Here’s your daily brief for the handball action at the 2024 Summer Olympics, which sees the men’s competition begin today.
The schedule
09:00 – Spain vs Slovenia
11:00 – Hungary vs Egypt
14:00 – Croatia vs Japan
16:00 – Norway vs Argentina
19:00 – Germany vs Sweden
21:00 – Denmark vs France
What’s at stake?
While nobody’s hopes will be dashed today, every game in this tournament feels crucial as teams jostle for position and the opening two matches are great examples.
Elsewhere, there’s pride on the line when Croatia coach Dagur Sigurdsson faces the Japan side he left earlier this year after almost seven years together.
I haven’t got all day
If you want to get a look at the prime contenders in action on day one, strap yourselves in from 19:00 CEST at the top four from EHF EURO 2024 face-off. A repeat of the last Olympic, World and European final in Denmark vs France is compulsory viewing and a real treat for the first round of matches.
Around the rings
If you’re looking for another sporting event to enjoy between handball matches, you’re not short on options with the Olympics really getting underway today. Swimming is always a highlight of the first week and there are already some medals to be won in the pool this evening.
And a bonus tip as it’s not exactly in the programme – the beach handball showcase event begins today as 64 of the world’s best players have been put into all-star teams to face the hosts France and display the sport for future Olympic consideration.