Chartres-Paris preview: Another away game on the cards
Handball•
On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball travel to Chartres for their Liqui Moly StarLigue clash. Find out everything you need to know about the match!
Chartres are still finding their feet in the early stages of the season, and it seems it could take longer than expected for them to hit their stride. This is because, a few weeks ago, the club's management announced the dismissal of coach Nebojsa Stojinovic after only three league games. It must be said that the defeat against Saintes, promoted to the second division for the first time in its history and with the smallest budget in the Proligue, in the first round of the Coupe de France in early September, did not help the Serbian coach's cause.
His assistant Amor Khedira seems to be slowly turning the situation around, even if the results are not yet flowing. Beaten at home by Cesson-Rennes in their interim coach's first game (28-31), Chartres went on to pinch a crucial victory against Sélestat in Alsace the following week (32-36). Back at the Colisée last time out, Chartres were keen to build on their momentum, but conceded a cruel defeat right on the buzzer as former Rouge et Bleu youth academy graduate Steve Marie-Joseph struck from the penalty line (24-25).
Amor Khedira, who has been acting as interim manager for Chartres' last three matches following Nebojsa Stojinovic's dismissal, will be replaced by Arnaud Calbry, who joined the team's technical staff on Thursday. This is a vote for experience for CCMHB, Calbry having formerly been assistant to Patrick Cazal at Dunkerque, with whom he won the 2014 French championship title.
Calbry also has an positive track record as head coach, having spent three years at the helm of Belgium (2018-2021) before returning to France to coach Sarrebourg in 2022. In Alsace, he succeeded in achieving his goal of maintaining the team's position during the three seasons he was in charge. After leaving the Proligue team this summer, he is now taking on his first challenge as head coach in the top flight. His baptism of fire will take place this Sunday, in front of his supporters, against Stefan Madsen's men.
With six wins in as many games so far this season, Stefan Madsen's men will be keen to continue their perfect run, for several reasons. On the one hand, they need to quickly shake off the frustration of their mid-week defeat at Plock in the EHF Champions League (35-32), and on the other, Montpellier and Nantes will face each other on Saturday evening, which could work in the favour of Les Rouge et Bleu. A win for MHB would confirm the excellent form and ambition of the Hérault side this season, putting pressure on Paris by continuing their own perfect run in the league.
The H, meanwhile, could potentially be relegated to four points adrift of the capital club should they lose and Paris win on Sunday. On the other hand, a win for Nantes, who have been a real powerhouse in recent weeks with at least 35 goals scored in their last six matches, would rebalance the standings, but could allow Les Rouge et Bleu to take sole possession of first place tomorrow, provided once again that they win both points in Chartres.
Friday evening saw an exciting start to Matchday 7. Despite Taras Minotskyi's 11 goals and Diogo Oliveira's 13 assists, Dunkerque lost at home to newly promoted Sélestat (26-27). The Alsatians were able to count on ten saves from our former young gun Léo Villain to secure their first victory of the season.
Another surprise victory came from Cesson-Rennes at home against Nîmes (35-31). Xavier Labigang's 13 goals paved the way for the Bretons, who confirmed an excellent start to the season that has seen them lsoe just once - to no less an opponent than Montpellier - pvwer the first six matchdays. Trailing for most of their match, Tremblay managed to hold on for a draw against Aix to remain in the top five (32-32). Finally, Limoges had a scare against Dijon but managed to secure a third consecutive victory to temporarily draw level with Nantes.
This closing match of Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 7 will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS 1 at 17:00 on Sunday. You can also follow the key moments from the match via our live tweets.