Kuwait in Strong Group at Handball Gulf Championship
The draw for the 42nd Gulf Handball Championship placed Kuwait in a group featuring Al-Rayyan and Al-Sharjah, while Kuwaiti clubs Qadsia and Salmiya face fines for repeated withdrawals.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
French champions Paris Saint-Germain, holders of the title for the past two seasons, sent a strong message to their rivals in the UEFA Champions League after a thrilling 4-2 victory over English hosts Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The match revealed the French side’s terrifying attacking prowess, but also exposed some vulnerabilities that could give opponents hope of halting their quest for a third consecutive European crown.
The Parisian side entered the contest with clear superiority during the first half, which they finished leading 3-0. They capitalized on their players’ quick movements, precise passing, and high pressing, which disorganized the home side and reduced their ability to build attacks in an organized manner.
However, City returned strongly in the second half, benefiting from two goals by Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. This put Paris under significant pressure and confirmed that Parisian dominance, no matter how strong, does not mean the team is immune to danger.
The tactical approach implemented by Spanish manager Luis Enrique appears to be one of the key secrets behind Saint-Germain’s strength. The team relies on an integrated collective system rather than waiting for individual solutions from a single star player.
The squad is characterized by its ability to interchange positions, move without the ball, accelerate the tempo in the attacking third, and apply immediate pressure to regain possession after losing it. These elements have enabled the team to impose its style against opponents with considerable experience in European competitions.
Furthermore, the abundance of technical options gives Enrique important flexibility in managing matches, especially since he has players capable of changing the dynamic of the game from the bench without requiring the team to abandon its tactical identity.
Despite the Parisian club’s exceptional performance in the first half, what happened after the break provided opponents with important indicators regarding how to disrupt the title holders.
City succeeded in raising the tempo of play, increasing their attacking pressure, and exploiting spaces that appeared behind the Parisian defensive line, transforming a match that seemed settled into an open contest until the final minutes.
The English team demonstrated that overcoming the initial press and quickly moving into available spaces can be an effective way to reduce the threat posed by Enrique’s system.
The problem for Saint-Germain lies in the fact that their attacking style requires continuous forward movement from players, which can leave spaces exploitable when the team loses the ball in advanced areas.
Therefore, maintaining a balance between attacking pressure and defensive coverage will be a crucial factor in the French club’s efforts to continue its European dominance.
Despite the strength displayed by Paris Saint-Germain, the path to the title will not be without obstacles, given the presence of several clubs capable of competing with them at the highest levels.
English side Arsenal, runners-up last season, leads this group thanks to the tactical organization that characterizes manager Mikel Arteta’s team and its ability to keep pace with top teams. Moreover, its experience in facing Paris gives it a clear understanding of the challenges posed by the French team’s style.
German club Bayern Munich, on the other hand, possesses the attacking quality and European experience that allow it to compete with the title holders, especially with English striker Harry Kane in the forward line. However, its stumble against Norwegian side Viking, ending in a 3-3 draw, shows that the Bavarian team needs more stability if it wants to go far in the tournament.
Barcelona, the Spanish club, also stands out as a formidable opponent capable of offering a different kind of test, thanks to its players’ skills in possession, passing, and controlling the tempo of the game. If the Catalan side succeeds in limiting Paris Saint-Germain’s ability to press and transition quickly, it could force them into a more complex challenge.
However, simply having standout players will not be enough to topple the European champions; opponents must combine defensive discipline with attacking boldness, while capitalizing on available opportunities and avoiding mistakes that allow the French side to dominate the match.
