A few days after making their twelfth French league title official with victory over Istres (39-31), Paris are preparing to round off this Liqui Moly StarLigue season in front of their home crowd against Chambéry. Although the stakes are lower, Raul Gonzalez and his men will no doubt be keen to close a new chapter in the club's history in the best possible way against a team that has often posed problems for the Parisians.
The team from the Savoie region would also like to give their supporters something to cheer about after a season full of ups and downs. With 14 defeats to 13 wins and 2 draws so far, Chambéry are hoping to end the season on an even keel, even if their hopes of European qualification vanished long ago. However, it would be a mistake to think that Asier Antonio's men will travel to Coubertin without ambition, as evidenced by the great fight they put up in midweek against Nantes, whom they managed to hold for a draw (28-28).
SWANSONGS
As with every final fixture of the season, this match will undoubtedly be an emotional one. A new chapter in the history of Paris Saint-Germain Handball is about to close this Saturday at Coubertin, with several players and members of the coaching staff set for their last match with Les Rouge et Bleu. Eight in all: Raul Gonzalez, a true maestro for the last seven seasons, will have his 328th and final match in charge of the capital club before leaving Paris for new horizons, as will his assistant Patrice Annonay. In terms players, Andreas Palicka, Kent Robin Tonnesen, Ruben Marchan, Dani Baijens, David Balaguer and Léo Plantin will also be concluding the Coubertin stage of their careers.
1. The capital club have established themselves as the league's main attacking force during this campaign. On the eve of the end of a season that has lived up to all its promises, Raul Gonzalez's men are once again poised to finish with the season's best attack, well ahead of Nantes (1,016 goals scored for Paris, compared to 950 for H).
12. Paris have now won twelve consecutive home matches against Chambéry. Les Rouge et Bleu last lost to the Savoyards at Coubertin on the opening day of the 2011-2012 season.
13. Jannick Green was once again decisive as the capital club beat Istres, making eleven saves. The Danish goalkeeper is now one step closer to the 200-save mark in the league this season. To reach this milestone, Jannick will have to stop 13 Savoyard attempts this Saturday.
193. Against Chambéry, Raul Gonzalez will be coaching his 193rd and final Liqui Moly StarLigue match for Les Rouge et Bleu. To date, he has won 178 matches, drawn six and lost eight.
Paris - Chambéry at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, broadcast on BeIn Sports 1 and to be followed on our live-tweet.
Saint-Raphaël - Nîmes
Créteil - Toulouse
Tremblay - Nantes
Aix - Montpellier
Dunkerque - Limoges
Istres - Cesson Rennes
Chartres - Ivry
(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)