Norway gained a sensational victory over Olympic champions France ©EHF/Twitter

Norway reached their first ever semi-final at the European Men’s Handball Championships in Poland today with a sensational 29-24 victory to consign double reigning Olympic champions France to a shock exit.

This enabled Croatia to qualify for the semi-finals, despite languishing in fourth place in the group at the beginning of the day.

Norway led from the outset against the French and were 12-11 ahead at half-time in the Tauron Arena in Kraków in the Group I clash. 

France were expected to fight-back after the break but the Norwegians instead moved five goals clear. 

Kent Robin Tønnesen found the net five-times for Norway, who are now guaranteed a semi-final slot as they seek to emulate their more renowned female counterparts, winners of five European titles. 

Croatia celebrate their unlikely semi-final qualification ©EHF/Facebook
Croatia celebrate their unlikely semi-final qualification ©EHF/Facebook

This gave both Poland and Croatia a chance to snatch second-place in the group with a victory in their subsequent clash.

It was the Croats who prevailed, to the disappointment of the home crowd, with a dominant 37-23 victory proving enough to progress ahead of France on goal difference.

Germany edged out Denmark 25-23 at the Hala Stulecia in Wrocław to secure qualification from Group II before Spain topped the group after beating Russia by the same scoreline.

Norway will face the Germans while Spain will be up against  Croatia in the two semi-finals on Friday (January 29).

Sweden beat Hungary 22-14 while Belarus pipped Macedonia 30-29 in today's other matches.

Germany battled to victory over Denmark to progress from their group ©EHF/Twitter
Germany battled to victory over Denmark to progress from their group ©EHF/Twitter

It was quarter-finals day at the African Championships in Egypt. meanwhile.

Angola edged out Morocco 22-21 in today's opening match at the Cairo Stadium Indoor Halls Complex before Tunisia beat Cameroon 24-20.

Algeria defeated Democratic Republic of Congo 34-25 and hosts Egypt thrashed Republic of Congo 40-18.

The winners of all 21 previous editions have therefore made the last four, with Algeria having won nine times, Tunisia eight and Egypt five.

Egypt will face Angola, chasing a first title, in the first of the semi-finals on Friday (January 29) before Tunisia face neighbours Algeria in the second match.

Only three classification matches took place today at the Asian Men's Championships in Bahrain.

China beat Lebanon 30-23 in the battle for ninth place before United Arab Emirates pipped Oman 31-30 in the seventh place playoff.

Iran then claimed fifth place with a 29-28 win over South Korea.

Qatar are due to face Bahrain in tomorrow's final at Isa Town's Khalifa Sports City Hall, which will follow a third-place playoff between Saudi Arabia and Japan.