After a marathon nine months and 29 matches, the Liqui Moly StarLigue campaign drew to a close with an exciting final game between Les Rouge et Bleu and Chambéry. It's a French league classic fixture that would give the Stade Pierre de Coubertin one last treat while celebrating the championship title that was clinched against Istres just a few days ago (39-31). Although there was nothing at stake, both two teams were determined to put on a show.
Before throw-off, it was time for the first tribute of the evening, aimed at Luka Karabatic. The Rouge et Bleu captain, who was playing in his 432nd match for Paris this evening, became the most-capped player in the club's history. After a standing ovation from the Coubertin crowd, it was time for the game! From the very first minutes, Paris' ambitions were clear: Elohim Prandi racked up the goals while Andreas Palicka pulled off a string of saves, and Paris made an early break (5': 3-1).
However, just a few days after their draw with Nantes at Le Phare, Chambéry were determined to end the season on a high and fought hard to close the gap (12': 5-5). Although they had several opportunities to take the lead, Asier Antonio's men were denied by the wall named Andreas Palicka. In his last match with Les Rouge et Bleu, the keeper made four saves, including one from a penalty (17': 8-5).
However, there was no reason for Chambéry to give up, and they pushed forward with ambition and conviction. Making the most of their opportunities on the counter, the Black and Yellows took full advantage of the spaces in the Parisian rearguard and levelled it up (23': 9-9). Despite a first time-out called by Raul Gonzalez, the visitors took advantage of being a man up to take control of the match (26': 9-12).
After dipping out of the match for several minutes, it was David Balaguer who ended up sounding the rebellion for the capital club, setting up a kung fu finished by Kent. But Les Rouge et Bleu were trailing by a narrow margin at the break against a Chambéry side going all out (30': 12-13).
Right from the restart, Kamil and David were on top in attack, while Andreas made another important save, and Paris quickly regained the lead (33': 14-13). Raul Gonzalez's instructions at the break had clearly had a huge effect on Les Rouge et Bleu, who showed no mercy and forced Chambéry to stop play (37': 18-14). The visitors were slow to wake up, however, and the Parisians had no intention of slowing down. Buoyed by a brace from Yahia Omar, the capital club maintained their four-point lead over a somewhat bewildered Savoyard side (45': 21-17).
As the minutes ticked by, the game seemed to be moving too quickly for Asier Antonio's side, who had no answer to the Parisian onslaught. Yahia, who had already doled out five assists, joined Prandi as the evening's top scorer with his fifth goal (47': 23-18). Ferran Solé then added to the capital club's tally with his first three goals in quick succession (53': 26-20).
In his last game for Les Rouge et Bleu, Andreas Palicka once again produced an outstanding performance, making 10 saves before making way for Stanis Soullier in front of a Coubertin crowd that could not stop applauding Paris's imperious 'keeper. Towards the end of the second half, the capital club continued their festival of attacking play, with Elo concluding antoerh top-noitch season with a sixth goal of the evening (58': 30-22). And so it was, in front of a home crowd united as one, that Paris secured their 28th and final league victory of the season against a Savoyard side who had been brushed aside despite a valiant performance (60': 30-23).