Paris Saint-Germain Handball

History

Asnières origins and relocation to Paris (1941–1992)

The Parisian club was founded in 1941 as Patriotes d'Asnières and adopted the name Asnières Sports one year later. In 1945, the team reached the final of the Coupe de France, losing to Villemomble at the Parc des Princes in front of an estimated crowd of 15,000 spectators. At the time, handball was played in an eleven-a-side format. Asnières Sports was chaired by Christian Picard, who was succeeded by his son Gérard Picard during the 1975–76 season; Gérard Picard remained president until 2003.{{cite news

In 1985, the club partnered with Racing Club de France and competed under the name Asnières Racing Olympique 92 until 1987. During the 1985–86 season, the team achieved promotion to LNH Division 1 for the first time in its history after reaching the LNH Division 2 final, where it was defeated by Villefranche. Following this success, the club's leadership persuaded the Council of Paris to join forces with the municipality of Asnières-sur-Seine to establish a major handball club in the capital. The Hauts-de-Seine-based team subsequently relocated to Paris and was renamed Paris-Racing-Asnières in 1987, before adopting the name Paris-Asnières Handball in 1989.{{cite news

Several future international players featured for the club during this period, including Jackson Richardson and Patrick Cazal. Richardson spent two seasons with Paris between 1989 and 1991, while Cazal signed his first professional contract with the club in 1989. Under the management of Yann Blanchard, Richardson and Cazal, along with league top scorer Júlíus Jónasson, helped Paris-Asnières win their first trophy in 1990, claiming the Division 2 title after defeating Sélestat in the final and securing promotion to the top flight.{{cite news | access-date = 11 January 2026}}{{cite news | access-date = 13 January 2026}}

PSG takeover and OM Vitrolles rivalry (1992–1997)

On 7 July 1992, Paris Saint-Germain FC and its owners Canal+ took over the professional team and reserve squad of Paris-Asnières. Led by Charles Biétry, PSG's multisport project also included active sections in judo, volleyball, rugby league, boxing, and basketball. This development led to a further change of name, as Paris-Asnières became PSG-Asnières. The partnership lasted ten years. Chaired by Gérard Picard, the club played its home matches at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin and the Halle Georges Carpentier.{{cite news

During the 1992–93 season, under the management of Patrice Canayer, PSG competed in the Division 1, the top tier of French handball, finishing sixth with a balanced record of wins and defeats. In the Coupe de France, the team reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Vénissieux. The season marked a transitional but stable foundation for PSG's handball project, combining experienced internationals such as Patrick Cazal with the club's first steps under the PSG identity.

The following season, PSG reinforced its squad with Nenad Peruničić from Red Star Belgrade and made its European debut in the EHF European Cup, reaching the semi-finals after defeating Karviná and Benfica before losing to Drott of Sweden. Domestically, PSG finished fifth in the French Championship, just missing European qualification, and were eliminated in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France by Gagny. Meanwhile, the reserve team won the Nationale 3 title.{{cite news

PSG entered a period of consolidation and renewed ambition under Macedonian manager Risto Magdinčev, who took charge for the 1994–95 season. French internationals Denis Lathoud and Stéphane Stoecklin joined the squad to replace Peruničić. Despite an early-season injury to Lathoud, PSG steadily improved, finishing fourth in the French Championship. The team also reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, where they were eliminated by OM Vitrolles, and secured qualification for the EHF European Cup.{{cite news

In 1995–96, PSG strengthened further with world champion pivot Gaël Monthurel, aiming to challenge OM Vitrolles for the national title. The team achieved its best domestic performance to date, finishing second in the league with 20 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses, including two defeats to OM. PSG were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France by Ivry and suffered a surprise early exit from the EHF European Cup against Norwegian side Drammen.{{cite news

The 1996–97 season saw PSG qualify for the EHF Champions League following the financial relegation of OM Vitrolles. Stoecklin departed for Germany and was replaced by Macedonian Tomče Petreski. The team struggled domestically, finishing fourth in the French Championship, 13 points behind champions Ivry, and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France by Créteil. In the Champions League, the team defeated Hasselt in the round of 16 but finished last in the group stage, recording five defeats in six matches. The disappointing campaign led to Magdinčev's departure, leaving the club without a title during his tenure.{{cite news

Decline and end of the PSG era (1997–2002)

Following a disappointing campaign, PSG appointed young manager Nicolas Cochery ahead of the 1997–98 season. The club lost its leading figure, Denis Lathoud, who joined Ivry alongside Dejan Lukić, and recruited Egyptian pivot Sameh Abdel Waress as his replacement. The season quickly unraveled: PSG opened with a five-match losing streak, while Abdel Waress suffered a shoulder injury that effectively ended his Paris career. Further setbacks included injuries to Gaël Monthurel and Stéphane Cordinier, the temporary signing of Radovan Djurković as a medical joker, and a doping suspension for Christophe Zuniga. PSG finished 8th in the French Championship, 27 points behind champions Montpellier. Despite reaching the Coupe de France semi-finals, they were eliminated by Montpellier, and exited the EHF European Cup in the round of 16 against Szeged.{{cite news

In 1998–99, the return of Bernard Latchimy after a season in Germany failed to compensate for the departures of Cordinier and Monthurel, the latter becoming manager at Saintes. Abdel Waress remained on the roster despite being sidelined for over a year and never returning to competition. After two opening defeats, PSG reinforced the squad with Yugoslav international Nikola Vojinović and Christophe Marais. While the Stojiljković–Vojinović pairing showed attacking promise, inconsistency plagued the team. PSG finished 6th in the league, with their strongest run again coming in the Coupe de France, where they reached the semi-finals before losing to Toulouse. Individually, Zoran Stojiljković stood out as the league's top scorer with 159 goals.{{cite news

Ahead of the 1999–2000 season, PSG underwent another major rebuild, losing several experienced players, including Marais, Nicolas Farrenc, Gérald Motte, Christian Bertreux, and Fabrice Leton. To raise ambitions, the club recruited French internationals Olivier Girault, Stéphane Raphanel, and Stéphane Zuzo. PSG made a promising start and remained in contention for European qualification deep into the season, but a defeat at Livry-Gargan on the penultimate matchday cost them third place. The Coupe de France represented a final chance to secure Europe, but a heavy 32–25 semi-final loss to Dunkerque ended those hopes. PSG finished 4th in the French Championship, and Cochery left the club at the end of the season after failing to qualify for Europe.{{cite news

Following the disappointment of the previous campaign, PSG appointed former Boro Golić from Nîmes as manager, ushering in a period of renewed ambition. Goalkeeper Francis Franck departed for Germany and was replaced by Arnaud Siffert, as PSG assembled a competitive and motivated squad. The team made a strong start to the season, winning their first four matches and reaching the winter break with eight wins from ten games. After 20 matchdays, PSG sat second behind Chambéry, but a dip in form late in the season saw them finish 4th in the French Championship. Despite falling short of the title race, PSG secured qualification for the EHF European Cup and enjoyed an impressive run in the Coupe de France, reaching the final. Playing at Coubertin, Paris were defeated 30–26 by Montpellier, but the campaign was widely viewed as a success, marking a clear improvement and a return to competitiveness at the national level.{{cite news

Coupe de France winners (2002–2012)

PSG reinforced its squad with the signing of Icelandic international Gunnar Viktorsson; however, several key departures weakened the team, including Bernard Latchimy, Stéphane Raphanel, and captain Zoran Stojiljković. Following the departure of Charles Biétry, the PSG multisport structure gradually collapsed, leaving handball as the club's sole remaining section and leading to a reduction in ambitions. During the 2001–02 season, PSG were eliminated from the EHF European Cup in the round of 16 on away goals by Macedonian side Pelister, who later reached the final. Domestically, the club finished fifth in the French Championship and were narrowly eliminated in the Coupe de France quarter-finals, losing 27–26 to Montpellier.{{cite news

On 25 May 2002, Louis Nicollin acquired the club, which was subsequently renamed Paris Handball, marking the official end of the PSG multisport project initiated by Canal+ and Charles Biétry. In 2003, Nicollin succeeded Gérard Picard as club president, a position he held until 2010. During the Nicollin era, under manager Thierry Anti, Paris reached the round of 16 in the 2005–06 EHF Champions League, won the club's first major trophy by defeating Aix in the 2007 Coupe de France final, and reaching a second cup final in 2008, where they lost to Montpellier.{{cite news | access-date = 11 January 2026}}

Freshly retired Paris player Olivier Girault succeeded Thierry Anti as head coach for the 2008–09 season, which ended with the club finishing 13th in Division 1 and being relegated. PSG responded by winning the Division 2 title in 2009–10, securing an immediate return to the top flight. In March 2010, club owner Louis Nicollin sold Paris to a group of investors led by former Paris Handball player Bruno Martini, and Jean-Paul Ouillon was appointed president in May 2010. Upon their return to the elite division in the 2010–11 season, Paris finished 11th in the league, with academy graduate Alix Nyokas establishing himself in the first team. In the 2011–12 season, under head coach François Berthier, the club narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 12th on the final matchday.{{cite news

A new era began in June 2012 when Paris Handball was acquired by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the owners of Paris Saint-Germain, and the club reverted to the PSG name. A new sporting and executive structure was introduced, with Nasser Al-Khelaifi replacing Ouillon as president, and Philippe Gardent appointed head coach, assisted by Thierry Perreux. In pursuit of immediate success, PSG signed several high-profile international players, including French Olympic gold medallists Didier Dinart, Luc Abalo, and Samuel Honrubia, 2011 IHF World Player of the Year Mikkel Hansen, Croatian international Marko Kopljar, and Spanish internationals José Manuel Sierra and Antonio García.{{cite news

Second PSG era and first league title (2012–2016)

Backed by a star-studded squad, PSG quickly established itself as a dominant force in French handball during the 2012–13 season. The team played with a superior style and also benefited indirectly from a betting scandal that heavily affected rivals Montpellier, although PSG were not entirely spared, as Honrubia and Mladen Bojinović were suspended in connection with the investigation. With an exceptional record of 24 wins, one draw, and one defeat, PSG secured the first French Championship title in the club's history, clinching it five matchdays before the season's end and qualifying for the EHF Champions League. The team narrowly missed out on a domestic double, losing 35–28 to Montpellier in the Coupe de France final, and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue by Nantes. At the end of the season, Didier Dinart retired, leaving behind the most illustrious record in French team sports.

PSG strengthened its squad for the 2013–14 season with high-profile signings, including Daniel Narcisse, Croatians Igor Vori and Jakov Gojun, as well as Fahrudin Melić and Gábor Császár. The club reached the quarter-finals of the EHF Champions League for the first time in its history but were eliminated by Veszprém just short of the Final Four. Domestically, Paris was unable to match the consistency of Dunkerque, who claimed their first French Championship title. The season ended on a positive note with a Coupe de France victory over Chambéry, securing PSG's second historic national cup. PSG also finished third in the Trophée des Champions at the start of the season and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue by Saint-Raphaël.{{cite news

In the 2014–15 season, PSG engaged in a tight battle with Montpellier and secured the second French Championship title in the club's history during the final stretch. A victory over Tremblay on the last matchday allowed PSG to lift the trophy, completing a domestic treble. Earlier in the season, the club had claimed its second trophy by defeating Nantes in the Coupe de France final at their home arena, Coubertin, having previously won their first Trophée des Champions title against Dunkerque. The only domestic competition to elude PSG was the Coupe de la Ligue, where they were eliminated by Nantes in the quarter-finals. In European competition, PSG came close to qualifying for the EHF Champions League Final Four for the first time but were once again eliminated by Veszprém.{{cite news

Under new manager Zvonimir Serdarušić and strengthened by the arrival of French international Nikola Karabatić, PSG won the Trophée des Champions and claimed their third French Championship title in the 2015–16 season. The club also reached the finals of the Coupe de la Ligue and the Coupe de France, losing both to Montpellier. In European competition, PSG qualified for their first EHF Champions League Final Four. Season highlights included a home victory over Veszprém at Carpentier, an away win against Kiel—whose arena had remained unbeaten for four years—and topping Group A ahead of Flensburg, allowing the team to bypass the round of 16. Serdarušić's side ultimately finished third, losing to Kielce in the semi-finals but defeating Kiel again in the third-place match. Individually, Mikkel Hansen set a new record for the most goals scored in a single edition, with 141 goals.{{cite news

Champions League runners-up (2016–2020)

For the 2016–17 season, PSG signed world-class players Luka Stepančić and Uwe Gensheimer, as well as emerging talent Nedim Remili.{{cite news | access-date = 5 June 2019}}

PSG won the French Championship for a fourth consecutive season in 2017–18, securing their fifth league title in six seasons since 2012. Daniel Narcisse played the final match of his career, scoring in the closing minutes of a 30–26 home victory over Chambéry on the final matchday to clinch the title. Paris finished level on points with Montpellier but were crowned champions based on a superior head-to-head goal difference. In addition to the league, PSG completed a domestic treble by winning both the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue. The only setback was the season-opening Trophée des Champions final, in which PSG lost to Nantes. In European competition, the club reached the EHF Champions League Final Four for the third consecutive season but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Nantes.{{cite news

For the 2018–19 season, Raúl González replaced Serdarušić as manager, while PSG retained most of the squad’s key players, including veteran goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer for his final season. González led the club to the French Championship and the Coupe de la Ligue. PSG secured their fifth consecutive league title, and sixth overall, with four matches remaining. The team, however, finished fourth in the Trophée des Champions and were eliminated from the Coupe de France quarter-finals by Montpellier. In European competition, PSG were eliminated in the EHF Champions League quarter-finals by Kielce, marking another disappointment on the continental stage. The season also marked Omeyer's final domestic title before his retirement, as well as the last PSG campaigns for Gensheimer and Stepančić.{{cite news

PSG began the 2019–20 season by winning their fourth Trophée des Champions, defeating Montpellier.{{cite news

Perfect league season (2020–2024)

Having lost four previous Coupe de France finals to Montpellier (2001, 2008, 2013 and 2016), PSG ended the streak during the 2020–21 season by defeating Montpellier 30–26 to claim their fifth Coupe de France title.{{cite news

By defeating Créteil on the final matchday of the 2021–22 season, PSG completed the first perfect season in the history of the French Championship, winning all 30 of their matches.{{cite news

In the 2022–23 season, PSG secured their tenth French Championship title with a 35–32 victory over Nantes at Coubertin, following a closely contested title race with Nantes and Montpellier.{{cite news

PSG claimed their fifth Trophée des Champions title with a 35–25 victory over Nantes, avenging their defeat in the previous edition. The win provided a positive start to a 2023–24 season that ultimately proved mixed.{{cite news

Twelfth league title (2025–Present)

The 2024–25 season, the first following Nikola Karabatić's retirement, proved challenging for PSG. The team lost to Nantes in the Trophée des Champions, failed to reach the EHF Champions League quarter-finals for the first time under QSI ownership after a 35–25 home defeat to Szeged in the round of 16, and were beaten on penalties by Montpellier in the Coupe de France final following a 28–28 draw in regulation.{{cite news

Following a summer marked by significant changes—most notably the appointment of Danish manager Stefan Madsen to replace Raúl González, as well as a revamped squad featuring seven departures and seven arrivals—PSG delivered an underwhelming performance in the opening match of the 2025–26 season, losing 29–23 to Montpellier in the Trophée des Champions.{{cite news

Former names

Grounds

The team's regular home ground is the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris, France, which has a capacity of 4,016 spectators.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2026}}{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2026}} The club moved into the venue in 1992 after becoming the handball section of Paris Saint-Germain FC ahead of the 1992–93 season. Coubertin remained the club's home arena even after PSG disengaged from the team in 2002. However, from the outset, PSG were required to stage their European fixtures at the Halle Georges Carpentier—also located in Paris and with a capacity of 4,800—after the European Handball Federation (EHF) declined to approve Coubertin, primarily due to the non-compliant dimensions of the playing area.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2026}}{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2026}}

Following PSG's return to ownership in 2012, the club continued to alternate between the two venues, using Coubertin for domestic matches and Carpentier for European competitions until the end of the 2015–16 season.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2026}} Since then, the club have played all of their home fixtures—both domestic and European—at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin.

The Stade Pierre de Coubertin also serves as PSG's training ground; however, the club and its academy are expected to move into Campus PSG in 2028. By then, PSG plans to have constructed two judo dojos, two handball courts, and additional facilities, including a football stadium with a capacity of 5,000 spectators.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2026}}{{cite news | access-date = 19 September 2025}}{{cite news | access-date = 19 September 2025}} Owned and funded by the club, the training complex already houses the men's and women's football teams, as well as the football academy, and is projected to also accommodate the judo section and its academy.

Honours

• shared record

Statistics

Seasons

Competitive record

!W !D !L !WP% |- !colspan=11 |League

Players

Current squad

;Goalkeepers

• 1 DEN Mikkel Løvkvist
• 16 DEN Jannick Green ;Left Wingers
• 9 SWE Emil Mellegård [[Image:Injury icon 2.svg|15px]]
• 20 FRA Mathieu Grébille
• 33 NOR Sindre Heldal ;Right Wingers
• 10 SWE Sebastian Karlsson
• 14 ESP Ferran Solé ;Line players
• 7 FRA Karl Konan
• 21 POL Kamil Syprzak
• 22 FRA Luka Karabatic (captain)
• 97 FRA Gauthier Loredon ;Left Backs
• 25 NOR Simen Lyse
• 47 FRA Wallem Peleka
• 71 FRA Elohim Prandi ;Centre Backs
• 6 NED Luc Steins
• 32 DEN Jacob Holm [[Image:Injury icon 2.svg|15px]]
• 66 FRA Noah Gaudin ;Right Backs
• 2 CRO Mateo Maraš
• 5 EGY Yahia Omar

Transfers

2026–27 season

;[[File:Arrow-up.gif]] Joining

• ESP Rodrigo Corrales (GK) from HUN Veszprém.{{cite news | access-date = 14 January 2026}}
• DEN Frederik Ladefoged (LP) from ROM Dinamo București.{{cite news | access-date = 14 January 2026}} ;[[File:Arrow-down.gif]] Leaving
• DEN Jannick Green (GK) to DEN HØJ Elite.{{cite news | access-date = 14 January 2026}}
• FRA Gauthier Loredon (LP) to FRA Chambéry.{{cite news | access-date = 14 January 2026}}

Academy

Reserve team

;Goalkeepers

• 81 FRA Stanis Soullier
• 77 FRA Djibril Sarre ;Left Wingers ;Right Wingers
• 3 FRA Théo Ducap ;Line players
• 98 FRA Amara Karamoko
• 4 FRA Vladimir Rousseau ;Left Backs
• 11 FRA Thomas Omeyer
• 26 FRA Nathan Lafosse ;Centre Backs
• 17 FRA Ethan Hulugalle Bandaranayake ;Right Backs
• 18 FRA Tidiane Firmesse
• 23 FRA Cheikh Fall

Notable graduates

Notable former players

Most goals

Most appearances

League top scorers

Champions League top scorers

Retired numbers

Awards

• IHF World Player of the Year (3)
  • DEN Mikkel Hansen (2) – 2015, 2018.
  • FRA Nikola Karabatić – 2016.

Personnel

Current staff

Presidents

Managers

:Managers listed from 1984 onwards; data on managers from 1941 to 1984 are missing.

References

References

1. "Qu'est-ce que le Paris Saint-Germain Training Center ?". PSG.FR.
2. (16 July 2019). "Le centre d'entraînement du PSG à Poissy sera finalement livré en 2022". Le Parisien.
3. "Qui sera accueilli au Training Center ?". PSG.FR.
4. (9 June 2016). "They did it again – Hansen and Neagu IHF World Handball Players of the Year 2015". IHF.
5. (18 March 2019). "Neagu and Hansen named 2018 World Players of the Year". IHF.
6. (16 March 2017). "Players of the Year 2016 – Neagu and Karabatic for the third time". IHF.