At the Paris Défense Arena, since the inauguration in 2017, there has already been rugby, basketball with Nanterre, swimming during the Games with Léon Marchand, motocross, boxing in 2020 with Tony Yoka. But never before has handball had the right to be featured in the largest hall in Europe.
For two days, this Friday January 9 and Sunday January 11, the little sticky ball in turn takes over the large La Défense enclosure for the first time. As luck would have it, the Tournoi de France on Friday and Sunday, which serves as a dress rehearsal before the European Championship (January 15-February 1), is the first event at this location since the announcement of the sale of La Défense Arena to the American giant Live Nation. Given the new organization envisaged by the future owners who will refocus on concerts rather than sport, it is possible that this handball premiere will also be a “one-shot”, a unique opportunity.
We must therefore take advantage of the opportunity to come and encourage the Blues at the dawn of a Euro where they will defend their title. 18,000 spectators are expected for each of the two sessions. Apart from the 27,000 people who attended each match of the Olympic handball tournament in Lille in 2024, this will be one of the largest attendances recorded in France for a handball match.
Note that this will perhaps also be approached on May 27 when PSG hosts Nantes in the championship at the Accor Arena. For the occasion, the Blues of Guillaume Gille, who spent a week in training in Capbreton and joined the house of handball in Créteil this Thursday, have two matches on their program.
A tribute to Nikola Karabatic and Allison Pineau
It starts this Friday evening (9 p.m.) against another team competing in the Euro: Austria. This is not a global or continental handball leader. The Austrians’ ambition will be to get through the first round of the Euro, nothing more. This semi-final of the tournament should therefore go well for the Blues who must get their legs up and above all avoid physical problems.
On Sunday, the reigning European champions will face the winner of the other semi-final scheduled for this Friday at 6:30 p.m. between Iceland and Slovenia. “These matches are an opportunity to fill up on good vibes and the energy of the French public. The idea is to play two big matches, to go for victories,” notes Barcelona’s Dika Mem on the Federation website.
The handball festival promises to be complete with two events in parallel with the four matches: a showcase by the artists Bigflo & Oli after France-Austria this Friday and an entry ceremony into the federation’s Hall of Fame on Sunday after the last match. An opportunity to pay tribute to Allison Pineau and Nikola Karabatic.
The program. Friday January 9: Iceland – Slovenia (6:30 p.m.) and France – Austria (9 p.m.). Sunday January 11: Places 3-4 and final: 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (match with France). Matches broadcast on BeINSPORTS.
