Les Rouge et Bleu take care of business against Szeged

Comptes-rendus

Paris Saint-Germain Handball wrapped up the EHF Champions League group stage in style with a thrilling 37-33 victory over Szeged on Wednesday. Here's a look back at the EHF Champions League Matchday 14 clash.

After six months of intense battles, the EHF Champions League group phase has now drawn to a close. Wednesda night provided an opportunity for Raul Gonzalez's men to thrill their fans one last time, and to end the first part of the competition in the same way they began it: with victory over Szeged. Although the capital club could no longer qualify directly for the quarter-finals, the aim was nonetheless to secure third place and boost their confidence ahead of what promises to be a thrilling play-off round.

The match got off to a particularly lively start, with Jacob Holm striking twice to keep the score level (4': 3-3). However, Szeged weren't pulling any punches and exploited every gap in the Parisian rearguard to create their first break, forcing Raul Gonzalez to call a time-out (8': 3-6). Despite the capital club's surge, the Hungarians managed to maintain their rhythm and were still in the lead at the end of the first quarter of an hour (15': 5-8).

Kent Robin Tonnesen's splendid kung-fu kept Les Rouge et Bleu afloat after the visitors had taken their own time-out (19': 8-10) and the capital club finished the first half a little better, with Jannick Green, who had just come on as a substitute, getting down to work on his line, while Luka was clinical in front of goal as he led the revolt (25': 12-13). After Raul had once again called a halt to play, the Parisians seemed reinvigorated and Luc Steins put his side ahead for the first time in the match (28': 15-14). It was with this narrow advantage that Paris went into the locker room at the end of a thrilling first half (30th: 15-14).

Les Rouge et Bleu started the second half in the same way as they had finished the first, and made their first break of the match (34': 17-15). Our players were cold-blooded in attack, but equally formidable in defence (36': 19-16). Spurred on by their fans, Paris kept up the pace and masterfully controlled the second half, with Nikola Karabatic scoring twice to give them a commanding lead going into the final quarter (45': 27-20).

Kamil continued his strong scoring form with his ninth goal of the evening - a personal best in the EHF Champions League this season (48': 29-21). Despite their comfortable lead at the end of the second period, Les Rouge et Bleu took care of business and gave the visitors no chance of getting back into the game (51': 30-25). After an imperious second half, Paris came out on top to round out the group stage in style (60': 37-33). Raul Gonzalez's men will have to wait for the outcome of tomorrow's match between Wisla Plock and Porto to find out whom they will face in the play-offs, but one thing is certain: with this victory, Paris stiched up third place in Group A.

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, LUC STEINS AND KAMIL SYPRZAK :

(Credits: L. Valroff/Team Pics/PSG)