Paris end on a high note against Japan

Ten days. That was all that separated Stefan Madsen's men from the Trophée des Champions against Montpellier at the kick-off of this final friendly match against Japan, played some 13,500 kilometres from Poitiers, which will host Paris and Montpellier next week. It was a final friendly match that served as a dress rehearsal against a tough and experienced opponent - exactly what the Parisians were looking for as they aimed to show their best form before the start of the new season and finish their intense preparations in the best possible way.

A well controlled first half

As expected, the home side set a pace that was difficult for Les Rouge et Bleu to follow from the outset. Despite an early save from Mikkel Lovkvist, Japan managed to find gaps in the Parisian defence and took an early lead (6': 1-4). This was no cause for concern for Stefan Madsen's men, who took their time to size up their opponents and target the weaknesses in the Japanese team. Paris quickly asserted their superiority, putting five unanswered goals past their hosts, who were unable to cope with the power of Kamil and Elohim.

Despite an initial time-out called by the visitors to try and breathe some life into a team that had nevertheless started well, Sebastian Karlsson proved unstoppable, scoring a hat-trick to extend the lead (14': 9-7). Although Japan managed to show some flashes of brilliance, the capital club punished every mistake. Kamil, Wallem and Luc took turns finding the back of the net from various areas of the court, demonstrating total domination (18': 12-8).

In this final friendly match of the pre-season, Stefan Madsen didn't hesitate to give his entire squad a chance to get some minutes ahead of the return to competitive action. Karl Konan and Abdelrahman Abdou quickly added their names to the scoresheet, while Noah Gaudin treated us to a splendid piece of skill on the left flank (23': 17-9). In defence, Mikkel Lovkvist was also in top form, making his seventh save and even finding the back of the net himself (27': 19-9). The score then remained unchanged for the rest a first half that had lived up to expectations, with Paris returning to the dressing room ten points clear.

A convincing end to the pre-season

After a first half that had showcased an intensity seldom found in friendly matches, the pace gradually slowed in the second half. While Gautier Loredon opened his account for the evening, Elo' confirmed his good form and shone in the Yoyogi National Stadium, which was packed for this gala match. After hitting ten goals the day before, our left-back now had racked up another five with twenty minutes to play (41': 23-13).

Looking to manage things in the second half, Paris were less clinical and, spurred on by their fans, Japan wasted no time in closing the gap (49': 25-19). However, the capital club were not about to throw away their lead, redoubling their efforts to regain their first-half rhythm. Once again decisive on his line, Mikkel Lovkvist led the Parisian counterattacks, notably for Gautier Loredon and Adberahman Abdou, who each scored their second goal of the day (53': 27-19). Without faltering, the capital club stitched up a deserved victory over Japan at the Yoyogi National Stadium (60': 30-23).

Next up for Les Rouge et Bleu

Paris concluded their summer preparations with this fifth and final friendly match. The 2025 Japan Tour, marked by two hard-fought victories, has allowed the team to get to know each other while preparing for the demanding schedule ahead. The first of these will take place at the Futuroscope in Poitiers on Saturday 30 August, when they take on Montpellier in the Trophée des Champions. Stefan Madsen's men will be keen to win their first trophy of the season against traditional rivals MHB.

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