Hosts and defending champions Czech Republic made a strong start at the Men's Softball European Championship ©Getty Images

Hosts and defending champions Czech Republic, seeking a fifth successive title at the Men’s Softball European Championship, got off to a powerful start in the opening day’s round robin competition.

They beat France 14-0 in their first match at Ledenice, one of the two venues along with Sezimovo Ústí, and then won 9-0 against Israel.

The 15th edition of this biennial competition, postponed from last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled to conclude on Friday (June 26).

The top two finishers from the nine teams involved will qualify for the World Baseball Softball Confederation Men’s Softball World Cup 2022.

The Netherlands, 2018 silver medallists, also got off on the right foot in their only match of the day by beating Lithuania 25-0 in Ledenice.

Denmark, the 2018 bronze medallists, beat Croatia 10-0 in their first match at Sezimovo Ústí, following up with a win by the same score against Lithuania.

Croatia then beat Slovakia 5-2.

Sweden, beaten 19-0 by Israel in their first match, suffered a second defeat as they went down 18-3 to France.

Spectators will be allowed on the last day of the event.

Since this event began in 1993, the Czech Republic have won it seven times, and The Netherlands on three occasions.

Denmark were gold medallists in 2010.