Paris Saint-Germain Hanbdall did not falter against Créteil on their return to Coubertin (30-19). The accomplished win saw Raul Gonzalez's men extend their lead atop the league standings. Here's our look back at this Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 21 fixture.
Three weeks after the crucial win against Nantes (34-28), the Parisians returned to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin as French league leaders. After the first international break of 2025, Les Rouge et Bleu played successive away games, in the league and then in Europe. After the show of force against Ivry (28-41), Raul Gonzalez's men took a step towards qualification for the EHF Champions League quarter-finals with a win in Szeged (30-31). Before thinking about the return leg at Coubertin on Thursday, the capital club had to make sure not to slip up against US Créteil (who are playing for survival) in this derby.
Jannick Green takes charge
Despite the stakes for both sides, fatigue seemed to be taking its toll early. While Jannick Green looked solid from the start, the Parisian attacking sector faltered, with Wallem Peleka and Kamil Syprzak both failing to hit the target (1-1, 4'). Our Polish pivot quickly got back on track, however, helping Paris to break away (10': 3-1). This goal got the Parisian machine going. Taking advantage of another save by Jannick, fellow Dane Jacob Holm broke away before opening his account with the help of Créteil's post (12': 5-3).
Kent Robin Tonnesen, Ferran Solé and Elohim Prandi then came on. The latter did not take long to make his mark, delivering a perfect pass for Kamil's third goal of the evening (19': 8-4). In great difficulty in attack, Créteil decided to call the first time-out of the match immediately.
Christophe Esparre's tactical adjustments had little impact, particularly due to an imperious Jannick, who had already racked up six saves (22': 10-6). However, Créteil did weren't about to give up and fought hard to make up some of their deficit as the break approached (28': 12-10). By speeding up the game, Créteil also made more mistakes and lost the ball more often. Paris took advantage of this and punished the Béliers straight away thanks to the liveliness of Kent and Luc. Serious and focused, Les Rouge et Bleu went into the dressing room five goals ahead (30th: 15-10).
30' : C'est la pause à Coubertin ! Après un dernier coup d'accélérateur, les 🔴🔵 mènent de cinq longueurs face à Créteil ! #PSGCRE pic.twitter.com/j7t6e9zsmo
— PSG Handball (@psghand) March 30, 2025
Quickly finding themselves man down in the second half following Ferran's sending off, Paris could still count on Jannick to maintain the lead (34': 15-10). Muzzled since the restart, Créteil suffered amid the transitions and fast play of our Les Rouge et Bleu. Launched on the counter-attack, Luc Steins caught out the visiting rearguard and scored his fifth goal of the night(39': 17-10).
Firing on all cylinders, the capital club picked up the pace. In turn, Wallem Peleka and Luka Karabatic benefited from perfect passes from Luc to join the list of scorers (43': 21-14). Even a man down, the Parisians stuck together and maintained the pace, forcing Créteil to call a time out once again (49th: 23-17).
Paris consolidate top spot
The minutes ticked by, but nothing changed for the visitors, who for the tenth time that evening saw thir way blocked by the ever-impressive Jannick Green. Soon after, David Balaguer marked his return from injury with a fine brace as the game entered its final stages (52': 25-18). Paris controlled the end of the game perfectly.
Ruben Marchan, who had just come on, scored a double, while Dani Baijens also seized his chance (57': 29-19). Led by an immense Jannick Green (15 saves), the capital club easily won this derby against Créteil (60': 30-19) and pulled futher clear of second-placed Nantes, who fell in Istres at the same time (25-24).
60' : C'est terminé ! Paris maîtrise son derby face à Créteil ! #PSGCRE pic.twitter.com/MDQn3wLrOB
— PSG Handball (@psghand) March 30, 2025
Reactions from Raul Gonzalez and David Balaguer:
Coming up for Les Rouge et Bleu
The Parisians will be back at Coubertin this Thursday for the return leg of the EHF Champions League play-offs against Szeged. One goal in front on aggregate after their win in Hungary (30-31), Raul Gonzalez's men will need your support to book their ticket to the quarter-finals, where Barcelona await them.
Your tickets for Paris - Szeged !
(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)