Paris claim first title of the season

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On Sunday afternoon Paris Saint-Germain Handball claimed their first title of the 2018-19 season by beating rivals Montpellier 33-30 in a thrilling match for the final of the Eurotournoi at Rhenus in Strasbourg.

Unlike in their first two matches in the tournament, the Rouge et Bleu got off to an excellent start in the final against Montpellier and quickly carved out a two-goal lead (1': 2-0). Unfortunately, they quickly hit a rough patch and, while the defence worked well, Montpellier proved deadly form the nine-metre line and broke clear (10': 3-7). After clawing back a six-goal deficit against Vardar Skopje two days earlier, the task against Montpellier looked far from impossible for Paris (15': 8-9) and especially Benoît Kounkoud, who made the most of several excellent saves from Thierry Omeyer to get the match back on level terms (20': 11-11). Our right-winger then passed the baton to Nedim Remili, who hit a double just before the half-time buzzer to send the capital club into the break with a slender lead (17-16).

As soon as the second half began, the match turned into a slugfest. The two sides traded blows and the scoreboard reflected that (35': 19-19). Raul Gonzalez's men were leading the dance and, thanks to Sander Sagosen's double, they made the break and carved out some breathing room (42': 22-20). And from that point on, Paris refused to relinquish the lead - one the contrary! The Rouge et bleu stepped on the gas, helped out by the hermetic Thierry Omeyer at one end and the clinical Nedim Remili at the other (55': 31-27). Paris saw the match out perfectly and put the cherry on top when Henrik Toft Hansen hit the final goal of the game (33-30).

After a tough battle against Montpellier, Paris Saint-Germain Handball claimed victory in Eurotournoi 2018! In the presentation ceremony, Sander Sagosen (top-scorer with 14 goals), Thierry Omeyer (best 'keeper) and Nedim Remili (best player) were rewarded for their outstanding performances. The Rouge et Bleu will now turn their attentions to official competition, with the semi-final of the Trophée des Champions against Saint-Raphaël in Montbéliard next Saturday afternoon.

 

The Parisian scorers:
Henrik Toft Hansen (8), Nedim Remili (7), Sander Sagosen (5), Uwe Gensheimer, Benoît Kounkoud (4), Luka Stepancic (3), Luc Abalo (1).

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)