Superb conditions, three well-prepared courts and a blue sky were the ingredients for a perfect start of the 2008 Men's and Women's Beach Handball World Championships on Playa Victoria in Cadiz, Spain. Already during the morning session, the 24 teams from 18 countries proved the top-level of their sport. The first surprise of the day was presented by the women's team of Uruguay beat the much-favoured team from russia in the shoot-out.

 

The high-class match of the day in the men's competition was the encounter between host Spain and reigning world champion Brazil, which was played on the center-court in front of 2000 spectators. Brazil had a hard time prevailing against Spain and had to go to the shoot-out, but finally managed to prove their class.

 

On the second match day, some of the matches could already be decisive for the course of the tournament.