Country: France

Coach: Zvonimir Serdarusic

Key Players: Nikola Karabatic (Centre Back), Mikkel Hansen (Left Back), Uwe Gensheimer (Left Wing), Thierry Omeyer (Goalkeeper)

Qualification information: Wild card

History in Tournament: 1997-2015: DNP

Overview:

As one of the four teams to qualify for the finals of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16, Paris Saint-Germain can immediately be recognised as one of the best club sides in the world. To earn their place at the VELUX EHF FINAL4, PSG recorded impressive wins against previous Champions League winners, such as MVM Veszprem and SG Flensburg-Handewitt, not to mention defeating THW Kiel in the 3/4 play-off. Left back Mikkel Hansen was the top scorer of the season with 141 goals, and PSG finished their 2015/16 campaign on a high. 

But for the 2016/17 season the French side have added several notable names to their roster that make them a possibly even more intimidating opponent on paper. 

Joining PSG are the likes of Germany left wing and bronze medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games Uwe Gensheimer, Sweden line player Jesper Nielsen – who won the Super Globe in 2015 with Fuchse Berlin, Croatia right back Luka Stepancic, Slovenia goalkeeper Gorazd Skof and from the beginning of 2017, one of the biggest stars to come from the EHF EURO 2016, Norway’s Sander Sagosen – all players who make up the core of their respective national teams. 

PSG are therefore considered a strong favourite to claim the Super Globe trophy on their first appearance at the competition in Doha – thought the club, founded in 1941, was not quite such a success story before Qatar Sports Investment took the helm in 2012. At that point new coach Philippe Gardent, himself a former world champion (1995), brought in several French stars including Didier Dinart, Luc Abalo and Samuel Honrubia, as well as 2011 and current World Handball Player of the Year Mikkel Hansen. 

The squad has almost completely changed since Hansen joined the team in 2012, but the left back has helped build the formidable reputation PSG hold today, finishing the Champions League season as top scorer in both 2012 (98 goals) and 2016, as well as his individual achievements such as the Most Valuable Player award and being named in the All-star team for his position at the Rio 2016 Games. 

Since 2012 there has been a steady influx of big names joining the PSG squad list, including 2012 World Handball Player of the Year Daniel Narcisse in 2013, Nikola and Luka Karabatic in 2015, and finally, the new arrivals for the current season – which looks to be a very promising one for the French club.

PSG will start their 2016 IHF Super Globe campaign against Esperance Sportive de Tunis, who are also contesting the title for the first time. The knock-out format of the competition means the winner of the opening quarter-final match will qualify for the semi-finals, while the losing team will play the placement games. 

Fans can follow PSG on their website, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Schedule at the 2016 IHF Super Globe:  

5 September 2016, Duhail Sports Hall

Quarter-final: PSG Handball vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis 15:00 local time