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On Friday evening, PSG handball were Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 27 action at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Up against Saran, the Parisians had to win or else see their hope of a perfect season go up in smoke, while for Saran points were required in the battle against the drop and becoming the first to beat Les Rouge et bleu this season was imperative.
The beginning of the game went our players's way; they defended well while Saran struggled to find solutions. Up front, they converted their moves and their penalties (5': 5-1) in a very focused start to the match. After just 11 minutes of play, Les Rouge et Bleu went five goals to the good as Henrik bagged a second goal (11': 9-4). He wasn't the only man in form, however; Elohim bagged six goals in the first half alone (15': 12-6).
Everything was going well for Paris in this first half, as their 11-goal lead could attest. Designated penalty taker Ferran was in the zone (22': 18-7), but the visitors accelerated at the end of the first half, their thoughts of beating the drop spurring them on. They managed a series of four goals in a row and reduced the gap but, unfortunately for them, Nedim Remili put an end to this phase with an imperious finish (28': 19-11). At the break, Paris were still very much in the lead!
30' : A la pause, Paris fait la course en tête devant Saran ! #PSGSAR pic.twitter.com/z8B07My3XQ
— PSG Handball (@psghand) May 27, 2022
Paris were very diligent at the beginning of the second half. Dainis was no exception as he maintained his 100% shooting record with a fifth goal (36': 25-14). The Parisians linked up each well; from the back to the pivot, Henrik took advantage and increased his stats (seven goals for him already), even though Saran were looking better in the second half (43': 30-21). Raul brought on some youngsters at the end of the game: Gauthier, Baptiste and N1 league top scorer Valentin took the floor. With Sadou and Adama also in action, our youth academy was well represented (48': 34-23).
Dainis, 31 years old, could almost be considered as a father figure in this context, as the six Parisian outfield players were so young, and he duly led by example, bagging his seventh goal (54': 38-29). Then the final buzzer sounded at Coubertin, officialising Paris' 27th consecutive win of the season. They won 40-33 and inched closer to a much dreamed-of perfect season (27 out of 27 for the moment).
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(Credits: A. Gadoffre/Team Pics/PSG)