Defending champions Denmark and Austria celebrated their second victory in the second game at the Handball World Cup and thus reached the main round early.
The co-host easily beat Tunisia 32:21 (17:7), the Austrians booked their ticket to the next round with a 28:26 (16:14) win against Qatar. Record world champions France and debutants Italy had previously qualified for the main round on Thursday.
In Herning, where the German national team meets Switzerland in their second group game on Friday (8:30 p.m./ZDF).the Danes dominated the game. The best thrower of the game was world handball player Mathias Gidsel, who plays in the Bundesliga for Füchse Berlin, with nine goals.
In the duel for group victory, the top World Cup favorites will now face Italy on Saturday (8:30 p.m.), who also have four points after beating Algeria 32:23 (19:13).
The Austrians had more trouble with Qatar, but in the end they also had their second success in the second game. And so there will also be a direct duel for the top position in Group C on Saturday (6 p.m.), as the French had previously swept Kuwait 43:19 (21:8).
Meanwhile, Sweden and Iceland started the tournament successfully. The Swedes won clearly 39:21 (17:13) against Japan, the Icelanders celebrated a 34:21 (18:8) against Cape Verde.