Double delight for Paris!

Match reports

On Saturday night, Paris Saint-Germain Handball took part in Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 23. The objective was clear: to win at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin against Ivry (who had seen several of their relegation rivals get wins) and to stay on Montpellier's tail as they travelled to Nantes. But the task was not going to be as easy as it had been for much of match the first time the sides met this season (26-39).

No matter the form or the standings, you have to fight hard to win a derby, and the visitors brought it early (6': 2-2). At the end of the first quarter, they went one better, pouncing on a couple of mistakes and taking the lead (12': 6-7). As the minutes ticked by, the USI weren't going to let the lead slip without a fight (17': 8-10).

To sound the revolt, Andreas Palicka started to hit his straps and Les Rouge et Bleu were soon back in the match (20': 11-11). The observation round seemed to be over for the Parisian armada and although not everything was perfect, it was their turn to take the lead (24': 13-12). Thanks to a stronger defence, the capital club widened the gap and went back to the locker room with a four-goal lead.

Raul Gonzalez's men picked up in the second half where they had left off in the first. David Balaguer took advantage of newfound attacking momentum to score a beautiful chabala (36': 19-12), while Luc Steins conjured a spectacular spin-shot (38': 22-13). But, once again, it was our rear-guard that made the difference and allowed our attack to score on counters (44': 26-17). As the last quarter started, Paris went to +10 (46': 28-18). 

Les Rouge et Bleu continued the show: Andreas saved a penalty (50': 30-19) and Petar Nenadic cooked up a superb diagonal pass that Ferran Sole Sala turned into a goal (52': 31-20). Paris Saint-Germain Handball stayed focused in the final moments (56': 32-23) and won! They are now level on points with leaders Montpellier, who lost in Nantes (29-28), but remain for the moment in second place because of an inferior goal difference (-1, before the return match which will take place at the end of the month). The H are waiting in the wings, one point behind the leading duo.

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, HENRIK TOFT HANSEN AND WALLEM PELEKA:

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