A look back on PSG Handball - Montpellier (R9 - Lidl StarLigue)

News

On 14 November, Paris Saint-Germain Handball hosted Montpellier at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin for the headline clash of Lidl StarLigue Round 9. Take a look back on this thrilling clash!

While on paper this clash looked promising, it managed to live up to - or even exceed - expectations when the time came. Paris Saint-Germain Handball, league leaders with eight wins from their first eight matches, played host to nearest rivals Montpellier. A few hours before throw-off, Nikola Karabatic, a former Montpellier player, was not mistaken when he spoke of a "crunch clash".

A few months after they had already met in the Throphée des Champions final in Limoges (victory for the Parisians, 34-27), the two teams met again, this time in the French capital. It was an opportunity for Vincent Gérard, who played for the MHB the previous season, to see his former team-mates (but also a future team-mate in the person of Mathieu Grébille).

But, as was the case in August (with 17 saves), the Parisian 'keeper handed out no gifts to his former team-mates does not give gifts to its former partners. Quite the contrary! And Vincent made his stingy intentions known early on when he turned back Hugo Descat's penalty.

Our goalkeeper conceded very few goals in the early stages of the game, helped notably by his rear-guard, including Sander Sagosen. The Norwegian international combined defensive selflessness and attacking efficiency to extend Paris Saint-Germain Handball's lead with a winning counter-attack (10': 7-3). The Norwegian's fine performance (4 from 5) earned him a place in the team of the week.

Raul Gonzalez's men were in perfect control of the match. As the last ten minutes of the first half approached, the solidity of all sectors of the Parisian game was still at its peak and the capital club's lead grow even further after another counter-attack.

After a perfectly controlled first half, Les Rouge et Bleu were in a dominant position in this top-level encounter!

As play resumed, the Parisians' commitment was still on point and the Karabatic brothers gave their all to evade the clutches of Montpellier (35': 23-16)!

At the other end of the court, Nikola is also there to defend! Our playmaker sacrifices himself to allow his team to regain possession!

With the final minutes approaching, Paris looked to be heading straight for a ninth win from as many matches (50': 30-24), and their lead blew out even further when Nedim Remili put pad to a Montpellier fight-back (55': 33-28).

In the end, Paris Saint-Germain Handball won in style and widened their lead over their nearest rivals atop the standings.

Video highlights:

(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)