Preview: 5 things about Barcelona - Paris

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On Sunday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain Handball bring their 2022-23 season to a close at the Trickscout24 EHF Final4. Les Rouge et Bleu take on Barcelona at Cologne's Lanxess Arena in the third-place play-off.

1 - THE STORY SO FAR

Both teams finished top of their EHF Champions League group. The Catalans won 13 of their 14 matches (plus one draw) and qualified directly for the quarter-finals, where they overcame Denmark's GOG (73-61 in the double-header). Les Rouge et Bleu came through Group A with flying colours, before a perfect quarter-final against Kiel (63-56).

2 - SATURDAY'S MATCHES

The Blaugrana were up against Magdeburg. Supported by a large section of the German fans, the Green and Reds pushed Barcelona to the limit, with the match ending in penalties. In a shoot-out dominated by missed shots, it was Magdeburg who booked their place in the final (40-39).

It was also a very close contest between the capital club and Kielce; either team could have won. Indeed, in the dying moments of the game, the outcome was still undecided (56': 24-24). But the Poles managed to make the difference as the final minute approached and won by one point (24-25).

3 - HEAD TO HEAD 

This will be the tenth time that Paris Saint-Germain Handball and Barcelona have faced each other on the European stage. The fixture has so far been dominated by the Spaniards, with seven wins to Barcelona on top of one draw and one win for the capital club. However, this will be only the second time the two sides have faced each other in a Final4.

4 - THE LAST OF THE SEASON 

This match for third place is the last of the season for the capital club: a season that saw them win their tenth French Championship title and reach the Final4 of the EHF Champions League.

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

Throw-off: 15:15
Television: Eurosport
Social networks: Live-tweet

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