Preview: PSG Handball - Dunkerque

News

On Wednesday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball will play their last game of 2019. Les Rouge et Bleu, who will be playing host to Dunkerque, will try to achieve a perfect first half of the championship, with 13 wins from 13 Lidl StarLigue rounds.

Up and down
The Northerners have plenty of regrets from the first half of the season. Indeed, with more consistency they could be in the fight for the European places, but six defeats in 11 games have them in the middle of the table, seven points off the podium and six points off the relegation zone. Things could therefore have been much more positive had Patrick Cazal's men exercised more control late on in matches. They have lost their last two matches by a single goal (against Montpellier, 29-28 and Chambéry, 22-23), but have also achieved very good results, such as victory over Saint-Raphaël (27-25) earlier in the season.

A look back at recent matches
The last time Paris fell to the USDK dates back to November 6, 2014. In a very close match, they won 27-26 a few seconds from the end, thanks to a goal from the inevitable Baptiste Butto (still at the club, and second highest scorer in LSL history with 1453 points). Since then, Les Rouge et Bleu have prevailed in this fixture nine consecutive times. In their last meeting, at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, our team won in style as Nedim Remili bagged a seven-goal haul (30-23). Historically, Paris are in front with 18 wins, one draw and nine defeats.

Key stats
On Wednesday evening, we should see an entertaining match. Indeed, the Lidl StarLigue's best attack (419), will be playing host to the most effective defense (300). The Dunkerque team have conceded so few goals partly because they have two very good goalkeepers in Oleg Grams and Samir Bellahcene. Offensively, it's more complicated, since they've only found the net 172 times (only Tremblay have done worse, with 170). A delicate performance, despite the 52 goals of Brazilian international Haniel Langaro and the 25 of Steve Marie-Joseph - one of two former Parisians in the squad, along with Dylan Garain). As for the capital club, Mikkel Hansen has scored 36 goals in his last three games and Sander Sagosen is only one point behind the 200-goal mark in his Lidl StarLigue career.

A host of events
This evening will also be the last match at Coubertin in 2019. Several activities will be planned: first, a teddy bear throw will be held, with the proceeds going to charity group Secours Populaire. You can also find a sharingbox in the corridors of Coubertin, in order to immortalise your moment. A competition for the most beautiful Christmas sweater will also be held, with the winner will be chosen by the audience applause-o-meter! On the court, Mikki will be throws off. Finally, our players will wear special jerseys with their nickname printed on the back!

To follow the match (kick-off at 20:45)
- Television: beIN SPORTS 3
- At the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium: get your tickets on our official website
- Live tweet: our official page

(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)