Paris prevail in Toulouse

Match reports

Paris Saint Germain Handball beat Le Fénix 34-31 in Toulouse on Sunday. We take a look back at this Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 12 match.

Les Rouge et Bleu travelled to Toulouse on Sunday with the aim of continuing their unbeaten run in the Liqui Moly Starligue this season. Having beaten closest chasers Montpellier 31-27 last week, the capital club now had their sights set on overcoming a strong Toulouse side, currently fourth and four points behind the Parisians.

Serious and diligent at the start of the match, the Parisians took advantage of a temporary sending-off for Toulouse to quickly make their first break (3': 1-3). Raul Gonzalez then decided to call a time-out particularly early in the match (5': 2-3). Les Rouge et Bleu did not let up and remained in the lead as the end of the first quarter approached, but Toulouse remained in touch (14': 6-7).

Kamil Syprzak, back on the court after a short spell out injured, restored the lead after Toulouse had levelled the scores (22': 10-11). Spurred on by their fans, Le Fenix showed some serious cutting edge and took the lead a few minutes before the break (28': 13-12). At the buzzer, Nikola Karabatic rounded off a fine first half by scoring his fourth goal of the match to restore parity (30': 15-15). Thus the suspense remained intact at the end of the first half, and promised an exciting return to action following the break.

Just as the two sides came back from the locker rooms with their feet firmly on the ground, the capital club saw Nikola Karabatic shown a red card for a foul on Gabriel Nyembo (37': 19-18). Les Rouge et Bleu quickly vfound themselves in trouble and saw Toulouse extend their lead (39': 22-19). However, Raul Gonzalez's men didn't give up, and went on to blast four unanswered goals past the Toulouse 'keeper (44': 22-23).

David Balaguer restored the Parisians' two-goal cushion early in the final ten minutes, forcing the hosts to call a time-out (53': 26-28). Led by an unstoppable Palicka (9 saves), Les Rouge et Bleu extended their lead and headed for another victory (58': 29-32). Paris Saint-Germain Handball have now won 12 league games in a row this season, continuing their perfect start to the season (60': 31-34). Next Sunday (after a midweek trip to Aalborg), Raul Gonzalez's men play host to Cesson-Rennes at Coubertin in Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 13 action.

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ AND RUBEN MARCHAN:

(Credits: L. Valroff/Team Pics/PSG)