From the archives: Créteil

Only one player in common, but a big one

Historically, only one player has worn the shirts of both Paris and Créteil. His is a name that has thrilled many a French handball fan, and one who is now pursuing a successful career abroad: Nedim Remili. Born in Créteil, our former right-back came up through his hometown club's youth academy and made his professional debut with the senior team in 2013. A few months after celebrating his first cap for France in 2016, he joined the capital club and quickly reached new heights. In Rouge et Bleu, Nedim won his first titles.

Brilliant on the court, his individual performances were also duly rewarded. Voted Young Player of the Season in the Champions League in 2017, he then established himself as one of the best in his position by being named best right-back in the French league in 2020. In 2022, after six seasons of loyal service, Nedim set his sights on new horizons. After a few months at Kielce, he joined Veszprém and its host of French internationals following the Polish side's financial troubles. Voted MVP at Euro 2024, and more recently MVP of the Club World Cup (one of the few trophies missing from his trophy cabinet), Nedim continues to give opposing defences a torrid time. He remains a source of pride for the Cristoliens and a key figure in the history of the capital club.

Derbies that deliver

With 19 wins in 30 encounters, Paris take their derbies with neighbours Créteil seriously. Last May, Raul Gonzalez's men put on a show of strength at the Palais des Sports Robert-Oubron on the penultimate day of the Liqui Moly StarLigue season. Drawn into a fierce long-distance battle with Nantes for their 11th French league title, the capital club asserted their strength with the biggest win against Créteil on clu history (28-41). It was a triumph brought about by the indefatigable duo of Kamil Syprzak (13 goals) and Luc Steins (12 assists), who highlighted their exceptional season.

A derby against Créteil regularly means a flurry of goals for the capital club, who have scored at least 35 goals in each of the last six meetings with their neighbours. These encounters have seen the Parisians shine in both attack and defence. Last season, it was Jannick Green who stole the limelight from his attacking companions by turning Coubertin upside down with one of his best performances of the season: 18 saves, including three from penalties, to lead his side to another richly deserved win (35-27).

2022: The culmination of a historic season

It's hard to think back on clashes between Paris and Créteil without mentioning Matchday 30 of the 2021-2022 season. Having already broken all records, our Rouge et Bleu went to Coubertin as French champions, but this derby was not without its challenges. If they succeeded, the capital club could make it a perfect season with 30 wins from as many games (a feat never before achieved). Symbolically, Les Rouge et Bleus' impeccable campaign was achieved in part thanks to Nikola Karabatic, who was perfect in front of goal, converting all seven of his attempts. It was a victory that will forever be etched in the minds of Parisian fans, and one that makes this fixture, in addition to its special derby flavour, a date to mark in the calendar every season.

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)