Five things on PSG Handball - Créteil
For the first time in 2021, the Paris Saint-Germain Handball return to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin for an official match. On Saturday afternoon, they play host to low-ranked but still dangerous Créteil in Lidl StarLigue Round 16 action.
Back home after two months
On 19 December, 2020, Les Rouge et Bleu played their last match of the calendar year on home turf when Dunkerque came calling (30-20). After that, the capital club went to Cologne, Germany, where they took third place in the Velux EHF Final4, defeating Veszprém in the play-off (31-26). But some of our players also won other medals! Viran Morros and Ferran Solé Sala won bronze at the World Championship in Egypt - where Mikkel Hansen, with Denmark, one again claimed the title of World Champion and tournament MVP. After that, our players got 2021 off to the best possible start by beating Szeged (29-32) away in the EHF Champions League last week.
Opposite ends of the table
For this return to league action, it is a derby that awaits Raul Gonzalez's men. However, heading into this trip to the league leaders, Créteil are not in the best of positions. Indeed, they currently occupy the first relegation place, with just four points from two wins and nine defeats (11 matches played). However, they can console themselves with the fact that they are only one point behind Ivry, the first team outside the red zone. On the other hand, our team have had a perfect run so far this season, with 13 wins from as many outings - notably away to nearest rivals Montpellier in December (32-36).
A look back at the first match
At the end of November, Parisians went to the Palais des Sports Robert Oubron to challenge Créteil. On that day, our team put on a very good offensive performance, finishing the game with 40 goals (27-40). Elohim Prandi (7 from 8) and Mikkel Hansen (8 from 8) were the main architects of Les Rouge et Bleus' incisive performance. It was also the occasion for our young half-centre, Baptiste Clay, to take his first steps as a professional and open his goal tally (2 from 2). Defensively, Yann Genty also delivered an XXL performance, looking unbeatable as he finished the match with 21 saves at a rate of and 43%.
Key stats
As 2021 kicks off, Paris Saint-Germain Handball boast some strong stats in the Lidl StarLigue. With 460 goals in 13 matches, they have by far the best average of goals per match (35); nearest rivals Montpellier average 30 (371 from 12 matches). But everything is also going very well at the other end of the court. Our defense, led by Yann Genty and Vincent Gerard, is the third best in the championship, with 338 goals conceded for an average of 26 per game. Nantes and Dunkerque are just ahead with an average of 25.92. Individually, Nedim Remili is our top scorer with 63 goals, while Vincent is the fourth-most effective goalkeeper in the French handball elite, with 124 saved shots.
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To follow the game (kick-off at 17:00):
- Television: live on our Facebook page and on our official website.
- At the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium: Closed
(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)