The Parisians failed to pick up a positive result in a white-hot One Veszprem Arena (24-32) in Hungary a week ago. It was a disappointment after an encouraging end to the group phase that saw the capital club win three of their last four games. Nonetheless, this tie is far from over, with the return leg at Coubertin shaping up to be an electrifying affair.
At the weekend, Stefan Madsen's men bounced back perfectly against Istres, who have been in strong form of late despite sitting a fair way down the standings. Playing at Coubertin, Paris put on a clinic to win comfortably (40-25) and retain top spot in the league. They will need to turn in a similar performance on the European stage - and make full use of the capital club's ebullientfan base - if they are to topple Veszprém.
The Hungarian club are not infallible, as shown by their three defeats in their last four Champions League games before playing host to Paris. However, Veszprém have yet to lose by more than five goals on the European stage this season (33-38 against Aalborg on 12 March) and Stefan Madsen's face a daunting challenge.
Not about to go out without a fight, the capital club are determined to give themselves every chance - which means making the most of their attacking assets. The Parisian squad boasts the second-highest scorer in the Champions League this season, Elohim Prandi (115 goals), as well as Yahia Omar, named Liqui Moly StarLigue Player of the Month for March, and Kamil Syprzak, who was in bullish form last week, plundering eight goals.
As Veszprém have racked up the best attacking record in the competition - som,ething they confirmed in the first leg - the Parisians will also have to be perfect in defence if they are to build a lead. The good news is that Mikkel Lovkvist turned in a fine performance against Istres at the weekend (ten saves, one goal), and Jannick Green is in fine form in 2026. In short, the whole team will have to pull together if they are to qualify.
The capital club have not won against their Hungarian rivals since 2023, and there would be no better time to break that duck. With Coubertin packed full of the vociferous Rouge et Bleu faithful, anything can still happen in this tie. In their last group stage match, Les Rouge et Bleu beat reigning European champions Magdeburg by eight goals (34-26) - a scoreline that would take them into extra time against Veszprém. Time to fight!
Veszprém's compatriots Szeged travel to Kielce on Wednesday 8 April to confirm their home win (26-23). After this match at 18:45, Nantes will play host to GOG at 20:45, looking to build on their come-from-behind victory in Denmark a week ago (34-33). The following day, before the Paris match at 20:45, Plock, who returned from Portugal empty-handed (29-33), will try to make up lost ground at home against Sporting CP.
If you can't make it to Coubertin, you can watch the match live and exclusively on Eurosport from 20:45 on Thursday 9 April.
