France national handball team
Encyclopedia
France national handball team is the handball
team, supervised by the French Handball Federation
, that represents France
in the international matches.
They are the current reigning European Champions and Olympic Champions as well as double defending World Champions.
, giving birth to their first nickname: les Bronzés (meaning tanned in French, a reference both to bronze and to cult French film Les Bronzés
). This led to an increased popularity of the sport in France, which was already one of the most popular in primary and secondary schools.
One year after their Olympic medal, les Bronzés reached the final of the 1993 World Championship
, which they lost against Russia
.
In 1995, France won the World Championship
in Iceland
, defeating Croatia
in the final. The team became known as les Barjots because the players played the final with an extravagant haircut (barjot is a slang word for crazy in French).
The team finished 4th in the 1996 Summer Olympics
(France lost the bronze medal game to Spain
, whom they had beat in the first round). France finished third a year later in the 1997 World Championship
. The team finished 6th in the 1999 World Championship
and in the 2000 Summer Olympics
.
France won the world title again in the 2001 World Championship
organised in France. During both their quarterfinal and final, against Germany
and Sweden
respectively, they were one goal behind until a few seconds before the end of the game, but managed to score a late goal and finally win in overtime with a three-goal margin. This great strength of character was cause for their new nickname: les Costauds (the strong, or the tough). Five members of les Costauds had already been world champions in 1995 with les Barjots: Jackson Richardson
, Grégory Anquetil
, Patrick Cazal
, and the goalkeepers Bruno Martini
and Christian Gaudin
.
The team finished third in the 2003 World Championship
. In the 2004 Olympics
, the teamed finished 5th. Although they won their five games of the preliminary round, the team went down to an ageing Russian team led by 42 year-old goalkeeper Andrey Lavrov
in the quarterfinals (24-26).
In the 2005 World Championship
, France finished third again. This was the last international competition played by Jackson Richardson
, a veteran from the first team les Bronzés. The retirement of their star meant for the French team the final transition between the early successes and the new generation of players.
In 2006 France won for the first time the European Championship
, a competition in which they had never managed to win a medal until then. In the final they overwhelmed Spain
, the reigning world champions (31-23), against whom they had lost the opening match in the preliminary round.
In 2008, France finished third in the European Championship
. They were undefeated until the semifinal, which they lost to Croatia.
France won the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics. The French players elected to call themselves Les Experts, which is the French title for the TV show CSI
in France
. The team won the gold medal in the 2008 handball tournament
in Beijing
, defeating underdogs Iceland
in the final (28-23). Thierry Omeyer, Daniel Narcisse
and Bertrand Gille were voted into the tournament's All Star team.
France won the world title again in 2009 at the 2009 World Championship
, hosted by Croatia, against the organizing country, and the European title in 2010 in Austria. They became the first men's team to hold the Olympic title, the World title and a continental title simultaneously. (Denmark women's national handball team
held all three titles in 1997). They are also the third team to have won all three titles ever, the other two being Germany
and Russia
.
Finally, it has successfully held its title at the 2011 World Championship
against Denmark, winning 37-35 after extra time. This victory means they are automatically qualified for the 2012 Olympics in London. This victory also marks several achievements:
:
World Championship
:
European Championship
:
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
team, supervised by the French Handball Federation
French Handball Federation
The French Handball Federation is the national handball association in France. FFHB organizes team handball within France and represents French handball internationally. It sorts under the French Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The federation is a member of the European Handball Federation ...
, that represents France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the international matches.
They are the current reigning European Champions and Olympic Champions as well as double defending World Champions.
Results at international tournaments
Since the 1990s, France has emerged as a major handball team. France won the bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, giving birth to their first nickname: les Bronzés (meaning tanned in French, a reference both to bronze and to cult French film Les Bronzés
Les Bronzés
Les Bronzés is a 1978 French comedy film directed by Patrice Leconte. The film satirizes life at holiday resorts such as Club Med. It is one of many films by the French troupe Le Splendid...
). This led to an increased popularity of the sport in France, which was already one of the most popular in primary and secondary schools.
One year after their Olympic medal, les Bronzés reached the final of the 1993 World Championship
1993 World Men's Handball Championship
The 1993 World Championship for men in team handball was the 13th World Handball Championship. It was held in Sweden.-Teams:- Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:- Group 1:-Group 2:-3rd / 4th place:* - In Stockholm...
, which they lost against Russia
Russia national handball team
The Russia national handball team is the national handball team of Russia and is controlled by the Handball Union of Russia. Russia is designated by IHF and EHF as the inheritor of the record of USSR until 1990 and the Unified Team during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.-History of handball...
.
In 1995, France won the World Championship
1995 World Men's Handball Championship
The 1995 World Championship for men in team handball was the 14th World Handball Championship. It was held in Iceland.-Preliminary round:-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Finals:-Final standings:# # # # # # # # # # # #...
in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, defeating Croatia
Croatia national handball team
The Croatian national handball team is a handball team that represents Croatia in the international matches and has been playing since the country's independence in the early 1990s...
in the final. The team became known as les Barjots because the players played the final with an extravagant haircut (barjot is a slang word for crazy in French).
The team finished 4th in the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
(France lost the bronze medal game to Spain
Spain national handball team
The Spain national handball team is the national handball team of Spain and is controlled by the Spain Handball Federation.-2008 Olympic squad:*1 José Javier Hombrados – BM Ciudad Real*2 Alberto Entrerríos – BM Ciudad Real...
, whom they had beat in the first round). France finished third a year later in the 1997 World Championship
1997 World Men's Handball Championship
- Final standings :# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # - External links :*...
. The team finished 6th in the 1999 World Championship
1999 World Men's Handball Championship
The 1999 World Championship for men in team handball was the 16th edition of the Men's World Handball Championship. It was held in Egypt, from June 2 to June 15, in the cities of Cairo, Ismailia and Port Said.-Preliminary round:In the following tables:...
and in the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
.
France won the world title again in the 2001 World Championship
2001 World Men's Handball Championship
The 2001 World Men's Handball Championship took place in France from January 23 to February 4, 2001.-Qualified teams:24 teams were qualified for the first round and dispatched into 4 groups.Group A : , , , , , .Group B : , , , , ,...
organised in France. During both their quarterfinal and final, against Germany
Germany national handball team
The Germany national handball team is the national handball team of Germany. Germany won the handball world cup in 1938, 1978 and in 2007 as the host of the handball world cup-Achievements:Olympic Games* winner in 1936...
and Sweden
Sweden national handball team
The Sweden national handball team is the national handball team of Sweden and is controlled by the Swedish Handball Association. It is considered by many to be one of the most important national teams in handball...
respectively, they were one goal behind until a few seconds before the end of the game, but managed to score a late goal and finally win in overtime with a three-goal margin. This great strength of character was cause for their new nickname: les Costauds (the strong, or the tough). Five members of les Costauds had already been world champions in 1995 with les Barjots: Jackson Richardson
Jackson Richardson
Jackson Richardson is a retired French handball player. As the captain of the French handball team, he was the flag carrier during the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Athens on August 13, 2004....
, Grégory Anquetil
Grégory Anquetil
Grégory Anquetil is a French team handball player. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where the French team placed 4th, and also at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Patrick Cazal
Patrick Cazal
Patrick Cazal is a French team handball player. He competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where the French team placed 6th.-References:...
, and the goalkeepers Bruno Martini
Bruno Martini (handballer)
Bruno Martini is a French team handball goalkeeper. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where the French team placed 4th, and also at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where the team placed 6th.-References:...
and Christian Gaudin
Christian Gaudin (handballer)
Christian Gaudin is a French team handball player. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where the French team placed 4th, and at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where France placed 6th.-References:...
.
The team finished third in the 2003 World Championship
2003 World Men's Handball Championship
The 2003 World Men's Handball Championship took place in Portugal from January 20 to February 2, 2003.-Qualified teams:24 teams were qualified for the first round and dispatched into 4 groups.Group A : , , , , , .Group B : , , , , , ....
. In the 2004 Olympics
Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics - Men's handball
-Group B:All times are Eastern European Time -Knockout stage:In this single-elimination stage, the first- and second-placed teams of one group played against the other group's fourth- and third-placed teams, respectively, to contest the quarter-final round, held on August 24, at the Sports Pavilion...
, the teamed finished 5th. Although they won their five games of the preliminary round, the team went down to an ageing Russian team led by 42 year-old goalkeeper Andrey Lavrov
Andrey Lavrov
Andrey Ivanovich Lavrov is a Russian handball goalkeeper and the only three times Olympic handball champion....
in the quarterfinals (24-26).
In the 2005 World Championship
2005 World Men's Handball Championship
The 2005 World Championship for men in team handball was played in Tunisia between January 23 and February 6, 2005.The winner of the gold medal was Spain, Croatia took silver and France won the bronze.-Group A :-Group B :...
, France finished third again. This was the last international competition played by Jackson Richardson
Jackson Richardson
Jackson Richardson is a retired French handball player. As the captain of the French handball team, he was the flag carrier during the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Athens on August 13, 2004....
, a veteran from the first team les Bronzés. The retirement of their star meant for the French team the final transition between the early successes and the new generation of players.
In 2006 France won for the first time the European Championship
2006 European Men's Handball Championship
The 2006 EHF European Men's Handball Championship was held in Switzerland from 26 January–5 February, in the cities of Basel, Berne, Lucerne, St. Gallen and Zürich. France won the tournament, going through unbeaten after an early defeat to Spain...
, a competition in which they had never managed to win a medal until then. In the final they overwhelmed Spain
Spain national handball team
The Spain national handball team is the national handball team of Spain and is controlled by the Spain Handball Federation.-2008 Olympic squad:*1 José Javier Hombrados – BM Ciudad Real*2 Alberto Entrerríos – BM Ciudad Real...
, the reigning world champions (31-23), against whom they had lost the opening match in the preliminary round.
In 2008, France finished third in the European Championship
2008 European Men's Handball Championship
The 2008 EHF European Men's Handball Championship was held in Norway from 17–27 January, in the cities of Bergen, Drammen, Lillehammer, Stavanger and Trondheim. Denmark won the tournament with Croatia second and France third....
. They were undefeated until the semifinal, which they lost to Croatia.
France won the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics. The French players elected to call themselves Les Experts, which is the French title for the TV show CSI
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The team won the gold medal in the 2008 handball tournament
Handball at the 2008 Summer Olympics
thumb|left|240px|Gold medalists [[France]] collect their medals on August 24, 2008Handball competitions at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics were held from August 9, to August 24, at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium and National Indoor Stadium. Medals were awarded for both Men's and Women's team...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, defeating underdogs Iceland
Iceland national handball team
The Iceland national handball team is the national handball team of Iceland and is controlled by the Icelandic Handball Association.- World Championships :- European Championships :- Olympic games :- Current squad :...
in the final (28-23). Thierry Omeyer, Daniel Narcisse
Daniel Narcisse
Daniel Narcisse is a French handball player. His main strength as a field player is his ability to jump very high, to the point of being able to score goals above interfering defense players...
and Bertrand Gille were voted into the tournament's All Star team.
France won the world title again in 2009 at the 2009 World Championship
2009 World Men's Handball Championship
The 2009 World Men's Handball Championship took place in Croatia from 16 January–1 February, in the cities of Split, Zadar, Osijek, Varaždin, Poreč, Zagreb and Pula. Croatia was selected from a group of four potential hosts which included the Czech Republic, Greece and Romania.The opening game and...
, hosted by Croatia, against the organizing country, and the European title in 2010 in Austria. They became the first men's team to hold the Olympic title, the World title and a continental title simultaneously. (Denmark women's national handball team
Denmark women's national handball team
The Denmark women's national handball team is the national team of Denmark. It is governed by the Dansk Håndbold Forbund and takes part in international handball competitions....
held all three titles in 1997). They are also the third team to have won all three titles ever, the other two being Germany
Germany national handball team
The Germany national handball team is the national handball team of Germany. Germany won the handball world cup in 1938, 1978 and in 2007 as the host of the handball world cup-Achievements:Olympic Games* winner in 1936...
and Russia
Russia national handball team
The Russia national handball team is the national handball team of Russia and is controlled by the Handball Union of Russia. Russia is designated by IHF and EHF as the inheritor of the record of USSR until 1990 and the Unified Team during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.-History of handball...
.
Finally, it has successfully held its title at the 2011 World Championship
2011 World Men's Handball Championship
The 2011 World Men's Handball Championship, the 22nd event hosted by the International Handball Federation, was held in Sweden from 13–30 January, 2011...
against Denmark, winning 37-35 after extra time. This victory means they are automatically qualified for the 2012 Olympics in London. This victory also marks several achievements:
- it is, with RomaniaRomania national handball teamThe Romania national handball team is the national handball team of Romania. Controlled by the Romanian Handball Federation it represents Romania in international matches....
and SwedenSweden national handball teamThe Sweden national handball team is the national handball team of Sweden and is controlled by the Swedish Handball Association. It is considered by many to be one of the most important national teams in handball...
the only handball team (on the men's side) to have successfully defended a world champion status; - it is so far the only national handball team in history to have won four major titles in a row;
- it is a four-time world champion team, with Romania and Sweden;
- three players on the team, Jérôme FernandezJérôme FernandezJérôme Fernandez is a French handball player, currently playing for THW Kiel in Germany.-History:* 1997-1999 : Spacer's Toulouse* 1999-2002 : Montpellier HB* 2002-2008 : FC Barcelona Handbol...
, Thierry Omeyer and Didier DinartDidier DinartDidier Dinart is a French handball player, currently playing for the internationally renowned BM Ciudad Real handball team in Spain...
are now three times world champions in their discipline - putting them on par with Cornel Oţelea from Romania in the 60s (had he been present in 2009, Bertrand Gille would also have been one of them, but he missed 2009 due to injuries).
Achievements
Olympic GamesHandball at the Summer Olympics
Team handball was introduced as an Olympic sport for men at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, but dropped after that, only to be resumed at the 1972 Summer Olympics, again on German territory...
:
- : 2008
- : 1992
Handball at the 1992 Summer Olympics - Men's tournament- Rankings and statistics :-References:*, International Handball Federation, pp. 30–32* at...
World Championship
World Men's Handball Championship
The World Championship in team handball for men has been organized by the International Handball Federation since 1938.- History :In 1938, the first indoor handball world championship was played in the Deutschlandhalle in Berlin, Germany on 5 February and 6 February...
:
- : 19951995 World Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 1995 World Championship for men in team handball was the 14th World Handball Championship. It was held in Iceland.-Preliminary round:-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Finals:-Final standings:# # # # # # # # # # # #...
, 20012001 World Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 2001 World Men's Handball Championship took place in France from January 23 to February 4, 2001.-Qualified teams:24 teams were qualified for the first round and dispatched into 4 groups.Group A : , , , , , .Group B : , , , , ,...
, 20092009 World Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 2009 World Men's Handball Championship took place in Croatia from 16 January–1 February, in the cities of Split, Zadar, Osijek, Varaždin, Poreč, Zagreb and Pula. Croatia was selected from a group of four potential hosts which included the Czech Republic, Greece and Romania.The opening game and...
& 20112011 World Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 2011 World Men's Handball Championship, the 22nd event hosted by the International Handball Federation, was held in Sweden from 13–30 January, 2011... - : 1993
1993 World Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 1993 World Championship for men in team handball was the 13th World Handball Championship. It was held in Sweden.-Teams:- Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:- Group 1:-Group 2:-3rd / 4th place:* - In Stockholm... - : 19971997 World Men's Handball Championship- Final standings :# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # - External links :*...
, 20032003 World Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 2003 World Men's Handball Championship took place in Portugal from January 20 to February 2, 2003.-Qualified teams:24 teams were qualified for the first round and dispatched into 4 groups.Group A : , , , , , .Group B : , , , , , ....
& 20052005 World Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 2005 World Championship for men in team handball was played in Tunisia between January 23 and February 6, 2005.The winner of the gold medal was Spain, Croatia took silver and France won the bronze.-Group A :-Group B :...
European Championship
European Men's Handball Championship
The European men's handball championship is the official competition for senior men's national handball teams of Europe, and takes place every two years. In addition to crowning the European champions, the tournament also serves as a qualifying tournament for the World Championship...
:
- : 20062006 European Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 2006 EHF European Men's Handball Championship was held in Switzerland from 26 January–5 February, in the cities of Basel, Berne, Lucerne, St. Gallen and Zürich. France won the tournament, going through unbeaten after an early defeat to Spain...
, 20102010 European Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 2010 EHF European Men's Handball Championship was held in Austria from 19–31 January, in the cities of Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and Wiener Neustadt.-Venues:... - : 20082008 European Men's Handball ChampionshipThe 2008 EHF European Men's Handball Championship was held in Norway from 17–27 January, in the cities of Bergen, Drammen, Lillehammer, Stavanger and Trondheim. Denmark won the tournament with Croatia second and France third....
2008 Olympic squad
- 12 Daouda KarabouéDaouda KarabouéDaouda Karaboué is a French handball player, he won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics 08 and World Championship 09.He was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast to parents from Burkina Faso....
(Montpellier HBMontpellier HBMontpellier Agglomération Handball, formerly Montpellier HB, is a team handball club from Montpellier, France.In 2003, Montpellier won the biggest prize in European club handball, the EHF Champions League, rallying from an eight-goal deficit after the first leg. They are the only French team ever...
) (goalkeeper) - 16 Thierry Omeyer (THW KielTHW KielTHW Kiel is a team handball club from Kiel, Germany. Currently, THW Kiel competes in the German First League of Handball and is German record champion with 16 titles....
) (goalkeeper) - 2 Jérôme FernandezJérôme FernandezJérôme Fernandez is a French handball player, currently playing for THW Kiel in Germany.-History:* 1997-1999 : Spacer's Toulouse* 1999-2002 : Montpellier HB* 2002-2008 : FC Barcelona Handbol...
(Barcelona) - 3 Didier DinartDidier DinartDidier Dinart is a French handball player, currently playing for the internationally renowned BM Ciudad Real handball team in Spain...
(BM Ciudad Real) - 4 Cédric BurdetCédric BurdetCédric Burdet is a retired French handball player who played most of his career in French handball team Montpellier HB until his retirement in 2009 ....
(Montpellier HBMontpellier HBMontpellier Agglomération Handball, formerly Montpellier HB, is a team handball club from Montpellier, France.In 2003, Montpellier won the biggest prize in European club handball, the EHF Champions League, rallying from an eight-goal deficit after the first leg. They are the only French team ever...
) - 5 Guillaume GilleGuillaume GilleGuillaume Alain Gille , is a handball player from France. He is the winner of the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Together with his brother, Bertrand Gille, he plays in the German Bundesliga for HSV Hamburg.-Career:Gille's career as a handball player began early...
(HSV HamburgHSV HandballHSV Hamburg is a team handball club from Germany, locates in Hamburg. Currently, HSV Hamburg competes in the Bundesliga First Division. The full name in German is Handball Sport Verein Hamburg e.V. but the club is usually called HSV Handball, HSV Hamburg or just HSV.HSV Hamburg is the former...
) - 6 Bertrand Gille (HSV HamburgHSV HandballHSV Hamburg is a team handball club from Germany, locates in Hamburg. Currently, HSV Hamburg competes in the Bundesliga First Division. The full name in German is Handball Sport Verein Hamburg e.V. but the club is usually called HSV Handball, HSV Hamburg or just HSV.HSV Hamburg is the former...
) - 8 Daniel NarcisseDaniel NarcisseDaniel Narcisse is a French handball player. His main strength as a field player is his ability to jump very high, to the point of being able to score goals above interfering defense players...
(Chambéry Savoie HandballChambéry Savoie HandballChambery Savoie Handball is a French handball team based in Chambéry in Savoie. The team plays in French handball Championship and it was founded in 1990.-Famous players:*Bertrand Gille*Guillaume Gille*Cédric Burdet*Lionel Burdet*Thomas Molliex...
) - 11 Olivier GiraultOlivier GiraultOlivier Girault is a now retired French team handball player, who is currently the coach of the Paris Handball team...
(Paris Handball)
- 13 Nikola KarabatićNikola KarabaticNikola Karabatić ) is a French team handball player, born to a Croatian father and Serbian mother.He was part of the French national handball team that won the bronze medal at the 2008 European Men's Handball Championship. He was top scorer at the championship together with Ivano Balić and Lars...
(Montpellier HBMontpellier HBMontpellier Agglomération Handball, formerly Montpellier HB, is a team handball club from Montpellier, France.In 2003, Montpellier won the biggest prize in European club handball, the EHF Champions League, rallying from an eight-goal deficit after the first leg. They are the only French team ever...
) - 14 Christophe KempeChristophe KempeChristophe Kempe handball player, winner of the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:...
(Toulouse Union Handball) - 18 Joël AbatiJoël AbatiJoël Marc Abati is a French handball player, currently playing for Montpellier HB in France.Before joining Montpellier HB, Abati played ten years for SC Magdeburg in Germany.- History:...
(Montpellier HBMontpellier HBMontpellier Agglomération Handball, formerly Montpellier HB, is a team handball club from Montpellier, France.In 2003, Montpellier won the biggest prize in European club handball, the EHF Champions League, rallying from an eight-goal deficit after the first leg. They are the only French team ever...
) - 19 Luc AbaloLuc AbaloLuc Abalo is a French handball player. Official player for the national handball team since 2006 and the European championship, he was on the teams that won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics, the European champion title in 2010 and the World champion title in 2009 and 2011.-References:...
(US IvryUS d'Ivry HandballUS d'Ivry is a team handball club from France. Currently, US d'Ivry competes in the French First League of Handball.-Accomplishments:*National Championship of France: 7**1963, 1964, 1966, 1970, 1971, 1983, 1997 et 2007...
) - 21 Michaël GuigouMichaël GuigouMichaël Guigou is a French handball player, having played since the start of his career for Montpellier HB....
(Montpellier HBMontpellier HBMontpellier Agglomération Handball, formerly Montpellier HB, is a team handball club from Montpellier, France.In 2003, Montpellier won the biggest prize in European club handball, the EHF Champions League, rallying from an eight-goal deficit after the first leg. They are the only French team ever...
) - 26 Cédric PatyCédric PatyCédric Paty is a French handball player, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:...
(Chambéry Savoie HandballChambéry Savoie HandballChambery Savoie Handball is a French handball team based in Chambéry in Savoie. The team plays in French handball Championship and it was founded in 1990.-Famous players:*Bertrand Gille*Guillaume Gille*Cédric Burdet*Lionel Burdet*Thomas Molliex...
, )