A derby won with flying colours

Match reports

Just three days after their EHF Champions League win over Danish club Gudme Oure Gudbjerg Handball (GOG), Paris Saint-Germain Handball travelled to face regional rivals US Ivry Handball in Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 12. The Parisians were up against the 14th-placed side at the Auguste Delaune gym, which was also the occasion to meet up with former Rouge et Bleu pivot Robin Dourte, a Paris Saint-Germain Handball academy graduate.

In a festive atmosphere, the two teams put on a show from the start as they went at it hot for shot (5': 3-3). Efficient on the counter, the Parisians progressively pulled ahead of the feisty locals (10': 7-8). Several saves from Andreas Palicka allowed Les Rouge et Bleu to still have the lead at the end of the first quarter (16': 11-12).

With Luc Steins at the helm, the capital club managed to carve out a break (22': 12-15) and the trend was confirmed by an excellent David Balaguer, who bagged four goals in less than 5 minutes (27': 13-19)! At the break, our team was in the lead and looking good!

In the second act, Parisian captain Luka Karabatic guided his team well and his sixth goal of the evening confirmed their clear domination (36': 16-26). A magnificent stop from Andreas, followed by a goal from our Latvian behemoth Dainis Kristopans, allowed Les Rouge et Bleu to establish their advantage (45': 20-30).

Ferran Solé Sala (5 from 5) also played apart in the Parisians' excellent performance (50': 23-31). Thereafter, several decisive interventions from Jannick Green allowed Paris to approach the end of the match with serenity (55': 24-35). Youngster Gautier Loredon then sealed the capital club's solid win on Ivry's home turf and Paris Saint-Germain Handball returned to the capital still in control of the league standings.

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, HENRIK TOFT HANSEN AND DAVID BALAGUER:

(Credits: L.Valroff/Team Pics/PSG)