Handball to show solidarity with Paris at EHF Champions League matches

The "Handball stands together for Paris" message will feature at EHF Champions League games this weekend ©EHF

The European Handball Federation (EHF) has revealed all of the EHF Champions League matches taking place this week will be supported by the “Handball stands together for Paris” message following the terrorist attacks in the French capital last Friday (November 13).

A total of 129 people were killed in a series of coordinated assaults across the city, including at the Stade de France, where the hosts were playing Germany in an international football friendly.

The horrific attacks have seen several sporting events, including all European Rugby Champions Cup matches this week, cancelled as a mark of respect.

France’s football match with England at Wembley Stadium went ahead on an emotional night in London on Tuesday (November 17), but matches between Belgium and Spain in Brussels and Germany against The Netherlands in Hannover were called off due to security concerns.

The “Handball stands together for Paris” slogan will be displayed on advertising boards during Champions League games, while it will feature prominently in the matchday magazine for Paris Saint‐Germain Handball’s clash with THW Kiel, due to be played at Halle George Carpentier in the French capital on Saturday (November 21).

EHF President Jean Brihault will address the crowd before Paris Saint Germain Handball take on THM Kiel in the French capital on Saturday — EHF President Jean Brihault will address the crowd before Paris Saint-Germain Handball take on THM Kiel in the French capital on Saturday ©Getty Images

The match will also be attended by French EHF President Jean Brihault, who will address the crowd inside the multi-use venue before the contest gets underway.

Brihault has urged the European handball community to stand together against terrorism and violence and says defiance is the best message to put across.

“Our only way to deal with this kind of circumstance is to refuse to be terrorised and to promote understanding between people and groups, between creeds,” he said.

“It is a privilege and responsibility in sport that people can ‘get together and play ball’ regardless of who and what they are.”

The EHF has also offered its condolences to those that were killed, adding in a statement: “The thoughts of the EHF and EHF Marketing GmbH and the whole of the handball community remain with the families and friends of all those who have been killed or injured in these terrorist attacks.”