Action begun today at the Under-21 World Korfball Championships in Budapest ©IKF

Hosts Hungary beat China 19-15 today to make a winning start to the Under-21 World Korfball Championships in Budapest.

Kristóf Tamás Bellusz top-scored for the Hungarians with five goals in the Pool B clash at the Tüskecsarnok.

Dániel Lang notched four, while there were hat-tricks for Kristóf Öhlmann and Brigitta Bulucz, two goals for Alexandra Falcsik and one apiece from Dániel Csodó and Kitti Horváth.

Today’s other Pool B matches saw Chinese Taipei defeat Turkey 27-8 and Portugal overcome Germany 14-11.

In Pool A, Belgium beat Czech Republic 31-12 and Hong Kong defeated England 19-17.

Five games were played in all today ©IKF
Five games were played in all today ©IKF

Action in Hungary’s capital is due to continue tomorrow.

The Pool A schedule is made up of matches between Czech Republic and England, and The Netherlands and Belgium.

Chinese Taipei face Germany in Pool B, while Portugal meet China and Hungary go up against Turkey.

A total of 12 nations initially entered the event before the Dominican Republic withdrew due to financial problems.

The International Korfball Federation announced it would not replace them.