Great Britain men's handball team got their Euro 2014 pre-qualification tournament off to the worst possible start with a 38-21 thumping by Switzerland in Italy.
GB, who have been on a three-week training camp in Serbia and are using the competition as vital preparation for the Olympic Games, competed well in the first half and only trailed 16-12 at the interval.
But a devastating start to the second period from the Swiss swept Dragan Djukic's side away as they raced to a 27-12 lead and there was no way back for GB, despite eight goals from Steven Larsson.
The match was the opening clash of a four-team round-robin tournament in Bari, with the top two sides progressing to the qualifying stages of the European Championships in Denmark in 18 months time.
Greece play hosts Italy in the other game on Friday night, with GB returning to court against the Greeks on Saturday.