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After a month and a half without a match, Paris Saint-Germain Handball returned to competition on Saturday evening. And what better way to start a new calendar year than with a massive match? Les Rouge et Bleu travelled to Hungary to take on Szeged in their rescheduled EHF Champions League Matchday 1 clash, with the sides neck and neck in Group A (the Hungarians on four points while our lads were on six). Yet again, the contest between these two familiar foes promised to go down to the wire!

The effects of the World Championship, which wrapped up last Sunday, could still be felt the match got off to slow start (6': 4-1). But, while several of the seven Parisian internationals were rested (Luka Karabatic was also absent), Mikkel Hansen did not miss the opportunity to distinguish himself from the penalty line (8': 5-3). Overall, the encounter took a while to find its rhythm and the hosts took advantage as they lead the dance (11': 7-4). Our other Dane, Henrik, came on to keep his team in the game (12': 8-6) but, in spite of his massive work rate, it was former Parisian Luka Stepancic and his new teammates who made the better start (13': 9-5).

In order to claw back their deficit, Paris had to lift their game in defence. Vincent Gérard duly succeeded in doing so, stopping a point-blank shot (17': 9-6) as the Parisian rearguard afforded their opponents less space, effectively forcing the shot. However, this was still not enough to stop the machine that is Dean Bombac (19': 11-7). Fortunately, Mikky responded perfectly by finding the top corner as he completed a magnificent double to bring his team back to within one goal (22': 11-10). After some more good defending and a slick counter-attack by Kamil Syprzak, Raul Gonzalez's men inflicted a 4-0 on Szeged and draw level!

Even when the Hungarians regained a two-goal lead (23': 14-12), our Danish left-back was on hand to reignite the push (25': 14-13). In the last minutes of the first half, the two teams cancelled each other out and the gap ceased to fluctuate. The Parisians were a goal down as the buzzer sounded, but they were also back in the game!

The capital club managed a better start to the second half and took the lead thanks to Mikkel Hansen and Dylan Nahi (32': 17-18). Our players began to impose their rhythm and duly stayed out in front even if they couldn't immediately break clear (36': 20-21). The minutes passed and the two attacks had definitely found the keys to the opposing defences. With the final minutes approaching, it was still difficult to say which of the two sides would come out on top (43': 24-24).

Our team had two chances to make the break, but technical blunders or offensive fouls stymied their efforts and Szeged drew level (47': 26-26). However, third time proved a charm for Dylan (49': 26-28). Every possession was crucially important! Nedim Remili and Yann Genty were well aware of the situation and managed to thwart the Hungarian attack (52': 26-28)! Dylan, once again, took advantage of this defensive solidity to express himself at the opposite end of the court, scoring with another lob (53': 26-29).

Paris Saint-Germain Handball managed the last five minutes expertly, maintaining a four-goal lead as Kamil shone once again (55': 26-30). But, even without their fans in the arena, Szeged found the resources to breathe some suspense back into the match (57': 28-30). Les Rouge et Bleu resisted and, with less than a minute to go, Yann and Mikky (10 from 12) clinched the win! Paris thus climb back to fourth place in Group A, taking a four-point lead over their opponents on the night in the process.

(Credits : J. Azouze/PSG)