World Handball Championship - 26 January, 2003

One day from the end of the first round, there are few surprises, except perhaps the demise of Brazil, with serious doubts over whether the team will manage to qualify for the second round, which starts on 26th January.

Those who have seen Croatia grow since the first game (Croatia 29 Argentina 30), will understand the defeat of the world champions, France. Denmark, Germany and Sweden look unstoppable.

Group A Spain-Kuwait (45-18); Yugoslavia-Tunisia (28-27); Poland-Morocco (25-29).

Classification: Spain 8 points, Yugoslavia 6, Tunisia 4, Poland, Kuwait, Morocco 2.

Group B Portugal-Germany (29-37); Iceland-Qatar (42-22); Greenland-Australia (21-26)

Classification: Germany, Iceland 8 points, Portugal 4, Qatar, Australia 2, Greenland 0.

Group C Argentina-Hungary (23-35); Croatia-France (23-22); Russia-Saudi Arabia (24-17)

Classification: France, Croatia 6, Russia 5, Hungary 4, Argentina 3, Saudi Arabia 0.

Group D Algeria-Sweden (28-32); Brazil-Slovenia (27-30); Denmark-Egypt (35-26).

Classification: Denmark 8, Sweden 6, Slovenia 4, Egypt 3, Algeria 2, Brazil 1

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru