Preview: Hit the ground running - A look at Ivry-Paris
After taking the lead in the Liqui Moly StarLigue just before the break, Paris Saint-Germain handball intend to put the pressure on its opponents. On Friday, they travel to Ivry for their Matchday 20 fixture. Preview.
From one extreme to the other
Last time out, Les Rouge et Bleu had their work cut out for them. At the Stade de Pierre de Coubertin, they played host to then-league leaders Nantes in a match that was sure to be decisive in the race for the title. With victory almost an obligation, the Parisians did not fail in their mission. What's more, they won in style, thanks in particular to Kamil Syprzak's 8 from 8. Now in sole control of the standings (one point ahead of The H and with a better goal difference), Raul Gonzalez's men will next face the team at the bottom of the table - Ivry.
The team from the Paris region have struggled in the 2024-2025 season, but they have not yet thrown in the towel. Affected by non-sporting problems (see below), they have turned this drama into a galvanising force of late, clinching two precious wins in a row, at home to Créteil (32-30) and away to Cesson-Rennes (29-31). These results have breathed life into Ivry's bid for survival, which sees them looking to build on their seven points and reel in the four-point gap between them and Istres, who sit just aboe the drop zone. So anything is still possible, as there are 22 points still up for grabs this season.
Ready to bounce back
Monday 24 February 2025 will certainly go down in the history of US Ivry Handball. In the evening, a fire broke out in the historic Auguste Delaune Gymnasium- the very arena where the Red and Blacks have won several French Championship titles, notably in 2007, with a certain Luc Abalo in their ranks. The fire damage has taken the venue out of action until the end of the season, and Ivry had to find alternative solutions. Which they did! About ten days after the events, for their first ‘home’ match, USI won against Créteil in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. On Friday, the match against the capital club will be played at the Gymnase Olympe de Gouges, in Serris.
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Key stats...
- 161. With 161 assists to his name in 17 appearances, Luc Steins comfortably tops the assists chart, 34 lengths clear of nearest challenger Dorde Deric (Créteil).
- 20. Les Rouge et Bleu are on a run of 20 consecutive wins against Ivry. Their last defeat was on 28 April 2012. Overall, Paris also lead the way, with 28 wins, two draws and four defeats.
- 110: Of the 510 goals scored by Ivry since the start of the season, 110 have been scored by Danish left-back Toke Shröder. He is well on track to set a new personal best for goals in a French league season, which currently stands at 173 (set last season with Sélestat).
(Crédits : )