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Iceland overcome European handball champions France

Iceland's Vignir Svavarsson celebrates his team's 32-24 win over France at the handball world cup in Magdeburg, Germany, on Monday. PHOTO: EPA

Olafur Stefansson scored six goals as Iceland shocked European champions France 32-24 on Monday, capturing first place in Group B of the handball world championship.

Both teams finished 2-1 in the group and advanced to the second round of the 24-nation, two-week tournament. They were joined in the final 12 on Monday by Denmark and Russia.

Ukraine failed to reach the next round despite also finishing 2-1 in Group B after collecting a 37-18 win over Australia, which dropped to 0-3.

Group E

Denmark advanced to the second round -- made up of two groups of six teams -- after a 27-25 victory over Norway in Group E. Lasse Boesen and Lars Christian-sen each had six goals for the Danes, who went 2-1 while Norway fell to 1-2.

Hungary had already secured first place in Group E and moved to 3-0 after beating Angola 34-31 on 10 goals from Gyula Gal. The Africans dropped to 0-3.

Russia booked its spot in the second round despite a 32-29 loss to Croatia in Group D. Mirza Dzomba scored eight goals and Petar Metlicic added seven as 2003 world champion and two-time Olympic champion Croatia continued to be one of the leading contenders for this month's crown.

Group F

South Korea beat Morocco 32-19 in the other Group F match. South Korea went 1-1-1 and Morocco fell to 0-3.

Defending world champion Spain also moved to 3-0 with a 35-29 victory against Czech Republic and atop Group D. David Davis and Rolando Urios each scored seven goals and Iker Romero and Juan Garcia each had six for the Spaniards.
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