Preview: 5 things about Nantes-Paris
On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball conclude Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 23 with a top-of-the-table clash against Nantes at The H Arena. Find out all you need to know about this clash between the league leaders and their nearest chasers.
1 - FORM
Nantes have managed to maintain their momentum in the final third of the season, consolidating second place in the standings week by week. Unbeaten since December, Grégory Cojean's men are still in contention on all fronts. The H are just five points behind the capital club, have qualified for the quarter-finals of the EHF European League and will face Les Rouge et Bleu in the Coupe de France final on 20 April.
For their part, the Parisians are also playing well, despite their busy schedule. With a record of 22 wins from 23 league games (and one draw) and a recent qualification for the Coupe de France final, Raul Gonzalez's side are also still in contention on the European stage. After overcoming Wisla Plock in midweek, Les Rouge et Bleu will now face FC Barcelona, with their sights set on a place in the Final4.
2 - TURNING POINT?
This Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 23 fixture marks a real turning point in the season, as the capital club could take a serious option on the league title if they win. That would see Les Rouge et Bleu move eight points clear of the runners-up with seven rounds remaining. However, nothing will be easy against a side that is far from having said its last word, and which seems to be on the rise in recent weeks. With the second-best attacking force in the league behind Paris, and the best defence, Nantes are a more than serious challenger. In goal, Viktor Hallgrimsson is pulling off a string of saves to establish himself as one of the league's most reliable 'keepers. Their main threat, however, could be Aymeric Minne, who knows how to rise to the occasion in important matches and acts as a real leader in the Nantes team.
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3 - THE RISE OF DAVID BALAGUER
A Nantes player between 2015 and 2022, David Balaguer will be returning to a venue he knows well this Sunday - and our Spanish international could well be one of the men to watch on the Les Rouge et Bleu side. After putting in his best league performance of the season against Ivry last week, with five goals from six attempts, the right-winger did it again in the Champions League. Against Wisla Plock, David scored eight goals from eight shots!
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4 - HEAD TO HEAD
On Sunday, Parisians and Nantes will meet in the Liqui Moly StarLigue for the 30th time in their history. So far, the capital club have won 18 times, lost eight and drawn three. This season, Les Rouge et Bleu have already crossed swords with The H on two occasions in all competitions. Apart from the first league clash of the season, which ended in a splendid come-from-behind victory (35-32), Les Rouge et Bleu had trumped Nantes to clinch their first title of the season a month earlier in the Trophée des Champions (35-25).
5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH
Throw-off: 16:00
Television: BeIn Sports 3
Social networks: Live-Tweet
(Credits: L. Valroff/ Team Pics/PSG)