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Last-gasp win in Limoges

Comptes-rendus

Paris Saint-Germain Handball had to dig deep on Sunday to win a thrilling encounter in Limoges (29-30). Take a look back at the thrilling Liqui Moly Starligue Matchday 2 clash.

Raul Gonzalez's men faced Limoges at the Palais des Sports de Beaublanc in their first away game of the season, a few days after beating Pelister 31-29 in their EHF Champions League opener. By qualifying for the European Cup for the first time in their history, the Haut-Viennois got off to a dream start to the season and were hoping to find a way to keep the French champions at bay. The Parisians, for their part, had a chance to build on their success before another tricky trip to Veszprém in the Champions League next week.

Driven on by a sold-out Palais des Sports de Beaublanc, Limoges broke the deadlock early on, before Yahia Omar sounded the charge for Les Rouge et Bleu with a splendid double (6': 2-2). Paris soon began to build momentum, taking a two-goal lead when Elohim fired home a powerful shot (9': 3-5). Yahia made a perfect start to the game, firing past Dino Slavic with a splendid finish as Paris put on a show in the first quarter of an hour (12': 4-7). Effective in attack, the capital club were also solid in defence, and Andreas Palicka duly won a duel from seven metres out (15': 7-9).

Limoges got back on level terms with Les Rouge et Bleu for a while, but were powerless against our Egyptian right-back's cutting edge. With four goals to his name in the first half, he enabled his side to extend their lead (21': 10-13). However, the home side remained in touch with the capital club (26': 13-14). Raul Gonzalez's men withstood the Limousin onslaught, however, and went into the locker room with a two-goal lead at the end of an exciting first half (30': 14-16).

The Parisians got off to a good start in the second half and extended their lead thanks to Yahia's eighth of the match (36': 16-20). As the pressure mounted on the Parisians‘ goal, Andreas saved to keep them well in front (39’: 16-21) but, despite a time-out called by Raul Gonzalez, Limoges continued their comeback and were just one goal behind the capital club going into the final quarter (45': 21-22).

In a fina phase that lived up to all its promises, the two teams went blow for blow (54': 25-26). The end of the match was breathless for both sides, and the Palais des Sports was on fire as Limoges took the lead (57': 29-28). But Les Rouge et Bleu refused to give up and equalised before Raul Gonzalez called a final time-out. Then, as if on cue, it was Yahia Omar who delivered our Parisians at the buzzer (60': 29-30). At the end of a thrilling game against a valiant Limoges team, the French champions came out on top.

Reactions from Raul Gonzalez, Elohim Prandi and Ferran Sole Sala:

(Credits: L. Valroff/ PSG)