PARIS
vs
Dunkerque Handball Grand Littoral
Founded in 1958, Dunkerque Handball Grand Littoral have been in the French top flight since 1991-92, an indication of their consistency at the highest level. Currently coached by Patrick Cazal, the club won the Liqui Moly Starligue title in 2014, and also collected 1 French Cup, 1 League Cup and 1 Trophée des Champions between 2011 and 2014.
Also known as USDK, the club finished sixth during 2017/18 season, just missing out on qualification for the European Cup after losing to Montpellier Handball in their final match of the campaign.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
On 2017/18 season, as part of League Cup Round of 16, the Red and Blue had defeated USDK 34 - 23 at Coubertin, thanks to a stunning performance of Thierry Omeyer who made 22 saves.
During 2018/19 season, Nedim Remili's teammates had defeated Dunkerque on Matchday 9 of the 2018/19 Liqui Moly Starligue season, with a clinical 100% rate shooting of Toft Hansen. The Parisians had defeated them 30-23 at Coubertin on Matchday 14, with 7 goals from Nedim Remili, best scorer for the Red and Blue.
During 2019/20 season, the Parisians were welcoming Dunkerque on matchday 13. Mikkel Hansen and his teammates won their thirteenth match on Liqui Moly Starligue, 36-25, for a perfect beginning for the Red and Blue! After its victory over Gazélec Ajaccio, the Parisians have been receiving USDK as part of French Cup Round of 8, on March 8, 2020. Vincent Gérard's teammates won 32-21 at Coubertin.
On April 11, 2021, the two teams faced each other on matchday 22 of Liqui Moly Starligue. The club of the capital had managed to win 30-22 with important saves of Yann Genty (9 saves) at the beginning of the second period to maintain the gap.
On February 5, 2022, during the matchday 15 of the 2021/22 season, the Parisians welcomed the USDK at the Pierre de Coubertin stadium. Karabatic's teammates won with a score of 38-30. In the return match in Dunkirk, PSG won again (37-24) and continued their quest for a 9th French championship title.
Players to follow Duel
A native of the Paris region, Sadou N'tanzi has proudly represented the colors of Paris Saint Germain since 2017, the year he made his debut with the reserve team in National 1. Gradually confirming his potential as a center-back, N'tanzi played his first game with the professional squad in a Liqui Moly Starligue game between the Red and Blue and neighboring club US Ivry. In the summer of 2020, he signed his first professional contract with PSG, before having extended until 2024. In search of playing time at the highest level, he moved to the south of France to join Fenix Toulouse where he was loaned for the 2021-22 season.
Born on February 20, 1995 in Montpellier, Samir Bellahcene is a French player playing as a goalkeeper for Dunkerque Handball Grand Littoral. Trained at Montpellier Handball, he made his first professional season in 2017/18, under the colors of Massy HB. He will then be named Best hope of the season in Liqui Moly Starligue. Following the relegation of the club in the Paris region, he signed in Dunkerque in the summer of 2018, gradually establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the championship. With performances of high flight and including 52 saves at 40% success, he was named Player of the Month in April 2022.
The Stades de Flandres
Previously known as Louis Dewerdt, the Stade de Flandres is the official players' hall of the Dunkerque Handball Grand Littoral. Renovated at the end of the 2000/01 season and the World Championships organised in France the same year, it can now accommodate 2,400 spectators and is now one of the best venues in France.
Avenue de Rosendaël
59 378 Dunkerque
Practical information