Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės Stun HC Dragūnas Klaipėda in Thrilling 37:35 Victory

January 25, 2026

In a dramatic encounter at the Baltic Handball League, Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės secured a sensational 37:35 win over league runners-up HC Dragūnas Klaipėda. Coming into the match as underdogs, ninth-placed Pasvalys overcame a determined Dragūnas side that had been second in the standings, overturning expectations in a high-intensity game.

A Tight First Half

The first half was a nail-biter, with both teams exchanging goals in a rapid-fire start. Dragūnas opened the scoring through Vasyl Havryliuk in the opening minute, but Pasvalys quickly responded as Modestas Štarolis netted the equalizer. The teams traded leads throughout the half, with key contributions from Štarolis, Eligijus Tekutis, and Titas Janušonis for Pasvalys, while Dragūnas relied on Tomas Draksas and Paulius Čėsna to keep pace.

At halftime, Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės held a narrow 19:18 lead, setting the stage for an intense second half.

Second Half: Pasvalys Pull Away

The second half saw Pasvalys gradually seize control. Štarolis was instrumental, scoring multiple critical goals, including a successful 7-meter throw. Tekutis, Janušonis, and Ighor Odinokov added decisive contributions, building a lead that stretched to 30:24 by the 45th minute. Despite Dragūnas’ attempts to close the gap, with goals from Lukas Juskenas, Vasyl Havryliuk, and Draksas, Pasvalys maintained their composure under pressure.

The final minutes were tense, with Dragūnas narrowing the margin to 37:35, but Pasvalys held firm, completing a remarkable upset over a team widely regarded as title contenders.

Top Performers

• Modestas Štarolis (Pasvalys) – 11 goals from 16 shots, including a successful 7-meter; consistently pivotal in the team’s offensive surge.
• Eligijus Tekutis (Pasvalys) – 8 goals, key in extending the lead and converting under pressure.
• Titas Janušonis (Pasvalys) – 7 goals; instrumental in the second-half turnaround.
• Tomas Draksas (Dragūnas) – 7 goals; led the visitors’ scoring, but could not prevent the upset.
• Paulius Čėsna (Dragūnas) – 7 goals; a reliable presence but insufficient against Pasvalys’ offensive wave.

Significance of the Result
The victory marks a turning point for Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės, demonstrating that even lower-ranked teams can challenge the league’s frontrunners. For HC Dragūnas Klaipėda, the loss is a rare setback despite their strong position in the standings, highlighting the unpredictability and intensity of the Baltic Handball League.