The International Handball Federation has conducted the draw for the London 2012 handball tournament, confirming the matches for the men’s and women’s preliminary round. The men’s tournament sees reigning Olympic champions France drawn in Group A alongside Beijing 2008 silver medallists Iceland, Sweden, Tunisia, Argentina and hosts Great Britain, who will be making their Olympic debut.

Group B, meanwhile, will see 2012 European Championship finalists Denmark and Serbia face each other again, with the Serbs eager to avenge their 21-19 defeat to the Danes. Spain, Croatia, Hungary and Korea–¨complete the group.

In the women’s tournament, reigning Olympic champions Norway will face France in Group B in a repeat of the 2011 World Championship final, which saw the Norwegians triumph 32-24. They will be joined in Group B by Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Korea, while Montenegro, Russia, Croatia, Brazil, Angola and hosts Great Britain — who will also be making their Olympic debut — will contest Group A.

Both the men’s and women’s tournaments begins on 28 July with 10 days of preliminary matches. The knockout matches start on 7 August, with the women's medals awarded on 11 August, followed by the men's the next day. All semi-finals and finals, as well as the men’s quarter-finals, will be held at the Basketball Arena in the Olympic Park.

Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport at LOCOG, said: “Today’s draw has provided some excellent matches that will showcase this great sport during the Games in London this summer.”

IOC News.