Szeged - Paris preview: Take an option on the qualification

Avant-match

After finishing their EHF Champions League Group A marathon of 14 matches in fourth place, Paris Saint-Germain handball are starting a new battle. But the objective remains the same: to book their ticket for the Final4 in Cologne. However, before thinking about the last four, our Parisians will have to be givr their all to beat Szeged.

Hungarians determined to revie their fortunes

It all started well for an ambitious Szeged side. Last September, the Hungarians won three out of four matches, even coming close to an exploit in Barcelona (defeated 31-30 after being nine goals behind). However, they seem to have lost the momentum that carried them at the start of the season. After chasing Barça in a particularly tough Group B, Szeged ended their group stage with a winless run of five matches, dropping to fifth place.

A dynamic that contrasts with that of the Parisians, who put on a show in Pelister (26-35) to conclude the group stage. The scenario was nevertheless cruel for Les Rouge et Bleu, who for a long time believed they would qualify directly for the quarter-finals. Those hopes went up in smoke after Berlin's buzzer-beating win against Veszprém. Forced to go through the play-offs, Raul Gonzalez's men still have home advantage. They will have to dig deep to beat a Szeged team determined to regain the form they showed at the start of the season.

A team not to be underestimated

The Parisians would be wrong to put too much stock in Szeged's current bad run of form. Because, over and above the high stakes, the excitement of the 8,250 fans expected at the Pick Aréna eil doubtless give the Hungarians a boost. What's more, the team contains several individuals capable of turning the game around. The main danger is Mario Sostaric. The Croatian right-winger is having an exceptional season and fully deserves his status as Europe's top scorer (102 goals in 14 matches). In addition to Sostaric's undeniable talent, Szeged also boast a strong collective ethos, led by the versatility of Janus Dadi Smarason. The Icelandic centre half stands out as much for his ability to intercept opposing passes (7 interceptions) as for his vision (29 assists).

Key stats

  • On Thursday, Paris and Szeged will face each other for the 11th time in their history. So far, Les Rouge et Bleu have a positive record of seven wins, two losses and one draw. The last clash between the two teams was in the group stage of the 2023-2024 season. Raul Gonzalez's men won in Hungary (29-31) and then at Coubertin on the final matchday (37-33).
  • Szeged and Paris both have one of their players at the top of the individual standings. While Mario Sostaric is the top scorer in Europe after 14 rounds (102 goals), Luc Steins leads the way in assists (63).
  • Since the start of this EHF Champions League campaign, Paris are the only team to have a better record away from home than at home. In the group stage, our Rouge et Bleu won five and lost two away from home - that's one fewer defeat than at home.
  • Paris and Szeged have only met once before, in the final phase of the EHF Champions League. In the 2016-2017 season, Les Rouge et Bleu claimed the advantage in Hungary (27-30) before conceding a draw at Coubertin (30-30). That season, the capital club reached the only Champions League final in its history.
  • After reaching the knockout rounds, Paris have only failed to qualify for the quarter-finals once, in the 2005-2006 season. Since then, Les Rouge et Bleu have qualified for the quarter-finals of the EHF Champions League 11 times in a row.

Play-offs fixtures

The race for the quarter-finals begins this Wednesday evening, with the Match Of The Week between Kielce and Berlin. Having qualified by the narrowest of margins, the Poles will try to resist the Foxes' onslaught before a perilous trip to the German capital. Earlier in the evening, Magdeburg will travel to Dinamo Bucharest and try to take the first step towards qualification. A few hours after the match between Paris and Szeged (broadcast on Eurosport and to be followed on our live tweet), it will be Nantes' turn to challenge Wisla Plock, who are in great form.

(Credits: L. Valroff/PSG)