Held back less than a week ago by a draw against Toulouse (29-29), PSG Handball's march forward has resumed.
Paris won, on behalf of the 20th day of Starligue, against Chambéry (34-33).
In the standings, the French champions are 5 points ahead of Nantes, the only team that can still prevent them from being crowned for the 11th time, the tenth in a row.
Still undefeated (19V, 1N), the Parisians will go to the banks of the Loire at the beginning of April for a match which could seal the fate of the championship for good.
They will have to find a little freshness between now and then because everyone is clearly tired.
Paris played this Saturday, its 42nd match of the season.
It was the 55th for internationals.
60': After a very competitive match, Paris gets the better of Chambéry!
#PSGCHA pic.twitter.com/aO7o6nCbZa
— PSG Handball (@psghand) March 9, 2024
Facing Chambéry, the evening was not completely peaceful.
The Parisians did not manage to take shelter once and for all.
The Savoyards remained a threat for an hour.
There were only 2 goals difference (17-15) at the break and Chambéry never won.
The Chambérians came back to 2 goals in money time (31-29, 55th) to create suspense.
But thanks to a dazzling Andreas Palicka in his goal, Paris, relieved, saved the most important thing: the victory (34-33).
But the battle was fierce.
“We struggled halfway through the second half,” confides Luc Steins on BeIN Sports.
I don't know why because up until then we were playing well.
We couldn't find the rhythm anymore, it was weird.
Personally, it's true, I'm very tired.
I have sores everywhere, I'm at the end of the world.
We try to give everything we have but it's not always easy.
» Durant left, Nikola Karabatic took a blow (33rd) to the painful face which forced him to go out but without consequence or seriousness for the future.
The French team takes over
Qualified for the Champions League play-off against the Poles of Plock at the end of March and beginning of April, semi-finalist of the Coupe de France against Montpellier on March 20, Paris remains never again in the race to achieve an unprecedented grand slam at the end of the season .
There is still a long way to go and obstacles but everything remains possible.
In the meantime, the French team is taking over.
The international European champions (the brothers Luka and Nikola Karabatic, Elohim Prandi) as well as Mathieu Grebille will meet this Sunday at the house of handball.
They will find Érick Mathé, the coach of Chambéry and the assistant of Guillaume Gille in the Blues staff.
The European champions are expected in Montpellier to play Thursday against the American champions, Argentina, Thursday then Saturday against Egypt, champion of the African continent.
There is no rest for heroes.