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El Clasico as an intro the the big handball duel

Barcelona and Real Madrid are playing the earlier slot, so a lot of people will probably stay to watch handball as well, which would fill out the otherwise often empty Blaugrana. Barcelona need the win, but will be after 7 goals difference if they see the chance

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Handball never was, nor will it be, at the level of basketball, so no surprise that Xavi Pascual stayed in the shadow of Xavi Pascual in the last few days in Barcelona. The handball coach overshadowed by the basketball coach who came to Blaugrana, but this time leading Panathinaikos, to play against his "Barcelona". Even though he answered any provocative question by saying that "past should stay in the past", he was still more interesting to the press than Pascual who was talking about PSG and handball duel.

- This is going to be a big game.

How big and how important remains to be seen. PSG are leading the group with 14 points, as many as the Catalonians, but the Spanish lost the first match by seven goals, and the schedule brings them away games against Kiel and Veszprem, something the French already finished.

- I'm convinced that PSG will be the first team of the group. They're a step ahead of everyone else and are demonstrating that they are the best - Pascual sounded a bit weird, so we're not sure if that was just an attempt of reverse psychology, or he really thinks that.

The first place would mean skipping the round of 16, which is played right after the World Cup, so everyone wants to grab the first place and get some free time, especially knowing that the best teams will basically have all their players playing for their national teams.

- This game is going to be very different than the first one - Pascual said. Sorhaind was missing then. The defense aren't the same depending on whether the French is there.

- I expect that he might help us. He's a very important player in the team and I know he'll do his best on the court.

With Sorhaind in, they left Bjerringbro at 19 goals last weekend, and he played a bit against Puente Gentile in Asobal (35-29).

The Parisians beat Veszprem in the last two rounds, showing defensive quality they didn't have in the last seasons. They did a shooting practice against the disastrous Saran, ending with 44 goals. Uwe hit 11, and out of 14 players in the records, only Narcisse didn't score a goal. Even Accambray hit four of five shots. They're coming here in an ideal form, very motivated, and aware of how important the duel is.

Their goal now is to either win, or lose by less than seven goals difference. It's going to be interesting to see what will happen if they start losing. No doubt that the Spaniards will try to catch those seven if they smell blood.

- Barcelona are our biggest obstacle in the fight for the title - Nikola Karabatić claims. He used to play in Barcelona, now he plays in Paris.

- They're definitely going to want to get even for losing the first match - Nikola claims.

- This game is played after the football El Clasico and the arena will definitely be full. This is going to be a big game. Our games against Veszprem helped us grow, even though winning in November doesn't mean much. We were first in the group last season, and still didn't win anything.