Crucial victory over Kielce

Comptes-rendus

Paris Saint-Germain Handball secured a crucial victory over Kielce (35-25) on Thursday on EHF Champions League Matchday 12, keeping them within striking distance of the top two places. Here's a look back at the match.

The tension is mounting with only three matchdays left in the EHF Champions League group stage! Tied on points with their opponents on the night, the capital club had no room for error if they were to maintain their chances of qualifying directly for the quarter-finals of the competition. With three consecutive wins on the continental stage, Les Rouge et Bleu were keen to continue their good run of form and put themselves in the best possible frame of mind.

With an electric atmosphere in the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Raul Gonzalez decided to start the game with Andreas, Jacob, Luc, Kent, Mathieu, Luka and Ferran. Kielce got off to an ideal start (3': 0-3), but Kent Robin Tonnesen sparked the capital club's comeback with a brace (6': 4-5). Andreas Palicka, who made seven saves in the first quarter of an hour, was unbeatable for eight long minutes, enabling Les Rouge et Bleu to turn the first half on its head. Solid in defence, Raul Gonzalez's men upped the tempo and were clinical in front of goal - and duly made the break (17': 9-7).

Elohim scored his fifth goal of the evening to extend the Parisians' lead as the end of a breathless first period approached (25': 14-10). However, Kielce refused to give up and managed to make up some of the deficit just before the break, going into the locker room a single point behind (30': 15-14). All was still to play for in what promised to be a thrilling second half.

Right from the re-start, Paris kept up the pace and once again extended their lead - thanks to another double from Kent (34: 18-15). A sensational double save from Andreas then kept the capital club in the lead with 20 minutes remaining (41': 23-20). With the Poles still in striking distance, Mathieu Grébille gave his side a four-point lead going into the final quarter (45': 25-21).

Still chasing the game at the start of money-time, Kielce decided to stop play (53': 28-24). But Les Rouge et Bleu took advantage of the Poles' seven-man attack to score into an empty net and take real control of the match (55': 31-25). Thanks to Andreas Palicka's ironclad 'keeping (19 saves), the capital club secured a big, crucial and richly deserved victory (60': 35-25). As a result, Raul Gonzalez's men remain in the race to qualify directly for the quarter-finals of the competition. On Thursday, they will have to continue this good run when they take on Zagreb in the penultimate round of the EHF Champions League group stage.

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, NIKOLA KARABATIC AND ANDREAS PALICKA:

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