Preview: 5 things about Paris - Szeged

Avant-match

Paris Saint-Germain Handball conclude the EHF Champions League group stage when they welcome Szeged to the Stade Pierre de Coubertin on Wednesday.

1 - THE TABLE

After losing 28-26 in Zagreb last time out, Raul Gonzalez's men can no longer qualify directly for the EHF Champions League quarter-finals. Les Rouge et Bleu will therefore have to go through a play-off round, and will be keen to consolidate third place in order to secure a more favourable draw. Szeged, despite being in sixth place, are only two points behind the capital club, and will therefore have the same objective in mind.

Especially as the Hungarians travel to Coubertin fired up after their narrow 27-28 defeat by Kiel last week. Leading at the break, Szeged cracked in the final minutes, letting slip a victory that had been in their grasp. However, Mario Sostaric and his team-mates proved that they have what it takes to challenge the best sides, and will be determined to upset the capital club's plans so as to avoid facing Magdeburg or Veszprém in the EHF Champions League play-offs.

2 - MARIO SOSTARIC, THE HUNGARIANS' MAIN THREAT

With 78 goals scored in the EHF Champions League group stage, Mario Sostaric is third on the scorers chart, just ahead of Kamil Syprzak (76). This season, only Emil Madsen (GOG, 81 goals) and Mitja Janc (Celje, 78) have done better than the Croatian right winger, who is enjoying by far his best season in the competition. Sostaric is undoubtedly the strongest link in this Hungarian side, and is deadly in front of goal, whoever the opponent. As proof, he is the only player to have scored at least eight goals in a match on five occasions this season. Paris are no exception, with the Croatian international having found the net nine times in their openingday clash. Sostaric's duel with Kamil Syprzak promises to be a fascinating one, with two of the top scorers in the EHF Champions League going head to head.

3 - THE OTHER MATCHES

In the other games in Group A, Kiel will play host to Zagreb in a capital encounter for both sides. While the Germans will need to avoid defeat to secure top spot ahead of Aalborg, the Croatians will be hoping to pull off an upset and leapfrog their rivals in the standings. Currently in fifth place, Zagreb are just one point behind Kielce, who travel to Aalborg for a mouth-watering clash, and the capital club. After qualifying for the quarter-finals, the Danes are two points behind Kiel. For their part, Kielce will be looking for a result to defend fourth place, or even recover third at the expense of Les Rouge et Bleu. Lastly, Kolstad play host to Pelister in a game where nothing is at stake, as both sides are eliminated. However, the Norwegians will be looking to put an end to a run of four consecutive defeats, while the Macedonians will be keen to avoid ending their European campaign with a grand total of 0 points.

4 - HEAD TO HEAD

Wednesday's showdown at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin will be the ninth meeting between the capital club and Szeged. So far, results have gone largely in Les Rouge et Bleus' favour, with five victories to their name. In the 2016-2017 edition, the Parisians got the better of their Hungarian opponents in the quarter-finals before securing their place in the Final4 with victory at Coubertin. That triumph took them all the way to the final, the first in the club's history. In the first leg, Raul Gonzalez's men got their European campaign off to a perfect start with a narrow 29-31 win.

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

Throw-off: 20:45 at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin

Television: Eurosport

Social networks: Live-tweet

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)