Mistra complete quarter-final sweep and book place in BHL Final 4

March 28, 2026

Mistra secured their place in the Baltic Handball League Final 4 after defeating HC Cocks 28:24 in the second leg of the quarter-finals, completing a two-win sweep and advancing with a 58:53 aggregate score.

After edging the first leg in Finland 30:29 on March 7, Mistra once again found the answers in the decisive moments, this time controlling the return game on home court to finish the job and confirm their spot in the Final 4 in Põlva on April 11–12.

Mistra take control after early Cocks lead

HC Cocks started sharply and led 2:1 and 7:6 during the first half, looking ready to turn the tie into another close battle. Calle Almander and Santeri Vainionpää helped the visitors settle quickly, while Mistra needed a few minutes to find their rhythm.

But after a timeout at 6:7, the home side began to take over. Serhii Orlovskyi and Karl Roosna led the response, and Mistra gradually tightened up defensively while becoming more efficient in attack. A strong middle section of the first half saw the Estonian side turn the game in their favour, opening a 13:8 lead before carrying a 14:10 advantage into halftime.

That four-goal cushion put Mistra firmly in charge both in the match and on aggregate.

Home side keep their composure in second half

Mistra remained in control after the break, even as HC Cocks tried repeatedly to close the gap. Goals from Arno Vare, Patrick Padjus and Vahur Oolup helped the hosts maintain a healthy lead, while Orlovskyi continued to deliver in key possessions.

A major moment came in the 44th minute, when HC Cocks lost Teemu Tamminen to a disqualification. Although the Finnish side continued to fight and trimmed the deficit to four goals on several occasions, they never managed to put Mistra’s qualification seriously in danger.

Mistra answered each Cocks push with timely goals and kept their discipline in the closing minutes. Late strikes from Vahur Oolup and Marek Kopli ensured the home side would see the match out and celebrate a deserved quarter-final victory.

Top performers

Mistra were led by a balanced and efficient attacking effort:

• Serhii Orlovskyi scored 7 goals, including 2/2 from seven meters
• Karl Roosna added 5 goals
• Arno Vare finished with 4 goals
• Patrick Padjus contributed 2 goals
• Vahur Oolup scored 2 important second-half goals

For HC Cocks, the leading scorers were:

• Santeri Vainionpää with 5 goals
• Calle Almander with 4 goals
• Roope Ahlgren with 4 goals
• Joona Tamminen with 3 goals
• Teemu Tamminen with 3 goals
• Niko Hållman with 2 goals

Key moments

Several sequences proved decisive in Mistra’s march to the Final 4:

• HC Cocks led 7:6 early in the first half before Mistra shifted momentum
• A strong run after Mistra’s timeout turned the game into a 14:10 halftime lead
• Mistra opened the second half by extending the margin to 18:12, strengthening their grip on the tie
• The disqualification of Teemu Tamminen in the 44th minute made HC Cocks’ comeback task even harder
• Late Mistra goals at 27:21 and 28:23 ended any remaining doubt

Final 4 confirmed

By winning both quarter-final matches, Mistra completed a composed and efficient two-leg performance. After the narrow 30:29 first-leg success and Saturday’s 28:24 home win, the Estonian side advanced on aggregate and joined the BHL Final 4 field.

Mistra will now continue their season in Põlva on April 11–12, where the Baltic Handball League champions will be decided.