Paris win the sprint

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On Tuesday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball played their last league match of 2021 in the league. For the occasion, it was a Liqui Moly StarLigue clash that awaited the capital club. Indeed, the league leaders (12 victories in as many games) travelled to the arena of nearest rivals Nantes (three points behind Paris before throw-off, but Paris have a game in hand). This classic French handball fixture, counting for Round 14, took place in a packed Halle XXL, a venue that has at times been a happy hunting ground for our team, as was the case almost three years ago to the day (20 December 2018), with a goal on the buzzer from Mikkel Hansen (29-30).

As expected, the beginning of the game was very tight. The two teams spent some time feeling each other out and it was the two goalkeepers (Emil Nielsen for Nantes and Vincent Gérard for Paris) in particular who shone early (4': 1-1). The nets were shaken mainly by 7-metre throws (9': 3-3). The Nantes goalkeeper then took the upper hand on the Parisian attacking line and allowed his team to make the first break (11': 5-3). But our defence didn't waste any time in hitting back! They hustled hard in the middle of the court, won several balls and converted them into goals to level it up (14': 5-5), and then take the lead (15': 5-6).

Despite a very good Nantes backline, the Parisians now found more shooting solutions (19': 8-9). The home team had to commit many fouls and Les Rouge et Bleu were awarded several penalties - some of which were saves but most of which were duly dispatched by Mikkel Hansen (22': 8-10). The game continually yo-yoed (26': 11-10) and while Nantes, well led by their goalkeeper, took the lead as half-time approached (28': 13-10), Paris hit back quickly just before the buzzer.

The 'keepers continued to shine early in the second half, with an exceptional double save from Vincent, but also several saves from Nielsen (32': 15-13).  The French international also prevented The H from taking the lead on several occasions (37': 18-16) while Benoît Kounkoud bright all his skill to bear to beat the Danish keeper (40': 19-18). But Nantes were bullish going forward and the capital club had to chase the match (46': 24-21).

But as the final ten minutes approached, Dainis Kristopans scored a goal to keep the game alive (49': 24-24) and the Parisians' seven-man attack was successful enough to put our side in the lead once more (54': 26-27). Such a duel could only be played out in the final moments (57': 28-28). The final moments went in favour of Paris Saint-Germain Handball and, after a breathless ending to the game, they come out on top and took both points! They thus finished their first half of the season with 13 wins from as many games, with a commanding five-point lead over second-placed Nantes atop the Liqui Moly StarLigue standings - a lead they can stretch to seven points should they beat Saran in their rescheduled Round 14 clash.

But Les Rouge et Bleu's year is not over! This weekend, they will defend their Coupe de la Ligue title in Metz, facing Chambéry in the semi-final on Saturday, while Nantes will face Montpellier with the final to take place the following day.

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)