Paris trump Toulouse in thriller to stay top

Handball•

Paris Saint-Germain Handball won a hard-fought 33-36 victory in Toulouse on Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 9, Les Rouge et Bleu bringing their mental strength to bear as they maintained their perfect start to the season.

The end of the international break marked the start of an important period of the season for Les Rouge et Bleu. Before the return of Champions League action, this trip to Toulouse was an opportunity to continue their perfect start to the league season with a ninth win in nine matches. Montpellier had beaten Sélestat (35-30) the day before, so Stefan Madsen's men had to win to regain their place at the top of the table.

Coming off two consecutive league wins, Toulouse were looking to do more than just hold their own against the capital club. This produced a lively start, with Yahia Omar - excellent for Egypt during the international break - striking first for Paris. Meanwhile Fénix could count on their goalkeeper Jef Lettens, who made three superb saves.

Sebastian Karlsson finally gave Les Rouge et Bleu their first break (6': 3-5). The home side held their own against the league leaders, but Omar was irrepressible the first half, succeeding in almost everything he attempted (three goals, five assists). With seven saves, Lettens prevented Paris from pulling away, and his team managed to stay in touch (18': 10-11).

As the minutes ticked by, Toulouse got back into the game and eventually managed to equalise (24': 14-14). After a first quarter of an hour that had seen everything go Paris's way, the match became more difficult to control. Fénix even took a narrow lead into the half-time break (30' minute: 20-19). The warning signs were there: Les Rouge et Bleu had to react in the second half.

The Parisians did rather well after returning from the locker room, with two fine saves from Mikkel Lovkvist and a return to form in attack (35': 20-22). More aggressive in defence, thanks in no small part to an excellent Mathieu Grébille, the Parisians regained the lead. In attack, Yahia Omar continued to lead the charge, with seven goals and eight assists, allowing his team to hold on to their lead (45': 27-29).

Danijel Andjelkovic's men refused to give up, however, and the second half became an intense physical battle. Seeing his team under pressure once again, Stefan Madsen called his second timeout (51': 30-31). Fortunately, Yahia continued his virtuoso performance, converting a penalty with five minutes to go (56': 31-33).

In a breathless finale, Mathieu crucially won possesion in defence, setting up the unstoppable Omar to score his 10th of the night and sound the death knell for Toulouse's hopes. Elohim Prandi's lob sealed Paris's courageous win against a tough Toulouse side (60': 33-36). With this 10th victory in as many games, Les Rouge et Bleu reclaimed their place at the top of the league table.

Next up for Les Rouge et Bleu

The Parisians will return to Champions League action next week with a crucial trip to Denmark to face GOG. On Wednesday evening at 18:45, Stefan Madsen's men will have the chance to take revenge for their defeat in the first leg (34-36) and get back on track in Group B. In the league, they will travel once again, this time to Istres, to continue their impressive winning run and stay at the top of the table. The match is scheduled for Sunday at 16:00.

(Photo credit: Fenix / Frederic Speziale)