The home team made a strong start by taking the leading the fourth minute before ruthlessly pressing clear for an 8-2 victory.

Erik Pettersson lead the way with four goals while David Pizzoni Elfving also managed two.

It marks 37th edition of a tournament historically dominated by Sweden and 2016 winners Russia, as well as the former Soviet Union.

Finland are the only other nation to have claimed the world title, having won the annual competition back in 2004.

Kazakhstan and Russia join the Finns and Swedes in Pool A.

Norway, Belarus, Germany and United States will lock horns in Pool B.

Bandy, a winter sport played on ice in which skaters use sticks to direct a ball into the opposing team's goal, was officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 2001.

It featured as a demonstration sport at the 1952 Winter Olympic Games in Norway’s capital Oslo.

Action is set to continue until a final on Friday (February 5).