The draw for the London 2012 Handball tournament was made on Wednesday at Crystal Palace sports centre.
GB men to face reigning Olympic champions France in groups
The International Handball Federation conducted the draw for the London 2012 Handball tournament on Wednesday at Crystal Palace sports centre, confirming matches for the men's and women's preliminary competition.
The men's draw sees host Great Britain drawn in Group A, alongside reigning Olympic champions France, Sweden, Iceland, Argentina and Tunisia.
The British women were also drawn in Group A and will face Montenegro, Russia, Croatia, Brazil and Angola, avoiding the reigning Olympic champions Norway.
The draw produced some very interesting matches including Serbia versus Croatia in Group B for the men.
France will meet Iceland in a repeat of the 2008 final where France beat Iceland whilst Serbia and Denmark will also go head to head in a repeat of their recent match at the European Championship final which Denmark won.
In the women's draw, Britain are grouped with Angola in a repeat of the Test Event earlier this year where Great Britain were victorious. Norway will meet France in a repeat of the final of the World Championships in Brazil in December.
Dynamic
The Olympic Handball tournament begins on the 28 July with 10 days of preliminary competition. The knockout matches then get underway on 7 August, with the women's medals awarded on 11 August, with the men's following 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.
Director of Sport at LOCOG, Debbie Jevans, said: "This dynamic sport made a big impression during the test event in 2011, noticed for its speed and the skill of the players. Today's draw has provided some excellent matches that will showcase this great sport during the Games in London this summer."
British Handball CEO, Paul Goodwin, said: "Today is another momentous occasion for British Handball being the first time that we have ever been included in an Olympic draw. We have used the opportunity that London 2012 has provided to introduce this globally popular sport to the British public."
Lynne McCafferty, Great Britain Women's captain, added: "The Olympic Games are very nearly upon us and being here at the draw has made it all feel very realistic. All the teams participating are fantastic, but it is a good draw for us and we are very happy."
