From the archives: Chambéry

Shared players, linked by an iconic coach

Throughout the history of the two teams, five players have worn the colours of both. Three of them were coached by Philippe Gardent at Chambéry before playing under him again at the capital club. A legendary coach with the Savoie-region outfit between 1996 and 2012, the Frenchman took his club to the top of French handball, winning the league title in 2001. The club's triumph was thanks in no small part to one of the capital club's most famous names: Daniel Narcisse. At the time, our legendary left-back was at the start of his long and fruitful career, which was marked by a Player of the Year award in 2012. That accolade came a year before he arrived in Paris under his former mentor from Chambéry.

Xavier Barachet and Gabor Csaszar may not have been part of the team that won the French title in 2001, but they also played under Philippe Gardent before joining up with him in the colours of Les Rouge et Bleu. A product of the Chambéry youth academy, Barachet was one of the key elements of Gardent's tactics, twice winning the title of best right-back of the season under him (2011, 2012). A Parisian between 2013 and 2017, the multi-award-winning French international continued his career at the top with the capital club before resuming his tour of France by signing for Saint-Raphaël. Gabor Csaszar, meanwhile, spent just one season at Chambéry, on loan from Danish outfit Viborg. It was a short spell, but enough to convince Philippe Gardent to lure him back a few years later after moving to Paris.

In the space of two seasons, the former centre-half has added to his list of honours and notably joined up with a familiar face in Zacharia N'Diaye. Having spent seven seasons at Chambéry, the left-back did not wait for Philippe Gardent's arrival before joining Paris in 2010. A witness to Les Rouge et Bleus' transition to a new dimension, he took part in the capital club's first glory days. Yann Genty, another of France's great goalkeepers, signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2020 with two Goalkeeper of the Year awards under his belt. Having spent six seasons in Savoie, the French international goalkeeper continued the long tradition of exceptional goalkeepers at the capital club over the years. Finally, Fahrudin Melic is the only player to have first played in Paris before joining Chambéry, and will remain a singular name among die-hard handball fans. Between 2013 and 2016, the right winger shook the nets at Coubertin on numerous occasions, before taking on a whole new dimension at Chambéry, where he was voted best right winger of the season in 2019.

Some memorable double-headers

Despite the fact that the historical advantage is heavily in Les Rouge et Bleu's favour, match-ups between the Parisians and the Savoyards have consistently been closely contested. As is often the case, it is the exploits of certain players that have enabled the capital club to come away with the two points.
In the 2015/2016 season, two players in particular put on a show in an exceptional double-header. Playing host to Chambéry on Matchday 5, Paris looked to an imperious Mikkel Hansen to win (35-27). Scorer of 14 goals, the Danish international set Coubertin alight and was not to be outdone in the reverse fixture, where he found the net nine times. However, another Rouge et Bleu legend rivalled him in the statistics: Thierry Omeyer. With 13 saves to his name, the current president of Paris Saint-Germain handball proved decisive in a narrow 25-30 victory.

Last season, Raul Gonzalez's men put on a magnificent show both at home and away. Travelling to Le Phare on Matchday 8, Paris continued their perfect start to the season (26-22) thanks to ten saves from Andreas Palicka and ten goals from Kamil Syprzak, who was already in scintillating form at the time. This performance was repeated a few months later at Coubertin in a much more entertaining encounter that kept the fans on the edge of their seats right up to the buzzer (34-33). In the midst of a fierce battle for the title, Les Rouge et Bleu were able to rely on their attacking firepower, with Elohim Prandi (10 goals) and Luc Steins (5 goals, 13 assists) also making major contributions to the Parisian festival.

Farewell to a legend with a legendary title

The meeting between Paris and Chambéry at Coubertin on 31 May 2018 will forever be engraved in the club's history, for several reasons. Firstly, the capital club clinched its fifth French league title and its fourth in a row. This was achieved on the final day of the season with a 30-26 victory over the Savoyards, thanks to a superior goal difference to Montpellier. At the end of the season, the MHB had the same record as the Parisians: 22 wins, one draw and three defeats. The title was won in front of a jubilant crowd, who turned out in force to celebrate not only the title but also the immense career of one of the greatest legends of French handball: Daniel Narcisse. At the age of 38, the French international bowed out of the game after winning his last title against his former club. A final chapter not unlike that of Nikola Karabatic a few months ago...

(Credits: Team Pics/PSG)