It remains a poster, one of the most prestigious posters in European sport. PSG – Barcelona with a football or a ball that sticks never matches like the others. But it no longer reaches the peak it once did among handball players.
The geography of continental handball has moved to Germany, Poland and Hungary. With the last of twelve Champions League titles in 2024, Barca no longer dominates like before. PSG has been aligned at European level, and to make up for it, the two giants have gradually reduced their financial coverage. They are now taken over by Magdeburg, Veszprem and Plock, the nouveau riche.
Having qualified for the Champions League Final Four continuously since 2018, Barcelona only finished fourth last spring. PSG has been chasing coronation since its birth and still suffered two failures in the round of 16 this year and in the quarter-finals in 2024 against… Barcelona. Before kick-off on November 19, it had been nine years since Paris beat Barcelona.
The series will continue (at least) until 2026. In a packed Pierre-de-Coubertin stadium, PSG once again suffered its biggest upset. After starting well, Paris performed brilliantly in the middle of the first half (6-10, 15) which ultimately had fatal consequences. Barca’s French players Dika Mem, Ludovic Fabregas and Timothey N’Guessan set the tone. PSG internationals Mathieu Grebille, Karl Konan, Noah Gaudin and Elohim Prandi responded, but Barcelona won.
“We are sorry”
PSG received a special lesson in the first half (13-20). His incredible reaction after the break set the room on fire (24-25, 50) but came too late. “We’re sorry,” lamented Luc Steins. We should have played all the time like in (the second half). We should have let loose and burned the place down sooner. What a shame. »
In the Champions League, before receiving Plock in a week, PSG is still in big trouble with the ratio of wins (3) and losses (5) still negative. Direct qualification to the quarter-finals by finishing in the first two places in group B is impossible to achieve. At best, he would have to get through a tricky new dam in the spring to go any further.
Meanwhile, a new challenge awaits him starting Saturday (17.00) with a reception in Montpellier. Another championship highlight.
