A look back on PSG Handball - Nantes

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On 11 September 2019, Paris Saint-Germain Handball played their first home match of the 2019-20 season at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, taking on eternal rivals Nantes in a high-octane Lidl StarLigue Round 2 clash.

It was our league's two flagship teams who clashed in the French capital. They were both favourites to occupy the top two sports come the end of the season, and that was already the case after just one week of competition, both sides having clocked convincing wins the week before - PSG Handball ran riot in Istres (25-35), while The H beat Dunkerque 29-24 at home.

Raul Gonzalez and Alberto Entrerrios's men were facing each other full of confidence. The players all know each other very well and have no secrets from each other, as Viran Morros reminded us a few hours before kick-off.

The Spanish international had obviously made no mistake: it was going to be a close game! The concentration was already at its peak, just like these Parisian faces at the warm-up.

Moments later, the match began. Our newcomers, Kamil Syprzak, Vincent Gérard and Gudjon Sigurdsson were all making their first official appearances at Coubertin as Paris Saint-Germain players.

The first few moments of the match did not prove the predictions wrong! The two teams went blow for blow, both technically and physically. Both defensive and attacking lines responded directly to each other (4': 2-2).

Little by little, Les Rouge et Bleu made the difference on the scoreboard, thanks in no small part to Henrik Toft Hansen (11': 9-4). But it was not easy catch the Nantes rear-guard out - partly because of another Dane, Emil Nielsen, who won several one-on-ones against our forwards (19': 11-10). Paris then used seven-metre throws to carve out another lead. Yet another occasion to score his 300th Lidl StarLigue penalty (24': 15-13).

At the break, the capital club were still in front but were not yet safe. The second half looked set to be a thrilling one.

As soon as the players returned from the changing rooms, it was captain Luka Karabatic's turn to reach a symbolic league milestone: in addition to restoring his team's lead, our pivot scored his 500th goal in the French championship.

In the following minutes, the Parisians managed to stem back out in front thanks to the 'other' Karabatic, Nikola...

But also thanks to a shot from Nedim Remili (52': 29-25)...

And to a penalty stopped by Vincent Gérard!

Les Rouge et Bleu kept their advantage right to the end and ran out deserved winners in this top-of-the-table clash!

Le Paris Saint-Germain Handball enchaînait une deuxième victoire en deux journées de Lidl StarLigue et gardait les commandes du championnat.

Retrouvez le résumé de la rencontre en vidéo :

(Crédits : TeamPics/PSG)