An ironclad defence

News

On Thursday evening, the EHF Champions League action returned to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin after an absence of more than a month. On this occasion, Paris Saint-Germain Handball hosted Porto in their Matchday 7 clash. The match was just as interesting on the court as it was in terms pdf the points up for grabs, since both teams had exactly the same record in the competition before throw-off (five points from two wins, one draw and three defeats). Our captain, Luka Karabatic, knew the importance of this match against a team that had managed to hold reigning champions Barcelona in check a fortnight ago (33-33).

In a superb atmosphere, Les Rouge et Bleu got off to a great start (4': 2-0). Mikkel Hansen took the opportunity to score his 700th EHF Champions League goal for Paris (6': 3-0). At the other end of the court, wary of the Portuguese side's clinical finishing, our players gave the opposing forwards a hard time. Even from the seven-metre line, almost nothing was getting past Vincent Gérard (9': 4-1). Despite seeing a few efforts denied by visiting 'keeper Nikola Mitrevski, the beginning of the game was closes to perfect for Paris, who built a fine early lead (14': 7-2).

Paris stayed well in front thanks to Vincent's multiple saves, but also to several missiles, like those of Nikola Karabatic and Nedim Remili (17': 10-3). The visitors were in trouble and already had to take their second time-out. But the resulting adjustments did nothing to change the course of the match, especially as our keeper remained near impossible to beat. This solidity in all sectors allowed the Parisians to go ten goals clear (23': 13-3). Well helped by his defence, which intercepted many passes, France 'keeper Gérard continued his imperious performance of nine saves from 15 opposing attempts (60%). At the break, our team was a full 14 points ahead!

At the start of the second half, the match become somewhat more balanced, but Les Rouge et Bleu maintained a large lead (34': 20-7). Less effective in front of the Portuguese goal and also leaving more space in front of their six-metre area, it was something of a tricky restart, but they weren't penalised (41': 23-13). Especially Raul called a time-out! His players duly got back on track and got back to growing their lead (44': 25-13). A the last quarter of the game arrived, the Parisians seemed to have weathered the storm and went back to +14 (47': 27-13).

Holding their nerve, Paris Saint-Germain Handball managed the end of the match perfectly (52': 29-15). A few moments later, they won and claimed a third victory of this group phase. The victory brings them within two points of second place (which qualifies directly for the quarter-finals) - currently held by Barcelona, who were defeated at home to Kielce 30-32).

Raul Gonzalez, Nikola Karabatic and Elohim Prandi's reactions:

(Credits: A. Gadoffre/TeamPics/PSG)