Parisians still 100% at the World Cup

Several Paris Saint-Germain Handball representatives were on duty for their respective national teams at he 2019 World Cup on Friday - and all of them tasted victory.

Japan - Macedonia: 29-38

Raul Gonzalez's Macedonia were up against Japan for their World Cup opener in Munich. Our coach's players were favourites and claimed a deserved win in style, with Nantes' Kiril Lazarov scoring eight goals. The Macedonians now have a day off before their clash with Bahrain on Saturday.

Bahrain - Spain: 23-33

Still in Group B, reigning European Champions Spain took care of business against Bahrain, with Parisians Rodrigo Corrales and Viran Morros shining in defence. At the other end of the court, Feran Sole Sala (7 from 7)took care of striking duties. It was a deserve win for La Roja, who return to action against Iceland late on Sunday afternoon.

Iceland - Croatia: 27-31

Just like France, who beat Brazil on Friday night (24-22), Croatia had to battle hard to shake off a tenacious Iceland side. In the end, led by the excellent Luka Stepancic, who top scored in the match with eight goals, Croatia clinched victory to get their World Cup off to the perfect start as their second match, against Japan, looms on Sunday afternoon.

Tunisia - Norway: 24-34

Once again Sander Sagosen starred for Norway as they claimed a comfortable win over Tunisia. Accompanied by a Bjarte Myrhol who also bagged six goals, our playmaker was key in his side's getting off to a great start after reaching the final of the last edition of the competition. On Saturday afternoon, once again at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, the Norwegians will take on Saudi Arabia.

Egypt - Sweden: 24-27

Finally, thanks notably to three goals from Parisian Kim Ekdahl du Rietz, Sweden got the better of Egypt in one of Group G's headlines clashes, at the Copenhagen's Royal Arena. With a 13-11 lead at the break, Sweden held off Egypt's fight-back in the second half and kicked off their campaign with a two-point haul. Next up for the Yellow and Blues: Argentina on Sunday night.

On Saturday, Sander will be joined in action by Mikkel Hansen, Henrik Toft Hansen (Denmark-Tunisia), Uwe Gensheimer (Germany-Brazil), and our three Frenchmen (accompanied by Nikola Karabatic) Nedim Remili, Luka Karabatic and Luc Abalo (against Brazil).

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)