Paris keep winning record untouched

In the face-off between the two unbeaten teams in VELUX EHF Champions League Group B, a tough fight could be expected – and that’s exactly what was delivered in Paris on Sunday evening. PSG won a thrilling match against MOL-Pick Szeged, thereby extending their perfect record and causing their visitors their first loss.

On their side, RK Celje managed to win the two points at home against HC Motor Zaporozhye in a battle important for the qualification. Leading by three during most of the game, the Slovenian side moved ahead after the break thanks to an impressive performance from newcomer William Accambray.

• Despite missing Nikola Karabatic for the first time since his surgery, Paris win their sixth game in a row
• Sander Sagosen is key for PSG, top scoring the match with seven goals
• Celje maintain their perfect record versus Motor, taking their third win in three encounters
• William Accambray scores seven goals for Celje, while Aidenas Malasinskas tallies no less than 10 for Motor
• Paris are now alone at the top of Group B with 12 points, while Celje move up to four and sixth position

GROUP B
Paris Saint-Germain HB (FRA) vs MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 33:31 (15:14)

A tough fight between two undefeated teams was expected, and fans in Paris were treated to exactly that. MOL-Pick Szeged had the better start, with strong defence that allowed Paris to score only once in the first six minutes. But the hosts did not let the Hungarian side pull too far in front. When Sander Sagosen found his rhythm, PSG reclaimed the lead and cruised to an advantage as decisive as four goals in the second half.

Richard Bodo’s entrance, after fifteen minutes, was key for Szeged. His performance helped keep his team in the game, and Paris returned to the dressing room with a narrow advantage at the break, 15:14.

The two teams kept level at the beginning of the second half, with Sagosen and Bodo proving the most important offensive elements for their respective teams. But with the buzzer approaching, Paris stepped up yet another gear in defence. A couple of turnovers from Szeged were converted into easy goals for Uwe Gensheimer, and with a 6:1 run, PSG gained a five-goal advantage with five minutes to play (32:27).

Throwing everything they had left into the game, Szeged came back within one in the last minute. But with a goal by Nedim Remili 10 seconds before the end, Paris secured their sixth victory in as many games this season.

GROUP B
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) vs HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) 33:28 (18:14)

French newcomer William Accambray had a perfect Champions League debut for Celje, as the Slovenian champions doubled their points and advanced from eighth to sixth position in the group thanks to a victory on Sunday night. With seven goals and a fine effort in defence, Accambray definitely played his part.

The first quarter of an hour was as equal as it could possibly be, with the score constantly changing between a stand-off and a one-goal lead for Celje. From the middle of the half, though, the home team took over.

“Our performance had two faces today. Both beginnings of the halves were good, on a high level,”said Motor coach Mykola Stepanets. “We managed to keep pace with the home team for 18 minutes but made too many mistakes later and nothing went our way.”

It started with Tilen Kodrin earning Celje their first two-goal lead, as he made it 9:7 after 14 minutes and 36 seconds. Celje then pulled three in front, 13:10 on the 20-minute mark, and four up at 16:12 with six minutes left in the first half – where the distance remained at the break.

Celje opened the second half by increasing their lead to up to five goals, but Motor managed to come back and reduce the distance to just one. However, the hosts stood strong and pulled away to another five-goal lead towards the end.