Stefan Madsen's arrival launched a new cycle after Raul Gonzalez's seven seasons on the Paris bench. The 2025-2026 EHF Champions League campaign was marked by the Danish coach's gradually putting his stamp on the team, with Les Rouge et Bleu performing well at home, toppling Pelister (33-27) in a spectacular clash, before beating Zagreb (35-32).
However, the Parisians suffered a setback in the middle of the autumn when they were stunned by Danish side GOG at Coubertin (34-36). However, they came back with a vengeance and put in a fine performance in the reverse fixture, smothering their opponents with an aggressive defence and incisive attack (28-31). Heading into the winter break, the capital club were in sixth place in their group, and needed to pick up points in February to ensure qualification.
With the long break devoted to EHF Euro 2026 and the African Cup of Nations (won by Yahia Omar with Egypt) behind them, Paris had to find rhythm and form on the European stage after a frustrating end to the previous year. Stefan Madsen's men made an immediate impact with an impressive 35-24 win over Zagreb in Croatia. Their return to the top spots was confirmed by a season-first second consecutive Champions League win, at home to Szeged (29-28).
It was a hard-fought battle that the Parisians won bravely, with Jannick Green in fine form in goal (11 saves) and the crowd in raptures. Les Rouge et Bleu, who had climbed to fifth place in the group, have two games left to secure home advantage in the play-offs. With everything to play for on the final day, the capital club managed to beat reigning European champions Magdeburg at Coubertin (34-26), finishing fourth by the skin of their teeth.
In 2026, Stefan Madsen's men were near perfect across their four European matches, with three wins and a draw at Pelister (34-34).
Even in the midst of a period when points were hard to come by, Paris never wavered from its attack-minded playing principles. With 446 goals scored in 14 matches, the capital club had the third-best attack in their group, behind the last two Champions League winners, Barcelona and Magdeburg.
One man really stood out during this campaign: Elohim Prandi. The French international scored a staggering 111 goals, making him the second-highest scorer in the competition behind the untouchable Mathias Gidsel (120). In Barcelona, Elo' even set a new personal best for goals in a single game with Paris, netting 14 times.
In sixth place on the scorers chart, our African champion Yahia Omar was also in scintillating form, with 85 goals and some fine performances to his credit, notably a ten-goal haul away to Pelister.
Unbeaten in 2026, on top of the Liqui Moly StarLigue and enjoying excellent momentum in the Champions League, Stefan Madsen's men are in good form ahead of their play-off clash with Veszprém. The Hungarian club finished fifth in Group A and have lost three of their last four European matches. With the advantage of playing the return leg at Coubertin, Paris have every reason to believe in their chances of lining up a clash with Berlin in the quarter-finals - but will need all the support of the Les Rouge et Bleu fans.
