Brazil women's handball wins opener

Host nation Brazil is off to a flying start in women's handball after stunning reigning Olympic and world champion Norway 31-28 in the opening game of the tournament.

Ana Paula Rodrigues led the way with 12 goals for Brazil, which was 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 off a Norwegian revival which briefly leveled the score in the second at 18-18.

As the arena filled up with passionate home fans for the early morning game, five unanswered goals and some big saves from goalkeeper Mayssa Raquel Pessoa took Brazil's lead from 22-21 to 27-21, paving the way for victory.