Mathieu Grébille: 'Important to finish on a positive note'

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Paris Saint-Germain Handball finished their season on the podium of the EHF Champions League, after victory against Nantes (28-31) at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne on Sunday afternoon. Check out the reactions from Mathieu Grébille, Nikola Karabatic and Kamil Syprzak.

Mathieu Grébille (Paris Saint-Germain Handball left-winger):
"We came to the Final4 to play a final. But a victory in the match for third place shows that we are capable of bouncing back after a setback, even if yesterday's defeat was very painful. Getting to Cologne is the result of a season's work and anything can happen. It's not a curse, it's huge to be among the top four teams in Europe. A match lasts 60 minutes, so you always have to play hard, whether you're leading or trailing. It was important to finish on a positive note for the two players who are leaving us (Viran Morros and Dylan Nahi). Vincent turned in a great performance - the goalkeeper's position is special and he can change a game. Some will be able to take a break, others will go to their national teams, but we will start working quickly to be here again next year and do better. We'll do it for our supporters, who have followed us from afar or closely. "

Nikola Karabatic (Paris Saint-Germain Handball centre-half):
"I was happy to be able to play. I was able to bring my energy and my freshness. From experience, I know that it is a very difficult match to play psychologically, because the defeat of the day before is still there. You don't even have a day to get your head together. So it's more tactical than mental. It's usually the team that wants to win the most and that's what we did today. Personally, I enjoyed myself out on the court. We played well, and even when they hit back, we managed to get back on track. It's positive to finish with a win, even if we are disappointed with the way the semi-final turned out. Viran and Dylan are two great players. They have left their mark on the club and the squad. They have become our friends. It was part of our motivation - to offer them a great last game in a Paris shirt. "

Kamil Syprzak (Paris Saint-Germain Handball pivot):
"All the teams that come to the Final4 want to go further. But it was important for us to finish with a victory. We dedicate this victory to the players who are leaving. Viran and Dylan did a great job for the team. We wanted to win for them, but also for the team and our supporters, including those who have come so far to support us. It was very difficult, because with the disappointment of the night before, everyone went to sleep very late. But that's life... The good thing about life is that it offers other chances. Next season we will come back and we will do everything to get to the final. "

(Credits: A. Gadoffre/TeamPics/PSG)