LONDON, July 29 (Reuters) – Olympic champions France began
the defence of their men’s title with a thumping 44-15 defeat of
hosts Britain on Sunday in front of a pumped up and more
importantly packed Copper Box.

As an empty seats row broke out earlier in the day, angering
Britons who tried and failed to buy tickets in the Games
build-up, the vibrant and colourful handball venue provided
organisers with some relief.

LONDON (Reuters) – Cries of “Allez les bleus” filled the Copper Box on Saturday as France rounded off the first day of Olympic competition with a shock 24-23 defeat of holders Norway.

The Olympic, world and European champions were undone by five stunning long-range strikes from Mariama Signate in the first half, Alexandra Lacrabere taking over in the second period with three of her own.

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) – Cries of “Allez les bleus”
filled the Copper Box on Saturday as France rounded off the
first day of Olympic competition with a shock 24-23 defeat of
holders Norway.

The Olympic, world and European champions were undone by
five stunning long-range strikes from Mariama Signate in the
first half, Alexandra Lacrabere taking over in the second period
with three of her own.

LONDON (Reuters) – Mark Cavendish’s thunderous face as he finished 29th in the Olympics men’s road race on Saturday told the story of a ferocious sprinter accustomed to gleefully reeling in his prey in the closing stages.

With a world-class team helping him, a home crowd roaring him on at every corner and fired up by a Britain’s recent one-two in the Tour de France, the gold seemed destined for the world champion.

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) – Mark Cavendish’s thunderous face
as he finished 29th in the Olympics men’s road race on Saturday
told the story of a ferocious sprinter accustomed to gleefully
reeling in his prey in the closing stages.

With a world-class team helping him, a home crowd roaring
him on at every corner and fired up by a Britain’s recent
one-two in the Tour de France, the gold seemed destined for the
world champion.

LONDON (Reuters) – Mark Cavendish’s thunderous face as he finished 29th in the Olympics men’s road race on Saturday told the story of a rider whose devastating sprint finish dominance helped force the tactics for the rest of the field and ensure his defeat.

With a world-class team to help him and a home crowd roaring him on at every corner, fired up by a British one-two in the Tour de France that ended on Sunday, it had been widely assumed the gold was the world champion’s for the taking.

LONDON (Reuters) – Mark Cavendish’s thunderous face as he finished 29th in the Olympics men’s road race on Saturday told the story of a rider whose devastating sprint finish dominance helped force the tactics for the rest of the field and ensure his defeat.

With a world-class team to help him and a home crowd roaring him on at every corner, fired up by a British one-two in the Tour de France that ended on Sunday, it had been widely assumed the gold was the world champion’s for the taking.

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) – Mark Cavendish’s thunderous face
as he finished 29th in the Olympics men’s road race on Saturday
told the story of a rider whose devastating sprint finish
dominance helped force the tactics for the rest of the field and
ensure his defeat.

With a world-class team to help him and a home crowd roaring
him on at every corner, fired up by a British one-two in the
Tour de France that ended on Sunday, it had been widely assumed
the gold was the world champion’s for the taking.