Having topped Group C in Trondheim with three wins out of three, the Spanish have strengthened their position with a 31-25 win over the Czech Republic in the first of their main round Group I matches, being played at the Wiener Stadthalle in Austria.

Austria, who topped Group B with three wins out of three at their home venue, lost their opening Group I match to Croatia 27-23 and are currently fourth out of six and facing elimination.

Croatia are second behind Spain, by a goal difference of just one.

Second hosts Sweden, beaten by Spain in the 2018 final, qualified with two wins from their opening Group F matches, but are currently bottom of Group II having lost 35-25 to Portugal at the Malmo Arena.

By contrast, the third hosts, Norway, who topped Group D in Trondheim with maximum points, have continued in similar vein in Group II, which they head after a 36-29 win over Hungary.

Slovenia, maximum-points winners of Group F, played at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg and have made a similarly effective transition to the next stage, currently holding the second semi-final position in Group II behind Norway, who have a superior goal difference.

France, the 2018 bronze medallists, and Denmark, the team they beat in the third-place match, both failed to progress from their opening groups.

This is the 14th edition of this European Handball Federation event, and the first to feature 24 national teams.

The next round of Group I and II matches takes place tomorrow.