Paris bounce back in Chartres

Comptes-rendus

Efficient in every aspect of the game, Paris Saint-Germain Handball avoided the trap in their first-ever trip to the Colisée to face Chartres (25-31). Here's our look back on Les Rouge et Bleus' excellent Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 22 performance.

On Sunday, the mission for Paris was clear: to erase the disappointment of the middle of the week and resume the fight for a 12th French championship title. Three days before another make-or-break match against Chambéry in the Coupe de France semi-final, the capital club were preparing to challenge Chartres. Defeated in six of their last seven league matches, the home side had their backs to the wall. Despite an overloaded schedule and the pressure of sitting atop the standings, the Parisians had to approach this match with seriousness and conviction to consolidate their place as leaders.

Les Rouge et Bleu step up!

Travelling to the Colisée for the first time in its history a year after its inauguration, Paris found their feet as the minutes went by. However, both teams were solid defensively, giving us a fairly even start (6‘: 2-2). After an initial settling-in period, Les Rouge et Bleu got into their stride. Given free rein thanks to some laiessez-fair marking, Elohim Prandi showed his power and allowed Paris to take the lead (8’: 4-5).

After an encouraging start, Chartres found themselves in more difficulty at the end of the first quarter of an hour. And for good reason: Jannick Green was in imposing form, already with five saves to his credit (15': 5-9). Muzzled for several minutes, the locals then decided to stop the game to try to reverse the trend.

At ease in this first act, Paris moved the ball around and showed patience in attack. Raul Gonzalez decided to make his first substitutions with Jacob Holm, Gautier Loredon and David Balaguer taking to the Colisée court in turn (21': 7-11). However, it was Yahia Omar who took responsibility and put on a show. Our right-back shone in attack, notably putting a splendid chabala past Milan Bomastar, while Jannick won his duel from the seven-metre line (25': 9-13). After a solid first period, Paris were not yet out of the woods and went into the dressing room just two goals ahead (30': 13-15).

Jannick Green imperious once again

As the second half got under way, Paris left no doubt as to their intentions. Thanks to a double from Elohim and a third goal from Yahia, the capital club hit three unanswered goalsand once again widened the gap (32': 13-18). An advantage that grew even greater, forcing Nebojsa Stojinovic to call another time-out.

Far from being satiated, Paris did not slow down and they continued to punish Chartres for every mistake. Well served by our Egyptian international, who had intercepted an opposing pass, Elo scored his eighth of the match (40': 16-23). Spurred on by the fifty or so Rouge et Bleu supporters who had made the trip and were giving their all, Raul Gonzalez's men seemed to have put the game out of reach (47': 19-25).

Unfaltering

Although Chartres never gave up, they struggled to find a way past Jannick Green, who by this point had taken his save tally to 14 (51st: 22-27). The end of the match was therefore pretty re;laxed for Paris, and everyone joined in the celebrations. Gautier Loredon, who had just come on, seized his chance and got his name on the scoresheet (57': 23-29).

Solid from start to finish, our Parisians ran out deserved winners in Chartres (60': 25-31) putting European elimination behind them by consolidating their place at the top of the Liqui Moly StarLigue standings.

Reactions from Raúl González and Gautier Loredon

Coming up for Les Rouge et Bleu

After a busy week, Paris will be back on the court on Wednesday. Our Rouge et Bleu will take on Chambéry at Coubertin with the aim of booking their place in the Coupe de France final.

(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)