Here it is, and it obviously does not surprise anyone: PSG is French handball champion. The Parisians have secured the title which has been reaching out to them for weeks by going to win this Wednesday in Cesson (28-34) in the suburbs of Rennes. The Parisians only needed a draw to be sacred. They insured the blow by winning quietly. At the break, the cause was already almost heard, since Paris led with a five-goal lead (18-13).
A return of the Bretons seemed already impossible in the face of the armada of the capital. In fact, Cesson never had the opportunity to spare the suspense and Paris won (28-34). “It was hard,” said goalkeeper Yann Genty, “after the meeting at the microphone of BeINSport, a long battle with everything that happened this year, matches every three days. It shot well. We are obviously happy to finish this match with the title. “
PSG thus won its 8th title of champion of France, the seventh in a row. The hegemony of Paris began at the end of the 2012-2013 season. Since this period, only Dunkirk has come to steal the trophy in 2013-2014. However, since the Starligue is called that way, that is to say since 2016, the trophy has never left the capital and the windows of the club’s headquarters in Boulogne.
13th title for Nikola Karabatic
On the honor roll, PSG joined Ivry, also crowned eight times between 1963 and 2007. But Montpellier, with its 14 titles, remains far ahead. At this rate and winning every year, PSG will have to wait … 2027 to equal the record of double European champions (2003-2018). There is still a little time. For lovers of statistics, this is the 35th time, since the French Championship existed in 1952, that a Ile-de-France club has been crowned: Stella Saint-Maur (six titles), Gagny (five), PUC (four ) remain among the most successful clubs.
In the individual department, however, there is a record that will be difficult to beat. Even if due to his long injury, he did not fully participate in the season, Nikola Karabatic won his 13th French championship title, an absolute record in French handball. He is ahead of the former Parisian Mladen Bojinovic (11) and … his own brother Luka who also raises his counter to eleven. Of all the active players, the little brother is the only one who can surpass the one Nedim Remili considers to be the greatest player of all time. Except that his elder did not want to stop at thirteen. Mikkel Hansen won his 8th French champion title. He was therefore there during all the Parisian campaigns and he is the only one in this case.
The title in the pocket, and after a last game without a stake against Nîmes on Friday in Coubertin to receive the trophy, Paris will be able to prepare for the Final Four of the Champions League. The Parisians will face the Danes of Aalborg in the semi-final on June 12 (3:15 p.m.) in Cologne. Unlike the previous Final Four in which they participated – especially the last one in December 2020 – they will go to Germany with a few days of rest in their legs and an empty infirmary. It may be the good year for PSG that could achieve the treble: championship, Coupe de France and Champions League. A feat that only Montpellier succeeded in 2003.
