HC Cocks dominate ASK/MSĢ with convincing 43–27 victory

October 10, 2026

HC Cocks produced a commanding performance in the Baltic Handball League on Saturday, defeating ASK/MSĢ 43–27 after taking control of the match from the opening minutes.

The Finnish side set the tone immediately, scoring the first nine goals of the game and keeping ASK/MSĢ scoreless for almost 12 minutes. HC Cocks carried a comfortable 21–9 advantage into half-time and maintained control throughout the second half to secure a convincing 16-goal victory.

The result also reversed the outcome of the teams’ previous Baltic Handball League meeting on 25 January 2026, when ASK/MSĢ defeated HC Cocks 29–26.

HC Cocks could hardly have asked for a better start. Georgios Kolovos opened the scoring after just 52 seconds, followed by goals from Emanuel-Iulian Birtas and Gellert Fekete as the hosts quickly moved 3–0 ahead.

ASK/MSĢ called their first timeout after only three and a half minutes with the score at 4–0, but the interruption did little to slow the home side. HC Cocks continued their unanswered run, stretching the lead to 9–0 before ASK/MSĢ finally found their first goal at 11:56.

The early deficit left the Latvian side chasing the game for the remainder of the evening. HC Cocks maintained a double-digit advantage through much of the opening half, and three late first-half goals from Joona Tamminen helped the hosts take a commanding 21–9 lead into the break.

There was no significant change in momentum after half-time. HC Cocks opened the second period with another goal and gradually pushed the margin further, with Teemu Tamminen, Kolovos and Birtas all contributing as the hosts moved from 22–10 to 29–13 by the 41st minute.

ASK/MSĢ managed a short spell of consecutive goals midway through the second half, reducing the score from 29–14 to 29–16, but Cocks immediately responded and restored their advantage.

By the 46th minute the hosts were 32–16 ahead, effectively putting the contest beyond reach.

Even after Kolovos received his third two-minute suspension and was consequently disqualified in the 54th minute, HC Cocks remained firmly in control. ASK/MSĢ continued fighting and produced their most productive attacking period late in the game, but the gap was already too large.

Cocks finished strongly, with Joona Tamminen scoring the 42nd goal before Daniel Tulander completed the scoring with 17 seconds remaining to confirm the 43–27 final result.

Teemu Tamminen led HC Cocks with eight goals from 11 attempts, including two successful seven-metre throws. Emanuel-Iulian Birtas delivered a perfect attacking performance, converting all seven of his shots, while Georgios Kolovos added six goals.

Joona Tamminen was another flawless finisher with five goals from five attempts, while Niko Hållman also scored five. Gellert Fekete contributed four goals from four shots as Cocks received scoring contributions throughout their squad.

For ASK/MSĢ, Kārlis Matisons was the leading scorer with six goals from seven attempts, including three goals from four seven-metre throws. Kristiāns Meiers and Sandis Vaškevičs scored four goals each, while Kristers Rihards Ozols, Markuss Ikvils and Justs Vidzis each added three.

The difference was established in the opening stages. HC Cocks’ 9–0 start gave the hosts complete control of the match, and ASK/MSĢ were never able to reduce the gap sufficiently to threaten a comeback.

Baltic Handball League
HC Cocks 43–27 ASK/MSĢ
Half-time: 21–9

Top scorers

HC Cocks: Teemu Tamminen 8, Emanuel-Iulian Birtas 7, Georgios Kolovos 6, Niko Hållman 5, Joona Tamminen 5.

ASK/MSĢ: Kārlis Matisons 6, Kristiāns Meiers 4, Sandis Vaškevičs 4, Kristers Rihards Ozols 3, Markuss Ikvils 3, Justs Vidzis 3.