This first big clash of the season lived up to all expectations. As the match threw off at Coubertin, the capital club were two points clear of nearest rivals Nantes and one point clear of Montpellier, who had suffered their first defeat of the season in Nîmes the previous week (30–29). Lacking confidence but determined not to fall behind before the halfway point of the season, Montpellier put up a valiant fight in the first half, but succumbed quickly to the power and precision of Stefan Madsen’s men in the second.
Trailing by seven goals as the final quarter of an hour approached (42': 27–20), the south-westerners mounted a late surge to finish the match three goals behind. But it wasn't enough to prevent Paris from sending a first warning to its rivals. Spurred on by a pair of back-court players at the top of their game – Yahia Omar proving decisive on 14 occasions (six goals, eight assists), one more than Elohim Prandi (six goals, seven assists) – Les Rouge et Bleu moved five points clear of their opponents on the night and retained top spot ahead of Nantes.
In recent years, matches against Nantes have represented the pinnacle of French handball. In the league or the Coupe de France – as exemplified by Paris's shoot-out victory in the quarters last season – spectators can always expect intense battles. This trip to the Halle XXL to round off the first half of the season lived up to that reputation. With both sides having gone unbeaten in the first half of the season, it was an epic struggle throughout the 60 minutes. Although Nantes took an early lead (10t': 7–6), Les Rouge et Bleu capitalised perfectly on a strong spell to turn the game around (19': 11–14).
In the second half, Stefan Madsen’s men pulled away against a Nantes side that seemed unable to find a solution (43': 20–25). However, this sport is as cruel as it is demanding, and just as the capital club were heading for a 15th victory in as many matches, The H were carried by their home crowd and Noam Leopold equalised right on the final buzzer. When you can’t win, you have to know how not to lose. The Parisians left Nantes reeling, but far from defeated, and more determined than ever to exact revenge a few months later.
Paris Saint-Germain were under pressure as they travel to Montpellier. Three days after a frustrating draw with Pelister in Northern Macedonia (34–34) and with Magdeburg due to visit for the final matchday of the EHF Champions League group stage, the capital club had to face a revenge-hungry Montpellier side at the Sud de France Arena. After a one-sided start to the match that saw Stefan Madsen’s men dominate, the contest gradually evened out.
Although Paris led throughout the second half, they saw their lead melt away in the closing stages. When Kylian Prat brought his side within a single goal with less than 30 seconds to go, bad memories of Nantes came flooding back for everyone, but the Parisians showed their newfound maturity and sealed victory with a fifth and final goal from Wallem Peleka – his personal best in a single league match.
Nîmes' season is unlikely to be remembered for long by the fans. The southerners' 11th-placed finish represented their worst season in terms of points since their surprise relegation in 2012. Since their promotion a year later, the Garde-region side had never finished lower than tenth. And yet, David Degouy’s men pulled off several upsets, notably toppling Montpellier in their first clash of the season (30–29). Having narrowly lost to Paris at Coubertin (31–29) and then to Nantes (36–34), USAM long believed they could pull off an upset against Stefan Madsen’s side on Matchday 21.
At their formidable Parnasse arena, Nîmes proved tenacious, capitalising on the visitors’ lapses to close the gap. It was an all-too-familiar scenario for the capital club, despite their holding a five-point lead heading into the closing stages (51: 27–32). However, four unanswered goals form the home side turned the tables and shifted the momentum in the closing minutes. Fortunately, a sublime goal from Yahia Omar - with 12 seconds remaining! - was enough to secure two crucial points in the title race.
Every year, certain top-of-the-table clashes leave a lasting impression by showcasing the very best of our sport, and this meeting with Nantes was always destined to be one of them. Such a spectacle called for a spectacular setting, and it was therefore at the Accor Arena that this title decider took place.
As was the case in the reverse fixture, Paris and Nantes produced another titanic battle in a packed and passionate arena. This time, it was Stefan Madsen's men who spent much of the evening chasing the game. Nantes led by as many as three goals before the break, but struggled to cope with the capital club's efficiency in the second half. Inspired by Elohim Prandi, Les Rouge et Bleu took the lead for the first time with 20 minutes to go (39': 18–17)
Nantes were unable to regain the lead, and Paris pulled away in the closing stages (56': 30–26). As the final buzzer sounded, the whole squad celebrated as one. The title had been deservedly secured against a Nantes side that was more dangerous than ever. Two weeks later, Stefan Madsen’s men achieved another feat by finishing the season unbeaten, their only blemish the draw at Nantes on Matchday 15. The capital club thus brought an historic campaign to a close, and Stefan Madsen and his men can now look ahead to next season with confidence and ambition.
