Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Paris Saint-Germain Handball (PSG) is a French professional handball club founded in 1941, and based in the city of Paris in France. The club is the handball department of Paris Saint-Germain.[1]

This article is about the handball team. For the men's football team, see Paris Saint-Germain F.C. For other uses, see Paris Saint-Germain (disambiguation).

Paris Saint-Germain
Full nameParis Saint-Germain Handball
Short namePSG, Paris SG
Founded1941 (1941)
ArenaStade Pierre de Coubertin
Halle Georges Carpentier
Capacity3,400
4,500
PresidentNasser Al-Khelaifi
Head coachRaúl González
LeagueLNH Division 1
2018–19LNH Division 1, 1st
Home
Away
Website
Official site
Active departments of
Paris Saint-Germain
Football (Men's) Football (Youth Mixed) Football (Women's)
Handball (Men's) Esports Judo (Mixed)
Closed departments of
Paris Saint-Germain
Boxing (Men's) Rugby League (Men's)

PSG play in the highest tier of French handball, the LNH Division 1.[1] Their home ground for LNH matches is Stade Pierre de Coubertin, which has a seating capacity of 3,400 spectators.[2] For EHF Champions League matches, the club play at Halle Georges Carpentier, which has a seating capacity of 4,500 spectators.[3]

Initially called Patriotes d'Asnières (1941–1942), the club has gone through several name changes: Asnières Sports (1942–1987), Paris-Racing-Asnières (1987–1988), Paris-Asnières (1988–1992), PSG-Asnières (1992–2002), and Paris Handball (2002–2012). After being bought by Paris Saint-Germain owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2012, the club became Paris Saint-Germain Handball.[1]

Since its inception, the club has won 20 titles. Domestically, Paris SG have clinched seven LNH Division 1 titles, four French Cups, three Coupes de la Ligue, a record four French Super Cups and two LNH Division 2 titles.[2][4] In international club handball, the capital side finished runners-up in the 2016–17 edition of the Champions League.[1] PSG also have a reserve team that currently play in the Championnat National 1, which serves as the third tier of French handball.[5] They have played in Nationale 1 since 2017–18, after clinching the Championnat National 2 title and winning promotion during the 2016–17 season.[6]

History

First titles (1941–2012)

The Parisian club was founded in 1941. Initially, it took the name of Patriotes d'Asnières before becoming Asnières Sports one year later. Asnières Sports was presided by Christian Picard, whose son Gérard Picard took over during the 1975–1976 season and remained president until 2003.[1]

In 1987, the club's management succeeded in convincing the Paris City Council to partner Asnières Sports and create a major handball team in the capital. This resulted in the Hauts-de-Seine team moving to Paris and being renamed Paris-Racing-Asnières then Paris-Asnières. Relegated in 1989, Paris-Asnières immediately bounced back to the top flight in 1990 after winning the D2 title. At the time, the club's most notable players were future French internationals Jackson Richardson and Patrick Cazal.[1]

In 1992, the club came under the management of Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, a partnership that lasted 10 years. This led to another name change, and Paris-Asnières became PSG-Asnières. PSG-Asnières finished second in the LNH Division 1 during the 1995–96 season and then reached the French Cup final in 2001, losing to Montpellier.[1]

During that time, PSG-Asnières managed to attract several international players such as Stéphane Stoecklin, Denis Lathoud, Gaël Monthurel, Nenad Peruničić and Olivier Girault. The latter set up home in Paris in 1999, playing for the club until 2008 and then coaching the team until 2011.[1]

Under yet another name, Paris Handball began 2002 with new club owner Louis Nicollin. During the next decade, the club played in the EHF Champions League during the 2005–06 season, and won its first major trophy in 2007 with star player Kévynn Nyokas. Paris Handball registered a 28-21 win in the French Cup final over Pays d'Aix.[1]

But there were tough times too. At the end of the 2008–09 season, the club was relegated to Division 2. Paris Handball won the LNH Division 2 the very next season and rejoined the top clubs. In 2012, the team narrowly avoided relegation in the last round of play.[1]

Domestic dominance (2012–)
PSG players lifting the 2014–15 French Cup trophy.

After being bought by Paris Saint-Germain Football Club owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2012, the club became Paris Saint-Germain Handball. Under the initiative of Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a new management and playing team was assembled. Jean-Claude Blanc was named General Manager, Philippe Gardent signed as first-team manager, and a host of international stars arrived at the French capital, including Didier Dinart, Luc Abalo, Samuel Honrubia, Mikkel Hansen, José Manuel Sierra and Antonio García.[1]

In the 2012–13 season, PSG claimed their maiden league success, which also meant the club secured a spot in the EHF Champions League. However, PSG were denied the double by Montpellier in the French Cup final.[1]

Big-name signings kept coming in the 2013–14 season with the arrivals of Daniel Narcisse, Igor Vori, Jakov Gojun, Fahrudin Melić and Gábor Császár. PSG reached the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in its history, but failed to keep up the pace with Dunkerque in the league. Despite this, the season finished on a high note, thanks to a victory in the French Cup final against Chambéry, adding a second national cup trophy to the club's honours.[1]

In the 2014–15 season, new manager Zvonimir Serdarušić and star signing Nikola Karabatić led the capital club to its second league title following a nail-biting battle for top spot against Montpellier. PSG claimed the trophy on the last day of the season, after a win over Tremblay. The league crown rounded off a domestic treble, going alongside the French Cup and the French Super Cup that they had won after beating Nantes and Dunkerque, respectively. On the European stage, PSG's hopes were dashed, for a second time, by Veszprém in the Champions League semifinals.[1]

PSG continued its winning ways in the 2015–16 season by claiming a second French Super Cup and a third league title. However, the crowning moment was reaching the Champions League Final4 for the first time in its history. Along the way, the club downed THW Kiel at the Sparkassen-Arena, where the German side had been undefeated for four years; topped its group for the first time ever; and trumped Kiel in the third-place play-off. Additionally, Mikkel Hansen set a new record for goals in a Champions League season, with no fewer than 141 strikes to his name.[1]

Identity
Main article: Paris Saint-Germain § Identity

Parent club Paris Saint-Germain represent both the city of Paris and the nearby royal town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.[7] As a result, red, blue and white are the club's traditional colours.[8] The red and blue are Parisian colours, a nod to revolutionary figures Lafayette and Jean Sylvain Bailly, and the white is a symbol of French royalty and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.[8][9]

On the club's crest, the Eiffel Tower in red and the blue background represent Paris, while the fleur de lys in white is a hint to the coat of arms of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.[9][8] The fleur de lys is a royal symbol as well and recalls that French King Louis XIV was born in the town.[8] Throughout its history, PSG have brandished several different crests, but all of them have featured the club's three historical colours.[10] Likewise, PSG's most iconic shirts have been predominantly red, blue or white, with the remaining two colours included as well.[11] The club's official mascot, Germain the Lynx, also sports PSG's traditional colours.[9]

Grounds

Stadium
See also: Stade Pierre de Coubertin (Paris) and Halle Georges Carpentier

The Stade Pierre de Coubertin, with a seating capacity of 3,400 spectators, serves as PSG's home stadium for LNH Division 1 matches.[2] For EHF Champions League games, on the other hand, the club use Halle Georges Carpentier as its home venue. It has a seating capacity of 4,500 spectators.[3]

Training facilities
Main article: Paris Saint-Germain Training Center

In 2022, the club's first team and academy will move to the Paris Saint-Germain Training Center.[12] On the second plateau of the new training ground and sports complex handball players – professionals as well as academy attendees – will enjoy the use of two fields, a stand with a capacity of 250 spectators, fitness rooms, recovery areas, staff offices and meeting rooms.[12][13]

Supporters
Main article: Paris Saint-Germain F.C. supporters

Between 2010 and 2016, with the impossibility for fan groups to support parent club Paris Saint-Germain (men's football team) at home or away, the PSG faithful turned to Paris Saint-Germain Féminine, and to a lesser extent to the Paris Saint-Germain Youth Academy sides, being the very rare case of fan groups supporting their club's women's football team. Liberté Pour les Abonnés and Nautecia, which were among several groups that reunited Boulogne and Auteuil supporters, were behind this initiative.[14] PSG ultras have also occasionally attended big matches of the club's handball team ever since it was bought by PSG owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2012.[15][16][17]

Ownership and finances
Main article: Paris Saint-Germain F.C. ownership and finances

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ruler of Qatar, bought 70% of parent club Paris Saint-Germain through state-owned shareholding organization Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).[18][19][20] Colony Capital (29%) and Butler (1%) remained minority shareholders.[18] In March 2012, QSI purchased the remaining 30% stake to become PSG's sole shareholder, valuing the club at €100m.[18][21] PSG thus became one of the wealthiest clubs in the world.[19] Paris Saint-Germain Handball (previously called Paris Handball) were then bought by PSG owners QSI in 2012.[1]

In late June 2019, Paris Saint-Germain announced a long-term contract extension with kit manufacturer Nike, which is now one of European football's most lucrative and the biggest sponsorship agreement in the club's history.[22] PSG are tied to the American brand until 2032 and will more than triple their previous €25m deal with an annual figure in excess of €80 million.[22][23] PSG said the new Nike deal will cover the men's and women's football teams, as well as their handball outfit.[22]

Honours
As of the 2019–20 season.[2][4][6]

Domestic

European

Worldwide

Doubles and Trebles
  • Domestic Double (D1 and CdF)
    • Winners (1): 2014–15
  • League and League Cup Double (D1 and CdL)
    • Winners (2): 2016–17, 2018–19
  • Domestic Cup Double (CdF and CdL)
    • Winners (1): 2017–18
  • Domestic Treble (D1, CdF and CdL)
    • Winners (1): 2017–18

European record
Season Competition Round Club 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
2019–20 EHF Champions League Group Stage
Group A		 Barça 32–35 32–36 2nd place
MOL-Pick Szeged 30–25 29–32
Aalborg 37–24 32–29
Flensburg 32–30 30–29
Celje 27–18 33–29
PPD Zagreb 37–26 37–29
Elverum 31–25 25–22
Round of 16 Dinamo București Cancelled
Semi-final (F4) Barça 32–37
Third place match(F4) Telekom Veszprém 31–26

First-team

Current squad
As of the 2020–21 season.

2021–22 season

Notable former players

Youth academy

Current squad
As of the 2020–21 season.[24]

Staff and management
As of 30 December 2020.[24][25][26][27]
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi
Position Name
President Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Deputy general director Jean-Claude Blanc
General manager Thierry Omeyer
Sports coordinator Daniel Narcisse
Youth academy manager Thierry Perreux
First-team coach Raúl González
Assistant coach Jota González

Presidents
No. President Paris Saint-Germain Honours
1 Christian Picard 1941–1975
2 Gérard Picard 1975–2003LNH Division 2 (2)
3 Jean-Claude Lemoult 2003–2009Coupe de France (1)
4 Jean-Paul Onillon 2009–2012
5 Nasser Al-Khelaifi 2012–LNH Division 1 (6)
Coupe de France (3)
Coupe de la Ligue (3)
Trophée des Champions (4)

Managers
Raúl González
Manager Paris Saint-Germain Honours
Patrice Canayer 1990–1994
Risto Magdinčev 1994–1997
Nicolas Cochery 1997–2000
Boro Golić 2000–2003
Maxime Spincer 2003–2004
2011
Thierry Anti 2004–2008Coupe de France (1)
Olivier Girault 2008–2011LNH Division 2 (1)
François Berthier 2011–2012
Philippe Gardent 2012–2015LNH Division 1 (2)
Coupe de France (2)
Trophée des Champions (1)
Zvonimir Serdarušić 2015–2018LNH Division 1 (3)
Coupe de France (1)
Coupe de la Ligue (2)
Trophée des Champions (2)
Raúl González 2018–LNH Division 1 (1)
Coupe de la Ligue (1)
Trophée des Champions (1)

References
  1. "Histoire". PSG Handball. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  2. "Paris Saint-Germain Handball". LNH. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  3. "Le PSG Handball jouera la Ligue des champions à la Halle Carpentier". Eurosport France. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  4. "Le palmarès de D2M". FFHB. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  5. "005 Nationale 1 CHAMPIONNAT NATIONALE 1 MASCULINE 2018/2019". Fédération française de handball. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  6. "N1 : Présentation de la saison 2017-2018!". ACBB Handball. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  7. "PSG firmly in the pantheon". FIFA.com. 17 October 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  8. "Le PSG". Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  9. "Things You Should Know About Paris Saint-Germain FC". Culture Trip. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  10. "Blasons, Logos, Écussons du PSG". PSG70. Archived from the original on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  11. "Paris Saint-Germain, la capitale scintille en rouge et bleu". SO FOOT.com. 28 December 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  12. "Qu'est-ce que le Paris Saint-Germain Training Center ?". PSG.fr. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  13. "Le Handball et le Judo". PSG.fr. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  14. "PSG: Entre les ultras du CUP et les féminines, c'est l'amour fou". 20 Minutes. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  15. "Histoire". PSG Handball. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  16. "Ces déçus du Parc des Princes qui migrent vers le PSG Hand". 20 Minutes. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  17. "Devant le CUP, le PSG Hand se réinvite au Final Four de la Champions League". CulturePSG. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  18. "Le Qatar sans limite". Le Parisien. 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  19. "Paris Saint-Germain: Can world's richest club rule Europe?". The Independent. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  20. "Paris Saint-Germain, having conquered France, are still working on Qatar". The National. 30 December 2015. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  21. "PSG's Spending on Transfers Compared to What the Club Was Valued at in 2011 Is Mind Blowing". 90Min. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  22. "PSG seal record €80m per year Nike kit deal". ESPN.com. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  23. "Accor sponsor du psg : un contrat, des questions". Le Parisien. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  24. "Joueurs & staff". LNH. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  25. "PSG Handball : «Notre club est l'un des meilleurs d'Europe», assure son directeur". Le Parisien. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  26. "Handball : le PSG, champion toutes catégories". Le Parisien. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  27. "PSG Handball : Thierry Omeyer devient manager général". Le Parisien. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
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