Five things on PSG Handball - Elverum
On Thursday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball return to the EHF Champions League action,. Playing host to Elverum - former Parisian Luc Abalo's new club - in Matchday 4 action.
Get back on track
For the moment, the numbers aren't looking the best for Les Rouge et Bleu, who lost their first two matches - at home to Flensburg (28-29), then away Meshkov Brest (32-31). But it's not time to panic just yet! With a game in hand over most of their competitors, the capital club have a chance to get the ball rolling when the Norwegian side come calling. This also applied to Elverum, however, who have also played just two matches (victory in Porto, 28-30, and defeat against Kielce, 22-31).
Luc's return
This match will have a very special feeling, as it is the return of Luc Abalo to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. The former Parisian right-winger, now 36 yers old, is returning to his old stomping ground for the first time since making the move to Elverum this summer. Prior to that, the French international had made his mark on our Club by winning seven French league titles and playing in three EHF Champions League Final4s. Although, thanks to COVIS, he had noted a chance to say goodbye to his teammates and fans, all concerned will now have the opportunity to make up for it.
8 années ont passé depuis son arrivée au club. Nous souhaitons à @lucabalo le meilleur pour la suite de sa carrière et le remercions encore pour tout ce qu'il a accompli sous le maillot 🔴🔵 #MerciLuc pic.twitter.com/UjqguNUngc
— PSG Handball (@psghand) June 30, 2020
Head-to-head
Last season, Paris and Elverum were in the same group. The first leg, in Norway, was very close! Exceptionally moved to Lillehammer's Hakons Hall (with 12,000 spectators), the game was not all fun for the Parisians, who had to rely on an excellent Rodrigo Corrales to get out of the trap (22-25). In Coubertin, on the other hand, Raul Gonzalez's men achieved a large success (31-25). There again, it was one of our last ramparts - Vincent Gérard - who stood out, making nine crucial saves.
Key stats
Despite their setbacks, Paris can rely on an attacking line that scores plenty of goals. After two games, the team's top scorer is none other than Mikkel Hansen, who has found the net ten times. The Danish international is closely followed by his new Latvian teammate Dainis Kristopans, who has nine goals, seven of which were scored in Brest. For the Norwegians, Lucio is already off to a good start, with four goals to his credit. But the team's top two scorers are Dominik Mathe and Alexander Christoffersen, with ten goals each.
To follow the game (kick-off at 20:45):
- Television: Eurosport
- At the Stade Pierre de Coubertin: get your tickets on our official website
Live tweet: our official page
(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)