One Veszprém HC took a massive step toward the Machineseeker EHF Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night. A clinical performance, backed by a wall-like defense, saw the Hungarian powerhouse dismantle Paris Saint-Germain 32-24, leaving the French champions with an eight-goal mountain to climb in the return leg.
History repeated itself in a painful way for PSG. After falling in the play-offs to a Hungarian side last season, the Parisians once again found themselves overwhelmed by the intensity of the Veszprém Arena. Xavi Pascual’s men set the tone from the opening whistle, suffocating the PSG attack and racing to an 8:3 lead within 14 minutes.
The visitors struggled immensely to find gaps in the Hungarian defense, managing a mere nine goals before the halftime break.
French connection sinks Paris
Ironically, it was a trio of French internationals who did the most damage against the French champions. Hugo Descat (10 goals), Yannis Lenne, and Nedim Remili combined for 20 of Veszprém’s 32 goals. When Lenne netted for 23-14 in the 41st minute, a historic blowout seemed imminent.
PSG managed a brief 4-1 run after Veszprém’s defensive specialist Thiagus Petrus received a red card at 25-17, but the comeback was short-lived. Late strikes from Descat and Ahmed Hesham restored the dominance.
– We played incredibly well. During the season we’ve shown several times what we’re capable of, but we had never maintained it for sixty minutes, Xavi Pascual, head coach of Veszprém said to IHF and continues:
– When you play like this and win like this against a team of PSG’s caliber, it’s impossible to highlight just one key factor. There were many keys to this victory. It was incredible teamwork, and I’m very proud of the boys.