GROUP B REVIEW: The French champion made it eight wins from as many matches, beating Flensburg for the second time in four days
Thierry Omeyer helps PSG keep record intact
After winning by only one goal at home on Saturday, PSG's perfect record could become in danger in Flensburg. But the visitors never felt threatened, quickly taking a four-goal advantage before increasing their lead up to eight in the second half.
With a 27:20 win, PSG keep their 100% winning record for the VELUX EHF Champions League season.
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PSG beat Flensburg for second time in four days
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Best scorer was PSG’s Mikkel Hansen with six goals
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Three Flensburg players scored four times: Rasmus Lauge, Hampus Wanne and Lasse Svan
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Thierry Omeyer was crucial with 10 saves in the first half
GROUP B
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) vs Paris Saint-Germain HB (FRA) 20:27 (9:12)
Paris were dominant all throughout the first half. Thanks to a good defence, and to Thierry Omeyer, who stopped 10 shots in the first 30 minutes, the visitors quickly took the lead.
Converting opportunities while Flensburg were left speechless for six minutes, PSG took the first significant lead, 7-3, after 15 minutes.
A timeout asked by Flensburg coach Maik Machulla provided the hosts some much-needed time to think. And with Rasmus Lauge Schmidt coming on and scoring twice, they found some offensive rhythm again, but that was not enough to prevent Paris from going back to the dressing room three goals ahead (12-9).
Things did not get any better for Flensburg after the break. Scoring only four in the first quarter, Flensburg could not do anything but watch their opponents break away on the scoring board.
Thanks to a long-distance shot by Mikkel Hansen for his fourth goal of the evening, Paris took the biggest lead with 15 minutes left to play (21:14).
The last 15 minutes saw Paris make rotations, with youngsters Dylan Nahi and goalkeeper Gauthier Ivah getting on the court, without having their lead affected. After the final whistle, Paris could enjoy their eighth win in as many games, 27:20.
"We played a fantastic game today," PSG coach Raúl González said. "Flensburg are a strong opponent. But today our keeper was much better than in the last game. Also we performed very well in the defence."
The result, coming few days after his team came close to beating the same opponent, obviously disappointed Flensburg coach Machulla: “We didn't play well today and couldn't find our level in the attack. Too many mistakes, so we lost our courage a bit."
TEXT:
Kevin Domas / ew