RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Host nation Brazil is off to an excellent start in women's handball, stunning reigning Olympic and world champion Norway 31-28 Saturday in the tournament's opening game.
Ana Paula Rodrigues had 12 goals for Brazil, which was the 2013 world champion but has never won an Olympic handball medal.
Brazil took the lead early in the first half at the Future Arena and held on after Norway tied it 18-18 in the second half. As the arena filled with passionate home fans for the morning game, five straight goals and big saves from goalkeeper Mayssa Raquel Pessoa took Brazil's lead from 22-21 to 27-21.