Dunkerque
The Parisians quickly set the pace and made the break (3-0, 4th minute) after only a few moments of this 40th meeting in the history of the two teams. Abdou, Peleka and Maras were the first Rouge et Bleu scorers of the 25-26 season, putting their team on the right track. The northerners were struggling to find their footing and were overwhelmed by a new-look PSG side riding high after their Coupe de France victory in Caen three days earlier. But Dunkerque fought back and closed the gap, coming back to within two points and giving the Parisian crowd a tense first half experience (10-8, 20').
The two teams traded blows, with the Parisians feeling the effects of a big summer overhaul while remaining the team that everyone wants to beat. Thus, Dunkerque ended the first term just one goal adrift, Diogo Oliveira striking from the penlaty line almost on the stroke of half-time (13-12, 30').
Right from the re-start, Mehdi Harbaoui saved Ferran Solé penalty, but immediately afterwards, Jannick Green pulled off a monstrous save in response to his counterpart, giving his team the boost they needed to put three unanswered goals past the visitors. The Parisians were solid and efficient before the Dunkerque coach called the first time-out of the second half (36').
Green made another decisive save, this time from Oliveira, before Steins and Maras extended Paris's lead. Paris pulled away (21-14, 43') and stifled their opponents, who could only follow in their wake.
It was a successful debut for Stefan Madsen, who saw his players gain momentum throughout the match. They also started to turn on the style, with Maras' missile from the right corner slicing through and all but sealing the outcome of the match (31-26, 58').
So it was with some certainties - but also plenty of room for improvement - that Paris Saint-Germain made a successful start to the league season. A few days before the start of the EHF Champions League and a trip to Magdeburg, the early signs point to what promises to be another exciting season.
