Paris claim the Coupe!

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On Saturday night, wedged between the two legs of their EHF Champions League quarter-finals tie with Kiel, Paris Saint-Germain Handball had the opportunity to lift their first trophy of the season: the Coupe de France. This year, this competition did not offer preliminary rounds, but rather took the teams occupying the top two spots in the Lidl StarLigue to the final. Thus, Les Rouge et Bleu, as league leaders, faced nearest rivals Montpellier (record holder of the event with 13 titles), at the Palais des Sports Robert Oubron in Créteil. This match was the third time the two sides had faced off at this stage of the tournament, with the first two going the way of the side from the south-west of France (2013 and 2016).

The MHB started the game well, thanks to the efficiency of its wingers Yannis Lenne and Hugo Descat (4': 4-1). But after a short feeling-out period, the capital club solved its defensive problems and hit back with a series of counter-attacks (7': 5-5). This clash, a promising one on paper, lived up to its promise and was an even contest (10': 7-7). The two sides duked it out blow for blow, with neither able to break free (13': 10-10).

The defences were forced to foul in order to stop their opponents' attackers and Mikkel Hansen, always skilful from seven metres, took advantage to put Paris's nose in front (15': 10-11). But the fouls piled up and the temporary send-offs rained down, but Vincent Gérard made a magnificent double save to deny France team-mates Valentin Porte and Descat and keep Paris on track when they were a man down (17': 11-12). Vincent had a great first half, his prowess putting the Montpellier attack off their game to the point of missing the target entirely on occasion. This imperious allure spread throughout the team, and the Parisian forwards quickly carved out a three-goal lead (23': 13-16).

Among the key men in this first half was Elohim Prandi. In addition to using his power to find the back of the net, the Parisian left-back also distinguished himself at the other end of the court, countering a number of shots (28': 14-18). But really Paris's defensive efforts were a collective success in this physical fight, and the capital club still had a three-goal lead at the break.

The second half started well, with a double from Nedim Remili that helped the Parisian lead to blow out to +5 (32': 15-20). But Montpellier also had some strong phases and reignited the contest (35': 18-20) - until the power of Mikky pushed them back (39': 19-22). Still defensively solid, Raul Gonzalez's men weathered the storm and regained a comfortable cushion when Dylan Nahi brought the fireworks as the final ten minutes were quickly approaching (42': 20-24).

Once again, Montpellier fought back to make it clear that the match was still far from being won (22-24). However, the Parisian clan had no doubts and immediately stepped the gas, with Luc Steins restoring the four-point buffer (47': 22-26). Les Rouge et Bleu entered the last ten minutes with a nice lead (51': 22-27) and, even when the gap was reduced again (52': 24-27), Raul called a time-out to get his team back on track. It worked well and Mikkel, with a powerful and precise shot, found the top corner of Marin Sego's goal (54': 24-28).

The Danish international was then once again deadly from the penalty line (55': 25-29) and, with Vincent making another volley of fine saves at the end of the game Paris Saint-Germain Handball secured their crown, winning the fifth Coupe de France in club history! A good omen before Wednesday's quarter-final second leg against Kiel at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin (31-29 for the Germans in the first leg).

(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)