New Delhi, Jan. 15 -- France made a great start to the 2021 World's Men Handball Championship defeating 2019 IHF Men's World Championship runners-up Norway 28:24 at the Dr Hassan Moustafa Hall in Giza. French goalkeeper Wesley Pardin made 18 saves and was declared the best player of the match. France and Norway are drawn together in Group E. In another Group E match, Switzerland defeated Austria 28-25. Both teams were tied 13-13 at halftime.

In Group F action, Portugal defeated Iceland 25-23 after leading 11-10 at halftime and Algeria, being 8-15 down at halftime, staged a remarkable comeback to win 24-23 in a thriller.

In Group G action, one of the pre-tournament favourites Sweden emphatically defeated North Macedonia 32-20 after leadi...