Paris clinch first trophy of the season!

Match reports

On Saturday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball played their first competitive match of the 2023-24 season, travelling to the Glaz Arena in Cesson-Rennes to take on Nantes in the Trophée des Champions. It was a great match-up between the reigning French champions (Paris) and the Coupe de France holders (Nantes). As is often the case between these two teams, it was a spectacular match.

The Parisian start was almost perfect! Led by an excellent Kent Robin Tonnesen, scorer of a hat-trick and an assist, Les Rouge et Bleu were the first to make the break (5': 4-1). Our team played at a high pace and each goal conceded was followed by a quick engagement and, for the most part, a goal at the other end (11': 9-5). After a well-controlled quarter of an hour, the capital club there deserved leaders (16': 12-8).

The Parisian defence was breached by Nantes only with great difficulty, while the Parisian attack hardly wavered at all. After Kent, it was Elohim Prandi, Kamil Syprzak and Jannick Green, thanks to several saves, who enabled their team to extend their lead (21': 14-9). Despite several attempts by Nantes to get back into the game, Raul Gonzalez's men held on to their lead. Our Danish 'keeper was as imperious as ever, saving both a close-range attempt and a penalty (26': 16-13). At the break, Paris were still in the lead.

The break did nothing to dampen Paris' spirits, and as the second term began, it was Luc Steins' turn to cause problems for the Nantes rearguard. The lively Dutch centre-half completed two counter-attacks to give his side a five-point lead (36': 21-16). At the other end of the court, The H had no answer to an excellent Jannick (41': 25-19) or to Andreas Palicka on the penalty line (44': 27-20). As the minutes ticked by, the capital club showed no sign of giving their opponents any hope (46': 28-21).

Victory seemed on the cards for the Parisians, who were determined to hold on to their lead. They took advantage of every opportunity to extend their lead a little further (52': 31-22). In the dying moments, Nantes seemed to have thrown in the towel and our defence was no longer conceding goals. On the contrary, the attack continued its romp, thanks in particular to young Wallem Peleka (58': 34-23). A few moments later, the final buzzer sounded and Paris Saint-Germain Handball were declared winners of the Trophée des Champions (60': 35-25). See you next Thursday for Round 1 of the Liqui Moly StarLigue, with a clash against Limoges as action returns to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin!

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, NIKOLA KARABATIC AND JANNICK GREEN:

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)