A week after their historic victory over Celje at Coubertin (46-35), Stefan Madsen’s men meted out the same fate to a Slovenian side still finding their feet. While Les Rouge et Bleu scored slightly fewer goals, they once again secured victory by an eleven-goal margin. This has boosted confidence both collectively and individually, with several players in fine form this season.
Following this victory, the Parisians were able to celebrate not only their qualification for the main round with two matchdays remaining, but also Mikkel Lovkvist’s star turn. Starting in the match before making way for Rodrigo Corrales in the second half, our Danish goalkeeper made his 100th save in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Having arrived in the summer of 2025 from Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, with whom he had competed in the EHF European League on several occasions, the Roskilde-born player did not need much time to settle in. In his Parisian Champions League debut on Matchday 2 of last season’s group stage, Lovkvist made nine saves but couldn't prevent his side’s narrow defeat in Szeged (31-29). Two weeks later, it was Zagreb who fell victim to the young Parisian talent, who made 11 saves to help Stefan Madsen’s men to a well-deserved victory over Zagreb (35-32).
A staggering figure that was not only equalled against Barça - who would be crowned European champions a few months later - but also smashed during a crucial trip to face GOG in his native Denmark. That evening, with the Gudme side having claimed victory at Coubertin on the previous matchday (34–36), Mikkel Lovkvist saved 14 of the home side’s attempts to enable Paris to secure both points and the head-to-head advantage (28–31).
In his first Champions League campaign, Les Rouge et Bleu goalkeeper made 76 saves, firmly establishing himself on the continental stage. This season has therefore been one of confirmation for the young Dane, who has made 28 saves over the first three matchdays, including 12 in last week’s historic victory over Celje at Coubertin (46-35). Reaching this milestone just one year and three months after his arrival in Paris is a testament to the talent and potential of the young goalkeeper, now aged 24.
