Nikola Karabatić facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nikola Karabatić |
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 11 April 1984 Niš, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia |
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| Nationality | French | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Centre back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior clubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2000–2005
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Montpellier Handball | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2005–2009
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THW Kiel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2009–2013
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Montpellier Handball | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2013
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Pays d'Aix | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2013–2015
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FC Barcelona | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2015–2024
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Paris Saint-Germain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2002–2024
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France | 356 | (1293) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Nikola Karabatić (born 11 April 1984) is a French former professional handball player. Many people think he is one of the greatest handball players ever.
He played for the French national handball team for many years. With them, he won three Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012, and 2020. He also won four gold medals at the World Men's Handball Championship (in 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2017). Plus, he earned four gold medals in the European Men's Handball Championship (in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2024).
Nikola Karabatić was named the IHF World Player of the Year three times. This is a record for a male player. He received this award in 2007, 2014, and 2016. In 2024, he was honored by being added to the EHF Hall of Fame.
Contents
Nikola Karabatić's Club Career
Nikola Karabatić started his professional handball journey at Montpellier Handball in France. He quickly became a star player there. With Montpellier, he won the French championship several times. He also helped them win the EHF Champions League in 2003. This is one of the biggest club competitions in handball.
After his time in France, he moved to Germany to play for THW Kiel. There, he continued his winning streak. He helped Kiel become German champions four times in a row. He also won the EHF Champions League again with Kiel in 2007.
In 2009, Karabatić returned to Montpellier. He added three more French championship titles to his collection. Later, he played for FC Barcelona in Spain. With Barcelona, he won the Spanish league twice. He also won the EHF Champions League for a third time in 2015.
From 2015 until his retirement in 2024, he played for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG Handball). He helped PSG win many French league titles and other national cups.
Nikola Karabatić's International Success
Nikola Karabatić had an amazing career playing for the French national team. He is known for winning many major tournaments. He has won Olympic, World, and European championships. In total, he has won eleven major titles and seventeen medals with his national team. This is a record for a handball player.
He first became a European champion in 2006. He also earned bronze medals at the European Championships in 2008 and 2018. At the World Championships, he won bronze medals in 2005 and 2019. He was often chosen for the "All-Star Team" at these big tournaments. This means he was one of the best players in his position.
Nikola Karabatić's Personal Life
Nikola Karabatić was born in Niš, which was part of Yugoslavia at the time. His father, Branko Karabatić, was also a professional handball player. His mother, Radmila, is from Serbia.
When Nikola was about three and a half years old, his family moved to France. This happened because his father got a coaching job there. Nikola has a younger brother named Luka. Luka is also a professional handball player.
Nikola Karabatić is very good with languages. Besides French, he can speak English, German, and Spanish.
Nikola Karabatić's Major Achievements
Nikola Karabatić has won many awards and titles throughout his career.
Club Achievements
- EHF Champions League:
- Winner: 2003, 2007, 2015
- IHF Super Globe: 2013, 2014
- French League: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- German League: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Spanish League: 2014, 2015
International Achievements
- Olympics:
- Gold: 2008, 2012, 2020
- Silver: 2016
- World Championship:
- Gold: 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017
- Silver: 2023
- Bronze: 2005, 2019
- European Championship:
- Gold: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2024
- Bronze: 2008, 2018
Individual Awards
- IHF World Player of the Year: 2007, 2014, 2016
- Most Valuable Player (MVP) of World Championship: 2011, 2017
- Most Valuable Player (MVP) of European Championship: 2008, 2014
- Top Scorer of European Championship: 2008
- All-Star Team selections: He was often chosen as an All-Star player at the Olympics, World Championships, and European Championships.
- EHF Hall of Fame: 2024
Images for kids
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Karabatić in 2015
See also
In Spanish: Nikola Karabatić para niños
