Paris Saint-Germain Handball face a big test in their final match at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin for 2018, putting their Coupe de la Ligue title on the line as they play host to Nantes in the quarter-finals.
The previous round
Nantes and Paris both scored big wins was they entered the competition in the round 16. The H, who were playing in Nîmes' Parnasse arena, went neck and neck for a long stretch (42’: 23-24) before braking clear in the final 15 minutes (30-37), thanks notably to an excellent performance from David Balaguer (9 from 12). Meanwhile Raul Gonzalez's men played host to Dunkerque with an excellent attacking display - backed up by some rock-solid defending - clinching a big win (34-23). Thierry Omeyer was on fire in that clash, ending the match with 22 saves at a rate of 50%.
Running it back
On 14 December 2017, a year almost to the day before Thursday's clash (13 December 2018) at Coubertin, Les Rouge et Bleu played host to Nantes at this same stage of the competition and claimed victory. After breaking free late in the first half (30’: 20-18), Paris hit the gas after the break and took a commanding lead (36’: 26-19). Despite the fact that match got much tighter in the final stages, the capital club held out for the win and punched their ticket for the Final4 (35-33).
Three in a row?
Two-time reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain Handball will be putting their title on the line on Thursday, looking toi make it three in a row after doubling down at the Arènes in Metz back in March this year. After beating USDK in the semis (33-26), they went on to win the competition's highest-scoring final, against Toulouse the following day (33-26). A year earlier, they got the better of Nantes to win the 2016-17 edition. Propelled by an eight-goal haul from Nedim Remili - but also eight saves from Gorazd Skof - our players claimed the first Coupe de la Ligue title in club history 31-27 in Reims. Paris will contest their fourth consecutive Final4 should they claim victory on Thursday.
Round three
Thursday's match will be third time this year that the two clubs do battle - in a third competition! The first meeting took place in early September in Montbéliard in the Trophée des Champions' third-place play-off. A thrilling match ended 34-34 in regulation time before a penalty shoot-out saw Thierry Anti's Nantes emerge victorious (45-46). They met again in October, this time in the capital, for their Velux EHF Champions League Round 4 clash, with Paris Saint-Germain Handball clinching a dramatic late win after a breathless encounter. After Thursday's clash, round four will take place when the sides meet once more in the Velux EHF Champions League in February.
🔴🔵 Dernier match de l'année du @psghand à Coubertin 🔴🔵
— PSG Matchday (@PSGMatchday) 11 décembre 2018
📅 Jeudi 13 Décembre 2018
⌚ 20h45
🏆 1/4 de Finale - Coupe de la Ligue
🆚 @HBCNantes
📍 Stade Pierre de Coubertin
🎟 Quelques offres encore disponibles ➡ https://t.co/LoArZAzV6u#PSGHBCN pic.twitter.com/pYkgW8gqMC
To follow the match (Throw-off at 20:45)
• Television: beIN SPORTS 1
• At the Stade Pierre de Coubertin: get your tickets on our official site
• Live tweet: our official page
(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)