Preview: League action returns to Coubertin - A look at Paris - Aix

News

On Sunday afternoon, the Liqui Moly StarLigue comes to Coubertin for the first time in 2025! On Matchday 17, Paris Saint-Germain handball play host to Aix.

A must-win occasion

The team that wins Sunday's duel will be well on the way to achieving their personal objectives. In the event of success, Les Rouge et Bleu, currently one point behind the leaders Nantes (who play host to Créteil on Saturday evening), will have the opportunity to at least stay on The H's heels. For their part, Aix are sinking dangerously towards mid-table. With eight wins and as many losses, PAUC are well celar of the drop zone (seven points ahead) but also look to be out of the race for the podium (nine points behind). In the event of a positive result at Coubertin, Aix's ambitions would turn more towards Europe than relegation.

In winning mood

Eric Fortes‘ men got off to a perfect start in 2025, coming up trumps at home to tough nuts Toulouse. After a long fight (52’: 26-26), Aix made the difference in the final moments (31-29). They could have done so much earlier, but Jef Lettens and his 18 saves kept the Fenix in the game for a long time. In attack, Aix's Spanish centre-half Ian Tarrafeta put in a fine performance with seven goals. Thanks to this win, PAUC are now on a two-game win streak in the league.

Kamil up against the best

Ian Tarrafeta is also his team's top scorer this season with 76 goals (15th in the competition). Our Polish international, Kamil Syprzak, is doing better in this respect, with 111 goals (second-top scorer). He is in excellent form, as illustrated by his fine performance in Fredericia midweek, with ten goals and a place in the team of the round for Matchday 12 of the EHF Champions League. And our pivot will need to be inspired once again, as he will be up against the goalkeeper who currently tops the league's saves chart. Jose Baznik won 178 of his duels with the French attackers. The Slovenian even finished two matches with 17 saves (against Cesson-Rennes and Limoges), but also had 15 at the end of the first leg (26-28).

Key stats...

  • 13: Les Rouge et Bleu are on a run of 13 consecutive league wins against Aix. Their last defeat in the fixture dates back to 22 November 2017 (33-31).
  • 558: The Parisian attack is the best in the competition, with 558 goals scored (462 for Aix).
  • Third: while the first leg was close, Andreas Palicka was decisive. He made eight saves, notably stp[[ing three from the penalty line.

(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)