Paris end group stage on a high

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This second encounter with Elverum (the postponed EHF Champions League Matchday 11 fixture) took place once again at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, as did the first one, when Les Rouge et Bleu prevailed 35-29. Indeed, due to health restrictions and difficulties entering and leaving Norwegian territory, 'home side' Elverum were obliged to play several of their matches, initially scheduled at home, on the road. In terms of rankings, our team (third) needed a win to maintain their hopes of clinching second place in Group A, while our opponents on the night needed victory in order to avoid being condemned to bottom place and having to face Barcelona in the Rond of 16. It. Was also an opportunity for Luc Abalo (Parisian from 2012 to 2020) to return to his old arena and see his former teammates, like Benoît Kounkoud.

However, before throw-off, tribute was paid to Alfredo Quintana. The goalkeeper of FC Porto (also in Group A of the EHF Champions League) died last week, after several days in hospital following a cardiac arrest.

Over the last several matches, Les Rouge et Bleu have been struggling to get into their matches (6': 5-3). But, in spite of a couple of episodes of sloppiness in both defence and attack, our players only took about ten minutes to get on track and before long Luc Steins had them back on level terms (11': 5-5). The equaliser got the capital club moving in the right direction, defending well and attacking even better! And when Dylan Nahi brought his skill to bear, Paris made the break for the first time in the match (15': 6-8).

Raul Gonzalez's quickly took the reins of the match and hardly seemed willing to let them go as Dylan scored another typically stylish goal (18': 7-11). The Parisian left-winger was in all the right places, at both ends of the court, and found himself at the conclusion of most of his team's offensives (20': 8-13). Between the goals that followed and the numbers spectacular saves by Yann Genty, Paris conceded nothing for more than five minutes, duly carving out a handy lead (23': 8-15).

After a fine end to the first period, Les Rouge et Bleu returned to the locker room well in control and seven goals to the good.

The second half also got off to a good start, Vincent Gérard saving a penalty! Once again, Paris were in control and maintained their lead (36': 15-22). In addition to our goalkeeper's excellent entry into the match, we find Ferran Solé Sala among the driving forces of the second half. The Spanish international scored from his right wing and from the penalty line but also from midfield on a quick team move (39': 17-26). Then another left-hander, Nedim Remili, used his power to bring the Parisian advantage to +10 (42': 18-28).

The minutes passed and the gap continued to grow, driven by Adama Keita (47': 21-32) and Nedim (48': 21-33), both scorers on the counter. Paris also enjoyed some good fortune as Ferran's penalty, pushed back by the post, fell perfectly for our right winger to conclude with ease (51': 23-36). On other occasions, however, our lads made their own luck, Mathieu Grébille defying the laws of gravity to score a kung-fu (53': 24-38), while Luc Steins worked his deft finish in at the far post thanks to a nice chabala (55': 25-40).

A few moments later, Paris Saint-Germain Handball clinched victory to end the group stage on a winning note. Indeed, their Matchday 14 clash against Szeged, initially scheduled for Thursday at Coubertin, was cancelled following cases of COVID being detected in the Hungarians' squad. Les Rouge et Bleu thus finish with 19 points and could finish second - if Kielce are defeated when they play host to Flensburg in a top-of-the-table clash with first place on the line (both teams have 19 points) on Thursday evening.

(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)