The event is being hosted by Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania.

The Kolodruma in Plovdiv is the venue for pool B matches, with hosts Bulgaria getting off to a flier with a straight-sets victory against Greece.

The team’s captain Elitsa Vasileva top-scored for the Bulgarians on 19 points as they defeated their opponents 25-20, 25-15, 25-19.

"Before the match, we spoke about the importance of remaining concentrated, and I am happy that we could show our game," she said.

"We are very much thankful to all the fans that come here to support us.

"Now, we have two days before the next game against Spain.

"We will try to rest and prepare."

The remaining teams in pool B are due to start their campaigns in Plovdiv tomorrow, with Spain playing the Czech Republic and Germany up against two-time European champions Poland.

The hosts in pool D had a more disappointing first match, as Romania lost to group favourites Turkey at the BT Arena in Cluj-Napoca, despite taking the first set 25-23.

Turkey were runners-up at the 2019 Women’s EuroVolley, and responded to their early set-back by winning the next three sets 25-10, 25-20 and 25-17 to clinch victory.

Ebrar Karakurt notched 26 points for Turkey.

"The first day was very exciting for everyone," she said.

"After the slow start we came back because, you know, we are the Turkish team.

"After the Olympics, it is good to play again in front of fans, we missed them so much!

"The Romanian fans have been very nice!

"We are fighting for gold."

Tomorrow in pool D, Sweden are scheduled to face Finland before The Netherlands take on Ukraine.

Action is also set to start in pool A tomorrow, with hosts Serbia starting their bid for a third successive European title against neighbours Bosnia and Herzegovina at Belgrade’s Štark Arena.

At the same time in Zadar in pool C at the Krešimir Ćosić Hall, co-hosts Croatia are due to play Switzerland in a competition due to conclude with the final in Belgrade on September 4.