# French Handball Federation

The French Handball Federation (French: Fédération Française de Handball) (FFHB) is the national handball association in France. Founded on 1 September 1941, FFHB organizes handball and beach handball within France and represents France internationally. It sorts under the French Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The federation is a member of the European Handball Federation (EHF), Mediterranean Handball Confederation and the International Handball Federation (IHF). The current president of FFHB is Philippe Bana since 28 November 2020.

## FFHB Presidents

| No. | Name | Tenure |
| 1. | René Bouet | 1941 – 1946 |
| 2. | Charles Petit-Montgobert | 1946 – 1964 |
| 3. | Nelson Paillou | 1964 – 1982 |
| 4. | Jean-Pierre Lacoux | 1982 – 1996 |
| 5. | André Amiel | 1996 – 2008 |
| 6. | Joël Delplanque | 2008 – 2020 |
| 7. | Philippe Bana | 2020 – present |

## Club handball

The federation organizes the National League for club teams, and the French Cups for men and women (French: Coupe de France masculine and French: Coupe de France Féminine). The winners of these tournaments qualify for European Leagues and Cups — the EHF Men's Champions League and the EHF Women's Champions League, and the Men's EHF Cup Winners' Cup and Women's EHF Cup Winners' Cup.

## International handball

France hosted the men's World Championship in 1970, 2001 and 2017, and the women's World Championship in 2007.

### The men's team

The men's national team is the current reigning Olympic Champion. It was the first team in the world to win the three titles in a row. It is widely regarded as the best current men's handball team in the world. The team has won the World Championship title six times, in 1995, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2017 and the European Championship four times, in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2024. The men's team won gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Head coach for the men's national team is former player Guillaume Gille.

### The women's team

The France women's national handball team were the world champions after their victory at the 2017 World Championships and reigning European champions after winning the 2018 European Championships. The team also won gold at the 2003 World Championships in Croatia, and at the 2023 World Championships. The team was placed fifth at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, but won gold in 2021.
Head coach for the women's national team is Olivier Krumbholz.

### National youth teams

| Team | Age group | Head coach | Competitions |
| Women | U20F : France women's national junior handball team | Éric Baradat | W19 EHF EURO, Junior World Championship |
| Women | U18F : France women's national youth handball team | Olivier De Lafuente (2016–) | W17 EHF EURO, Youth World Championship, EYOF |
| Women | U16F : France women's national under-16 handball team | non permanent | European Open Handball Championship |
| Men | U21M : France men's national junior handball team | Yohann Delattre | M20 EHF EURO, Junior World Championship |
| Men | U19M : France men's national youth handball team | Franck Prouff (2023–) | M18 EHF EURO, Youth World Championship, EYOF |
| Men | U17M : France men's national under-17 handball team | Guillaume Joli (2021–) | European Open Handball Championship |

## Achievements

| Men Olympic Games Gold medal (3): 2008, 2012, 2020 Silver (1): 2016 Bronze (1): 1992 4th (1): 1996 World Championship Winner (6): 1995, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017 2nd (2): 1993, 2023 3rd (4): 1997, 2003, 2005, 2019 4th (2): 2007, 2021 European Championship Winner (4): 2006, 2010, 2014, 2024 3rd (2): 2008, 2018 4th (2): 2000, 2022 Mediterranean Games 2nd (2): 1987, 1993, 2009 3rd (1): 2001 4th (1): 1979 | Women Olympic Games Gold medal (1): 2020 Silver (2): 2016, 2024 4th (1): 2004 World Championship Winner (3): 2003, 2017, 2023 2nd (4): 1999, 2009, 2011, 2021 European Championship Winner (1): 2018 2nd (1): 2020 3rd (3): 2002, 2006, 2016 4th (1): 2022 Mediterranean Games Winner (3): 1997, 2001, 2009 2nd (3): 1987, 1991, 1993 4th (1): 2005 | Youth team: Men U21M Junior World Championship Winner (2): 2015, 2019 3rd (3): 1997, 2013, 2017 4th (1): 1999 M20 EHF EURO 2nd (1): 2018 3rd (2): 2008, 2016 4th (1): 1996 U19M Youth World Championship Winner (2): 2015, 2017 4th (1): 2011 M18 EHF EURO Winner (2): 2014, 2016 | Youth team: Women U20F Junior World Championship Winner (1): 2024 2nd (1): 2012 W19 EHF EURO Winner (1): 2017 3rd (1): 2021 4th (1): 2004 U18F Youth World Championship 4th (3): 2006, 2008, 2010 W17 EHF EURO Winner (2): 2007, 2023 3rd (2): 2005, 2019 4th (2): 2009, 2017 European Youth Olympic Festival Winner (1): 2023 |