Paris show steel to topple Nantes

Match reports

Paris Saint-Germain Handball came from behind to defeat Nantes 35-32 at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Liqui Moly Starligue Round 5. Les Rouge et Bleu thus continue their unbeaten run since the start of the league season.

Paris Saint-Germain Handball returned to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin on Sunday afternoon to face Nantes in Liqui Moly Starligue Round 5. With four wins in as many games, Raul Gonzalez's men were hoping to continue their run of form and extend their lead over their rivals. A month on from their 35-25 victory over Nantes in the Trophée des Champions, it was time for the capital club to confirm their position.

The Parisians got off to a slow start against Nantes, who turned up to fight and quickly got the first break of the game (5': 2-4). Les Rouge et Bleu were in trouble and quickly took the first time-out of the match (8': 3-7). Raul Gonzalez's decision paid off, however, as his players came back into the game to inflict a 3-0 scoring spree on the side from western France (10': 6-7).

Driven on by a boisterous Stade Pierre de Coubertin, the capital club managed to take the lead for the first time in the match thanks to a super-powerful shot from Dominik Mathé (19': 12-11). However, The H attacked relentlessly and their cutting edge quickly restored a two-point lead (25': 13-15). At the end of the first period, Les Rouge et Bleu were behind and had to find a way to react (30': 14-19).

Although they came back with better intentions, the Parisians came up against an impassable rearguard. Worse still, Nantes managed to extend their lead (35': 15-22). Raul Gonzalez's men gave up nothing, however, and attacked with seven men on the offensive. The result was immediate, with David Balaguer helping his side make up some of the deficit (38': 19-22). Led by an imperious Jannick Green, who made ten saves, the Parisians managed to get level terms and Coubertin seemed set to boil over (45': 24-24).

As the clock ticked down, the two teams went back and forth (52': 27-27), but Les Rouge et Bleu showed their seriousness and self-sacrifice to regain the lead at the best of times (57': 31-30). In the dying moments of the match, Dominik Mathé used his power to seal victory for the capital club (60': 35-32). A resounding success for Raul Gonzalez's men, who put in an exemplary second half.

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, NIKOLA KARABATIC AND LUC STEINS:

(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)