Les Rouge et Bleu held by Dunkerque

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On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain handball drew 27-27 with a solid Dunkerque team at the Stades de Flandres. Here's our look back on this Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 17 encounter.

Back to the league!

Within the space of a week, the capital club returned to a schedule more like the first part of the season, with three matches a week. After resuming their Coupe de France and the EHF Champions League campaigns, our team were on the road on Sunday, headed for Dunkerque! The objective was clear for Raul Gonzalez's men: to bounce back immediately after the slip-up conceded in Plock midweek and kep pace with Nantes at the top of the Liqui Moly StarLigue standings.

Spurred on by a large crowd at the Stade des Flandres, Dunkerque started the match at a frantic pace that took our Parisians by surprise (4': 3-1). More patient in keeping the ball, Paris showed their determination and immediately got back on terms thanks to Ferran and Elohim (7': 3-3). Dunkerque, however, were more compact defensively and took advantage of several mistakes by our Rouge et Bleus to regain their advantage (13': 6-4).

Tactical adjustments pay off

As the minutes passed, fouls were being committed on both sides and, with six against six, Kamil sounded the charge for Paris (15': 7-5). After a difficult first quarter of an hour, our Rouge et Bleus were still trailing by a goal, but were looking more solid defensively, as evidenced by Jannick Green's first two saves to deny a very strong Tom Pelayo. However, Mehdi Harbaoui was quick to mirror his counterpart and won his duel against Ferran Solé from the penalty line to the Lion Cubs three goala clear (19': 8-5).

Faced with his players ‘offensive shortcomings, Raul Gonzalez decides to switch to a seven-man attack. The adjustment brought immediate success for our side, who made up part of their deficit thanks to goals from Kent, Dani and Elo ’(24': 9-8). More incisive in attack, Paris nevertheless left more openings at the back, and it cost them dearly. Ruthless in front of goal, Dunkerque took another three-goal lead and forced Paris to stop play (25': 11-8). The actical tweak once again paid off for the capital club, who finished the first half on a high note. Thanks to a goal from Ferran in the dying seconds, Paris went into the dressing room with the narrowest of deficits (30': 13-12).

Kamil ruthless, Grébille passes the 700-goal mark

From the start of the second half, Paris showed their intention to eclipse their lacklustre first-half showing. Better organised in defence, Paris went on the offensive seven at a time and equalised thanks to a seventh goal from Kamil, who was scoring at a 100% clip (34': 14-14). Although Dunkerque managed to regain a one-goal lead, our Rouge et Bleus did not allow themselves to be left behind, and Mathieu Grébille reduced the deficit by scoring the 700th goal of his league career (40': 17-16).

At this point, Dunkerque decided to call a time-out and resume with a seven-man attack. It was a choice they would pay for immediately, as the capital club managed its counter-attacks ideally and scored twice into an empty net to make the break (45': 18-20). The Parisian machine was well and truly in full swing in the last quarter of an hour. Kamil, Elohim and Yahia found the net in turn, while Jannick was on hand once again (50': 21-23).

Although Paris seemed to be on top, Dunkerque still posed a threat in the final stages of the match (53’: 22-24). Driven on by their fans, they managed to catch up with Les Rouge et Bleu and then decided to shut up shop (59': 27-27). After a final minute of breathless action - marked by chances at both ends of the court - the two teams ended the match all square (60': 27-27).

What's next for Les Rouge et Bleu

Paris will be back on the road on Wednesday, heading to Denmark to challenge Fredericia in EHF Champions League Matchday 12 action. Raul Gonzalez's men will then need your support for their return to Coubertin next Sunday against Aix. This Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 17 encounter will throw off at 17:00.

Vos places pour Paris - Aix 

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(Credits: L. Valroff/PSG)