Prilep secured a 38-31 victory over HC Kumanovo in the Super League on Friday evening. The home side took control early and held firm despite the visitors' attempts to close the gap. It was their first competitive fixture of the 2026 campaign.
The match carried weight given the sides' history. Prilep won the reverse fixture 28-25 earlier this year, so the pattern of results between them remained consistent. Kumanovo had shown flashes of promise in their opening outing, beating Prolet 27-25, but the intensity against Prilep proved too much.
The home team's recent form suggested this outcome. They had beaten Butel 31-29 and Prolet 29-27 before slipping to Vardar 39-29. Their ability to finish games cleanly was on display here, converting pressure into goals when it mattered.
Kumanovo's preparation offered mixed signals. A heavy 38-21 win over Radoviš showed their ceiling, while losses to Prolet and Pelister exposed vulnerabilities. Against Prilep they were out-thought on the touchline, unable to match the home side's tempo through the middle periods.
The result means Prilep start the table with two points, while Kumanovo remain on zero after their first defeat. The gap is small this early, but the psychological edge belongs to the hosts. The table goes out of the window in these games, yet the start matters for momentum.