Gorica beat Butel Skopje 27-24; rematch in Skopje next week

Gorica handed Butel Skopje a 27-24 defeat in the first leg of the second round of the EHF European Cup on October 17, 2026, leaving the Macedonian side with work to do ahead of next week’s return in Skopje.

The hosts raced into an early 7-3 advantage. Butel Skopje fought back and reduced the deficit to 8-6 by the middle of the first half, only to concede a three-goal run that made it 11-6.

Despite that setback, Butel stayed in the game. The teams went into the interval with Gorica leading 13-12.

Second half swings

Gorica opened the second half with three quick goals to move 16-12 clear, but Butel responded with a 4-0 streak that produced their second lead of the match at 16-17.

Late in the match the contest remained tight: in the 49th minute Butel led 21-23 after a goal by Dimitar Gjeorgievski. The hosts recovered to lead 25-23 with less than three minutes remaining. Butel then endured more than six minutes without scoring.

Coach Stojanche Stoilov called a timeout; Kostov converted to make it 25-24, but Gorica answered with two decisive goals to finish the game 27-24 and deny Butel Skopje a first European victory this season.

Match details: Gorica 27-24 Butel Skopje — first leg, second round, EHF European Cup. Return leg in Skopje next week.

Report: Marija Kovacheva — 17.10.2026 19:40

Photo: press material from the event