Action begun today at the Men’s Under-19 World Floorball Championships in Halifax in Canada ©IFF

Finland began the defence of their Men’s Under-19 World Floorball Championships title with a 6-4 win over Switzerland in Halifax in Canada.

Sami Savolainen and Kaapo Siekkinen both scored braces for the Finns, with Markus Salmi and Tuomas Ojala adding one goal each in the Group A clash at Zatzman Sportsplex.

Switzerland’s goals came courtesy of David Durler, Yannic Fitzi,  Joshua Schnell and Severin Nigg.

Today’s other Group A match saw Latvia beat Norway 6-2.

In Group B, five-time winners and 2017 runners-up Sweden lost 5-1 to Czech Republic.

Joining the Czechs in picking up an opening-day victory were Slovakia, who defeated Denmark 8-2.

Action in Halifax is due to continue tomorrow.

The final is scheduled to be held on Sunday (May 12).