The European Metropole of Lille (Métropole Européenne de Lille) and French Handball Federation (FFHB) hosted IHF officials last night at the Chamber of Commerce in Lille – a recently renovated early 20th century building in the centre of the city – to official welcome the 2017 IHF Men’s World Championship to the city.

Alongside all IHF officials, referees, delegates and office staff in Lille were Damien Castelain (President of the European Metropole of Lille), Yann Orpin (President, Lille Chamber of Commerce), Jean Pierre Feuilland (FFHB Vice-President), Philippe Bana (FFHB National Technical Director), Arnaud Jacquemin (Venue Director – Lille, France 2017 Organising Committee), Philippe Gardent (former player and France 2017 Ambassador) and Jeannette Parat (President, Handball Regional League) as well as representatives from the France 2017 volunteer team and local sporting clubs.

As the senior IHF member of staff on site due to the President’s Cup Final being played over 750km away in Brest at the same time, France 2017 IHF Technical Delegate and IHF Playing Rules and Referees Commission (PRC) member Ramon Gallego gave a speech on behalf of the IHF.

“I want to transmit our warm gratitude to everyone from the IHF and all the teams,” he said. “I also want to give our thanks for your excellent organisation.

“Lille is a sport city with a rich cultural heritage and it is now in the history of handball with this record world championship attendance.”

Damien Castelain, President of the European Metropole of Lille, was quick to point out that the IHF Men’s World Championship games in Lille were just limited to his city.

“This events spreads the fame of our metropolis around the world,” said Castelain. “It was such a great pleasure this weekend to see all these families having such fun in the arena stadium.

“We made the record and share the enthusiasm, Thierry Omeyer said he had never seen anything like that in his 40 years and it’s a great tribute for us.

“After we lost the Davis Cup (tennis) and EuroBasket (basket) matches here we are happy we’ve broken the curse and with one event left we are certain it will be a high-level match and another phenomenal experience.”

Jean Pierre Feuilland, Vice-President of the French Handball Federation was also overwhelmed with the success of France 2017 in the city.

“It was an unforgettable moment on Saturday with 28,000 supporters – I underline ‘supporters’,” he said. “It was something we didn’t think was possible but it has been done.

“I will always keep in mind the great moment at the end of the game when the supporters and the French team stayed together at the end of the game.”

On the France 2017 organising committee side Arnaud Jacquemin, Venue Director for Lille could not believe the sheer noise generated by the 28,010 fans, inside and out the stadium.

“The atmosphere was just fantastic,” he said, “Even outside the stadium we could hear the public - it was the first time the stadium sold out in this configuration and I am very proud for my team and all the volunteers for the success.”

To wrap up the speeches, the FFHB National Technical Director Philippe Bana simply said; “we aimed to have the best possible handball event and without you, your ability and competence nothing would have been possible.”

After the speech, gifts were exchanged and guests enjoyed some famous Lille hospitality in the elegant surroundings.