Põlva Serviti Advance to Final 4 with Commanding Victory Over Viljandi HC

April 12, 2025

Põlva Serviti have clinched a coveted spot in the Final 4 of the Baltic Handball League, delivering a decisive 26–19 win over fellow Estonian side Viljandi HC in the quarterfinal clash held at Taikos pr. 61A in Klaipėda. Serviti’s victory secures them a high-stakes final showdown against HC Dragūnas, while Viljandi HC will battle ZRHK TENAX Dobele in the third-place.

From the first whistle, Serviti took command with a well-organized defense and sharp offensive plays, entering halftime with a comfortable 11–6 lead. The second half saw the defending Estonian champions maintain their momentum, fending off every attempt from Viljandi to stage a comeback.

Key Moments

Viljandi opened the scoring early through Hendrik Koks, but Serviti quickly responded through Carl-Eric Uibo and Jürgen Rooba. By the 17-minute mark, Serviti had surged to an 8–3 lead following goals from Stanislav Kholodiuk, Ülljo Pihus, and a well-timed timeout from Viljandi HC, which proved too little too late.

Serviti’s tight defense and transition game were evident in the second half, especially with goals from Hendrik Varul and Kermo Saksing keeping the margin firm despite a valiant effort by Viljandi’s Koks, who was a standout with 8 goals from 13 shots.

Top Performers

• Stanislav Kholodiuk (Serviti): 5 goals from 6 attempts, clinical and efficient in attack.
• Tõnis Kase (Serviti): Dynamic presence with 5 goals and strong defensive contributions.
• Jürgen Rooba (Serviti): Delivered 4 important goals, all in key momentum-shifting phases.
• Hendrik Koks (Viljandi HC): A true offensive leader, scoring 8 of his team’s 19 goals, including three from the 7-meter line.

Despite Koks’ efforts, Viljandi struggled to find scoring options elsewhere, as Serviti’s structured defense forced multiple turnovers and rushed attempts throughout the match.