Olimpus Chisinau played the first match of the Ukrainian Men’s Handball Championship at home. Nicolae Gomeniuc’s team met the second team of ZTR Zaporojie. The match ended in a 27-27 draw, Olimpus avoiding defeat three seconds before the end of the game. The final score was set by Alexandru Pervanciuc, IPN reports.

Alexandru Pervanciuc’s brother Alexei scored eight goals for Olimpus, while Roman Goncearov scored nine goals for ZTR.

“We do not aim to win the title, but want our players to gain practice,” said Olimpus coach Nicolae Gomeniuc.

After four stages played, Olimpus ranks fifth among seven teams competing in Ukraine’s Handball Championship. The Moldovan team was invited to take part in the championship of the neighboring country because a number of Ukrainian teams refused to take part in the competition owing to the tense situation in the eastern region.