Rio 2016 releases handball match schedule for Olympic Games
Another chapter of France and Croatia's rivalry to be played out in the most eagerly anticipated match of the group phase
Fierce rivals France and Croatia will face each other on day eight of the competition (Photo by Getty Images/Jeff Gross)
Rio 2016 has released the match schedule for the men’s and women’s handball tournaments at the Olympic Games. After the groups were drawn last month, fans have been eagerly waiting to find out when the big match-ups will take place.
The big stories from the draw were that the Brazilian women's team boldly opted to join group A which includes the gold, silver and bronze medallists from London 2012: Norway, Montenegro and Spain. The men’s draw meanwhile saw France and Croatia, who have dominated the game for the last 20 years, placed together in group A.
Taking place at the Future Arena in Barra Olympic Park, the competition will commence with six women’s matches on 6 August, where hosts Brazil will face Olympic, world and European champions Norway. But the Brazilian women, who won their first world title in 2013, say they are full of confidence, especially in front of a home crowd.
Brazil's women opted to be placed in a tough group (Photo by Getty Images/Jeff Gross)
"I am certain that we are ready to start the Olympic Games well," Morten Soubak, the Brazil women's coach said. "I hope playing at home will be very positive for us. Our players love playing in Brazil.”
Another interesting contest on day one will be between Montenegro and Spain, silver and bronze medallists respectively at London 2012. Day 7 (12 August) will see an enticing match-up between world silver medallists the Netherlands and European bronze medallists Sweden.
In the men’s tournament, the most eagerly anticipated contest will see rivals Croatia and France go hand to hand on day eight (13 August). France have recently had the upper hand as the Olympic and world champions beat the Croats in their backyard to win gold at the 2009 world championships and then inflicted defeat again at the semi-final stage of London 2012.
Group A, which includes France and Croatia as well as European silver medallists Denmark and world silver medallists Qatar, plus Tunisia and Argentina, has been dubbed the group of death. However group B will be no walk in the park for hosts Brazil, who must face Olympic silver medallists Sweden and European champions Germany, along with Poland, Slovenia and Egypt.
Highlight matches in this group include the opener between Sweden and Germany on day two (7 August), and then Germany v Poland, who won bronze at the world championships, on 9 August.
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