Paris put on a show at Coubertin

Comptes-rendus

On Wednesday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball overcame Fredericia (38-30) in their EHF Champions League Matchday 4 clash at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Let's take a look back at this fine victory for Les Rouge et Bleu.

After consecutive away games in Europe, Les Rouge et Bleu were back at Coubertin for EHF Champions League Matchday 4. Raul Gonzalez's men had a week's European break to recover from their exertions in the win in Plock (23-24), which came thanks to a sensational penalty save by Andreas Palicka on the buzzer, before facing the only newcomers to this 2024-2025 edition: Fredericia. The Danish outfit's baptism has so far not gone according to plan, with three defeats to their name. However, Gudmundur Gudmundsson's men seem to be gradually finding their feet, as evidenced by an improved performance against Füchse Berlin the last time out (32-38). In what promises to be a particularly gruelling month of October, the capital club had to win to build up their confidence and, hopefully, secure a fifth consecutive win in all competitions.

Les Rouge et Bleu got off to a flying start, spurred on by the Stade Pierre de Coubertin faithful. Jannick Green kept a clean sheet for the first four minutes, and Luc Steins followed suit in attack, scoring twice to put Paris on the right track (4': 3-0). Helpless against the solidity of the Parisian rearguard, Fredericia - who had scored just one goal in the first third of the opening period - switched to a seven-man attack in an attempt to break the deadlock (10': 5-1). Although the Scandinavians managed to find their feet offensively, the capital club remained in the lead at the end of the first quarter (16': 10-7).

This lead diminished with each passing minute, until the Danes levelled the score thanks to some clinical play in front of goal (20': 11-11). Les Rouge et Bleu stepped up their intensity and finished the first half perfectly. Andreas Palicka, who had just come on, won his duel with Andersen. David Balaguer, back from injury, then put the capital club back in front (28': 16-14). At the end of a serious and goal-filled first half, Paris went back into the locker room with a three-goal lead against an opponent who were pulling out all the stops at Coubertin (30': 18-15).

Right from the restart, the capital club resumed on the same basis, and Andreas made two saves in a row to keep his side in the lead (35': 21-17). The second half was evenly balanced, with both teams lacking in attacking efficiency. It was time for tactical adjustments for both coaches, as Fredericia called another time-out (40': 22-19). Raul Gonzalez took the opportunity to make a few changes, and it was Ruben Marchan who made the most of his chance with a quick-fire double (43': 24-21).

In the final quarter, Les Rouge et Bleu were still in the lead, but the Scandinavian threat continued to loom large. The capital club switched to a seven-man attack in the hope of extending their lead heading into the final ten minutes (47': 28-25). It paid off immediately for the Parisians, who extended their lead thanks to the inevitable Kamil Syprzak, who scored his eighth goal (52': 33-28). With the fate of the match sealed, Raul Gonzalez turned the tables and gave Noa Narcisse his European debut, just a few days after his professional debut against Ivry. In the dying moments, Andreas Palicka took advantage of the empty Danish goal to score twice and confirm the capital club's success. Serious and diligent throughout, Paris won against a fine Fredericia side who proved their worth for more than half the match before succumbing to the capital club's razor-sharp attack (60': 38-30). Led by splendid performances from Elohim Prandi (nine goals) and Kamil Syprzak (eight goals), Les Rouge et Bleu notched up a second consecutive success on the continental stage, their fifth on the bounce in all competitions. Now the Parisians turn their attentions back to league duties as a third derby in a row looms, this time at Créteil, in their Matchday 6 league clash at 16:00 on Sunday.

Reactions from Raul Gonzalez, Kent Robin Tonnesen and Ruben Marchan:

(Credits: L.Valroff/PSG)