Orlen Wisła Płock secured a 32:26 victory over Vardar Skopje in the EHF Champions League on October 8, 2026, in a win at the hostile North Macedonian arena in the group stage. The Polish runners-up capitalized on Vardar’s post-2017 financial struggles and four-year tournament absence.
Controlling the Crucible in Skopje
Visiting Skopje between 2014 and 2020 meant facing a nightmare scenario against a Vardar side that captured Champions League titles in 2017 and 2019 under legendary rosters featuring Arpad Sterbik and Alex Dujszebajew. Financial collapse under former owner Sergei Samsonenko eventually led to a European Handball Federation ban for the 2022/2023 season, stripping the club of its elite foundation. Returning to the continental stage after a four-year hiatus, the hosts fell to opening defeats against MT Melsungen and Nantes before welcoming the Polish side.
Wisła ignored the historic pressure of the venue, racing to an 11:5 advantage within the opening quarter. Polsat Sport commentators highlighted the importance of that cushion, noting that a five-goal buffer provided vital insurance against late-game officiating volatility. Although Vardar narrowed the gap to two goals by halftime, trailing 13:15, the visitors seized control immediately after the restart.
Tactical Execution and Second-Half Separation
Sabate’s tactical adjustments in the second half neutralized Vardar’s offensive rhythm. Wisła expanded their advantage to 26:19, forcing Vardar coach Ivan Cupic to burn a timeout as the Polish defense locked down passing lanes and punished turnovers.
| Team | Group B Record | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MT Melsungen | 3 matches | 4 | +6 (85:79) |
| Orlen Wisła Płock | 3 matches | 4 | +6 (82:76) |
| Nantes | 3 matches | 4 | -3 (82:85) |
| Vardar Skopje | 3 matches | 0 | -9 (89:98) |
The final scoreline read 32:26 in favor of the visitors, moving Wisła level on four points with MT Melsungen and Nantes at the top of Group B. Bjerre led the attack with 10 strikes, supported by six goals apiece from Abel Serdio and Nikita Kosorotow.
The Reverse Fixture Looming on the Horizon
The two sides will meet again in the fourth round of the Champions League group stage on October 14, 2026, at the Orlen Arena in Płock. While Vardar searches for their first points of the campaign after three consecutive losses, Wisła looks to defend home court and consolidate their position in the upper tier of the group standings.
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