Preview: 5 things about Paris - Berlin
On Thursday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball play host to Füchse Berlin at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Let's take a look at this Matchday 9 fixture in the EHF Champions League.
1 - Form
The two teams will be approaching this all-important clash at Coubertin in different frames of mind. Last week, Les Rouge et Bleu suffered their second defeat of the European campaign, against Sporting (39-28). The defeat had no impact on the standings, however, except to leave Veszprém alone at the top of the group, with the Portuguese just one point back in third. Having maintained a perfect home record this season, the Parisians will now be able to rely on their fans after a week marked by three consecutive away games.
Opposite them, Füchse Berlin will be more determined than ever not to slip back into their old ways. Last week, the Foxes ended a run of three consecutive defeats on the European stage with a 38-29 win over Dinamo Bucharest. The victory was the culmination of a veritable masterclass, in both attack and defence. The Berliners closed the gap on the Romanians in the standings, while extending their lead over their pursuers.
2 - Mathias Gidsel's attacking antics
On Thursday evening, Mathias Gidsel will be looking to continue his splendid form in front of what promises to be another packed Stade Pierre de Coubertin. The scorer of ten goals in the first meeting with the capital club, the Danish international is top of the scoring chart after eight rounds (53 goals). However, he shares this position with Kamil Syprzak, who did not play in the last match, and Mario Sostaric (Szeged). The Berlin right-back, voted best player in the world in 2023 by the IHF, also dominates the standings for the most decisive players in the Champions League. With 53 goals and 24 assists, the Berliner is just ahead of two Parisians: Luc Steins (71) and Elohim Prandi (69). The threat is clear for Les Rouge et Bleu, who will have to redouble their efforts to keep the Danish international at bay.
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3 - An unprecedented encounter at Coubertin
On Thursday, Füchse Berlin will be playing at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin for the first time in their history. It's a date not to be missed by all lovers of the capital club and handball, as Franco-German duels are often epic confrontations. A tradition that continued as recently as last month, when the two sides met in the first half of the group stage. In a sold-out, pumped-up Max-Schmeling Arena, the Parisians made light work of the Foxes, who were helpless in the face of the capital club's attacking onslaught. The match ended with a staggering 78 goals and a come-from-behind victory for Les Rouge et Bleu, who were buoyed by the attacking prowess of Elohim Prandi (9 goals), Yahia Omar (8 goals) and Kamil Syprzak (8 goals).
4 - The other Group A fixtures
On this ninth matchday, all the matches in Group A will take place on Thursday. On top of the clash between Les Rouge et Bleu and Berlin, Sporting face Dinamo Bucharest in a bid to continue their excellent home record. For their part, the Romanians will be looking to regain third place, which they lost to the Portuguese last week. Earlier in the evening, Wisla Plock face a nigh-on decisive battle to keep their qualification hopes alive. Bottom of the table with just two points to their name, the Poles play host to Fredericia. The only newcomers to this 2024-2025 edition are currently seventh, one point clear of the Polish champions.
5 - To follow the match
Throw-off: 20:45
Television: Eurosport
Social networks: live-tweet
(Credits: L. Valroff/PSG)