The day after the opening successes of host Germany and Olympic champion France, the heavyweights Denmark, Sweden and Norway also started the tournament with victories at the European Handball Championship.
World champion Denmark celebrated a must-win in Group F against the Czech Republic in Munich with 23:14 (9:9), as did defending champion Sweden in Group E in Mannheim with 29:20 (14:7) against Bosnia-Herzegovina and the former European Championship team. Third Norway in Group D in Berlin with 32:21 (15:10) against Poland.
The Netherlands, former European runners-up Slovenia and Portugal were also pleased about successful European Championship debuts. Led by Bundesliga star Dani Baijens from HSV Hamburg, Oranje won their opening game in Group E against Georgia 34:29 (19:12). In Berlin, under the direction of the German referee team Robert Schulze and Tobias Tönnies, the Slovenians won against the Faroe Islands with an unexpectedly difficult 32:29 (13:13), while Portugal beat Greece in Munich with 31:24 (18:14). ) claimed.
The Danes only showed their quality in the second half. While Mathias Gidsel from Bundesliga club Füchse Berlin was not yet able to live up to expectations with one goal, top star Mikkel Hansen shone with five goals.
In Sweden’s team, Jim Gottfridsson from former champions SG Flensburg-Handewitt with four goals was clearly in the shadow of ex-Flensburg player Hampus Wanne, who scored nine times in the match, which was refereed without any problems by German referees Tanja Kuttler and Maike Merz.
In Norway’s safe opening success, former Kiel Bundesliga star Sander Sagosen stood out from the Northern European team with six goals. In the Netherlands, Germany legionnaire Baijens was the most successful thrower for Oranje as a six-time goalscorer together with his teammate Rutger ten Velde.