place in North Macedonia after the handball lottery, and in total in two matches they lost 54:55.
“It’s a heavy defeat behind us, it’s always like that after a seven-meter shootout, we didn’t succeed in the handball lottery,” said the Celje strategist after the defeat Klemen Luzar and added: “I congratulate Ohrid for advancing, and especially my wards, they kept calm in this demanding atmosphere and played the match without fear. They were combative throughout, our defense was also at the highest level, and to our great regret, Ohrid were better than us by one goal. We must not be disappointed, there is still a fight for the title of national champion ahead of us.”
The Celje team was free in the first round of the European Cup. In the second, it eliminated the Belgian Bocholt, in the third, the Serbian Vojvodina from Novi Sad, in the round of 16, the Turkish Besiktas from Istanbul, and in the quarter-final, the Romanian Buzau.
He was most effective with Celje in the return match in Ohrid Luka Perić with eight goals, Aljuš Anžič scored five goals. Japanese Kouke Yasuhira scored nine for the hosts, the Slovenian Tilen Strmljan and seven goals.
