After a week's international break that saw six of our Parisians join up with their respective national teams, the Liqui Moly StarLigue swung back into action on Friday 27 March! Les Rouge et Bleu opened Matchday 21 with a tricky trip to Nîmes. At Le Parnasse, Stefan Madsen's men had to be at their best to avoid being caught out in what promised to be an explosive atmosphere - despite the Green Team's recent poor form.
With three consecutive league defeats behind them, USAM came into this match in a tricky position, but with plenty of fighting spirit to fire up their fans. This extra verve was evident from the very first minutes, particularly in the defensive department. Time after time, Wesley Pardin denied Elohim Prandi, Sebastian Karlsson and Karl Konan (5': 1-2).
However, the team from the Gard region did not take advantage of these brilliant moves, as they kept losing possession before they even had a chance. Struggling to make an impact in open play, the home side managed to make the difference with some early set pieces, converting three consecutive seven-metre shots (10': 5-5). Serious and diligent, Paris held firm, increasing the tempo in all areas of the game.
Elohim Prandi shone as he always does at his old stomping ground, scoring three goals in the opening quarter. In defence, Jannick Green stopped Guéric Vincent's seven-metre throw to maintain a three-point lead as the first stoppage time of the evening was called (18': 7-10). This quick break gave Nîmes a new lease of life and they upped the intensity to try and pull level before the break.
However, Les Rouge et Bleu were relentless, as evidenced by the splendid kung-fu initiated by Yahia Omar and completed by Simen Lyse (21': 10-12). In goal, Jannick Green responded to opposite number Wesley Pardin by saving another Vincent penalty - his seventh save of the evening (26': 12-13). Leading at the break, the Parisians were far from safe and knew they had to keep up the intensity in the second term (30': 14-17).
The second half began in much the same way as the first had ended for Les Rouge et Bleu, with Ferran Solé and Yahia Omar putting the hosts ahead from the outset (33': 14-19). Nîmes were far from giving up, however. The break seemed to do several members of the Green Team a world of good, particularly Jean-Loup Faustin, who found the net six times in less than ten minutes to bring his side within two points of the Parisians (41': 22-24).
Stefan Madsen's men were far from troubled by the home side's late surge, however, and they showed impeccable spirit to maintain their lead. A two-goal lead stretched to three thanks to Mathieu Grébille's first goal of the game, and then four thanks to Ferran's inspired finish (46': 24-28). As the final ten minutes approached, eleven of the Parisian suqad's thirteen outfield players had already found the net, led by Kamil and Yahia, who scored six and seven respectively (51': 27-32).
But the final minutes were far from restful for Les Rouge et Bleu. With Le Parnasse whitte hot, Nîmes found the net four times in quick succession to pull back to within one goal (57': 31-32). In a hectic final phase, Yahia Omar saved the day by scoring a brace to clinch the capital club's two crucial points in the race for the title (60': 33-34).
Yahia Omar: Nine goals, Kamil Syprzak: seven, Elohim Prandi: five, Luc Steins: three, Ferran Solé, Simen Lyse: two, Sebastian Karlsson, Mathieu Grébille, Luka Karabatic, Sindre Heldal, Wallem Peleka, Gautier Loredon: one. Jannick Green: seven saves. Mikkel Lovkvist: three.
After returning to league action, it's Champions League time for Paris! A few weeks after finishing the group phase ranked fourth in Group B, Stefan Madsen's men are now getting down to business. In the EHF Champions League play-offs, the Parisians take on Veszprém in Hungary at 18:45 on Wednesday. The return to Coubertin will have to wait until Sunday 5 April, when they play Istres at 16:00.
