Muscat, July 12 (QNA) - Defending champions Brazil (men) were tested to their limits a determined Egypt outfit while Russia and Croatia scored straight wins in the second stage of the fifth World Men s and Women s Beach Handball Championships at the Musannah Sports City.
 Brazil, surprised by Russia in their last preliminary clash on Tuesday, were once again staring the barrel before coming out unscathed in the shoot-out Wednesday to win 15-16, 15-13, 10-5, Oman Daily Observer reported.
 In-form Russia downed Spain 2-0 (17-12, 16-12) while Croatia put out Ukraine, who doused hosts  hopes the previous day, 23-14, 19-18.
 Oman who had to beat Ukraine in their last preliminary Group 'A' match on Tuesday night to book a place in the main Group 1, were thwarted by Ukraine after a thrilling tussle.
 Oman lost the first period narrowly, won the second after a good struggle but lost the shoot-out by a whisker to go down 2-1 (14-13, 18-20, 7-6).
 Wednesday in the women s main Group 1, Denmark and defending champions Norway recorded wins, the former convincingly beating Hungary 2-0 (20-5, 22-18) while the latter after a pitched battle against Croatia, winning 2-1 (14-15, 19-18, 7-2).
 Also winning in Group 1 were Brazilian women, the only undefeated outfit so far in the competition, who subdued Uruguay 2-1 (14-4, 12-14, 6-4).
 After the preliminaries, Russia, Brazil and Ukraine from Group  A  and Croatia, Egypt and Spain progressed to the main Group 1 in the men s section, while Denmark, Croatia and Uruguay from Group  A  and Brazil, Norway and Hungary from Group 'B' entered main Group 1 in the women's category.
 In this main round each team will play three matches and the top four will enter the semifinals.