The Liqui Moly StarLigue campaign is nearing its conclusion, but even with just four matchdays remaining, the title race remains as difficult as ever to predict. The Parisian leaders and their closest rivals from Nantes both secured spectacular victories this weekend, with Les Rouge et Bleu thrashing Chartres at home (40-20), while The H comfortably beat Chambéry (42-32) at the same time.
The suspense remains, but Stefan Madsen’s men sent a strong message as they outclassed Chartres. It was an important victory as it maintained the Parisians' two-point lead over Nantes, who are doggedly keeping pace. The title could well be decided in the top-of-the-table clash between the two sides at the AccorArena on 27 May, which is already shaping up to be the unmissable fixture of the coming weeks.
Having made a strong start in the capital, Chartres truly believed they could make a major impact in the battle to avoid relegation. Though initially rattled, the Parisians found their rhythm after the first quarter of an hour, taking the lead and steadily extending it right up to half-time (30': 18–13). The match then turned into a veritable masterclass, with Les Rouge et Bleu scoring 40 goals in the league for the third time this season (60': 40-20).
The 20-goal winning margin was the Parisians' biggest of the season so far. Elohim Prandi (eight goals), Luc Steins and Yahia Omar (six goals each) tore the Chartres defence to shreds with relentless waves of attacks in the second half. No fewer than 13 players from the capital found the back of the net on Sunday, a sign of danger coming from all directions - even from their own goal, with Mikkel Lovkvist adding an unexpected strike to his outstanding performance between the sticks.
The significant gap on the scoreboard also owedp lenty to the heroic performance from our 'keeper, who scored one goal but, more importantly, made 20 saves during the match – his personal best in a Parisian shirt. Mikkel saved 65% of the opposition’s shots (20/31), cementing his status as the league's most effective 'keeper this season (34.55%). There is no doubt he will be a valuable asset in the final push for the league title.
Following Nantes’ victory, the standings remain unchanged, with Paris still two points clear. The win against Chartres has improved their goal difference, but it is the head-to-head record that will decide between the two sides in the event of a points tie. For their part, Chartres suffered the weekend’s biggest setback in the battle to avoid relegation, dropping a place and remaining under direct threat from Dijon and Istres.
