Šviesa Stages Stunning Second-Half Comeback to Draw 26:26 with HC Cocks

November 29, 2025

VHC Šviesa and HC Cocks delivered a tense, momentum-shifting battle on Saturday afternoon as their Baltic Handball League clash ended in a dramatic 26:26 draw. After trailing by five goals at halftime, Šviesa mounted an inspired second-half resurgence to rescue a point in front of their home crowd.

Strong Start, Sudden Collapse

Šviesa opened the match with confidence and precision, storming to a 3:0 lead within the first three minutes through strikes from Ernestas Stvolas, Mykolas Lapiniauskas, and Domantas Ivanauskas. The home side’s disciplined defence forced early misses from the visitors, who struggled to find rhythm until Santeri Vainionpää finally put Cocks on the board.

But after weathering the opening storm, HC Cocks took control. Sharp finishing from Roni Syrjälä and Calle Almander turned the match on its head, with the Finnish side capitalizing on Šviesa’s turnovers and missed chances. A series of goals midway through the half pushed Cocks into the lead, and by the break they held a commanding 11:16 advantage.

Second-Half Turnaround

The second period initially looked bleak for Šviesa, as Cocks extended their lead to 13:20 following additional goals from Vainionpää and a successful 7-meter shot by Almander. However, the match shifted dramatically as Cocks’ discipline faltered. A series of two-minute suspensions gave Šviesa momentum, and they seized it with determination.

At the heart of the comeback was Mykolas Lapiniauskas, who delivered a remarkable performance. With 11 goals, including three from the penalty line, the left back spearheaded Šviesa’s assault on the deficit. His rapid scoring run between the 40th and 46th minutes reignited the home side and energized the supporters.

As Šviesa closed the gap, Matas Aukstikalnis added crucial goals, while Skirmantas Plėta struck the equalizer in the 56th minute to level the match at 26:26.

Nail-Biting Finish

The final minutes were tense as both teams exchanged missed shots and called timeouts in search of a winning play. Cocks had opportunities through Calle Almander and Miika Kaukoranta, while Šviesa’s final possession ended with a missed attempt from Aukstikalnis on the buzzer.

In the end, neither side could break through, sealing a draw that mirrored their previous meeting—another 26:26 stalemate.

Top Performers

VHC Šviesa:

• Mykolas Lapiniauskas (#77) – 11 goals, including 3/4 from 7m; driving force of Šviesa’s comeback.
• Matas Aukstikalnis (#9) – 5 goals from 11 shots, delivering late pressure.
• Domantas Ivanauskas & Alan Bogdiun – each with important strikes to maintain momentum.

HC Cocks:

Roni Syrjälä (#19) – Added 5 goals and vital contributions in transition.

Santeri Vainionpää (#25) – Team-high 6 goals, pivotal in building the early advantage.

Calle Almander (#55) – 6 goals, including 2 from penalties; a constant threat.