Trondheim (Norway) (AFP)
The defending Spaniards started the Euro handball with a large victory over Latvia, 33-22, Thursday in Trondheim, Norway.
The Iberian selection took the lead at the end of the first half and easily maintained their lead thanks to wingers Angel Fernandez (5 goals), Ferran Solé and Aleix Gomez (4 goals each). Latvian giant Dainis Kristopans (2.14 m), European club champion with Vardar Skopje, scored seven times.
In the same group, Germany, titled in 2012, easily dominated (34-23) the Netherlands, which disputed their first Euro in men. Jannick Kohlbacher and back Kai Häfner scored 5 goals each.
In Graz, Austria, Croatia beat Montenegro 27-21 in front of its supporters who came next door (Zagreb is two hours by car). Half-center Barcelona Luca Cindric was the top scorer with 6 goals.
Serbia was beaten by Belarus 35 to 30.
In Sweden, the third host country to host the final phase, the first matches will take place on Friday in Gothenburg and Malmö.
France will compete against Portugal on Friday (6.15pm) in Trondheim.
© 2020 AFP