Preview: 5 things about Plock - Paris

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On Thursday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain Handball have a chance to stitch up top spot in their EHF Champions League group. To do so, they will have to win at the ORLEN Arena in Plock for Matchday 13.

1 - THE TABLE

Currently seventh, the Poles are in a tough position in group A. They sit one point behind Zagreb, who are currently in the qualifying places and who have a game in hand (in Porto on 26 February). Plock could therefore find themselves eliminated this week. However, they have managed some good performances, like beating Magdeburg (25-24).

Les Rouge et Bleu, on the other hand, have their destiny in their hands and are well on their way to finishing in the top two places (which qualify directly for the quarter-finals). Currently leaders, a point would ensure them of at least second, while a win would guarantee top spot ahead Veszprém's visit on the final matchday.

2 - SOME STATISTICS 

Be it on the national or European stage, the capital club scores a lot of goals. In fact, they have the best attack in the competition with 423 goals, thanks in large part to th 71 goals from Kamil Syprzak, who is fourth on the Champions League scorers chart - despite the fact that he has played two games fewer than most of his rivals! Up front, it is a bit more complicated for the Poles; with 320 units, they have the second-lowest attacking line (54 goals for the Croatian right winger, Tin Lucin).

Defensively, Paris' last line of defence, Jannick Green, is among the top five goalkeepers in the EHF Champions League, with 96 saves (378 goals conceded by Les Rouge et Bleu). Andreas Palicka, on the other hand, has made 41 saves. Our next opponent has a strong backline! They have conceded just 353 times, making them one of the best defences in the competition. Kristian Pilipovic has saved 59 shots and Marcel Jastrzebski 49. 

3 - KAMIL'S BOYHOOD CLUB

Paris Saint-Germain Handball are up against a club that Kamil knows well. Born in the city of Plock, he plays all his youth handball at Wisla Plock, where he later turned professional. Our pivot has participated in four Champions League campaigns with his boyhood club, scoring 80 goals (43 of them in 2014-2015).

4 - A LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST MATCH

On Matchday 2, Les Rouge et Bleu plays host to Plock at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Despite a great effort form the Poles, our players won by four goals, thanks in particular to nine goals from Kamil and another nine from Nikola Karabatic. This success allowed the team to continue its unblemished record of five wins in as many matches. 

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

Throw-off: 18:45
Television: Eurosport
Social networks: Live-tweet

(Credits: Team Pics/PSG)