In a repeat of the 2007 World Championship finals, when Germany won on home soil, the side which arrived through the back door at this Qatar party - after Australia had been ruled out because of the non-recognised status of the Oceania federation - earned a 29-26 Group D win at Lusail Multipurpose Hall over the team who had beaten them in the play-offs last June.

There was also a surprise in Group C as African champions Algeria were beaten 20-34 by Egypt, the African bronze medallists, in front of a packed 6,000 crowd.

The Egyptians, inspired by the fantastic support of thousands of their fans, managed to stop the back court of the rivals, keeping Algeria's star man, left back Messaoud Berkous, from scoring.

France, the Olympic and European champions, got off to a winning start on the first full day of competition following the hosts' 28-23 win over Brazil following the Opening Ceremony.

The title favourites - missing their injured double World, European and Olympic champion Luc Abalo with an abductor injury, were made to work for a 30-27 win over the Czech Republic.

Defending champions Spain opened their account with a 38-33 win over Belarus, joining Slovenia - 36-23 winners over Chile - at the head of Group A along with Qatar.

But the hosts are already troubled with injuries as their coach Valero Rivera, who guided Spain to the world title two years ago, revealed after their opening win that there were concerns for both right back Hadi Hamdoon and middle back Kamalaldin Mallash.

Hosts Qatar got off to a victorious start against Brazil after the Opening Ceremony of the 24th World Handball Championships - but their coach, Valero Rivera, revealed that the won at the cost of injuries to two key players ©Qatar2015facebook

"Hamdoon injured his ankle and tomorrow we will know how bad it is and whether he will be able to continue to play at this World Championship," Rivera said in his post-match press conference.

"Kamal is now in hospital, where he will stay overnight, we will monitor how things are with him."

Denmark arrived in the Gulf seeking to go one better in these Championships after losing the 2011 and 2013 finals to France and Spain respectively, and also losing last year's European Championship final against France.

But they were frustrated in their opening match by the Pan American champions, Argentina, who held them to a 24-24 draw.

Iran, competing in the World Championship finals for the first time, were honourably defeated 30-25 by Bosnia and Herzegovina, ranked in Europe's top 15.

Macedonia defeated Tunisia 33-25, while Croatia earned a narrow 32-30 win over an Austrian side which has recently run France close on two occasions.

Sweden had an easier time of it against Iceland in a re-match of the London 2012 Olympic quarter-finals, winning 24-16, while Russia, quarter-finalists two years ago, also finished well clear of Saudi Arabia with a 27-17 scoreline.

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