Watching the line up before the match Vardar players thought it would be easy game at first duel against Metalurg in SEHA League. Nobody wanted to take the role of favorite, but the title and reinforcements were made however meant that the "red-black" at least on paper have the advantage. Draw 28-28 (14-14) probably is most real result, although both teams had their good periods of play.

The Metalurg play without Darko Stanic, Renato Vugrinec, Velko Markoski, Nikola Markoski, Vanco Dimovski and Naumce Mojsovski, whis means "half of Metalurg" stay on tribune. Lino Cervar promised to give a chance to the younger, and it made putting in squad Martin Manaskov, Borjan Madzovski, Igor Mandic, Zarko Peshevski and Petar Topic.

Easily make Metalurg made lead 6-3 in 9 minutes and seven minutes later was the highest goal deference for Macedonian vice-champion (11-7 and 12-9). And when some fans think that Vardar is "broken" and Metalurg will win, guest awoke. With series 3-0 has a reduced to only one goal, 13-12. At the last minute Rastvorcev hit for 14-14

At the start of the second half was played "goal by gola", but then Vardar naive lost two balls as Goce Georgievski and Dejan Manaskov turned to the score of 18-16. However, Vardar back with goals, catch up rival on 18-18, and with perfect performance of Timur Dibirov, Vardar score for lead 21-18.

Mirkulovski took matters into their own hands and Metalurg again back to game, so in 54 minute Dejan Manaskov net the ball and Metalurg has one goal negative 24-25. However Vardar responded the right way, so the squad through Pribak restored the lead for plus two, 24-26 . Vardar again has three goals lead, 24-27 but Manaskov scored two quick goals and game enter into uncertain finish.

Georgievski score for equalize, 27-27, and then goalkeeper Nikola Mitrevski fantastic save the Dibirov penalty shot. Although there was a handball player less for Metalurg in the last action, they won a penalty by Zarko Peshevski. Zlatko Mojsoski realize penalty, but Dibirov quickly response by reaching the final equalizer 28-28

Statements after the match:
Zoran Kastratovic - Vardar coach
" What happened in those 60 minutes is the time of creation, preparation for Vardar . Many players came, and we ask for more time and patience . We have two weeks until the first battle of the Champions League .This evening Metalurg was a better opponent in the first halft, and we had our best minutes in the second half . We had a chance to solve the match in middle of second half trough penalty by Markovic,  but I think that draw is the real result"

 Zlatko Daskalovski - Vardar goalkeeper
"We were aware that should expecta tough match. We slightly underestimated Metalurg when we saw player's names on court. We need more time for practicing and in the future will be more compact.

Lino Cervar - Metalurg coach
"Both teams show great sacrifice. During the first half we were better, Vardar meybe in the second half . It was drama at the end, but the result was real. On this match we played without several players, brothers Markoski are injured , Stanic not train for a week because of back pain, and Vugrinec had stomach virus and not want to risk.