Nikola Karabatic’s French farewell tour passes this November 19 (5 p.m., live on beIN SPORTS) through Aix-en-Provence. And this tenth step is not quite like the others. The three-time Olympic champion played a few months in Aix in 2013 with his brother Luka to get away from the betting business in Montpellier. At the time, he found his mentor Noka Serdarusic there, who coached Pays d’Aix.
Like everywhere else, before leaving the stage at the end of the season, Nikola Karabatic will be honored by one of the three clubs in which he played in France. The other two are obviously Montpellier and PSG. This tribute, Philippe Gardent, who took charge of the destiny of the Provençal club this season, promised us even before the start of the season. “It’s even against us that he will play his last club match,” smiles the pivot, world champion in 1995. The PSG – Aix return match will be the meeting of the last day (May 31). Beyond the competition because above all we have a match to play, we must all salute Niko for everything he has brought to handball. »
Continue flawless performance before challenging Montpellier
And Gardent continues: “We don’t have a player like him every 10 years. We had Jackson (Richardson) in a different register. Mediatically, I don’t yet see who will replace Nikola after his departure. So we must salute and thank him. I don’t know yet what we’re going to do, but when he comes to Aix, we’ll pay him the tribute he deserves. » The two men did not meet in a club. Philippe Gardent left the PSG bench in 2015 when Karabatic arrived.
After (or before, depending on the protocol which remains secret) the tribute, there is a match to be played. And to win for Paris. Struggling in the Champions League where it remains with two defeats against Kiel (28-34) and Kolstad (36-31) which sow doubt, PSG has so far achieved a flawless performance in the championship. Nine victories for as many matches. For the moment, Paris is all alone in achieving this perfect journey. Montpellier lost its first point on November 18. The Héraultais were held in check at home by Saint-Raphaël (35-35). Amazing. A success in Aix therefore allowed the Parisians to occupy the lead in the championship alone and for the first time at the end of the 10th day. It won’t change much in the suspense of the championship. Because we could be wrong but we bet that the future champion of France is hidden among these two: Paris or Montpellier
The title will perhaps be decided next week
We may even have an idea of his identity in a week following the clash between the two. PSG will host its Montpellier rival on November 26 at Coubertin (7 p.m.). The winner will take a first option on the title. Provided both remain undefeated by then. For this match at the top to retain all its salt, PSG must therefore continue its flawless performance in Provençal soil against a team which presents a balanced record: 5 victories for 4 defeats. PSG must also get their heads back on track after the setback last Wednesday in Norway.
