Butel Skopje eliminated from EHF European Cup despite 25-24 win over Gorica
Butel won the second leg 25-24 but bowed out of the EHF European Cup because of a three-goal deficit from the first match.
Butel Skopje’s European campaign ended on October 24, 2026, after they were knocked out of the EHF European Cup despite winning the second-leg tie against Gorica 25-24.
Coached by Stojanche Stoilov, Butel Skopje took an early lead in the match, moving ahead 6-4 and then 7-5, but Gorica eventually turned the score and led 14-13 at half-time.
Late surge not enough
In the closing stages Butel managed to pull ahead again, reaching 23-20 in the 53rd minute, yet they could not keep the momentum. Gorica replied with a run of four unanswered goals; Butel added two more before the final buzzer for a 25-24 victory that left them short on aggregate because they had lost the first leg by three goals.
Marko Subashevski finished as Butel's top scorer with seven goals, while Stamenkovik contributed four.
The narrow win provided no consolation, as the three-goal deficit from the opening match meant Butel Skopje’s run in the EHF European Cup came to an end.
Photo: press material from the event
