PARIS
vs
IVRY
US Ivry Handball
Founded in 1947, US Ivry Handball are one of France’s most iconic clubs, and forged their legend with eight French championship wins between 1963 and 2007. Their relegation to the ProLigue in 2014 ended an amazing run of 57 consecutive seasons in the top tier. Over the years, US Ivry have nurtured a number of leading players, among them Paris Saint-Germain right winger Luc Abalo, who played for the club’s first team between 2002 and 2008. A national champion with the Red and Black in 2007, he was voted the league’s MVP that season. The club ended the 2017/18 Liqui Moly Starligue season in tenth place, securing their place in the elite with a last-day victory over USAM Nîmes Gard.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
As part of 2019/20 Liqui Moly Starligue matchday 7, Ivry was welcoming Paris Saint-Germain. Leader of the championship, the Red and Blue confirmed their status by winning 24-30.
On October 17, 2020, the Parisians had defeated Ivry 35 - 25 at Auguste Delaune, with 16 goals from Danish duo Mikkel Hansen - Erik Toft Hansen.
Players to follow Duel
After coming through the youth ranks of the Spanish national team, David Balaguer known his first cap for the first team in 2017. With La Roja, the right winger born in 1991 played more than 100 games and was decisive on many occasions. In 2018, he led his country to the European Championship in Croatia. In the final, which pitted Spain against Andreas Palicka's Sweden, Balaguer scored five times, as did his teammate Ferran Solé Sala. Thanks to the performances of these two wingers, Spain won the first European Championship in their history.
Born on March 18, 1987, in Metkovic (Croatia), Mate Sunjic is a goalkeeper. Formed in Croatia, he joined US Créteil in 2013 and wore the Cristolian jersey for four years. After a season at CSM Bucharest, he returned to France and joined US Ivry Handball in the summer of 2018. During the 2019/20 season, he made the most stops in the Liqui Moly Starligue (179 stops, for a percentage of 28.5% shots and penalties combined).
Gymnase Auguste Delaune
16 rue Robespierre, 94 200 Ivry-sur-Seine
Auguste Delaune has been the official venue of the US Ivry Handball since its inauguration in 1953, making it one of the first venues built in France. Its current capacity is 1,500 seats.
During the 2018/19 season, nearly 15,000 spectators gathered at Auguste Delaune to support the Red and Black, including a memorable derby against Paris Saint-Germain and a prestigious victory against HBC Nantes.
Located in the city centre of Ivry-sur-Seine, the complex is easily accessible by public transport, in particular with line 7 of the Parisian metro, Mairie d'Ivry stop. Its proximity to the football stadium and the Ivry swimming pool also makes it accessible by car thanks to the nearby car parks.
