In the men's preliminary round, Denmark started well with a 24-11, 22-13 win over Romania.

A second win was recorded against Turkey by a score of 21-14, 23-18, and the Danes earned a third straight win with a 24-18, 19-16 triumph over Norway.

Thanks to beating Norway in a rematch of the 2019 final, Denmark are top of Group A.

Spain remain unbeaten in Group A also, after a 28-19, 19-12 win over Norway followed by a 21-20, 19-13 win versus Romania.

France are two-for-two in Group B, having defeated Hungary 13-23, 26-24, 13-12 and then Ukraine 18-14, 15-10.

Despite that loss, Ukraine have also won two matches - 25-24, 18-16 against Italy and 20-21, 20-16, 5-4 against Greece.

Croatia and Poland both won both their matches in Group C and are set to play tomorrow in a top-of-the-table decider.

Poland won 14-11, 21-20 against Bulgaria and 22-20, 22-18 against Sweden, while Croatia defeated Bulgaria 15-12, 26-18 and Sweden 25-16, 23-20.

Russia are top of Group D after a 19-14, 24-18 win over Portugal and 23-18, 21-17 triumph against the Dutch.

The Danish women's team - who are also the reigning champions - were victorious after a tiebreaker set against Spain, winning 12-22, 17-14, 8-6, but did not enjoy the same outcome against Ukraine.

This time it was Ukraine who won the third set, with the final score 14-25, 26-18, 7-4.

Ukraine top Group A with two wins and a loss, having also succumbed to Turkey today.

Norway won two from two in Group B, beating Hungary 27-18, 18-16 and Croatia 23-17, 23-16. 

France remain undefeated in Group D with a 17-13, 13-20, 7-4 win over Poland and a 25-24, 18-14 victory against Russia.

In Group C, Germany and The Netherlands are each undefeated with two wins apiece.

Germany defeated Romania 18-8, 22-13 and Portugal 16-10, 14-8; the Dutch won 13-12, 12-10 against Portugal and 29-16, 20-7 over Romania.

Competition is scheduled to take place until Sunday (July 18), and the preliminary round continues tomorrow.

The European Beach Handball Championships will be shown in 44 territories, with 13 broadcasters televising the action from Varna.

It is the first edition of the event since the European Handball Federation signed a 10-year media and marketing partnership with Infront and DAZN, and organisers are keen to stress that broadcast rights have been sold in North America, Asia and Oceania, as well as across Europe.

Matches are also available to watch on EHFTV worldwide in areas where the rights have not been sold.