A final win before the season kicks off!

Match reports

On Friday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain Handball played their fifth and final match of the pre-season preparations. After the first four games in Japan and Germany, Les Rouge et Bleu did not have to travel far this time, making the short trip to neighbouring Liqui Moly StarLigue rivals US Ivry Handball.

At the end of their pre-season preparations, the Parisians' game is now a well-oiled machine. Raul Gonzalez's men got off to a superb start in this final friendly outing. Although they often found the back of the net, it was in the defensive sector that our players were most effective. Thanks to the good work of our rearguard, which recovered several balls - not to mention plenty of saves from Andreas Palicka - the capital club completely blocked the local counter and took a nine-point lead on the scoreboard. Despite USI's rebellion in the closing moments of the first period - orchestrated by Parisian loanee Gautier Loredon - it was Les Rouge et Bleu who went into the dressing room with a very large lead (30': 12-22).

After the break, Paris continued to dominate. After Andreas and LĂ©o Villain (who scored in the first half), it was Jannick Green's turn in the Les Rouge et Bleu goal. The Danish international kept up with his team-mates and also saved several Ivry shots. In front of their home crowd, the hosts tried to get back into the game, but - although they managed to claw back some of the deficit - they were always pushed back by the Parisians.

In fact, the Parisians had lost none of their effectiveness and were still finding the net in spectacular fashion, with Dominik Mathé and Elohim Prandi firing into the top corner and Mathieu Grébille scoring from the wing. The match ended with a number of great saves from Jannick, and Paris Saint-Germain Handball rounded off their preparations with a fine win (60': 29-43). Now it's time forcompetition, with the Coupe de France starting up again next week. On Tuesday evening, our players will take on Frontignan (ProLigue).

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, ELOHIM PRANDI AND RAUL GONZALEZ:

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)