Olympic champions France began with a 30-20 win against Angola ©Getty Images

Olympic champions France, European champions Norway and the Dutch defending world champions all began their International Handball Federation (IHF) Women's World Championship campaigns in winning fashion in Spain.

France saw off Angola 30-20 to take the early lead of Group A in Granollers, with Pauletta Foppa and Lucie Granier each scoring four goals.

Jovanka Radičević scored seven in the group's other match, but it could not prevent Montenegro falling 18-28 versus Slovenia.

Emilie Hovden also scored seven goals as Norway thrashed Kazakhstan 46-18 in Group C in Castelló.

Romania handily beat Iran 39-11 in the group's other match.

The Netherlands enjoyed the biggest win of the IHF Women's World Championship so far, demolishing Puerto Rico 55-15.

Kelly Vollebregt and Bo van Wetering each scored eight goals in the 40-goal triumph.

Sweden defeated Uzbekistan 46-15 to go second in Group D, which is unfolding in Torrevieja.

Group B also began today, in Llíria, with a Russian Handball Federation side beating Cameroon 40-18.

The Russian Olympic Committee team won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics earlier this year.

Serbia overcame Poland 25-21 in the group's other encounter, riding on the back of seven goals from Anđela Janjušević.