The sport's superpower set the ball rolling in the very first minute of the Group B clash at the Ondrej Nepela Arena in Slovakia's capital when Anna Wijk found the net.

From then on it was one-way traffic as Sweden led 8-0 at the end of the first period and 14-2 at the end of the second.

Nine goals arrived without reply in the third as Sweden, who have only failed to reach the final twice in the ten editions of the tournament, eased home.

Group A, one of two "stronger" groups at the tournament alongside Group B, also began today with an 8-3 win for Czech Republic over Latvia at the Hant Arena.

In Group C, hosts Slovakia enjoyed a comfortable start as they beat Singapore 11-2 at the Ondrej Nepela Arena.

Estonia then defeated Australia 10-4.

Group D started with an 11-2 win for Denmark over Thailand at the Ondrej Nepela Arena and a 6-4 success for the United States against Japan at the Hant Arena.

Finland, beaten finalists in the last three editions of the event, will begin as the favourites to win Pool A.

They will meet the Czechs in their first game tomorrow.

While the top two teams in both Pool A and B will reach the last eight, the bottom sides will drop into a play-off.

They will meet the top ranked teams in Pool C and D for a place in the quarter-finals.