2023-06-02 22:10:45
They did it ! Victorious (35-32) from Nantes, PSG therefore put an end to the suspense that had been running for many days with its evening opponent and Montpellier. The capital club can no longer be joined before even playing the final meeting, next Tuesday. This is the 10th title in its history, and its 9th consecutive.
Raul Gonzalez had announced it: this long-awaited duel for several weeks sounded like a final. “It’s probably the most important match so far,” said the Parisian coach during the week. Everyone knows what to do. After all, these are just words. This match, you have to play it! Paris played it. Well.
Half an hour before kick-off, the tone is set in the stands, where the Cup unrolls a banner on which is written in white on a red background “Sergio (Rico), we fight by your side”. Even when they are not at the Parc des Princes to encourage footballers, PSG supporters do not forget that one of their own is currently in pain. Arrived after the kick-off, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, who also chairs the handball section, settles alongside Thierry Omeyer, the manager. All that remains is to conclude.
And who says fight of leaders, says fight of men. No time for any round of observation. We fit in like in the college gymnasium. It was the same thing against Montpellier, at the end of April. The Parisians had given the lesson after a rout in the Coupe de France. The people of Nantes are in any case not determined to suffer and that is understandable. They also play the title. The only condition: not to lose.
After a quarter of an hour, Raul Gonzalez’s men are three steps ahead (8-5)… and Nantes three times 2 minutes. Despite the parades of Jannick Green, and because Nantes is not there by chance either. Thanks to Thibaud Briet and Aymeric Minne, his young internationals from the France team, the gap remains until the break (19-16). Half the way is done for Paris. The hardest part remains to be done.
Fright when Nantes goes back in front
Returning from the locker room, the Spanish coach sends Andreas Palicka into the cages. If the Swedish goalkeeper pulls out a first major save, the Icelandic Viktor Hallgrimsson is not left behind and Nantes picks up the score in less than four minutes. Kamil Syprzak continues to score goals, PSG repeatedly take two steps ahead but nothing helps. Nantes wants its victory and passes for the 2nd time in front (26-27, 50th).
Another match begins. The home stretch that can sum up an entire season, on one side or the other. The Parisian public feels it well and doubles in the decibels. Dainis Kristopans and Valero Rivera go goal on goal, Elohim Prandi throws himself on all the balls. We are getting closer to the score of the first leg when Paris won the Neodif XXL (33-32). Syprzak and Briet are forehead to forehead. It smells of powder.
A man may decide the title. As on the first leg, Palicka released the providential penalty, then the Latvian giant restored a two-goal lead (33-31). Returning to a goal, Nantes finished with one player less after a huge foul on Prandi who came out grimacing, holding his wrist. Syprzak scores the penalty, then Palicka stops again. PSG are champions.
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