France set a new record with the most goals they have ever scored in a match at the European Championships, completing a solid opener underlining their status as one of the tournament favourites. The Czech Republic showed grit, coming back into the game in the first half, but ran out of steam in the second.
Elohim Prandi, Melvyn Richardson, and Dylan Nahi all scored six times for France, while left wing Petr Široký did the same for the underdogs. Prandi was named the Player of the Match.
However, the opening win might have come at a great cost for Les Bleus after Aymeric Minne seemed to sustain an injury. After Nedim Remili was ruled out before the start of the tournament, Minne took over as playmaker but had to have his left thigh bandaged after leaving the court with fifteen minutes remaining.
In the other early evening match, Spain secured a 29-27 win against Serbia.