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Paris topple Kiel, qualify for Final4

Match reports

On Wednesday evening - a week after their victory in Germany - Paris Saint-Germain Handball played the return leg of their EHF Champions League quarter-final. In front of their fans at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, the Parisians' objective was to double down on the victory obtained at the Wunderino Arena (27-31) and punch their ticket for the Final4.

In a great atmosphere, the two teams started the game with an observation round (3': 2-2). But Paris could rely on the always efficient Jannick Green as of the opening minutes, and they duly took the lead (8': 6-4). Les Rouge et Bleu could also count on an excellent Dainis Kristopans, who proved clinical in front of goal with a 4 from 4 and helped the capital club maintain its lead (12': 7-5). At the end of the first quarter of an hour, the Parisians were still in front (16': 10-8). 

Ultra-focused, Paris stayed on the front foot and maintained their narrow advantage (19': 11-9), but the first half was a very tight affair. A ruthless Petar Nenadic twice took advantage of the opposition's seven-man play and the keeper's late return to take his tally to four goals from as many attempts (25': 15-11). And even though this was not enough to make the break, Les Rouge et Bleu continued their quality first half performance (28': 16-13). Thanks to a last goal by Luc Steins, the Parisians were still in control of the match as the half-time buzzer sounded (30': 17-15)!

After the break, Raul Gonzalez's men were still solid defensively (33': 19-17). The Germans struggled to find solutions going forward, while Luc Steins took advantage of the opponent's 7-man game to extend the lead (37': 22-18). Les Rouge et Bleu then worked hard to extend their lead (41': 25-20), while the German team did their best to stay within reach of the capital club (44': 25-21) - and succeeded, the visitors refusing to give up in this high-stakes match (47': 26-24).

As money-time approached, Paris still had a two-point lead (51': 28-26). With David Balaguer (3 from 3) hitting his straps, Paris got sharper in front of goal and increased their advantage (54': 29-26). Faced with another resounding save from Jannick, the Kielers' attack was powerless to break the home side's two-goal buffer (58': 30-28) - but this proved enough for Paris Saint-Germain Handball, with Dominik Mathé banging home a final goal to seal the three-goal win and qualify the Parisians for the EHF Champions League Final4 of the in Cologne (63-56)! The showpiece show-down will take place on 17 and 18 June, in the beautiful Lanxess Arena!

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, LUC STEINS AND MATHIEU GRÉBILLE:

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