Vincent Gérard: 'Some hard work, a win and no injuries'
RAUL GONZALEZ (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HANDBALL COACH):
"It was a well-controlled game, thanks to our win in the first leg (24-37). We played well, despite our mistakes and missed shots. In the second half, we corrected that. We also put more intensity in defence. I am satisfied with our qualification, because it was not easy. It's still a bit early to look at Kiel (Les Rouge et Bleus' opponents in the quarterfinals). We have to play a lot of games between now and then, and so do Kiel."
LUKA KARABATIC (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HANDBALL CAPTAIN):
"We qualified and that's the main thing. It is never easy to approach a return leg after such a victory in the first leg. It was a bit of a trap: we had to approach this game the right way and not think that the win would happen on its own. You have to put the right ingredients in to win this kind of game and I think that's what we did, even if everything wasn't perfect. But there was a lot of desire and we won by a good margin. The objective is achieved.
"Kiel are the reigning European champions, so it will be a big tie. But we have to go through this kind of match if we want to get to the Final4. Before that, we have other big matches in the Lidl StarLigue. But obviously, we are looking forward to this quarter-final."
VINCENT GÉRARD (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN HANDBALL GOALKEEPER):
"After winning by such a big margin in the first leg, we didn't have many doubts about our qualifying. Nevertheless, there was a match to play with seriousness and respect for the opponent. Tonight we did everything we could, with some hard work, a win and no injuries. We fought to impose our pace and after a while, our opponents broke down. It's satisfying, even if there were mistakes. We played a more than honourable match, despite the fact that the stakes were 'lower'.
"Against Kiel, it will be an interesting double-header. Sander (Sagosen) went there after the lockdown. We will be very happy to see him again and I think he will be happy to come back to Paris."
(Credits: TeamPics/PSG)