Everything still to be done

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Paris Saint-Germain Handball played the first leg of their EHF Champions League Round of 16 tie in Elverum on Wednesday afternoon. Third in Group B after the group stage, Raul Gonzalez's men faced a valiant Norwegian team that had qualified thanks to a better head-to-head record against Zagreb. But regardless of the previous rankings (and the four Parisian victories in as many games against Elverum), this away game was not to be taken lightly, as Mathieu Grébille reminded us before throw-off.

In the first moments, both teams made mistakes, but neither of them took advantage (3': 2-2). The goalkeepers - Yann Genty for Paris and Emil Imsgard for the Norwegians - were largely responsible for this very tight start. At both ends of the court, they won several duels and prevented their opponents from taking off (10': 4-4). Even when our team managed to go to +2 (13': 4-6), they were quickly caught (14': 6-6). At the end of the first quarter, the match was still balanced (16': 7-7).

After this feeling-out period, Les Rouge et Bleu solidified their defence and hit their stride in attack. This surge saw them move to +3, with Kamil Syprzak hitting a quick-fire triple (20': 8-11). Still in the mood after his 12 from 12 last weekend in Nancy (32-37), the Polish international was irresistible and weighed heavily on the local rear-guard (25': 9-13). But our pivot's efforts were not enough to make Elverum falter (28': 12-13). After a balanced first half and a missile from Elohim Prandi on the buzzer, Paris were two goals to the good at the break.

As the second half began, our team resumed its domination and went four goals clear (34': 15-19). With Kamil keeping up the good work, Paris continued to increase the lead (37': 15-20) - and Yann wasn't slouching either! After two "pastis", he won a spectacular duel at close range (39': 16-21). But once again, the Parisians were not safe. After a few failed attacks, they saw their opponents getting back in the game (44': 20-22), and as the final minutes approached, the match was far from over (46': 21-23).

In the final moments, the two clubs went at it blow for blow (49': 23-24). The Terningen Arena was on fire and exploded when Elverum levelled it up (51': 24-24). If at first Yann prevented them from taking the lead (54': 25-25), he couldn't do anything two minutes later as a long shot found the net (56': 27-26). The advantage changed sides very quickly and Les Rouge et Bleu went ahead again thanks to a solo rush from Elohim (58': 28-29). But Eric Johansson equalised right on the buzzer! Thus the sides will have to do it all again - on level pegging - in the return leg on Thursday, 7 April at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin.

(Credits: L. Valroff/TeamPics/PSG)