Raul Gonzalez: 'Friendly matches are different from official ones'

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With Paris Saint-Germain Handball taking on Nantes in the Trophée des Champions on Saturday evening at the Glaz Arena in Cesson-Rennes, a number of Rouge et Bleu representatives took time out to answer our questions. Check out what Raul Gonzalez, Luka Karabatic and Nikola Karabatic had to say.

RAUL GONZALEZ (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HANDBALL COACH):

How was your preseason?

"It went well and we had the opportunity to play several friendly matches. We were also able to go to Japan and experience the country. It was a great experience. Friendly matches are different from official ones. Against The H, it's going to be complicated, especially as we're not far from Nantes and there will be a lot of opposing supporters."

Last season, you lost this final to Nantes. Is that all in the past now?

"Yes, we have to move on. The season is starting now, so there's no point thinking about the past. We're going to give it everything we've got to win."

LUKA KARABATIC (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HANDBALL PIVOT AND CAPTAIN):

How are you approaching this final?

"We're very excited to be playing in front of this crowd. Even though there are bound to be more fans from Nantes [laughs]. We're happy to be kicking off our season. We've been preparing for it for a long time, we've been working hard and we're looking forward to playing some official matches. It's a final against a great team. We saw last season that against this team, there were always great matches."

Is it a match-up worthy of this trophy?

"Nantes are one of the big teams in our league. It's always very physical against them. You have to give it everything you've got and that's going to be the case again in this match. It's going to be a great battle."

NIKOLA KARABATIC (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HANDBALL LEFT-BACK):

Is this a tough fixture no matter who the opponents are?

"It's always an important match. The Trophée des Champions is the first trophy of the season. Especially against Nantes, who beat us in this competition last season. We're hoping to get our revenge."

Is it important to do well right away?

"Of course it is. When you wear the Paris Saint-Germain shirt, you want to win all the trophies. But this comes at the end of our preseason, which was designed to prepare us for the whole season and not just for this match."

Would a new trophy in your gallery be a good thing?

"It's always nice to win matches and cups, especially with your team-mates. This will be my last Trophée des Champions, so I want to enjoy the atmosphere and play a great match to give handball fans everywhere something to smile about."

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)