A frustrating end to the year at Coubertin

Match reports

On Wednesday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball played their last match at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin for 2022, playing host to third-placed Magdeburg in their EHF Champions League Matchday 10 clash. Sitting atop Group A, our team had the opportunity to go six points clear of their opponents (as a reminder, the top two spots are qualify directly for the quarter-finals).

The beginning of the game was delicate for Les Rouge et Bleu, who lacked efficiency in several areas (2': 0-3). But, little by little, they solved the various problems and came back (9': 8-8). The storm seemed to have passed and it was the capital club's turn to take the lead (13': 11-10), thanks in part to a Nikola Karabatic who proved unstoppable both with he pass and with the finish (16': 12-10).

As was the case in the first match between the sides (22-29), Jannick Green was up against his ex-teammates (21': 14-11). The Danish international won a lot of duels and allowed his team to take a promising lead (25': 16-12). At the break, our players returned to the locker room with a four-point lead.

As the second half began, it was the visitors who once again took the lead. The Parisians were confronted by an excellent Mike Jensen in the German goal, and his prowess helped Magdeburg claw back their deficit (39': 21-21). It took two saves from Jannick to prevent our opponents from taking the lead (41': 21-21) and, as the last quarter of the game approached, the outcome was still far from decided (44': 22-22).

As the minutes passed, Magdeburg found themselves in a favourable position (52': 27-30). Les Rouge et Bleu then switched to a seven-man attack and regained some offensive impetus (56': 29-31). But it was a bridge too far; Paris Saint-Germain Handball chased the game, but never managed to catch up. They fell to just a second defeat of the campaign, but remain in the top two spots in Group A. They will now set about bouncing back in their crunch Liqui Moly StarLigue clash with arch-rivals Montpellier on Saturday.

RAUL GONZALEZ AND LUKA KARABATIC'S REACTIONS:

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)