After two months on break and a defeat against Magdeburg (33-37), PSG returned to the Champions League on February 8.
For 60 days, the Parisians have not gone on vacation: most have competed in the championship the World Championship in Poland and Sweden with their respective selections.
A World Cup that has done damage to organizations.
PSG traveled to Zagreb without Nikola Karabatic (foot pain), Luka Karabatic (ischios), Dainis Kristopans (calf), Kamil Syprzak (fibula) or Elohim Prandi (ankle).
It's a lot.
The only good news: since the back-to-school trip last Saturday to Chartres in the Coupe de France (35-37), Paris can finally count on its right-back Dominik Mathé.
The Hungarian, a rookie last summer, had not yet worn the Parisian jersey because of a knee injury.
He arrives at a time when the season is about to start going downhill.
60': It's over!
Paris wins after a great battle!
More info to come!
#ZAGPSG pic.twitter.com/KaQLkKHJDQ
– PSG Handball (@psghand) February 8, 2023
In Croatia, PSG had a priority objective: to win to keep their first place in group A. Remember the rule: the first two of the group (Paris and Veszprem at this time) will qualify directly for the quarter-finals of the Champions League .
The others will have to go through the tricky round of 16.
To end this interminable group stage, PSG still have to play against Bucharest (February 16), in Plock (February 23) before finishing against Veszprem on March 1.
With a very diminished team, Paris did not spend a quiet evening in Zagreb against one of the weakest teams in their group.
At the break, Raul Gonzalez's players had only a 3-goal lead (14-17).
In the second period, they never had enough margin to take it easy.
Zagreb has always remained within reach.
Only, thanks to a very good Ferran Sole, tanned income from the World Cup with the Spanish selection, PSG got out of the trap to win (30-33).
It's good news but the best of the evening came from elsewhere: Veszprem lost at the same time against the Danes of Gudme (36-37).
Consequence: PSG is alone at the head of its group with two points ahead of the rest of the pack.
He therefore has three games left to play and two wins should be enough to qualify him directly for the quarter-finals.
