France and Hungary show good form

France were made to work hard to beat Angola

France and Hungary looked in good shape as they both won their opening game in the women's handball, but Russia and Korea played out a draw.

Former world champions France beat Angola 30-24 in the opening preliminary match, raising their game in the second half and smothering their opponents.

Romania beat Kazakhstan 31-19, despite a red card being shown to Valeria Bese 11 minutes after the break.

Korea tied 29-29 with Russia and Hungary beat Sweden 30-24.

Angola led in the first half against France, but flagged after right wing Nair Filipe Pires de Almeida hurt her shoulder.

Pires de Almeida was disappointed her team could not maintain their advantage.

"We failed a lot with our passes and shots," she said. "But I also think we were tired, because the game was too intense, too physical."

Russian left wing Emiliya Turey was also unhappy and said her team lost control of the game in the second half.