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All you need to know about PSG Handball - Dunkerque

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On Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball are back in competition! After a month-and-a-half-long break, they return to action with the visit of Dunkerque to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 15 action.

Return to competition
Les Rouge et Bleus' last official match was on 18 December, 2021, during their Coupe de la Ligue semi-final against Chambéry (28-29). Since then, several of our players took part in the European Championship 2022, which took place in January in Hungary and Slovakia. Three Parisians returned to the capital with a medal around their neck (silver for Ferran Solé Sala, bronze for Henrik Toft Hansen and Mikkel Hansen).

The table
Dunkerque concluded the first half of the season on 15 December with a win on the buzzer against Cesson-Rennes (29-28). It was their fifth victory in 13 games (for eight defeats) this season. With ten points since the beginning of the season, Patrick Cazal's men are in 12th place, four points ahead of the red zone.

Meanwhile, Raul Gonzalez's men are dominating the league. While they have played one game fewer than nearest rivals Nantes, they have a five-point lead over The H! Moreover, in the last league game of the 2021, the capital club managed an excellent result by winning at Nantes' Halle XXL (29-30). A success that saw them to win a thirteenth time in as many Liqui Moly StarLigue outings this season!

Best defense, worst attack
While all the lights are green for the Parisians, who also shine statistically (best attack with 477 goals scored, second-best defense with 359 goals conceded), the northern side are more extreme. Indeed, USDK has both the league's most efficient backline with 355 goals conceded and its least efficient offensive line with only 339 goals scored.

However, Dunkirk right-winger Théo Avelange Demouge (the best player in the Proligue last season, after scoring 216 goals for Saran), is working hard to make the nets shake and is in ninth place on the scorers chart with 74 goals. On our side, it is Mikkel Hansen who stands out the most, with 62. Finally, the goalkeepers' duel will oppose Vincent Gérard (100 saves) with Samir Bellahcene (75 saves).

Head to head
Paris and Dunkerque are facing each other for the 32nd time in the Liqui Moly StarLigue. Historically, our team has dominated the head-to-head meetings with 21 wins, one draw and nine losses. In this fixture, the last setback for Les Rouge et Bleu came on 6 November, 2014, at the Stades des Flandres (27-26). At that time, our last line of defence Vincent Gérard had an excellent game with USDK, repelling 14 Parisian attempts. Since then, the Parisians have gone on a run of 12 consecutive victories in this league fixture.

To follow the game (kick-off at 20:00):
- From the stands of Coubertin: by getting your tickets on our official website
- Television: beIN SPORTS 3
- Our social networks: via our live-tweet

(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)