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Successor Switzerland achieved a revolutionary handball World Cup victory in Egypt within hours of arrival. The first meeting of two tournament favorites was for France.
Against their neighbor Austria, the Swiss won their first World Cup match in 25 years on Thursday 28:25 (13:13). Bundesliga Rhein-Neckar Löwen midfielder Andy Schmid was the best shooter with seven goals.
The team took to the World Cup field as the second team just one day before the World Cup kick-off on Tuesday night due to numerous crown cases in the US.
Against the United States, the Czech Republic had to withdraw its participation due to numerous COVID-19 diseases and was replaced by North Macedonia, which lost its exit to Sweden in Group G with 20:32 (11:16). In Group E of the preliminary round, the Swiss will face co-favorites Norway and record title holder France.
Their match on Thursday night was decided by France with 28:24 (13:13) and took a big step towards group victory. Norwegian superstar Sander Sagosen of Champions League winner THW Kiel strongly criticized the crown bubble in Egypt on Wednesday. “I don’t know if you can call him a bubble. It’s all a great joke so far,” said the 25-year-old, who was the best pitcher against France with ten goals.
Former world champions Russia, on the other hand, missed an opening victory. The team, which can only compete under the name “RHF” (Russian Handball Federation) due to the CAS Sports Court doping sentence, failed to beat Belarus in group H above 32:32 (15:15) . According to the ruling, Russian athletes must renounce the national flag, anthem and coat of arms at major sporting events.
The handball players, who are cared for by former Füchse coach Velimir Petkovic, are the first Russian national team to compete in a major sporting event since the TAS ruling.
In Group H, in addition to Russians and Belarus, Slovenia and South Korea also play, whose meeting the Slovenes clearly won with 51:29 (25:16). Germany will face Uruguay in Group A on Friday (6 pm), followed by matches with Cape Verde on Sunday (6 pm) and Hungary on Tuesday (8:30 pm).
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