Zagreb Overturn Five-Goal Deficit to Stun PSG
HC Zagreb produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Paris Saint-Germain 29–28 in the EHF Champions League Men, recovering from five goals behind and securing victory with a decisive goal in the final 27 seconds.
The opening stages were closely contested, with both teams exchanging goals before PSG gradually established control. Ferran Solé and Bjarki Már Elisson were particularly effective, helping the French side build a 17–13 advantage at halftime. PSG maintained their momentum after the break, extending their lead to 22–17 in the 36th minute. With Solé continuing to convert his opportunities, the visitors appeared to be in a commanding position. However, Zagreb gradually changed the direction of the match. Ihar Bialiauski became increasingly influential in attack, while Sandro Meštrić delivered important saves to limit PSG's offensive production. The Croatian side reduced the deficit to 23–25 before Filip Glavaš and Bialiauski brought Zagreb within a single goal. Glavaš eventually levelled the match at 27–27 with five minutes remaining. Giorgi Tskhovrebadze then gave Zagreb a 28–27 lead in the 58th minute, completing the comeback. Kamil Syprzak responded for PSG, but Davor Gavrić scored with just 27 seconds remaining to restore the hosts' advantage. PSG had one final possession, but a turnover with eight seconds left ended their hopes of equalising. Zagreb completed an extraordinary comeback to secure a 29–28 victory.
THE GAME, MOMENT BY MOMENT.
TEAM STATISTICS
HC ZagrebParis Saint-GermainSHOOTING PROFILE.
HC ZagrebSHOT MAP
SHOOTING PROFILE
Paris Saint-GermainSHOT MAPPLAYERS WHO SHAPED THE GAME.
For HC Zagreb, Ihar Bialiauski led the scoring with 8 goals from 10 attempts (80%), adding three assists. Giorgi Tskhovrebadze contributed 7 goals from 14 shots, while Filip Glavaš finished with 4/6 (67%), including a perfect 2/2 from seven metres. Petar Topić added 2 goals from 3 attempts (67%), while Davor Gavrić scored three goals, including the decisive winner. In goal, Sandro Meštrić recorded 9 saves from 24 shots (37%), providing an important defensive contribution during Zagreb's second-half recovery. For Paris Saint-Germain, Ferran Solé delivered an exceptional offensive performance with 10 goals from 11 shots (91%), including a perfect 6/6 from the wing. Bjarki Már Elisson contributed 4 goals from 5 attempts (80%), while Yahia Khaled Omar added 4 goals from 7 shots. Kamil Syprzak was perfect with 2/2, and goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales finished with 11 saves (28%).
#47 BIALIAUSKI Ihar
#57 GLAVAŠ Filip
#7 TOPIC Petar
#14 SOLÉ Ferran
#4 ELISSON Bjarki Már
#21 SYPRZAK Kamil
THE LAST LINE.
#16 MEŠTRIC Sandro
WHAT DECIDED THE GAME
The decisive factor was Zagreb's dramatic improvement in defensive effectiveness and shooting efficiency after halftime. PSG dominated the first half with 71% shooting efficiency, compared with Zagreb's 52%. However, the situation reversed after the break, with Zagreb improving to 67% while PSG dropped to just 42%. Goalkeeping also played a crucial role. Zagreb recorded 8 saves in the second half (42%), compared with only four for PSG (20%), significantly reducing the visitors' attacking effectiveness. Zagreb were particularly efficient from six metres, converting 23 of 33 attempts (70%), compared with PSG's 17 from 26 (65%). The hosts also committed fewer turnovers, finishing with 9 compared with PSG's 11. Ultimately, Zagreb's stronger second-half defence, improved finishing and decisive goalkeeping allowed them to overturn a five-goal deficit and complete an impressive Champions League comeback.