Defending champions Denmark were among the winners on day two of the Women's Junior World Handball Championship ©Debrecen 2018

Norway won their opening match at the Women's Junior World Handball Championship by default after opponents Ivory Coast failed to arrive at the event in Debrecen in time.

The International Handball Federation Competition Management awarded Norway a 10-0 victory in the Group A encounter due to the Ivorian's absence from the tournament in the Hungarian city.

"The IHF Competition Management explored every option to reschedule the match but found that such a course of action would be impossible and could have a negative impact on other teams in the group," a statement from the Organising Committee read.

It is not yet known whether Ivory Coast will arrive in time to compete in their second game against Montenegro on Wednesday (July 4).

Denmark got the defence of their title off to a winning start as they edged Angola 25-20 in Group C at the Hódos Imre Sports Hall.

The Netherlands thrashed Paraguay 47-25 in Group C at the Women's Junior World Handball Championship ©Debrecen 2018
The Netherlands thrashed Paraguay 47-25 in Group C at the Women's Junior World Handball Championship ©Debrecen 2018

The Netherlands thrashed Paraguay 47-25, while Romania beat Japan 32-30 in the other Group C matches held today.

In Group A, Montenegro defeated Portugal 30-23.

Russia, whose senior team won the Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016, began Group B with a dominant win as they overcame China 35-16.

France emerged victorious in a low-scoring Group D clash with Croatia as they were on the right side of a 19-16 scoreline.

The tournament is due to continue tomorrow.