An exceptional season

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At the end of an intense season, which saw the title decided on the final day, Paris Saint-Germain Handball clinched their 11th French league title. Here's a look back at a memorable season.

A PERFECT START

Les Rouge et Bleu showed their lofty ambitions as early as the Trophée des Champions against Nantes last August. Led by the clinical Kamil Syprzak - in the first of many excellent performances from the Polish international this season - the capital club won by a huge margin (35-25) and put themselves in the best possible frame of mind ahead of the start of the Liqui Moly StarLigue season a week later.

As the weeks went by, the Parisians found their rhythm despite a busy schedule in the league and the EHF Champions League. As early as Round 5, the Stade Pierre de Coubertin was the scene of one, if not the match of the season against Nantes. Trailing by seven goals with 25 minutes remaining, Paris managed to turn the match around (35-32) thanks in particular to Jannick Green's 18 saves and Kamil's eight goals. It was the first turning point of the season for Paris, who took a three-point lead over The H - an advantage that proved decisive at the end of the season.

While Nantes got off to a sluggish start in 2023-24, Montpellier enjoyed a string of successes and drew level with Paris. But their form deserted them in Round 10 when they drew with St-Raphaël. At the same time, Luc Steins helped his side take sole control of the table by scoring his 400th career league goal in a comprehensive 31-39 win at Aix. The second turning point of the season came a week later, when Raul Gonzalez and his men beat MHB for the first time this season (31-27). The win set Montpellier three points adrift of top spot.

Les Rouge et Bleu finished the year with a perfect record, but Nantes and Montpellier stumbled, dropping precious points in the race for the title. Paris went into the break five points clear of second-placed Nantes.

A FLURRY OF RECORDS

As soon as competition resumed, Paris were quick to find their rhythm. Led by a sparkling Nikola Karabatic, who scored his 500th league goal for Les Rouge et Bleu, the capital club produced a flawless performance against Chartres (44-30). Meanwhile, Kamil Syprzak set a new personal record for goals in a single league match, scoring 13 against Saran and Montpellier in back-to-back weeks, effectively eliminating MHB from the title race once and for all.

Having to cope with a busy schedule of matches and a number of injuries, Paris dropped their first points of the season against Toulouse in Round 18 (29-29) and then at Nantes a few weeks later (32-30) - reigniting the title race.

A CLIMACTIC final

Paris Saint-Germain know how to draw on their resources in the face of adversity. The capital club redoubled its intensity, with David Balaguer scoring his 800th career league goal in the big win over St-Raphaël (37-29) before Nikola reached the symbolic milestone of 1,000 goals in the Liqui Moly StarLigue a week later at Cesson-Rennes (24-27).

Having narrowly lost to Nîmes in the final match of the season at Coubertin (32-33), Paris were now just one point ahead of The H, and it was at the AccorArena, for The Final Game, that this 11th French Championship title was decided in emblematic fashion.

Paris needed a draw against Aix to be crowned champions for the tenth season running, but they kept their aim high against the side from Provence, winning convincingly (39-36) in a sold-out AccorArena to set a new attendance record for a Liqui Moly StarLigue match. In his last appearance for the club after a long and successful career, Nikola Karabatic won his 18th and final trophy with Paris.

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AN UNFORGETTABLE SEASON, A MEMORABLE FAREWELL

Paris Saint-Germain Handball's 11th French title was richly deserved, thanks in particular to the formidable seasons of Kamil Syprzak, who was named top scorer (220 goals); Luc Steins, who finished as assists leader (238 assists); and Elohim Prandi, who brought his power and clinical finishing to bear all season long. All three Les Rouge et Bleu are in the running for the LNH Awards as the season's best pivot, centre-half and left-back respectively. One of the revelations of the season, Wallem Peleka is among those nominated for Young Player of the Season.

It was a campaign that will go down in the club's history, and one that came to a fitting conclusion with a coronation and an emotional farewell. In addition to Nikola Karabatic, this final match of the season at the AccorArena was also an opportunity to pay tribute to Adama Keita, Sadou Ntanzi, Dominik Mathé and Yoann Gibelin, who will also be leaving Paris at the end of the season. Thank you all, and see you next season!

(Credits: L. Valroff/Team Pics/PSG)