Paris clinch breathless win over Bucharest

Comptes-rendus

On Thursday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball beat Dinamo Bucharest after an epic battle in front of an electric Stade Pierre de Coubertin (35-32). Here's a look back at this EHF Champions League Matchday belter.

A week after their big win over Fredericia at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, the club from the capital were once again at home for aEuropean showdown. After playibng host to the only newcomer to this 2024-2025 edition, they turned their attention to a familiar face: Dinamo Bucharest. After four matchdays, the Romanians' record is a perfect copy of that of the Parisians: three wins and a defeat to Veszprém. Raul Gonzalez's men therefore had a crucial encounter ahead of them as they looked to break clear of their opponents on the night.

With the Stade Pierre de Coubertin electric from the off, the two teams put on a show in the opening minutes. Kamil Syprzak opened the scoring for Paris with a brace before Elohim Prandi also opened his account (6': 3-4). Bucharest made the first break of the game, but Raul Gonzalez's men responded immediately. Luka stepped up as a true captain does and levelled the score, bagging his 300th Champions League goal in the process (10': 6-6). Piqued by the Romanians‘ good start, our Rouge et Bleu grew in power as the minutes went by, with Jannick Green pulling off two saves in quick succession to keep Paris in the lead despite the visitors’ being a man up (15': 8-7).

Just as they had done against Fredericia the previous week, the Parisians countered their opponents' seven-man attacks perfectly. Jacob Holm scored an inspired goal from inside the Parisian half - into a net left empty by David Davis‘ men (19’: 12-9). Having switched to more balanced tactics, Dinamo Bucharest pushed Paris back off the front foot and managed to find gaps to make up the deficit (23': 13-13). Les Rouge et Bleu tried to make the most of their counter-attacks, but found themselves fouled by the Romanians, who struggled to slow the game down and reposition themselves in defence. The capital club tried to widen the play on the wings, but several lost balls allowed the visitors to get ahead (28': 14-16). At the break, Raul Gonzalez's side were trailing by three lengths (30': 16-19).

As soon as the second half started, Luc Steins grabbed himself a brace and set up Kamil and Elohim, who brought Les Rouge et Bleu back to within one goal (35': 20-21). The gap was reduced by better attacking efficiency, but also by another high-flying performance from Jannick Green, who repelled two attempts from close range. The battle between the two teams was fierce, and the tension grew with each passing minute. Bucharest increased their intensity and took a three-goal lead, but Ferran Solé Sala immediately got the Parisians back on track with his sixth of the evening (42': 23-24). Faced with the Romanians' efficiency, Raul Gonzalez decided to attack with seven men. Les Rouge et Bleu took more risks, but they could count on the sure-fire Elohim Prandi, whose last-ditch save from a long-range shot towards the empty Parisian goal totally revitalised the capital club (45': 25-27).

Then Andreas Palicka, who had just come on as a substitute set Coubertin ablaze with a stunning save as the Parisians bounced back and levelled the scores as the final ten minutes approached (50': 27-27). The final minutes were unbearable but Paris dug deep and managed to completely turn the match around. Our players put four unanswered goals past their opponents (56': 32-30) and Bucharest's time-out did nothing to change that, Paris getting both hands on the psychological advantage Andreas regaled the crowd with a superb penalty save (58': 33-31). With their heads held high and the Stade de Coubertin on fire, our Rouge et Bleu pulled off a vital win over Bucharest (60': 35-32). Thanks to this victory, Raul Gonzalez's men are level with Veszprém in third place at the end of Matchday 5, ahead of a perilous trip to Berlin next week.

Reactions from Raul Gonzalez, Mathieu Grebille and Ferran Sole Sala:

(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)