The International Handball Federation named Allison Pineau the World Player of the Year in 2009, marking an early peak in a career defined by longevity and technical precision. A native of Chartres, France, she has maintained a position as a premier playmaker for her national team and across multiple European professional clubs for over a decade.
Professional Club Trajectory
Pineau has competed for a variety of European clubs since 2012. Her path began with the Romanian side CS Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea, which she joined in July 2012. She later represented ŽRK Vardar and RK Krim between 2013 and 2015. Her time at ŽRK Vardar included a run to the EHF Champions League semifinals in the 2013-14 season, where her team secured a bronze medal by defeating FC Midtjylland 34-31. Following a brief stint at Nîmes in 2015, she returned to Romania. By 2017, she had signed with the French club Brest Bretagne HB. She has also featured for Metz Handball.
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The French national team has relied on Pineau throughout multiple Olympic cycles, including appearances at the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Summer Olympics. Her international medal count features a gold from the 2020 Olympics and a silver from the 2016 event. She secured additional recognition as an All-Star Playmaker at the World Championship in both 2009 and 2011. In 2018, she received the title of Championnat de France Best Defender. Her consistent performance across European and global tournaments solidified her standing within the sport, resulting in high-level state recognition for her contributions.
State Honours
Beyond her athletic titles, Pineau has been formally recognized by the French government for her service to sport. In 2016, she was appointed a Knight of the National Order of Merit. She subsequently received the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honour in 2021, reflecting her ongoing commitment to representing France at the highest levels of international handball competition.
Fast facts
- Born: 2 May 1989, Chartres, France
- Occupation: Handball player
- IHF World Player of the Year: 2009
- Olympic Gold Medalist: 2020
- Knight of the National Order of Merit: 2016
- Knight of the Legion of Honour: 2021
Questions readers ask
Which major clubs has Allison Pineau represented?
She has played for clubs including CS Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea, ŽRK Vardar, RK Krim, Nîmes, Brest Bretagne HB, and Metz Handball.
What individual awards has she received?
She was named IHF World Player of the Year in 2009, was a two-time World Championship All-Star Playmaker, and the 2018 Championnat de France Best Defender.
Achievements
- IHF World Player of the Year
- Knight of the National Order of Merit
- Competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics
