From the archives: Paris vs Montpellier

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As Paris Saint-Germain Hanbdall take on Montpellier in Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 11, let's take a look back at some of the players who have played for both Paris and Montpellier in the course of their careers.

NIKOLA KARABATIC (PARISIAN SINCE 2015)

Nikola Karabatic's immense career will come to an end at the end of this season, but it was at Montpellier that it all began for him.With the south-western club, he won seven league titles in as many seasons, not to mention the 2003 Champions League, alongside the likes of Thierry Omeyer and Mladen Bojinovic... With the capital club, Nikola went on to win eight more French league titles, making him one of the legends of French handball.

LUKA KARABATIC (PARISIAN SINCE 2015)

It's impossible to separate Nikola from his brother, Luka, who has accompanied him to most of his clubs since the start of his career. With 13 French championship titles to his name, including eight with Les Rouge et Bleu, our captain has established himself as a leader on and off the pitch.

Mathieu Grébille (Parisien depuis 2020)

Formé à Montpellier, où il a évolué entre 2008 et 2020 et a remporté 3 titres de champion, autant qu'avec Paris, Mathieu Grébille s'est développé comme l'un des noms majeurs de Liqui Moly StarLigue ces dernières saisons. 

THIERRY OMEYER (PARISIAN BETWEEN 2014 AND 2019)

It's impossible to skip Thierry Omeyer when talking about players who have played for Paris and Montpellier. Omeyer, the current general manager of Les Rouge et Bleu, is a legend with both the capital club and Montpellier, and has forged one of the most impressive records in world handball. With Montpellier between 2000 and 2006 and during the 2013-2014 season, the former French goalkeeper won five French league titles, as many Coupes de France, four Coupes de la Ligue and a Champions League title in 2003. A Parisian from 2014 until his retirement in 2019, Thierry added five French league titles, two Coupes de France and three Coupe de la Ligue to his list of honours.

MLADEN BOJINOVIC (PARISIAN BETWEEN 2012 AND 2015)

Having won the Champions League alongside Thierry Omeyer and Nikola Karabatic in 2003, Mladen Bojinovic also forged his reputation with Les Rouge et Bleu. With eleven French league titles to his name, including two with Paris, the Serb is the second-most successful player in the history of the French handball elite. Between 2012 and 2015, Bojinovic also added two French Cups and a Trophée des Champions to his list of honours.

WILLIAM ACCAMBRAY (PARISIAN FROM 2014 TO 2017)

A graduate of the Montpellier youth academy, William Accambray turned a corner when he joined the capital club in 2014. With three consecutive league titles, the former French international took his total to nine league titles.

SAMUEL HONRUBIA (PARISIAN FROM 2012 TO 2016)

A major figure at Montpellier between 2004 and 2012, Samuel Honrubia added three more French league titles to his collection during his time with Les Rouge et Bleu between 2012 and 2016, taking his total to ten. The former France international also snared eight Coupes de France, seven Coupes de la Ligue and four Trophées des Champions in his spells with Paris and Montpellier.

VINCENT GÉRARD (PARISIAN FROM 2019 TO 2022)

Given the onerous task of succeeding Thierry Omeyer after the latter's retirement, Vincent Gérard has more than lived up to expectations. After four full seasons at Montpellier, the French international kept goal for Paris with an iron fist during his three seasons at the club, adding three league titles, two Coupes de France and a Trophée des Champions to his list of honours.

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)