Paris
One last battle to end the year on a high. That's what awaited our Parisians at the Neodif XXL in Nantes, in a huge Liqui Moly StarLigue clash between the division's top two teams . Thanks to their perfect run so far (14 wins from 14 matches), Les Rouge et Bleu were two points clear of their earest chasers, and had a golden opportunity to widen that gap. But in what promised to be an electric atmosphere, they knew they would have to turn in a stellar performance to beat The H.
Full of confidence, Stefan Madsen's men probably played their best game of the season last weekend against fourth-placed Limoges (40-25), winning convincingly at Coubertin. Against Nantes, it was clear from the opening minutes that the Parisians were hungry, and keen to put their opponents under pressure in an already tense and tight game. Three fantastic goals from Elohim Prandi gave the visitors their first break (5': 1-3).
Predictably, this top-of-the-table clash saw the two teams going at each other blow for blow. Thanks to another Elo' stunner, his sixth goal of the match, our Rouge et Bleu stayed in front of Nantes (15': 9-10). Gregory Cojean's players put in a fine performance, but Stefan Madsen's players were on fire in the first half.
The Parisians showed total commitment and, thanks to two decisive saves from Mikkel Lovkvist and a fine goal from Kamil Syprzak, they made the break (20': 11-14). The goalkeepers continued to shine, with Jannick Green stopping a penalty and Mikkel making his eighth save of the game. In commanding form at both ends of the court, the capital club looked every bit the league leaders in the first half and were deservedly in the lead at half-time (30': 16-18).
Despite being outplayed, The H had no intention of letting their heads drop, and Paris had to work hard to keep them at bay. In any case, the match resumed with the same intensity, Lovkvist seemingly impassable and Prandi still sparkling, scoring his ninth goal (37': 18-21). Yahia Omar and Luc Steins, the other men in form, were not to be outdone in this wildly intense spell.
Thanks to Syprzak, our Rouge et Bleu went four and then five goals ahead for the first time in the match (43': 19-24). The Pole, now back from injury, had already scored six goals - undoubtedly one of the best pieces of news to emerge from the end of the year. In other good news, as the final quarter-hour approached, Paris were looking unbeatable. But in a fiery arena, they had to fight like hell to keep Gregory Cojean's men from storming back into the match.
Inideed, with just 10 minutes to go before the buzzer, there was no more than a two-goal gap on the scoreboard (51': 25-27). Tension was running high in this match that was so important to the title race, and the final minutes became unbearable. Despite an ironclad defence, the outcome was cruel for Paris. Leading for the entire match, the capital club saw Nantes equalise at the last second (60': 31-31). Les Rouge et Bleu could have won the game, with great performances from Elohim (10 goals) and Mikkel (13 saves). But the most important factor remained unchanged: Stefan Madsen's side still sit atop the league table as the winter break arrives.
This crazy match was also the last of 2025 for Paris. See you in 2026 for the resumption, after the Euros, which will be played in January. Stefan Madsen's men will be back in action with three consecutive away games. First the Coupe de France at Saran (on 6, 7 or 8 February), then the league at Dunkerque a few days later, before the big return of the EHF Champions League. On that occasion, our Rouge et Bleu will travel to Zagreb on 18 February at (18:45).
