After a successful training camp in Germany that included two friendly matches against Rhein-Neckar Löwen (28-26) and Göppingen (30-30), Les Rouge et Bleus returned to Coubertin on Friday. On this occasion, it was Dunkerque, whom the capital club will face in the opening round of the league season, who came to challenge Stefan Madsen's men. Two teams still finding their feet, both starting a new era with a new coach on the bench - all the ingredients were there for a great match.
Right from throw-off, the intensity shown by both teams belied the fact that this was a friendly match with minimal stakes. With quick, incisive attacks, Dunkerque took an early lead (3': 1-3), which was immediately cancelled out by Paris (5': 3-3). Les Rouge et Bleu didn't take long to get into the game, with Jannick Green making two early saves. The attacking sector wasn't to be outdone either, with Ferran Solé striking to puthis side ahead (10': 5-4).
However, the northerners managed to regain the lead by stepping up a gear after a quarter of an hour (15': 7-8). Nonetheless, the capital club grew in strength after the first time-out of the match. Like his Dunkerque counterpart, Jannick put in a solid first half and even scored from the penalty line. Wallem Peleka also played a decisive role in defence, blocking two attempts by the visitors (22': 10-10). Sharper and more commanding in attack, Dunkerque took the lead just before the break (30': 15-17).
On their return from the dressing room, Les Rouge et Bleu immediately showed their ambition to close the gap. Mikkel Lovkvist came on at the start of the second half and immediately gained confidence by winning his first duel. Thanks to Mateo Maras, Elohim Prandi and Emil Mellegard, Paris turned the situation around and took the lead (36': 20-19). The capital club even managed to extend their lead, forcing Tarik Hayatoune to stop play (40': 22-19). However, the tactical adjustments made by the Dunkerque coach had little effect on the efficiency of the Parisian side. In both attack and defence, Stefan Madsen's men were serious and focused.
In goal, Mikkel Lovkvist made a string of saves, including one from a Dunkerque penalty (43': 25-21). As the minutes ticked by, Paris pulled away against a team showing the first signs of fatigue (49': 31-25). Despite already having a comfortable lead going into the final stages, Les Rouge et Bleu did not let up - quite the contrary. Led by goals from Abdelrahman Abdou, Sebastian Karlsson and Yahia Omar, the capital club hammered home their advantage (53': 36-28). And so, after a second half in which they were in complete control, Paris secured another pre-season victory (60': 39-30) against a strong Dunkerque side, whom they will face again on the first day of the league season.
After this third successful test, Stefan Madsen and his men will fly out for their traditional summer tour of Japan. On the agenda: more intensive preparation with two friendly matches: against Zeekstar Tokyo and the Japanese national team.
(Credits: T. Senmartin/PSG)