From the archives: Aix

Big names in common

Paris and Aix are both giants of the French league, having played in the top flight for many years, and a number of iconic players have worn the shirts of both clubs. The greatest legend is undoubtedly Nikola Karabatic. Already one of the best in his sport at the time, the multiple French world champion wore the colours of Aix in 2013, before heading off to Barcelona. His stay was short-lived, however, as he signed for the capital club in 2015, where he continued to write his legend for nine fine seasons, before retiring at ther end of the last campaign. Nikola is far from the only former Montpellier player to have gone on to play for Paris and Aix-en-Provence. Among them, Luka (our captain) played alongside his brother for a few months, before staying with PAUC until 2015 and heading for Paris.

A true Liqui Moly StarLigue legend with nine French league titles to his name, William Accambray played for the capital club for three seasons between 2012 and 2017. The former left-back then embarked on a European tour that took him to Veszprém, Celje and Meshkov Brest before joining Aix in 2020. He stayed there for three seasons before joining Saran last season. In Paris, the former French international was reunited with Samuel Honrubia, alongside whom he had played at MHB. A Parisian between 2012 and 2016, the left-winger played his entire career in France. After leaving Paris in 2016, he enjoyed a successful spell at Tremblay before ending his adventure at Aix in the 2020-21 season.

His career intersected with that of Sergiy Onufriyenko, who left the capital club at the same time as the former French international after a season that him win the French league title. Finally, one player in Eric Forets' current squad has worn the colours of the capital club, and he is none other than youth academy product Louis Despreaux. At 25, the former Rouge et Bleu man (2019-2021) has been back in the top flight since the summer after two prodigious campaigns at Sarrebourg. Last season, the right-back found the net 148 times in 27 ProLigue games - enough to convince PAUC to jump at the chance and recruit the former Parisian youngster.

A tale of goalkeepers

That the capital club has such a good record against Aix (22 wins, two defeats) is a testament to the excellent performances from its goalkeepers over the seasons. Over the generations, Parisian goalkeepers have always shone against the Provençal outfit. Not only have they built up their confidence, but Les Rouge et Bleu have also become a veritable bête noire for the southerners. The form began with Thierry Omeyer in 2016 (25-35) and three years later, it was Rodrigo Corrales who, with 18 saves, gave Raul Gonzalez's men a comfortable 28-38 win. In 2021, Yann Genty continued the tradition with 16 saves in a goal-fest at Coubertin (37-32). Finally, last season, Jannick Green proved decisive in the Parisian success in Provence, making 13 saves in a difficult encounter (31-39).

Niko's last dance - a legendary encounter

How can you go back in time without going back to the last meeting between Paris and Aix? Although it was just five months ago, that evening of 31 May 2024 has gone down in the history of the capital club and French handball. For the final match of the season, with the title still on the line, the capital club drew 14,840 spectators to the AccorArena. It was an historic occasion, not only to celebrate the club's 11th French league title, but also to celebrate the career of one of the greatest legends in the history of our sport: Nikola Karabatic. As a symbol, it was against his former club that our iconic number 44 ended his club career. It also set a new attendance record for a French league match. It was an historic occasion, celebrated in fitting style by the people of Paris as they bid farewell to their legendary hero.

(Credits: Team Pics/PSG)