With their results against fellow Group C qualifiers carried over from the first round, Germany began Group II in third place on two points following their loss against Spain and win against Sweden.

Their 29-19 victory against Hungary moves them up to second spot on four points, level with Denmark and Spain, who meet each other on Sunday (January 24).

"I am very happy with the win," said Germany coach Dagur Sigurðsson.

"We had confidence and our young players were ready for fight and run.

"For me,  it was a surprise that we won by such a huge difference.

"The win and the final result were deserved."

One point behind the leading trio is Russia, but they too could have been on level terms had it not been for a late equaliser from Sweden in their outing today.

Johan Jakobsson saved a point for the Swedes, despite being a man down, as he scored the last of his nine goals just nine seconds before the buzzer to secure a 28-28 draw.

Action is scheduled to continue tomorrow at the Tauron Arena in Kraków where France take on Croatia and Poland go up against Norway in the second round of Group I matches.

The winners of the tournament will clinch a qualifying place at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

At the Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Bahrain, Japan moved up to second place in Group A after defeating Oman 29-24.

Joining them on four points are South Korea, who beat Syria 38-20 to aid their chances of securing one of the two semi-final spots on offer. 

The final round of Group B matches are due to take place tomorrow as hosts Bahrain look to make it five wins out of five with victory against Saudi Arabia.

A draw for Saudi Arabia will ensure their qualification for the semi-finals, but if they lose, the United Arab Emirates could snatch second spot on goal difference with a win against Iran.

The other game sees two winless sides, China and Lebanon, aim to break their ducks.

There were also six games at the African Men’s Handball Championship today as hosts Egypt made it two wins out of two with a 34-20 triumph against Nigeria in Cairo. 

Morocco also maintained a perfect start, overcoming Cameroon 26-24, and Algeria got off the mark by beating Gabon 35-24.

Angola defeated Libya 29-15 to claim their second win in as many games in Group B, while Tunisia recorded a 37-22 victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo to match that feat.

Kenya suffered a second-straight loss however, going down 34-19 at the hands of Congo.

All 12 teams are scheduled to be in action again tomorrow before a rest day on Sunday (January 24).