The Debrief: Key takeaways from Paris-Sélestat
Handball•
After Paris Saint-Germain Handball's victory over Sélestat (36-28), it's time to look back at the main talking points from this Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 6 fixture.
By defeating Sélestat, the capital club went back to top spot in the Liqui Moly StarLigue standings, ahead of Montpellier on goal difference. Also with a perfect record after six games, MHB have a goal difference of 42, compared to 43 for Stefan Madsen's men. And this week could prove decisive for Erick Mathé's men.
On Saturday, Montpellier play host to Nantes in the first top-of-the-table clash of the league season. While Nantes have already dropped a point - away to Chambéry on the opening day of the season - another slip-up could prove costly for Grégory Cojean's men. Montpellier, for their part, could put pressure on Les Rouge et Bleu and show their ambitions to return to the top. Whatever the result of this match, Paris will have to win on Sunday in Chartres to retain their throne.
Les Rouge et Bleus' confident victory over Sélestat largely thanks to Mikkel Lovkvist's hermetic form. With 11 saves, the Danish goalkeeper continued his superb run of form, and he wasn't the only one. Having already scored eight goals against Dijon in the previous matchday - a personal best since joining the club - Noah Gaudin rolled on, converting all five of his attempts.
Mateo Maras had the same tally, at the same clip, and also equalled his best performance with Paris (against Dunkerque on the opening day of the season). All the signs are indicating that the new recruits - and the club's youth academy talents - are gaining momentum.
After proving decisive in Aix on Matchday 4 (12 goals scored, his record for Paris), Yahia Omar put on a show at Coubertin. With eight goals from ten attempts, the Egyptian international was deservedly named man of the match by the spectators at the capital club's home arena. This performance also consolidates Yahia's position as Paris's top scorer in the early stages of the season, with 30 goals - the fifteenth-highest total in the Liqui Moly StarLigue after six matchdays.
First professional goals for Théo Ducap!
Having already come on as a substitute against Tremblay last season and against Dijon on the previous matchday, Théo Ducap really stepped up on Sunday. The young right winger was rewarded for his thunderous start to the season with the youth academy team in the Nationale 1 (second-top scorer with 43 goals in five games), as he was the Parisian with the most playing time against Sélestat (50 minutes).
Our young gun took advantage of this opportunity to open his professional goal account with two goals against the promoted side. Wallem Peleka and Gautier Loredon also found the back of the net in this match, showcasing the talent of the Rouge et Bleu youth academy.
This blockbuster against Sélestat was part of the Pink October campaign, which aims to raise awareness about breast cancer screening. To mark the occasion, several events and activities were conducted at Coubertin on Sunday, and many supporters got involved.
Another activity offered on Sunday in the west of Paris was the Supporter's Passport. Spectators attending the match were able to pick up their passport and have the page corresponding to the match against Sélestat stamped. This collector's item is a must-have at Coubertin matches, offering exclusive rewards throughout the season.
Les plus belles images de Paris - Sélestat
