If they have not inherited a group as strong as Nantes, beaten this Wednesday by Kielce (40-33), it is against a big fish that the players of Paris Saint-Germain opened their season this Thursday. of the Champions League by traveling to Hungary to face Telekom Veszprém. A remake of the first European match of last season, lost by PSG. Almost identical scenario for the Parisians, who resisted well but folded against the Hungarians (36-34).
Facing the other favorite of the group, Raul Gonzalez’s men quickly conceded the opener (1-0, 2nd), but managed to stay glued to the score thanks in particular to a good Elohim Prandi, Parisian number 71, influential and decisive offensively, also warned in the 8th minute of play for a foul on Dragan Pechmalbec. The first ten minutes consisted of a back and forth from one goal to another, and it was not until the 10th minute that Paris took the lead for the first time in the game through Keita (5-6, 10th). Dainis Kristopans, thanks to a beautiful “kung-fu” in the open air, even allowed Paris to take a first break two minutes later (6-8, 13th).
Three 7m jets stopped
Two monumental saves by Parisian goalkeeper Andreas Palicka at 10-12 (19th, 20th) allow Paris to maintain, then widen their gap (10-14, 22nd). With five saves in the first period (24%), the Swede was decisive, as was Kristopans, author of 4 goals on his first 4 strikes but who is also the first to leave 2 minutes in this match (27th). Veszprém took the opportunity to pick up the score (15-16, 28th), before in turn losing a player for two minutes. At the break, the Hungarians even equalized (17-17), recovering the advantage of 4 goals of the Parisians.
Upon returning from the locker room, the Hungarians made the break very quickly (19-17, 32nd). In line with their complicated end to the first period, the Parisians struggled in attack and only scored once in the first six minutes of the second act. A second suspension for Pechmalbec allows PSG to pick up, with in particular a goal from… Palicka (21-21, 39th). But carried by a great Lauge Schmidt (11 goals) and by a Vladimir Cupara on fire (36% saves, including three from 7m), Veszprém does not leave the head and even has a lead of up to five goals ( 30-25, 48th).
The second period is one-sided. Clumsy, disgusted by Cupara, the Parisian shooters will never manage to come back despite many opportunities. Final score therefore: 36-34, and a narrow Hungarian victory. Next EHF Champions League match on September 21 against Orlen Wisla Plock, in Coubertin (Paris, XVI).