Strong start in Europe

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Paris Saint-Germain Handball kicked their Velux EHF Champions League campaign off with a solid win as they travelled to Zaporozhye on Wedneaday evening (29-35).

In an electric atmosphere in Ukraine, the first few minutes of the match were tight (6': 3-3). Once this feeling out phase was over, however, the Rouge and Bleu took charge of the situation thanks to their solid defending (12': 5-7). Up front, Luc Abalo was in fine fettle, our right-winger hitting a 5 from 5 in the first half to help his side make the break (16': 7-10). Still, Paris couldn't break completely free of their hosts, a fact due mainly to Gennadiy Komok's starting to hit his straps in the Zaporozhye goal (20': 10-11). It wasn't until the final five minutes produced some lightning counters from Nedim Remili and Mikkel Hansen that sent the Rouge and Bleu into the break five goals clear (12-17).

As the second half began, Raul Gonzalez's men picked up where they had left off (33': 14-19), especially in the back-line, which featured Nikola Karabatic and Nedim. The two France internationals took it in turns to find the back of the net and widen the gap (40': 17-23). But they weren't simply effective - they also added a dose of the spectacular, Niko landing a kung-fu and Nedim striking with a chabala (47': 21-27). Solid in every sector, Paris duly dominated and had already killed the match off by the time the final minutes rolled round. Thierry Omeyer, who struck three times from his goal line (55': 26-33), and Benoît Kounkoud took charge of tying up the loose ends (29-35).

Dominant right from the start, Paris Saint-Germain Handball won out with an accomplished performance in Zaporozhye, getting their Velux EHF Champions League campaign off to the perfect start!

The Parisian scorers:
Nedim Remili (8), Luc Abalo, Nikola Karabatic (5), Sander Sagosen, Henrik Toft Hansen, Thierry Omeyer, Mikkel Hansen (3), Uwe Gensheimer, Benoît Kounkoud, Luka Karabatic (2), Luka Stepancic (1).

The Parisian 'keeper:
Thierry Omeyer: 12 from 41 (29%)

(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)