This is a (very) good thing done. PSG are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, for good. We are talking about handball players while waiting for footballers and the return match against Bayern on March 8. On February 23, for the penultimate day of the group stage, Paris needed a victory at Plock in Poland to secure its place. A draw could also suffice.
It’s in the pocket. It was not so simple but PSG won (26-32). This means that Luka Karabatic’s team saves itself an extra lap and a tricky passage through the knockout stages. Remember that two first of each of the two hens go directly into the quarter.
With this victory, Paris is guaranteed to finish at the top of its group. This means that the last match of this group stage on March 1 against Veszprem will count for nothing. In any case for Paris, because the Hungarians will have to win to qualify in turn. In the big eight, Paris joins the first two qualifiers from the other group, the two finalists of the last edition, Barcelona and Kielce in the grip of major financial difficulties. The last place will be played next week between Veszprem and the Germans of Magdeburg.
With the Champions League, PSG is now quiet until May. The quarter-finals will be played home and away on May 10 and 18. Until then, Luc Steins’ partners will watch the competition go to the round of 16 at the end of March. This round will do damage: Nantes, Kiel, Aalborg and a few others will be torn apart and will not come out unscathed. These round of 16 will be played without the Poles of Plock who, losing against Paris, are eliminated.
First objective of the season fulfilled
This February 23, the Parisians took half-time (14-15 at the break) to take shelter. With the return of their captain Luka Karabatic, a very good Adama Keita and an efficient Dominik Mathé, Paris did the job. PSG are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. First objective of the season fulfilled.
Paris has only 4 games left to win, or not to lose, to finally win this Champions League which is escaping it. With first the ambition to qualify for the Final Four, June 17 and 18. The Champions League will then be played over two dry matches. PSG is not there yet but could not do better to get closer.