The German duo recorded a 21-7, 21-16 victory over Latvia's Marta Ozoliņa and Luīze Skrastiņa in Pool B at the event in Jūrmala.

"We are actually very happy for every game that we can play," said Kozuch, who has enjoyed success in beach volleyball and indoor volleyball.

"We are really enjoying being on the court and we can just be grateful for everything because organising something is not easy this year."

Michaela Kubickova and Michala Kvapilová of the Czech Republic also won their first match in the group as they beat Ekaterina Birlova and Evgenia Ukolova 21-12, 25-23.

Latvia's Tīna Graudiņa and Anastasija Kravčenoka began the defence of their title with a 21-14, 21-14 victory over Finland's Riikka Lehtonen and Niina Ahtiainen.

A series of measures designed to protect players and other participants from COVID-19 are in operation at the competition, which concludes on Sunday (September 20).

"The protocol of the game has also been changed - players will not greet, there are several corridors to prevent players from meeting," said European Volleyball Confederation vice-president Maris Pekalis.

"Of course, this is not easy. 

"I would like to say once again that this is a very big job that everyone here is doing, both volunteers and all the organisers. 

"Once again, I would like to call on everyone to adhere to these strict conditions and hope that we will also finish the competition in a positive atmosphere."

Action in the men's tournament is due to begin tomorrow.