MOTW: Paris edge Skjern to keep perfect record
Despite tough opposition by Skjern Handbold in Sunday’s Match of the Week, and an impressive performance by the Player of the Match, goalkeeper Emil Nielsen, Paris Saint-Germain Handball kept their perfect record in the VELUX EHF Champions League 2018/19.
The French side was made to work hard for a 26:24 win, but remain proud leaders in Group B with 10 points from five matches.
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Emil Nielsen was brilliant as PSG needed over 10 minutes for their first two goals
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Thomas Mogensen scored 10 for Skjern, Mikkel Hansen seven for PSG
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Paris remain top of Group B with 10 points, Skjern have five out of five
GROUP B
MOTW: Skjern Handbold (DEN) vs Paris Saint-Germain HB (FRA) 24:26 (10:12)
If you are into goalkeeper performances, the first 10 minutes of this game were made for you. Skjern’s Emil Nielsen stopped 12 of the first 14 shots that were thrown his way, as Paris were struggling unbelievably to get past the 21-year-old goalkeeper.
On the other side of the court, Robert Corrales was having as good a day, meaning Paris were two goals ahead after 12 minutes, but having netted only four times (4:2).
Taking the lead didn’t mean Skjern stopped their efforts, actually, the Danes were ahead a couple of minutes later, thanks to two goals in a row by Christoffer Mikkelsen. Corrales saved two shots in a row, allowing his team to reach the break with a two-goal advantage (12:10).
The start of the second half was successful for Paris, as the visitors quickly took a three-goal lead, their biggest lead of the match.
However, five minutes later, Thomas Mogensen’s sixth goal reduced all that to nothing (15:15), while Skjern went on to take a two-goal lead (17:15), forcing Raul Gonzalez to take a timeout.
Paris reacted quickly, with Mikkel Hansen remaining the most dangerous offensive asset for the visitors. For a while, it looked like a face-off between Thomas Mogensen and his former team-mate Hansen, with Anders Eggert’s red card being the turning point. Paris scored two after the Danish left wing was sent off and were never caught up again.
"We knew it would be difficult in this arena"
"We knew it would be difficult to come here, to play in this arena," PSG's Sander Sagosen said, referring to the huge Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, where the match took place.
"We played not our best game. The biggest problem was to make the goal," Sagosen said, praising Skjern goalkeeper Nielsen. "But we take the two points to Paris and we are happy about that."
While Nielsen’s outstanding performance didn’t give Skjern the win, it earned the goalkeeper the Player of the Match award, presented by Gorenje.
“I guess it was OK. I am satisfied,” Nielsen said about his performance. “First of all, PSG is maybe the best team in the world. Our performance was amazing today, and in my opinion, we deserved to win. Right now I am very bitter and frustrated."
TEXT:
Kevin Domas / ew