Viljandi Snatches Semi-Final Position from Tenax with 27-21 Victory

February 23, 2025

In an intense Baltic Handball League clash, Viljandi HC emerged victorious over ZRHK TENAX Dobele with a final score of 27-21.

As we have already informed, in today’s earlier game between ASK Zemessardze/RSU and Põlva Serviti, Põlva celebrated a victory, effectively ending Viljandi HC’s hopes of automatically qualifying for the semi-finals. As a result of this games outcome, Tenax has also lost its automatic qualification, allowing Põlva Serviti to join Dragūnas, who had already secured a spot. Meanwhile, Dobele and Viljandi will continue their fight in the quarter-finals. The match between Mistra and Granitas next Saturday will determine their opponents.

Match Summary

The first half saw a tightly contested battle, with both teams struggling to break away. ZRHK TENAX Dobele started strong, taking an early lead (3-0) within the first five minutes. However, Viljandi HC quickly responded, led by Kristjan Koovit and Andrii Basarab, bringing the score level at 5-5 by the 15th minute. As the half progressed, Viljandi HC managed to gain a three-goal advantage (11-8) before halftime, capitalizing on missed opportunities from the home side.

In the second half, Viljandi HC increased the intensity, with standout performances from Hendrik Koks and Aleksander Pertelson. A string of successful attacks saw Viljandi extend their lead to six goals, ultimately securing a 27-21 victory. ZRHK TENAX Dobele struggled to break through Viljandi’s disciplined defense, with missed shots proving costly.

Key Performers

• Viljandi HC:
  • Hendrik Koks (#9) – 8 goals (2/2 on 7m shots), leading scorer of the match.
  • Kristjan Koovit (#4) – 5 goals, key offensive playmaker.
  • Andrii Basarab (#13) – 4 goals, solid all-around performance.
  • Aleksander Pertelson (#3) – 3 goals, pivotal in second-half surge.
• ZRHK TENAX Dobele:
  • Ņikita Pančenko (#2) – 7 goals, perfect from the 7-meter line (7/7).
  • Ričards Juzups (#21) – 4 goals, reliable in critical moments.
  • Kārlis Krūmiņš (#7) – 2 goals, early-game contributor.

Key Moments

• Early Dominance: ZRHK TENAX Dobele took an early 3-0 lead but failed to maintain momentum.
• Viljandi’s Comeback: Kristjan Koovit and Mikk Varik led a strong push to bring the game level at 5-5.
• Decisive Second Half: Viljandi HC extended their lead with consecutive goals from Hendrik Koks, sealing their victory.
• Defensive Resilience: Despite Pančenko’s flawless penalty shooting, Viljandi HC’s defense stood firm, forcing multiple missed shots from Dobele’s attackers.