The Palace of Youth and Sports is set to host the first match of the University World Cup, featuring the University of Aveiro from Portugal against the Luigj Gurakuqi University of Shkodra in Group A of the men's competition.

The host nation are represented by the University of Pristina "Hasan Prishtina" in the same group, and are due to play Spain's University of Castilla-La Mancha in their opener tomorrow, scheduled for after the Opening Ceremony at the 1 October Hall.

Group B features the University of Montenegro, the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula based in Croatia, Turkey's Gazi University and the South Korea-based Kangwon National University.

Two groups of three feature in the women's tournament.

The first match is set to feature the Palacký University in Olomouc from the Czech Republic against the Korea National Sport Sports University from South Korea in Group A at the Palace of Youth and Sports.

The Luigj Gurakuqi University of Shkodra are the third team in the group, and are set to play both of their matches on Tuesday (July 12) and Wednesday (July 13).

Group B includes the University of Castilla-La Mancha, University North from Croatia and the Luigj Gurakuqi University of Shkodra.

FISU University World Cups pit universities against each other as opposed to national teams.

The group stage of the University World Cup of Handball is set to conclude on Wednesday (July 13), with the second and third-placed sides in the women's groups featuring in playoffs on Thursday (July 14) to decide the semi-final composition.

Men's and women's semi-finals are scheduled for Friday (July 15), and the medal matches for Sunday (July 17).

Tournament executive director Musa Selimi claimed that Kosovo's handball history made it a fitting host.

"Kosovo has a long and sensational handball tradition, so it is no coincidence that Pristina was elected to organise this important competition of university sports," Selimi said.

"And it is an amazing opportunity for us all to take part in it."