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An evening of European success

Match reports

Paris Saint-Germain Handball secured a crucial win over Aalborg at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in EHF Champions League Matchday 5 on Wednesday (33-30). Here's a look back at a match that lived up to all its promises.

The Parisians were back at Coubertin on Wednesday to welcome Aalborg (with former Parisians Henrik Mollgaard and Mikkel Hansen) for Matchday 5 of the EHF Champions League. After their 31-26 win over Pelister last week, the Parisians were keen to continue their good run of form and extend the lead over their opponents, who were just one point behind the capital club before throw-off.

The two teams went back and forth in a tight opening period, although Nikola Karabatic's two early goals stood out (5': 3-2). Les Rouge et Bleu spared no effort and made the first break of the match as the quarter hour-mark approached, thanks to Kamil Syprzak's third goal of the match (14': 9-7).

Mercilessly putting down most of the Danish side's attacks, the Parisians forced the visitors into their first time-out shortly after the quarter hour-mark (18': 12-9). But the stoppage in play did nothing to trouble the capital club; they maintained a narrow lead as the end of the first half approached (24': 14-12). At the break, Raul Gonzalez's men were still in front in a match that lived up to its promise (30': 15-14).

After the break, the Parisians lacked effectiveness in front of goal, unlike their opponents. With the visitors ahead on the scoreboard, Paris called their first time-out of the match (34': 16-17). In the final quarter, Les Rouge et Bleu stayed in touch but were still trailing to the Danes, who were playing their cards close to their chest (45': 21-23).

As money-time approached, the capital club made up lost ground (49': 24-24). The end of the match was extremely tense! Led by an excellent Elohim Prandi (voted MVP), scorer of his seventh goal, the Parisians took a two-point lead in the final minutes, in a crazy atmosphere (57': 30-28). Les Rouge et Bleu showed courage and self-sacrifice to seal another European success, which became official a few minutes later (60': 33-30). The win keeps Paris Saint-Germain Handball at the top of Group A, ahead of next week's exciting clash with Kiel!

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, ELOHIM PRANDI AND FERRAN SOLE SALA:

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)