There are some matches that you wait for with excitement, impatience and apprehension - and this trip to Montpellier was one of them. Not because it was the last away game of the Liqui Moly StarLigue season, nor because Les Rouge et Bleu were looking for revenge two weeks after the Coupe de France final, but because there was much more at stake at the Sud de France Arena. If they won, Raul Gonzalez's men would have been crowned French champions. The capital club knew that they had only one mission to accomplish: to give the whole city something to savour and celebrate on such a special day. To do so, they would have to deliver a perfect performance against a Montpellier side fired up by the prospect of qualifying for the EHF Champions League.
And the least we can say is that Paris understood its mission perfectly. Les Rouge et Bleu started at full throttle and put three unanswered goals past Montpellier, who were unable to respond (3': 0-3). Although Charles Bolzinger was quick to start making saves, he was powerless against the clinical finishing of Yahia Omar and the efficiency of Wallem Peleka on the left wing (9': 3-6).
Seeing his players struggling to reduce the deficit, Erick Mathé wasted no time in calling the first timeout of the match, and the French coach's tactical adjustments allowed Montpellier to make up some of the deficit (14': 7-8). But even in the weakest moments, our team dug deep, and it was thanks to a cannonball from Elo' that Les Rouge et Bleu regained the lead (15': 7-10).
The solution also came thanks to some impressive agility from Kamil who, off balance, scored his third goal of the evening - and his 900th goal in the top flight (18': 8-12). Returning to a four-point lead, the capital club looked comfortable in the first half. Montpellier, meanwhile, seemed to have their backs against the wall and decided to call a second timeout to try and find some fresh energy.
However, Kamil showed no mercy and scored another double to maintain the lead despite the home side's best efforts (26': 11-15). Although Montpellier managed to make up some of the deficit in the final moments, Les Rouge et Bleu held firm. Thus, at the end of a controlled first half, Paris moved closer to their goal. However, it would take everything they had in the second half to repel the waves of Montpellier attacks (30': 16-18).
CLASH OF THE TITANS
Returning from the locker room, Paris had to face a Montpellier side ready to do anything to get back into the game. Les Rouge et Bleu could count on the iron hand of Andreas Palicka, who made two saves in quick succession to keep the lead intact (34': 18-20). Continuing his excellent form, Kamil remained ruthless as he scored his eighth goal of the evening (39': 20-22).
As the minutes ticked by, Raul Gonzalez made a few changes to maintain the intense pace of the game. Dani Baijens, who had just come on, scored a fine double to extend his side's lead (44': 21-24). Already valuable in attack, Elo' also proved decisive in defence with a lightning reaction to a long pass from Charles Bolzinger (47': 24-26).
In both attack anddefence, the Parisians were extremely efficient in the second half. After Dani Baijens' third goal, the capital club took off thanks to another cannonball from Elohim (49': 24-29), but Montpellier were far from giving up. Spurred on by their fans, theymanaged to get back into the game, setting up another nail-biting finish (53': 29-30). Raul Gonzalez didn't hesitate for a moment and decided to stop play to give his final instructions.
While Ruben Marchan restored the capital club's two-goal lead, Andreas Palicka managed to repel an attempt by Benjamin Richert, who had been unstoppable until then, to maintain a one-goal lead for Les Rouge et Bleu. However, after a final minute that was as intense as it was confusing, Montpellier held their ground and equalised at the buzzer. It was a cruel outcome for the capital club, who had been imperious throughout the match before seeing the Occitans come back in the dying seconds (60': 33-33).
One last week of competition awaits our Parisians. On Wednesday, Les Rouge et Bleu will be looking for your support against Istres as they attempt to clinch a twelfth French championship title. Raul González's men will conclude their season three days later, once again at Coubertin, against Chambéry.
(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)