Marko Kizikj

Last updated

Marko Kizikj
Marko Kizikj.png
Personal information
Born (2001-01-22) 22 January 2001 (age 24)
Skopje, Macedonia
Nationality Macedonian
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club RK Alkaloid
Number 1
Youth career
Team
 RK Vardar 1961
Senior clubs
YearsTeam
 RK Vardar Junior
2018–2021
 RK Vardar 1961
2021–2024
 RK Eurofarm Pelister
2024–
 RK Alkaloid
National team
YearsTeam
2019–
 North Macedonia

Marko Kizikj (born 22 January 2001) is a Macedonian handball player who plays as a goalkeeper for RK Alkaloid and the North Macedonia national team. [1]

Contents

Early life and background

Born in Skopje, Macedonia, Kizikj began playing handball at the age of 10, initially as a left back before transitioning to the goalkeeper position. He joined the youth academy of RK Vardar, where he progressed through various youth selections. At 18, he made his debut in the EHF Champions League, describing the experience as a dream come true. [2]

Club career

RK Vardar 1961 (2018–2021)

Kizikj was promoted to the senior team of RK Vardar in 2018. During his tenure he was part of the squad that won the EHF Champions League in 2018–19, as well as multiple domestic titles, including the Macedonian Handball Super League and the Macedonian Handball Cup. [1] In November 2019, during a VELUX EHF Champions League match against Meshkov Brest, he spent the last 15 minutes on court and made five key saves—one a double stop—earning “Best Save of the Round” recognition on EHF social media. [2]

RK Eurofarm Pelister (2021–2024)

In 2021, Kizikj transferred to RK Eurofarm Pelister, where he became first-choice goalkeeper. His performances were instrumental in the club securing back-to-back Macedonian Handball Super League titles in 2023 and 2024. [3] He also gained experience in European competitions, including the EHF Champions League and the EHF European League. [1]

On 14 February 2023, in an EHF European League match against Portuguese side Águas Santas, he made eight saves, including a last-second stop to secure a 27–27 draw and keep Pelister in contention for the knockout stages. [4] That save was later named among the Top 5 Saves of the Round in the competition. [5]

In November 2023, Kizikj was named MVP of Round 10 in the Macedonian Handball Super League after making 26 saves against Golden Art, leading Pelister to a convincing victory. [6]

RK Alkaloid (2024–present)

On 25 July 2024, Kizikj joined RK Alkaloid, bringing his experience and shot-stopping skills to the recently promoted club in the Macedonian Handball Super League. It was proven that his impact was immediate in the domestic competitions, by helping Alkaloid win the Macedonian Handball Super Cup in 2024. [7]

On 6 April 2025, during a match against Tikvesh, he produced three consecutive saves in a single attack—denying two shots from Ani Obina and one from Dimitar Kocev—showcasing his exceptional reflexes and earning his place on the headlines of the local sports news. [8]

On 18 May 2025, in the first leg of the EHF European Cup final against AEK Athens, Kizikj recorded 10 saves, instrumental in Alkaloid’s 29–25 away victory and securing a four-goal advantage for the second leg in Skopje. Later, Alkaloid secured the win in the second leg as well with a result of 10-0 after AEK Athens refused to play, earning Kizikj his second European trophy. [9]

International career

Kizikj debuted for the Macedonian national handball team in 2019. He has since participated in major tournaments, including the European Championship and the World Championship. [10] During the 2025 World Men's Handball Championship, he recorded 15 saves in Macedonia’s 29–20 win over Guinea. [11]

In June 2025, he was among the handball players honored by the Government of Macedonia with a state sports pension award in recognition of his contributions to the sport, since he is one of the Macedonian players who has won the EHF Champions League. [12]

Honours

RK Vardar 1961

Domestic

Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (2): 2018-19, 2020-21
Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (1): 2021
Silver medal with cup.svg Runner-up (1): 2019
Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (1): 2019

European

Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (1): 2018-19

Regional

Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (1): 2018–19
Silver medal with cup.svg Runner-up (1): 2019–20

International

Bronze medal with cup.svg Third placed (1): 2019

RK Eurofarm Pelister

Domestic

Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (2): 2022-23, 2023-24
Silver medal with cup.svg Runner-up (1): 2021-22
Silver medal with cup.svg Runner-up (3): 2022, 2023, 2024
Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (2): 2021, 2022
Silver medal with cup.svg Runner-up (1): 2023

RK Alkaloid

Domestic

Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (1): 2024

European

Gold medal with cup.svg Winner (1): 2024-25

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 "MARKO KIZIKJ – Career & Statistics". European Handball Federation. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 "MOTW could become next highlight for Vardar talent Kizikj". European Handball Federation. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  3. ↑ "Marko Kizikj stats". Sofascore. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  4. ↑ "Марко Кизиќ е херој на Пелистер, го спаси од пораз од Агуаш Санташ!". Sport1.mk (in Macedonian). 14 February 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "ВИДЕО: Марко Кизиќ доби место во ТОП-5 одбрани на колото во ЕЛ". Gol.mk (in Macedonian). 15 February 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  6. ↑ "МВП НА 10 КОЛО ОД СУПЕР ЛИГАТА – МАРКО КИЗИЌ (ЕУРОФАРМ ПЕЛИСТЕР)". 24rakomet.mk (in Macedonian). 20 November 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  7. ↑ "RK Alkaloid promoted Ivanoski, Kizikj, Oliveira Da Silva and Kosteski". Sloboden Pechat. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  8. ↑ "ЗА ТВ ШПИЦИ – Луда тројна одбрана на Марко Кизиќ!". 24rakomet.mk (in Macedonian). 6 April 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "Алкалоид го победи АЕК среде Атина, портите кон пехарот се отворени". Republika.mk (in Macedonian). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  10. ↑ "Kizikj Marko". International Handball Federation. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "Кизиќ: Штета што не одиме понатаму со повеќе бодови!". Sport1.mk (in Macedonian). 19 January 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "Ристовски: Спортистите се одлик на државата, секогаш ќе ги вреднуваме". Gol.mk (in Macedonian). 11 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.