 Paris not shy about their ambitions
The new look PSG Handball are set for their first appearance in the VELUX EHF Champions and are aiming to go all the way to Cologne in their first attempt.
The club, which was given a massive boost in early 2012 by Qatari investors QSI (Qatar Sport Investment), signed a number of big names in the summer of 2012 – and became French champions for the first time in the club’s history.
The current squad contains both the reigning World Handball Player of the Year Daniel Narcisse, signed this summer, and his predecessor Mikkel Hansen, who transferred to Paris in 2012.
Alongside Narcisse, PSG signed top stars like the Croats Igor Vori and Jakov Gojun and Hungarian playmaker Gabor Czaszar.
With such an impressive squad, a huge number of opponent’s coaches predict PSG to be one of the main contenders to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne, as well as achieving the club’s goal of winning all domestic French competitions.
Manager Bruno Martini, a former French international goalkeeper, is optimistic that the newly built team of coach Philippe Gardent have the opportunity to finish on top.
“We will tackle this competition with the goal of doing our best, even though we lack the experience of other teams like Barcelona.
“In this rather challenging group, the Catalans are the obvious favorites. Last season our club had two encounters with them, but in football. So it will be an honor to meet them this time on the handball court.
“Our team's spirit and our player's great attitudes helped us win our first French Championship title. We will need to use that if we are to go as far as possible in the competition,” said Martini.
Daniel Narcisse, who arrived from Kiel and won Europe’s premier club competition twice with the German side, is excited about the new challenge in Paris.
“This year it will be the first time that we will participate in the Champions League. We will try to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and if we have the chance to be there in the first year, we will play our best.
“Our players are real competitors, players who want to win everything, so we will work with a lot of humility and respect for our opponents and we will see where we will be at the end of the season,” promised the 33-year-old.
 Three questions to coach Philippe Gardent:
What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League - concerning your objectives and your group opponents?
Philippe Gardent: Vardar's expansion has not changed our ambitions, but it has made us more careful. Our ambition is to reach the top two in the group. I think Barcelona are still a little bit ahead of us with their history in European competition, but when you compare the teams position by position, we have nothing to be ashamed of.
What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?
Philippe Gardent: We'll have to be really humble when we enter this competition. Yes, we have the capacity to do well, but we'll have to work for it.
What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and for winning the title this season – and why?
Philippe Gardent: The strongest team seems to be Barcelona. We've had more recruits than them, so it might take a while for us to find our feet. Nevertheless, our ambition is to go all the way as quickly as possible.
PSG Handball (FRA)
Qualification for the 2013/2014 VELUX EHF Champions League season: French Champions
Coach: Philippe Gardent, since June 2012
Newcomers (including former club): Daniel Narcisse (THW Kiel), Jakov Gojun (Atletico Madrid), Fahrudin Melic (RK Gorenje Velenje), Igor Vori (HSV Hamburg), Gabor Csaszar (MKB Veszprem KC)
Left the club (including new club): Didier Dinart (retired), Said Ouksir, Samuel Clementia (Nanterre), Rok Praznik, Mathias Ortega (Angers), Nicolas Claire (Nantes), Rudy Nivore
VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2013/2014 season): 2
Last 16 (1): 2005/06
Other EC records:
EHF Cup:
Quarter-finalist 2006/07, Last 16 2003/04
French champion: 2012/13
French Cup winner: 2006/2007
Photo credits: Jérémie HAEUSSER - Eurotournoi / Kevin Domas
TEXT: Björn Pazen / cor
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