Paris top group with win in Zagreb

Match reports

After a two-month break, Paris Saint-Germain Handball were back in EHF Champions League action on Wednesday afternoon, travelling to Zagreb. The capital club had the opportunity to consolidate its position in the top two spots in group A (which qualify directly for the quarter-finals). But our team (without the Karabatic brothers, Kamil Sypzark or Dainis Kristopans) had to be wary of a Croatian side on a run of three European games without defeat - including a victory against leaders Veszprém.

As expected, the match started evenly (8': 4-4). For several long minutes, neither team could take advantage of the opponent's mistakes but, little by little, the home team grew in strength and managed to make the first break (11': 8-6). Les Rouge et Bleu had to chase the game but were not left behind - thanks to Dominik Mathé, who made an excellent start (16': 10-9).

Although the Parisian defence managed to cut down on the mistakes, the attacking line had not yet quite settled. In this context, Raul Gonzalez's men were not far behind, but they were unable to get back on level terms (21': 11-10) - until Andreas Palicka and the technically gifted Luc Steins worked their magic (26': 12-12). The engine had kicked over! Much more on the front foot at the end of the first half, the capital club even returned to the locker room in the lead, with a three-point advantage!

Paris restarted well, Andreas saving a penalty and Ferran Solé Sala slicing surgically through the home defence (34': 16-20). The Spanish international succeeded in almost everything he did (12 out of 13 in total) and allowed his team to extend their lead a little more as he conjured a magnificent lob (40': 19-23). Despite this, the game was still far from being won. The Croatians were able to claw back their deficit, and were within a goal as the final ten minutes approached (46': 23-24).

The minutes seemed long and the suspense was unbearable (49': 25-26). Raul then opted for a seven-man attack, which seemed to bear fruit (54': 27-29). At the other end of the court, our Swedish goalkeeper racked up the saves and Les Rouge et Bleu carved out some breathing space (57': 27-31). Paris Saint-Germain Handball maintained the upper and in the final minutes and ran out winners in Croatia! This success, combined with Veszprém's defeat at the hands of GOG (36-37), saw Paris Saint-Germain Handball overtake the Hungarians and assume the lead in Group A!

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)