Paris win a great battle!

Match reports

On Sunday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain Handball hosted Chambéry at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 8 action. After going level with Nantes atop the table last week, the capital club wanted to continue their strong form - but their opponents on the day have also had a good start to the season and did not look easy to move around. 

Thanks to several saves from Jannick Green, but also some extremely sharp shooting in front of the Savoie side's goal, Les Rouge et Bleu clocked a very good start (6': 5-2). To protect their Danish keeper, they were also very solid in defence and made several key interceptions that ended in triumphant counter-attacks (12': 8-5). But, little by little, Chambéry 'keeper Filip Ivic got stronger and stronger - to the point of getting his team back in the game (15': 9-7).

Fortunately, the storm was more like a shower and the Parisians were soon back on the front foot. Well led by the vision of a Luc Steins in typically unplayable form (he also hit this 300th league goal), the capital club took off again (19': 12-9). David Balaguer had a great first half, scoring from the back as well as from the wing (23': 14-11). In spite of this strong period, the visitors were full of fighting spirit and came close to getting back into the game (24': 14-13). It took a double from Mathieu Grébille to see Paris go into the break ahead on the scoreboard (30': 19-17). 

At the restart, the battle continued (34': 21-19). For several long minutes, the two teams went blow for blow and the gap changed only minimally (37': 23-21). Ivic continued to prove imperious in the visitors' goal... and after he produced a magnificent double save, Chambéry manages to level it up (39': 23-23). This warning was enough to get Les Rouge et Bleu going in the right direction once more, and Elohim Prandi duly chimed in with a trademark goal from nine metres (42': 24-23) while the defence found its feet (44': 26-24).

The last quarter of the game was electric! Raul Gonzalez's men started perfectly, with a double from Henrik Toft Hansen (46': 27-24). The game remained relatively tight, but our players carved out a small lead (50': 29-27) and our rear-guard effectively shut up shop while our attack put Ilic too the sword (53': 32-27). They maintained this domination for the remainder of the match (56': 33-28) and at the final buzzer, Paris Saint-Germain Handball were confirmed as winners over Chambéry thanks to an accomplished performance!

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)