Qualification stitched up in Saran

Comptes-rendus

Paris Saint-Germain handball booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France with a 36-32 win over Saran at the Palais des Sports in Orléans on Wednesday. Here's a look back at Les Rouge et Bleus' qualification!

Almost four months after their successful cup opener against Pau-Billère (28-33), Les Rouge et Bleu were back in the Coupe de France. On the programme for the round of 16 were Proligue side Saran. Raul Gonzalez's men had to be wary, however, of an experienced side who had retained a solid backbone and made a number of high-profile reinforcements despite being relegated from the elite this summer. A thrilling encounter, then, just a few days before a top-of-the-table clash with Nantes in the league. The aim was clear: to reach next February's quarter-finals.

Spurred on by their fans, Saran got off to a flying start, surprising the Parisians who had been somewhat passive (4': 4-1). However, it wasn't long before the Rouge et Bleu machine got into gear and upped the tempo to close the gap (8': 5-4). Paris put the score back on level terms thanks to a brace from David Balaguer - but clearly had no intention of stopping there (10': 6-6). The accuracy of Dani Baijens and Yahia Omar enabled Raul Gonzalez's men to put five unanswered goals past the Septors, who were suffering at the end of the first quarter (14': 6-9).

The hosts‘ first time-out had little effect and they continued to be powerless against the capital club's speed (19’: 8-13). In addition to their attacking play, Paris‘ defence came into its own, with Jannick racking up four saves early (21’: 9-13)! In view of his players' strong performance and the clash with Nantes on Sunday, Raul Gonzalez did not hesitate to make a few changes at the end of the first half. It was a decision that quickly paid off, with Wallem Peleka and Kent Robin Tonnesen scoring their first goals of the evening (27': 11-18). It was the latter who rounded off a first half that was perfectly controlled by Les Rouge et Bleu, who went into the locker room with a nine-goal lead (30': 11-20).

At the restart, Ferran Solé, Léo Plantin and Gautier Loredon took to the court. Our two youth academy products immediately made their mark and Paris extended their lead (34': 15-23). Buoyed by an imperious Yahia Omar, who scored a hat-trick, Les Rouge et Bleu extended their lead to ten goals (42': 19-29). In defence, Jannick Green continued to guard the Parisian goal with an iron fist, making his eighth save of the evening (45': 20-29). After Gautier and Léo, it was Wallem's turn to put on a show with a sumptuous kung-fu finish after being ideally served by Dani (50': 23-32).

The Dutch international was not to be outdone, however, and struck twice thanks to two more assists from Luc Steins, who racked up an impressive 14 for the evening (54': 27-34)! Léo Plantin rounded off the capital club's festival of goals with a flawless performance after coming on as a substitute (49': 31-36). Serious and diligent throughout, Paris came out on top against a valiant Saran side who gave their all (60': 32-36). Raul Gonzalez's men thus booked their place in the Coupe de France quarter-finals in February. Now it's time for the biggest clash of this home stretch of 2024: Les Rouge et Bleu will be back on the road on Sunday when they face nearest chasers Nantes.

(Credits: L. Valroff/PSG)