HC Cocks Hold Off Šviesa Comeback to Claim 31–28 Victory

September 26, 2026

HC Cocks secured a 31–28 away victory over VHC Šviesa in the Baltic Handball League on Saturday, September 26, after surviving a strong second-half comeback from the Lithuanian side.

VHC Šviesa made the brighter start and moved 3–1 ahead inside the opening four minutes, but HC Cocks quickly settled into the game. The Finnish side levelled at 3–3 before taking its first lead through Roope Ahlgren and gradually began to control the opening half.

With Roni Syrjälä providing a consistent attacking threat, Cocks stretched the advantage during the latter stages of the first period. Syrjälä scored four times before the break, while contributions from Georgios Kolovos, Ahlgren and the rest of the Cocks attack helped the visitors establish a 16–11 halftime lead.

Šviesa responded immediately after the restart.

Led by Šarūnas Ugianskis, the hosts began steadily cutting into the deficit. Three Ugianskis goals, including two from the seven-metre line, helped Šviesa reduce the gap to just one at 17–18.

The comeback was completed in the 43rd minute when another Ugianskis penalty brought the teams level at 18–18, setting up a tightly contested final quarter of the match.

Cocks, however, never allowed Šviesa to move in front.

Roope Ahlgren restored the visitors’ lead almost immediately before the teams exchanged goals through the middle of the second half. At 21–23, Cocks produced another important spell, with Joona Tamminen and Ahlgren extending the advantage to 25–21 with less than eight minutes remaining.

Šviesa continued to push and reduced the margin several times, but Cocks consistently found an answer. Goals from Yury Lukyanchuk, Miika Kaukoranta, Teemu Tamminen and Syrjälä kept the visitors in control during the closing minutes.

Syrjälä struck again with 46 seconds remaining to make it 31–27, effectively securing the points before Ugianskis scored the final goal of the match for the 31–28 final score.

Top performers

Šarūnas Ugianskis produced the standout individual scoring performance for VHC Šviesa, finishing with nine goals from 11 attempts, including four goals from five seven-metre throws.

For HC Cocks, the scoring was more evenly distributed. Roni Syrjälä led the visitors with seven goals from nine shots, while Roope Ahlgren added six goals. Georgios Kolovos contributed four goals, with Yury Lukyanchuk, Teemu Tamminen and Miika Kaukoranta scoring three each.

The result also represents a turnaround from the teams’ previous Baltic Handball League meeting. In February, Šviesa travelled to Cocks home game and recorded a convincing 33–23 victory over HC Cocks. This time, Cocks responded with a three-goal victory of their own.

Final score: VHC Šviesa 28–31 HC Cocks
Half-time: 11–16

VHC Šviesa top scorers: Šarūnas Ugianskis 9, Domantas Ivanauskas 4, Mykyta Litvinenko 3, Matas Aukstikalnis 3, Colton Theodore Kuypers 3.

HC Cocks top scorers: Roni Syrjälä 7, Roope Ahlgren 6, Georgios Kolovos 4, Teemu Tamminen 3, Yury Lukyanchuk 3, Miika Kaukoranta 3.