MATCH REVIEW – A fantastic performance from Cyril Dumoulin in goal was one of the main factors behind HBC Nantes’ surprise victory and qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League Final at the expense of Paris Saint-Germain

By Peter Bruun

HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 32:28 (17:14)

Before the Match

While everyone expected PSG to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4, which they did for the third time in a row, the big question was whether they could lift the trophy for the first time.

Just like the two previous years, the powerhouse from the French capital was seen as the biggest favourite to win the competition, especially as the three other contenders were generally rated as weaker than previous years.

Unlike PSG, Nantes was the surprise of the Champions League this season.

After an impressive performance in the group phase and a relatively easy Last 16 tie against Belarusian side Meshkov Brest, they were handed a gift as Skjern eliminated Veszprém, which gave Nantes a more winnable quarter-final against the Danes.

Ahead of the FINAL4, Nantes enjoyed taking on the role as underdogs, which Vardar did with success last year.

The Result

Once again, it was not PSG´s FINAL4, as Nantes pulled off a surprise, some would say sensation, and qualified for the final thanks to a thoroughly deserved four-goal win in the first semi-final at LANXESS arena.

A stellar Cyril Dumoulin in the Nantes goal played a great part along with a tactically very well prepared team under head coach Thierry Anti who also has his big share of the honour for the triumph.

His adversary Zvonimir Serdarusic never seemed to find the right tactical moves or to be able to make his players really believe in their chance.

1st Half

Despite an early two-minute suspension for Luka Stepancic, PSG took an early 3:1 lead, but that was just about as good as it got.

Nantes soon took the initiative and earned their first lead at 5:4.

After that, they scored four goals in succession, turning a 6:5 deficit into a 9:6 lead, and things turned worse for the favourites from Paris, as Nantes maintained a five-goal lead.

There were some obvious reasons for Nantes’ dominance.

Dumoulin and Nantes’ Defence

One reason was the fact that Cyril Dumoulin won the goalkeeper duel clearly from the start.

The two-metre tall Nantes goalkeeper had already performed five saves, before we saw PSG’s first, when Rodrigo Carrales saved a penalty from Kiril Lazarov after nearly 16 minutes.

In front of him, Dumoulin had a brilliant flexible and physically strong defence, which caused the PSG attack serious trouble throughout the first 30 minutes.

Remili entering the game

PSG managed to crawl closer before half-time, and this was for a great part due to Nedim Remili.

He had actually been on the court from the start, but mainly served brilliantly by Nikola Karabatic, the 22-year-old right back scored three quick goals in the last minutes of the half, bringing the difference down to two goals at 16:14, before Nicola Tournat made sure that Nantes took a three-goal lead with them into the break.

2nd Half

Those who expected PSG to claw their way back early in the second half, had to think twice as Nantes jumped into the driver’s seat again.

Now, it was not only due to Dumoulin, although he went on in great style, but also due to series of downright elementary mistakes from PSG.

This way, Nantes were able to increase their lead to six goals for the first time at 20:14.

Hansen’s Rise and Fall

Mikkel Hansen had not got much court time in the first half, where Zvonimir Serdarusic preferred Sander Sagosen, but the Dane made the most of his chance when he got it.

It did not take him long to score five goals and alongside an in-form Remili, dragged PSG back into contention.

Unfortunately for Hansen and Paris, however, he also missed some crucial chances in the dying minutes of the game.

Dumoulin taking over again

As the second half progressed, PSG began to make Cyril Dumoulin look human and they actually managed to set up a thrilling final few minutes.

After drawing closer and closer all the time, PSG managed to reduce the deficit to just one goal, as Sagosen made it 28:29 with four minutes and 51 seconds left.

And as Thierry Omeyer, who had returned to the PSG goal, finally made a save 40 seconds later, Paris even had the chance to equalise, but blew their chance with a two-man advantage.

Instead, Nantes and Dumoulin set up a triumphant final couple of minutes, during which they scored the final three goals of the match.

Dominik Klein, who is playing his last FINAL4, had the honour of scoring the last goal of the match with 56 seconds left.

Highlight of the Match

Among many spectacular goals and saves, one goal stands out:

As Olivier Nyokas played to ball behind his back to Dominik Klein who equalised to 4:4 from the left wing, spinning the ball around Thierry Omeyer.

That has not been seen often in Klein’s long career and his former teammate did not see it coming.

Quote of the Match

Take Away

Nantes will spend some nice hours preparing for the final on Sunday.

For the second year in succession, a FINAL4 debutant reaches the final – last year Vardar, this year Nantes.

No case of third time lucky for PSG – the FINAL4 does not seem to be their thing.

Will it ever be?