The Titis on top the Nationale 1!
As we approach the halfway point of the season, Paris Saint-Germain's youngsters are putting on a show and playing a leading role in their league. Here's a look back at the splendid form Thierry Perreux's men have shown this season.
Picking up the pace
Already battling for top spot after eight rounds, the the Paris Saint-Germain reserves have since gone from strength to strength! Over the last month of competition, our young Rouge et Bleu have been solid and enterprising, making the most of their rivals' slip-ups to take top spot in the Nationale 1. However, Les Rouge et Bleu's return from the international break was a mixed bag. In addition to a draw at home to Hazebrouck (33-33), the Parisians suffered a frustrating defeat at Martigues (30-28), despite ten goals from Thomas Omeyer. It was a setback that at least had the effect of sparking Thierry Perreux's players back to life and they have moved up a gear in the last two games.
Two wins in a row and provisional top spot
Against Tremblay, the league's bottom side, Paris were once again able to count on the clinical finishing of Thomas Omeyer, who scored seven goals (25-24). The young centre-half is in dazzling form and sits sixth on the scorers chart (73 goals). However, it wasn't just in attack that the team shone. With 113 saves to his name, Stanis Souillier is the third-best goalkeeper in this category at this stage of the competition. After a close match against their neighbours from Tremblay, the Titis once again had to work hard to overcome Elite Val-d'Oise last time out (29-28). Fortunately, Thierry Perreux was able to rely on the skill and accuracy of Noa Narcisse, who has made many first-team cameos, and Victor Crenn.
Each with six goals, the young Parisians showed the way for their team-mates, securing a crucial victory in the process. Thanks to this second win in a row, as well as the defeat of Union Sportive Dreux Vernouillet Handball, Paris have seized (provisionally) top spot in the Nationale 1. Provisional, yes, because the Parisians will not be playing this weekend, which could allow their nearest chaser to regain the lead. The reason for this is that, in this thirteen-teams championship, one club each week gets a bye due to the odd number of sides. Now it's the turn of our youngsters, who have played one game extra, to enjoy a week's rest. As a result, Thierry Perreux's men have just one more date in 2024. That will be at Lanester, currently eighth in the standings, on Saturday 21 December.
The Titis' results
Matchday 1 - Paris 46-35 Lanester
Matchday 2 - AC Boulogne-Billancourt 34-33 Paris
Matchday 3 - Paris 36-32 Cercle Sportif Vesulien Haute Saône
Matchday 4 - Saintes 39-33 Paris
Matchday 5 - Paris 29-24 US Dreux Vernouillet
Matchday 6 - Draguignan 28-28 Paris
Matchday 7 - Paris 34-33 Saran
Matchday 8 - ASPTT Mulhouse / Rixheim 22-38 Paris
Matchday 9 - Paris 33-33 Hazebrouck
Matchday 10 - Martigues 30-28 Paris
Matchday 11 - Paris 25-24 Tremblay-en-France
Matchday 12 - Paris 29-28 Elite Val d'Oise
(Credits: L. Valroff/E.Renard/Team Pics/PSG)