Nikola Karabatic and his partners were the latest to succeed in taking PSG to the top of the European hierarchy this season. But the capital club will still have to wait before finding a place in the trophy cabinet of its first Champions League.
After the failure of Cavani and his team in the 8th against Barça, then that of Patrice Lair’s girls on Thursday in the final in Cardiff against Lyon, the Parisian handball players also failed to win the most prestigious continental title. For their first European final, Paris faced the surprising Macedonian club Vardar Skopje and their intractable Spanish goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik.
Nikola Karabatic: “We have to keep our heads high”
At 36, the former Barcelona goalkeeper gives his first Champions League to Vardar and is crowned for the fourth time in a personal capacity. Running for goals for almost the entire match, Paris equalized with 7 seconds left with Narcisse, but Dibirov scored the winning goal at the last second (24-23) of this final. “Victory can fall on one side or the other. We know that these are very small details, it is difficult to draw conclusions at this moment, says Luka Karabatic. We played two games in two days, it’s complicated. We had the means to win and we didn’t succeed. But we could also have won this match earlier, without reaching this situation in the final seconds.
His brother, Nikola Karabatic, shares this analysis: “We could have done better, we are obviously very disappointed, but we have nothing to be ashamed of for what we did. We end the season tired, with the World Cup in January, the last championship matches for the title, but when you are in the Champions League you obviously want to win it, that’s for sure. We had already seen these types of mistakes in the last few weeks, the type of mistakes we made, the loss of the ball. This defeat doesn’t call anything into question, it happens that you lose in sport, and here you lose by just one goal. We have to keep our heads high and move forward.”
MATCH SHEET
PSG – VARDAR SKOPJE (Mac.): 23-24 (11-12).
Referees : MM.Geipel et Helbig (All.)
PSG. Gensheimer (2 not 1 pen.), Mollgaard, Accambray, Stepancic (2), Kounkoud, Barachet, Remili (3), Abalo (3), L. Karabatic, Hansen (4 not 1 pen.), Narcisse (4), Nielsen, N. Karabatic (5), Nahi. Entrance: Serdarusic.
Vardar Skopje. Stoilov, Milic, Moraes, Maqueda, Dereven, Karacic, Dujshebaev (2), Abutovic (1), Canellas (2), Cindric (3), Cupic (2 pens), Dibirov (7), Shishkarev (3), Borozan . (3), Marsenico (1). Int.: Gonzales.
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone, to another exciting edition of our interview series. Today, we’re diving into the recent ups and downs of PSG in European competitions, particularly their recent heartbreak in the handball Champions League Final. I have the pleasure of speaking with Luka Karabatic, a renowned expert in handball and sibling to PSG star Nikola Karabatic. Welcome, Luka!
Luka Karabatic: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here to talk about handball and the challenges faced by PSG.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in. PSG came close to clinching their first Champions League title but fell short against Vardar Skopje in a nail-biting final. What are your thoughts on the match and what it means for the club’s future?
Luka Karabatic: It was indeed a heartbreaking match for PSG. The players fought hard and showed remarkable resilience, especially tying the game with just seven seconds left. However, few points can make the difference in tight finals like these. Vardar’s goalkeeper, Arpad Sterbik, was outstanding, and they capitalized on the opportunity at the last second. For PSG, it’s a learning experience, albeit a tough one.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned resilience. In high-pressure moments like these, how important is mental strength, and how can teams cultivate it?
Luka Karabatic: Mental strength is crucial in sports, particularly in finals where tension runs high. Teams can cultivate this through rigorous preparation, simulation of high-pressure scenarios during training, and fostering a supportive team environment. It’s about building confidence and reminding players that every small detail matters—like finishing matches strongly, which PSG almost did.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting you mention the details. Nikola himself acknowledged that “victory can fall on one side or the other.” What do you think he meant by that, especially considering how close the match was?
Luka Karabatic: Nikola is emphasizing the unpredictable nature of sports. Even a split-second decision or a minor mistake can alter the game’s outcome. It means players must be ready to adapt and capitalize on their opportunities. Essentially, in sports, every moment counts, and sometimes luck factors in as well.
Time.news Editor: How do you see this experience shaping the future of PSG, particularly as they continue to pursue elite status in European handball?
Luka Karabatic: This is certainly a learning moment for PSG. They’ll analyze the match, identify areas for improvement, and hopefully, this will enhance their resolve to come back stronger. Securing their first Champions League title is more than just a trophy; it’s about mindset and believing they belong at the top. They’ll gather from this experience and should be even more driven in future campaigns.
Time.news Editor: Transitioning to other areas, PSG has faced notable disappointments in different sports lately, including UEFA setbacks for their football team. Is there a common thread in how these teams can overcome such hurdles?
Luka Karabatic: Absolutely. Across all sports, teams need a blend of talent, strategy, and, importantly, unity. Discovering that all-important team chemistry and aligning ambitions can make a world of difference. They need to learn from setbacks collectively and support one another through challenging times. It’s crucial to maintain focus on long-term goals while not letting short-term failures derail their ambitions.
Time.news Editor: Great insights, Luka! As we wrap up, what message would you like to convey to PSG fans who are feeling disheartened after this loss?
Luka Karabatic: To the fans: stay proud and keep your heads high. Every setback is part of the journey. Your unwavering support is essential for the team’s growth. Remember, great things are built on hard work, resilience, and persistence, and I believe PSG is on the right path to achieving their dreams.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Luka, for sharing your invaluable insights today. We truly appreciate your time and expertise.
Luka Karabatic: Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure discussing these important matters with you.