Five things on Kielce - PSG Handball
Another away game awaits Paris Saint-Germain Handball on Thursday evening, and it's no easy one: Les Rouge et Bleu travel to Poland to take on the mighty Kielce in their EHF Champions League Matchday 5 clash.
Paris face group co-leaders
Although the capital club have taken part in three European matches so far this season (two defeats, one victory), this is not the case for their Polish counterpart. Kielce have done rather well, with three victories and a single defeat, and duly find themselves atop the standings. Indeed, apart from their narrow defeat to co-leaders Flensburg (31-30), the 2016 European champions have clocked comfortable wins over Szeged (26-23), Elverum (22-31) and Brest (34-27).
A quartet of goalscorers
The problem with facing Kielce is that the danger can come from anywhere. While their defence, and notably 'keeper Andreas Wolff, have been in fine form, their opposing counterparts have to face four distinct threats: Alex Dujshebaev, former Saint-Raphaël pivot Artsem Karalek, Angel Fernandez Perez and Igor Karacic, all of whom are currently co-top scorers with 14 goals apiece.
The latest confrontations
In recent seasons, Paris and Kielce have become accustomed to facing off, be it on the European or world stage, and their last double-header will remain etched in the history of both clubs. It happened in the EHF Champions League quarter-finals in season 2018-2019. Roundly beaten in the first leg (34-24), Raul Gonzalez's men had no choice but to pull an upset in the return leg. In an electric atmosphere at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, they turned the situation around before falling on away goals in the final moments (35-26). But the Parisians have also regularly come out victorious in this duel, often in style.
Key stats
Unfortunately, Les Rouge et Bleu will be deprived of one of their top scorers (11 goals) in the competition, in the person of Nikola Karabatic, who tore his ACL in Ivry on Saturday (25-35). Fortunately, they have other crack marksmen in their ranks. Mikkel Hansen is the Parisian who stands out the most in this area, with 18 goals. Behind the Danish international are the trio of Dainis Kristopans, Kamil Syprzak and Nedim Remili, all on ten goals. It should be noted that, despite having a mach in hand, our team has 94 goals, only 28 fewer than group top scorers Flensburg (Kielce sit at 121).
To follow the game (kick-off at 20:45):
- Television: Eurosport
- Live tweet: our official page
(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)