This clash against Aalborg was alwaysgoing to be a thriller, but the stakes in this group phase finale were raised further by the fact that top spot in the group was on the line. The capital club’s supporters turned out in force for the occasion, with Coubertin sold out several days in advance as Pairisan fans looked ahead to Group C's headline clash. Following the draw in Denmark on Matchday 1 (33-33), the situation was straightforward: a win would see Stefan Madsen’s men start the main round with three points. Aalborg would have taken that advantage had they prevailed, whilst another draw would have seen the teams finish with two points each!
As expected, the match got off to a fast-paced start, with the sides trading blows without either managing to pull ahead. Elohim Prandi, who scored a hat-trick early on, responded to future Rouge et Bleu player Juri Knorr, who proved decisive on two occasions (10': 5-6). Just as the Danes looked set to be the first to make the break, Mikkel Lovkvist denied Patrick Andersson's effort from the seven-metre line. Immediately afterwards, Elisson burst down the left wing and equalised, sending the Coubertin crowd into raptures (13': 6-6)!
A few minutes later, after two more saves from Mikkel presented Paris with a chance to break clear Elo’ kept his cool to give the capital club a two-goal lead (17': 9-7). Lovkvist continued to torment his compatriots in the minutes that followed and, thanks to some some clinical finishing, Paris managed to build a substantial lead as half-time approached (25': 13-8). Our Rouge et Bleu maintained cruising speed and went into the break with a four-goal lead (30': 15-11).
On the resumption of play, our Parisians managed to extend their lead thanks to Kamil Syprzak, who scored his fourth goal of the evening (34': 17-11). Fourth in the last FINAL4, Aalborg were far from giving up, however. Spurred on in particular by a brace from Juri Knorr, the Scandinavians narrowed the gap and forced Stefan Madsen to call a time-out (47': 17-15). It took more than that, however, to unsettle our Rouge et Bleu, who relied on saves from Mikkel Lovkvist and goals from Yahia Omar and Kamil to restore their five-goal lead (42': 21-16).
As the match entered its closing stages, Aalborg showed the first signs of mounting a comeback (50': 25-20), but the Parisians were on fire in front of theit fatihful fans, who had created an electric atmosphere at Coubertin. Amidst all the fine play, Kamil took the opportunity to score his 600th Champions League goal for the capital club (52': 26-21). Our Polish Pivot was one of the major contributors to this landmark victory that made sure Stefan Madsen’s men will begin the main round on 18 November with three points to their name (60': 32-25)!
Elohim Prandi, Kamil Syprzak: Eight goals; Yahia Omar: seven; Bjarki Elisson, Sebastian Karlsson, Luc Steins, Ferran Solé: two each; Wallem Peleka: one. Mikkel Lovkvist: 14 saves.
Once again, the Parisian crowd turned out in force this evening to support Les Rouge et Bleu and spur them on to a crucial victory for the rest of their Champions League campaign!
After a thrilling Champions League clash, it’s time for a top-of-the-table league clash in the league! On Sunday, the capital club will take on Montpellier in their Daikin StarLigue Matchday 9 fixture. As MHB have already dropped important points so far this season, this is a crucial opportunity for the Parisians. Once again, Stefan Madsen’s men will need your support to maintain their perfect record in the Daikin Starligue!
