Action in the men's event begun today at the Inline Hockey World Championships in Italy ©Roberta Strazzabosco and Max Pattis

France begun their bid to retain the men's title at the Inline Hockey World Championships by beating Colombia in Asiago today.

The French, who claimed their first-ever senior global crown with victory in Nanjing in China last year, triumphed 4-0 at the Italian township's Hodegart Arena.

They scored one goal in the first period of the Pool A encounter before adding a further three in the second. 

Today's other match in Pool A saw Canada draw 3-3 with Spain.

Hosts Italy, the 2016 and 2017 beaten finalists, started their Pool B campaign with a 4-2 win over Switzerland.

Five-time champions Czech Republic joined them in picking up two points with an emphatic 14-0 victory over Latvia. 

Brazil proved too strong for Australia in Pool D ©Roberta Strazzabosco and Max Pattis
Brazil proved too strong for Australia in Pool D ©Roberta Strazzabosco and Max Pattis

The biggest win of the day came in Pool C as the United States thrashed China 30-0.

They are followed in the standings by India, who claimed a 1-0 forfeit win over Slovenia. 

There was a strong start for the South American nations in Pool D with Brazil beating Australia 4-1 in Roana and Argentina defeating Slovakia 3-2 in Asiago.

In Pool E, Germany drew 2-2 with Great Britain before Sweden claimed a 1-0 forfeit win over Poland.

Pool F saw Chinese Taipei comfortably defeat Mexico 11-1 and Japan overcome debutants Ireland 6-0.

Action is due to continue tomorrow.