Paris trump Porto to stay on Veszprém's heels

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On Thursday, the Stade Pierre de Coubertin was back in Europe! For EHF Champions League Matchday 6, Paris Saint-Germain Handball were out to confirm their good European form and clinch a fifth-straight win. But, despite their status as bottom club on zero points, our opponent Porto were not to be taken lightly, as Sadou Ntanzi reminded us.

The game started in lively fashion and there was no shortage of goals at either end (5': 4-4). During long minutes, neither of the two formations manages to take the best on the other (11': 7-7). As the second quarter of an hour approached, the capital club thought they had made the break (14': 9-7) but were quickly back on level terms (16': 9-9), in a very tight opening stage.

The Portuguese had nothing to lose and so went all-out, even taking the lead for a moment (20': 10-11). Fortunately, Les Rouge et Bleu had the excellent Elohim Prandi to look to! He took advantage of his exceptional form to get the match back on level terms (21': 11-11) and then tee up Dainis Kristopans to score (22': 12-11). Our left-back really got his side going and even scored the goal to make it +3 (24': 14-11). At the break, Paris were still in front but had to stay wary.

As the Parisians made an excellent start to the second half, Dainis increased his team's advantage to +4 - while scoring his 500th European goal (32': 19-15)! But it was our whole team that was growing stronger and gradually taking control of the match (39': 24-18). Tougher in every sector, Raul Gonzalez's men gave Porto no choice but to force the shot, resulting in a number of counters the Parisians exploited well to grow their lead even further (43': 26-19). 

Porto pushed hard to come back (46': 26-22). Jannick looked to stop them as he swatted away a penalty (48': 27-22), the Danish international making a series of saves to help keep Les Rouge et Bleu in the lead (54': 31-25). Paris Saint-Germain Handball resisted this Portuguese surge well (57': 31-28) and where soon confirmed as winners! Paris thus continue their excellent European run and remain just one point shy of leaders Veszprém (who won in Plock).

RAUL GONZALEZ, KAMIL SYPRZAK AND HENRIK TOFT HANSEN'S REACTIONS:

(Credits: J.Azouze/PSG)