Hosts Denmark made a winning start at the European Women's Handball Championship ©Getty Images

Hosts Denmark and defending champions France both began their European Women's Handball Championship campaigns with wins, although a coronavirus outbreak is already threatening one team's involvement.

Serbia's game against The Netherlands in Group D, scheduled for today, was postponed after a Serbian player tested positive for COVID-19, as had one on arrival in Kolding.

That second player and their room mate have been isolated, and the rest of the quarantined Serbian squad will be tested again tomorrow.

"Once the test results are available, the tournament management of Women's EHF EURO 2020 will convene and decide on further steps," said a European Handball Federation statement.

In the one Group D match that did go ahead, Croatia beat Hungary 24-22.

Katrin Klujber, who won a junior world title with Hungary two years ago, scored a tournament-leading nine goals but it was not enough to avoid defeat.

Defending champions France were given a scare in Group A, which is being played in Herning, and trailed Montenegro at the break.

The French team fought back to win 24-23, however.

Defending champions France had to come from behind to defeat Montenegro ©Getty Images
Defending champions France had to come from behind to defeat Montenegro ©Getty Images

Denmark, also in Group A, had an easier time versus Slovenia.

Buoyed by six goals from Lærke Nolsøe, the host nation won 30-23.

The entire tournament in being played in Denmark, rather than being co-hosted with Norway, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Norwegian Handball Association was forced to withdraw following the implementation of further Government restrictions.

Groups B and C are scheduled to be back in action tomorrow, while Serbia and The Netherlands could also meet if all COVID-19 tests come back negative.