TEHRAN – Iran lost to reigning champions Croatia 2-0 (23-22, 22-17) on Wednesday but advanced to the 2018 Beach Handball World Championships next stage.

The Iranian team had previously lost to Argentina 2-1 (10-13, 12-8, 6-4) and defeated Uruguay 2-1 (15-16, 15-14, 6-5) in Pool A.

Team Melli have been grouped in Group I along with Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Uruguay and Vietnam.

Iran have been scheduled to play Spain on Thursday.

The top-four finishers in Group I and Group II will then advance to the quarter-final, which are due to take place on Saturday (July 28) along with the semi-finals.

The six days of competition is being held at the Kazan Beach Sports Complex, in Kazan, Russia from July 24 to 29.