SK Tapa Edge Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės in Dramatic One-Goal Finish
September 27, 2026
SK Tapa opened their Baltic Handball League campaign with a dramatic 26:25 victory over Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės, with Marcus Rättel scoring the decisive goal in the final seconds of a closely fought contest.
The visitors started strongly and held the initiative during much of the opening quarter. Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės moved 7:5 ahead midway through the first half, but Tapa gradually found their rhythm and responded with four unanswered goals to turn the score around and take a 9:7 lead.
Pasvalio recovered before the break. Goals from Denys Usinov and Valentyn Yaroshenko helped the Lithuanian side erase the deficit, and the teams went into half-time level at 11:11.
Titas Janušonis, who finished with seven goals for Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės, felt his side’s strongest periods came at the beginning and end of the match.
“We started the first half well, especially in the opening 15 minutes. After that, our defence wasn’t as strong as we wanted it to be,” Janušonis said. “In the second half, we struggled to stop their fast breaks and had some difficulties in one-on-one situations.”
The balance began to shift in Tapa’s favour after the restart. Endrik Jaanis played a major role in the hosts’ strongest spell, scoring repeatedly as Tapa moved from 15:14 to 19:15.
The hosts continued to control the middle part of the second half and eventually stretched their advantage to 24:19.
Kaspar Padjus highlighted Tapa’s defensive effort and fighting spirit as key factors in the victory.
“The fighting spirit was excellent throughout the whole game. Our defence was consistently strong, and in attack we are slowly starting to get closer to where we want to be,” Padjus said.
Pasvalio, however, refused to let the match slip away.
Janušonis started the late comeback before Yaroshenko converted twice from the seven-metre line. With less than a minute remaining, Usinov found the net to complete the recovery and level the contest at 25:25.
The late surge reflected the improved discipline Janušonis saw from his team during the closing stages.
“The last 15 minutes were much better. We played with more discipline, stayed focused and showed what we are capable of,” he said. “Going forward, we need to be mentally ready from the very beginning and maintain our focus and discipline throughout the whole game.”
With the scores level and only seconds remaining, Tapa found the decisive breakthrough. Rättel scored with 25 seconds left to restore a 26:25 advantage, and the home side held on to secure the victory.
Rättel finished as Tapa’s leading scorer with seven goals from 11 attempts. Jaanis produced an efficient six goals from six shots, while Padjus added five.
For Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės, Yaroshenko led all scorers with eight goals from 11 attempts, including four successful seven-metre throws. Janušonis added seven goals from eight shots, while Usinov scored four.
For Tapa, the result was particularly significant as it marked their first BHL match of the season.
“The atmosphere was great as well, and it was really nice to have the support from the crowd,” Padjus added. “Most importantly, it was our first BHL game and we managed to start it with a win. We are very motivated to get to the first league, so it’s important that we really focus and take the wins.”
Match result
SK Tapa 26:25 Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės
Half-time: 11:11
Top scorers
SK Tapa: Marcus Rättel 7, Endrik Jaanis 6, Kaspar Padjus 5
Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės: Valentyn Yaroshenko 8, Titas Janušonis 7, Denys Usinov 4
