Promoted to the top flight in 2008, Nantes rose rapidly in the following years to establish itself as one of France’s leading clubs. Almost a year after winning the 2014 Coupe de la Ligue, the first major trophy in its history, Nantes took on Paris Saint-Germain with six matches remaining in the league season. This Nantes side had a clear objective: to continue writing their history and defeat the capital club to secure an historic third-place finish, which would mean their first-ever qualification for the Champions League.
However, Paris had no intention of being tamed by their new rivals. Buoyed by a splendid opening quarter of an hour from Mikkel Hansen (four goals) and Daniel Narcisse (three goals), Les Rouge et Bleu quickly took a four-goal lead (16': 11-7). Just as the match seemed to be going the Parisians' way, Nantes stepped up the intensity to not only draw level at half-time (30': 17-17), but also turn the game around in the closing stages (53': 31-32). It took a brace from Sergiy Onufriyenko to rescue Zvonimir Serdarušić’s men and propel them towards a third French league title (60': 34-33).
More than two years later, Nantes were no longer novices. As finalists in the previous edition of the Champions League, Thierry Anti’s side had high hopes as they prepared to play the final match of the first half of the league campaign. Nantes were just one point behind the capital club and could therefore go into the winter break at the top of the table should they win at their Hall XXL.
The start of the match was a nightmare for Paris, who found themselves with their backs against the wall after less than ten minutes of play (8': 7-2). However, Raul Gonzalez had more than one trick up his sleeve. Having taken charge of the capital club a few months earlier, the Spanish coach rallied his men, and the magic soon took effect. Thanks to a superb period with nine goals scored and just two conceded, Les Rouge et Bleu briefly took control of the match, before eventually heading into the dressing room a goal down (30': 14-13).
In the second half, the two sides traded blows, but Nantes held the lead until the final quarter of an hour, when Paris stepped up a gear to take the lead. The closing stages were incredibly intense and ultimately went the Parisians’ way thanks to Mikkel Hansen’s unforgettable goal three seconds before the final buzzer (60': 29-30).
With just two matchdays remaining in the Liqui Moly StarLigue season, Paris Saint-Germain took on Nantes at Coubertin with a single goal in mind: victory, which would see them clinch their tenth French league title. Spurred on by an unstoppable Kamil Syprzak, who plundered 12 goals, the capital club set Coubertin alight and left no room for suspense against a helpless Nantes side (60': 35-32).
