Paris hold firm, progress to quarters

Match reports

On Tuesday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball Chambéry at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin for the Coupe de France Round of 16. Les Rouge et Bleu knew this team well, having played and beaten them ten days earlier in the Liqui Moly StarLigue (36-32), but the cup is always different from the league!

The game started with a good rhythm and the nets were put through their paces (6': 4-3). But after a few minutes, the Parisian defence extinguished the Savoyard attack, who struggled to get past the vigilant Jannick Green (9': 6-3). The visitors' rearguard had some answers, however, and in turn harried our offensive line as the sides went blow for blow (15': 7-6).

The game maintained this momentum for several long minutes (18': 9-8) before Raul Gonzalez's men got back on track. Led by an efficient trio, with Elohim Prandi, Luc Steins and Kamil Syprzak all hitting their marks, they regained some breathing room (23': 13-9). Even when Paris' attacks were not converted, Chambéry stumbled on an excellent Jannick and failed to take advantage (26': 14-9). At the break, Paris were still in the lead. 

Les Rouge et Bleu started the second half very strongly (33': 20-13). They were on the ball in every sector and perfectly negotiated every phase, notably the fast attack orchestrated by Elo' and concluded by David Balaguer that capped an excellent beginning to the second half (39': 24-17). When the last quarter of the game started, our players were very much in thew driver's seat even though the result was not technically confirmed (46': 27-21).

Some suspense was back in the air as the money-time approached (49': 27-23). But the capital club managed this difficult moment perfectly and still led the dance as the seconds continued to tick down (52': 29-24). Paris Saint-Germain Handball held firm in the final moments (55': 29-27) and punched their ticket for the Coupe de France quarter-finals.

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, ANDREAS PALICKA AND SADOU NTANZI:

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)