1. Overview
Vincent Gérard (Vincent GérardVincent GérardFrench, born 16 December 1986) is a French professional handball player who plays as a goalkeeper. He has achieved significant success in his career, including winning a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics with the French national team. His club career has seen him play for several prominent teams in France and Germany, including Montpellier Handball, Dunkerque Handball Grand Littoral, Paris Saint-Germain Handball, and currently THW Kiel.
2. Personal Information
Vincent Gérard was born on 16 December 1986, in Voïppy, Moselle, France. He stands at a height of 74 in (189 cm) and weighs 229 lb (104 kg). He primarily plays as a goalkeeper in handball.
3. Player Career
Vincent Gérard's professional handball career spans over two decades, marked by his tenure with several French clubs and his significant contributions to the French national team. His journey began in the French second division before moving to top-tier clubs and eventually playing internationally.
3.1. Club Career
Gérard began his club career in 2003 with SMEC Metz in the French D2 league, where he played for three seasons. In 2006, he transferred to Montpellier Handball, a prominent club in the LNH Division 1. During his initial two-year stint at Montpellier until 2008, he was not a primary goalkeeper, often serving as the second or third choice. However, he was part of the team that won the league title in the 2007-08 season.
Following his time at Montpellier, Gérard moved to Istres OPH in 2008, playing there for two seasons until 2010. He then joined Dunkerque Handball Grand Littoral in 2010, where he spent five seasons until 2015. During his tenure at Dunkerque, he began to establish himself as a key player, earning multiple individual awards.
In 2015, Gérard returned to his former club, Montpellier Handball, signing a four-year contract. He continued to perform at a high level, contributing to the team's success. In June 2017, it was announced that he would join Paris Saint-Germain Handball for the 2019-2020 season. After his period with Paris Saint-Germain, Gérard moved to Germany, where he currently plays for THW Kiel in the Handball-Bundesliga.
3.2. International Career
Vincent Gérard has been a vital member of the France men's national handball team since 2013. He has achieved considerable success on the international stage, contributing to France's impressive medal haul in major tournaments.
He won a gold medal at the 2014 European Men's Handball Championship held in Denmark. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he earned a silver medal with the French team. In 2017, he was part of the French squad that secured a gold medal at the 2017 World Men's Handball Championship hosted in France. He also contributed to a bronze medal win at the 2018 European Men's Handball Championship in Croatia. Most notably, Gérard won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, further cementing his legacy as a top international player.
4. Individual Awards and Honors
Vincent Gérard has received numerous individual accolades throughout his career, recognizing his exceptional performance as a goalkeeper.
- French Championship Best Goalkeeper/Best Seven: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
- 2017 World Men's Handball Championship All-Star Team
- 2020 Summer Olympics All-Star Team
5. Match Statistics
The following table details Vincent Gérard's club match statistics in the French D1 league, including his performance metrics such as saves and save percentages across different seasons.
| Year | League | Team | Matches | FS Saves | Save % | 7m Saves | 7m Save % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | French D1 | Montpellier HB | 15 | 53/140 | .379 | 2/18 | .111 |
| 2007-08 | 12 | 30/73 | .411 | 4/18 | .222 | ||
| 2008-09 | Istres OPH | 26 | 233/640 | .364 | 9/63 | .143 | |
| 2009-10 | 26 | 278/729 | .381 | 15/69 | .217 | ||
| 2010-11 | Dunkerque HGL | 26 | 261/700 | .373 | 26/100 | .260 | |
| 2011-12 | 26 | 249/605 | .412 | 15/68 | .221 | ||
| 2012-13 | 26 | 288/759 | .379 | 17/72 | .236 | ||
| 2013-14 | 26 | 277/677 | .409 | 22/85 | .259 | ||
| 2014-15 | 24 | 215/578 | .372 | 17/72 | .236 | ||
| 2015-16 | Montpellier HB | 26 | 252/696 | .362 | 16/69 | .232 | |
| 2016-17 | 22 | 210/554 | .379 | 14/60 | .233 | ||
| 2017-18 | 26 | 253/692 | .366 | 12/81 | .148 | ||
| 2018-19 | 26 | 200/598 | .334 | 10/61 | .164 | ||
| French D1: 13 years | 307 | 2799/7441 | .376 | 179/836 | .214 | ||
- Bold indicates league best for that year.
6. Recognition and Milestones
Vincent Gérard's career has been marked by significant recognition, particularly his inclusion in All-Star Teams at major international tournaments, highlighting his status among the world's elite goalkeepers.
He was selected for the All-Star Team at the 2017 World Men's Handball Championship, a testament to his outstanding performance during the tournament where France also secured a gold medal. His consistent excellence was further acknowledged when he was named to the All-Star Team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he played a crucial role in France's gold medal victory. These selections underscore his impact and skill at the highest levels of international handball competition.