Paris still in the mix

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On Wednesday night, Paris Saint-Germain Handball played one of the most important matches of the season: the first leg of their EHF Champions League quarter-final. And it wasn't just any team that was waiting for them - they had to go to Germany, to the Wunderino Arena, to face reigning European Champions Kiel in a match that had all the hallmarks of a final before its time! Ahead of playing host to the Zebras at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin next week, it was important to do well in this initial if they wanted to book a place at thew Final4 in Cologne in June.

From the outset, Raul Gonzalez opted for a 5-1 defence, a formation that has paid dividends in the past. It didn't take long for the team to once again demonstrate its effectiveness, Benoît Kounkoud intercepting smartly before opening the scoring (1': 0-1). A few moments later, Dylan Nahi did exactly the same thing before firing into an empty goal to give his team a three-point lead (5': 1-4). While the Parisian rearguard had stepped up immediately, the Kielers were slow to find shooting solutions and were forced to make mistakes. Our two wingers took full advantage and made the nets shake again (12': 6-8).

Off to a perfect start, Les Rouge et Bleu continued to lead the dance. Even when the Germans managed to find a glimpse of a gap in the Parisian defence, Yann Genty took care of business be it from range or up close and personal (18': 8-11). After yet another counter-attack, Nedim Remili rushed Niklas Landin's goal and put Paris four goals to the good (20': 8-12). However, despite this domination, Kiel remained in the game and were never far off the pace. They drew level through Patrick Wiencek, taking advantage of their numerical superiority (26': 12-12). Just before the break, the capital club gave a last boost capped by a splendid spin-shot from Mikkel Hansen (28': 12-14).

It was enough to regain the lead at the break, but still not enough to break clear.

No sooner had the second half started than Yann continued his stellar showing with magnificent left-handed save from a powerful shot. The Parisian defence remained solid and the attack found a way to make the break, Dylan producing a fine lob (34': 15-17). Kiel's back-guard racked uptake errors and were forced to commit mistakes to prevent our offensive line from slicing through them. This Mikky even more chances to excel from the seven-metre line (39': 17-19), but the Dane was also in generous mood, perfectly setting up the inevitable Dylan Nahi, who fired home his 100th goal on the European stage!

Once again, the Germans managed to get back into the game (43': 20-20) - but this time they pushed on and capitalised on a Parisian send-off to score and take the lead (49': 23-22). Les Rouge et Bleu turned chasers and did very well and come back each time quickly thanks to Luc Steins, Dylan and Nedim (52': 25-25). The final minutes were as breathless as the first 50 had been, and even more so when Niclas Ekberg gave the Kielers a two-goal lead (55': 27-25). Our team rushed to get back on level terms and made mistakes that they ended up paying for (56': 28-25).

There was little time left and Kiel's victory seemed inevitable (58': 31-29), but Paris knew they could still make their second-leg job easier by making the margin of defeat as small as possible. And they succeed in doing so, Kamil Syprzak scoring just before the buzzer! Les Rouge the Bleu may have lost this first round, but all hopes remain. A win of more than two goals at Coubertin will send them to the Final4!

Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)