Paris on top!

News

Thanks to their 32-24 win away to ~Montpellier in the postponed Lidl Starligue Round 7 clash on Sunday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball took sole control of the table - a deserved reward for their magnificent performance against the reigning European Champions.

To win a huge match, you need to get off to a big start, and that's exactly what Les Rouge et Bleu did! The front line hit the net with each of their efforts (7’: 4-5). The only problem with the opening stages wasn't that Montpellier were taking their time to take shots, but that they were every bit as clinical as their visitors (11’: 8-8). And that's when the Thierry Omeyer show began. For several long minutes, our last rampart - well supported by his defence - shut Montpellier out (16’: 8-12), while at the other end of the court, our attack set about making the break (20’: 9-16). Raul Gonzalez also saw his back-line turn in a strong display, with the in-form Mikkel Hansen (21’: 9-16) and Nedim Remili (25’: 11-18), tag-teaming the scoring duties. After one last save from Titi, one the buzzer, Paris took a sizeable lead into the break (13-20).

Although Mikki converted a penalty just as the second half began (33’: 14-21), things were a bit more delicate for Paris and Montpellier managed to chip away at their deficit (36’: 17-21) and the Sud de France Arena's hopes were revived when Baptiste Bonnefond got his side back to within four goals (42’: 19-23). Our players found opportunities more difficult to come by and saw their lead diminish significantly (48’: 23-26), but fortunately the capital club's experienced players stepped up to stem the tide of blue-jerseyed attacks. Titi continued to prove immovable in goal (50’: 23-27), while Luc Abalo stepped up to put the lead back to six goals (54’: 23-29). In the space of a few moments, Les Rouge et Bleu had made the break and then took it a step further in the final moments, killing off the match and winning the second half thanks to a double from Henrik Toft Hansen (24-32).

After an exceptional first half and an accomplished second, Paris Saint-Germain Handball left Montpellier with two precious points in the bank - enough to send them clear atop the Lidl Starligue standings!

The Parisian scorers:

Nedim Remili (9 goals), Mikkel Hansen (6), Uwe Gensheimer (5), Sander Sagosen, Henrik Toft Hansen (3), Benoît Kounkoud, Luka Karabatic, Luc Abalo (2).

The Parisian 'keeper:

Thierry Omeyer: 14 from 31 (45%).

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)