ZRHK TENAX Dobele Mounts Stunning Comeback to Edge Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės 28:27

October 6, 2025

In an electrifying Baltic Handball League encounter on Sunday evening, ZRHK TENAX Dobele thrilled the home crowd in Dobele with a dramatic 28–27 victory over Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės. After trailing by three goals at halftime (12–15), the Latvian champions produced a remarkable second-half turnaround to secure the win in the closing moments of the match.

A Tough Start and a Furious Response

Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės stormed into the match with precision and pace, opening a 10–1 lead by the 16th minute thanks to clinical finishing from Oleksandr Kasai and Titas Janušonis. The visitors appeared dominant, exploiting every Tenax mistake in transition.

However, a late first-half surge by the home side, powered by Kristers Suharevs and Raivis Gorbunovs, narrowed the deficit to just three goals (12–15) before the break. This shift in momentum would prove crucial.

Second Half: Gorbunovs Leads the Charge

ZRHK TENAX Dobele returned to the court revitalized. Star left back Raivis Gorbunovs put on a masterclass performance, scoring 10 goals, including two from the 7-meter line, to drag his team back into contention. His relentless attacks were supported by key contributions from Ričards Juzups (3 goals) and Kristers Suharevs (4 goals).

By the 44th minute, Gorbunovs’ strike leveled the score at 20–20, sending the home fans into a frenzy. From that moment, the match became a tense end-to-end battle with both teams exchanging goals and timeouts in the final minutes.

Final Drama in Dobele

With just under a minute remaining and the score tied at 27–27, Emīls Kurzemnieks — who had struggled earlier but never gave up — delivered the decisive goal for Tenax, bringing the scoreboard to 28–27. The visitors had one final chance, but Titas Janušonis missed in the dying seconds, sealing Dobele’s victory.

Top Performers

ZRHK TENAX Dobele

• Raivis Gorbunovs (#15): 10 goals (2/2 from 7m), pivotal in comeback
• Kristers Suharevs (#8): 4 goals, strong presence on the wing
• Ričards Juzups (#21): 3 goals (2/2 from 7m), composed under pressure
• Emīls Kurzemnieks (#98): 4 goals including the match-winner

Pasvalio Pieno žvaigždės

• Oleksandr Kasai (#31): 7 goals (3/3 from 7m), team’s top scorer
• Karolis Piragis (#13): 5 goals, key attacking figure
• Modestas Štarolis (#14): 5 goals, constant threat on the left flank

Key Match Moments

• 15’ – Pasvalio leads 10–1 after dominant opening spell.
• 29’ – Tenax closes the half strong: 12–15.
• 43’ – Gorbunovs equalizes at 20–20.
• 59’11” – Kurzemnieks nets the winner for 28–27.
• 59’57” – Janušonis misses final attempt; Tenax holds on.