EHF Champions League: Paris to face Szeged in play-offs

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After a fierce battle lasting more than six months, the group stage of the EHF Champions League reached its conclusion on Thursday. After finishing fourth in a particularly tight group, Paris Saint-Germain have been drawn to face Szeged in the play-offs. Les Rouge et Bleu will travel to Hungary for the first leg on 26 or 27 March, while the return leg will take place at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin on 2 or 3 April.

an experienced team

Having played the last match of the EHF Champions League group stage's final matchday, the capital club thus spared itself any suspense in terms of knowing who their future Champions League opponents would be.

Les Rouge et Bleu will have to overcome Szeged, an experienced team who, just like Paris, may have some regrets at the end of the group stage. The Hungarians also thought for a long time that they could clinch second place, which would qualify them for the quarter-finals. Fighting for the top spots with Barcelona during the first part of the season, the Hungarians notably recorded several prestigious victories, including two against Kielce, but also against Magdeburg and Nantes. However, Szeged have collapsed brutally in the New Year with a record of three defeats and one draw that saw them dip to fifth place in Group B.

The Mario Sostaric factor

Our Les Rouge et Bleu cannot, however, afford to dwell on the final position and current form of the Hungarians, as they have in their ranks none other than Europe's top scorer. With 102 goals during the group stage, Mario Sostaric has been in rumbustious form and will undoubtedly be expected to deliver during these play-offs.

In the same group last season, Szeged and Paris have crossed swords on numerous occasions in recent years. In their ten previous meetings, Les Rouge et Bleu have a rather positive record of seven wins, two defeats and one draw. Enough to give them a psychological advantage? Perhaps, but one thing is for sure: Raul Gonzalez's men will need the support of the Coubertin faithful in the return leg of this EHF Champions League play-off, which will take place in the Parisian arena on 2 or 3 April.

(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)