PSG aiming higher after getting a taste for Cologne

In 2014 and 2015, they failed at the final hurdle, but in May 2016, Paris Saint-Germain made their first-ever appearance at the VELUX EHF FINAL4, in which they finished third after losing at the semi-final to eventual winners Kielce. Since Montpellier’s triumph in 2003, no French team has made it to the EHF Champions League Final, let alone even won the competition, but PSG hope their time will soon come.

After 90 per cent of the squad was involved with the Olympic Games in Rio – and half of them returned to the French capital with medals, including Danish gold medallists Mikkel Hansen and Henrik Möllgaard, the biggest pre-season challenge was the IHF Super Globe in Doha. At their debut, Paris made it to the final by beating Kielce, but then came up short against Füchse Berlin.

This tournament already proved that Paris’ top transfer was an ace, German Uwe Gensheimer, All-star team member and bronze medallist in Rio, was by far PSG’s best scorer at the Super Globe. Alongside Gensheimer, the PSG signings are mainly international, with Croat Luka Stepancic, Slovenian goalkeeper Gorazd Skof, Dane Jesper Nielsen alongside some native French players, which means the French champions can be counted among the top favourites once again.

After several players departed, including left-handed Sergey Onufriyenko and Croatian line player legend Igor Vori, the new faces will have little time to adapt before they are expected to perform at the highest level. “Due …

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