The defending men’s champions swept past the challenge of Israel in Group One, with Emil Holst getting them off to an ideal start by winning 21-17, 21-13 against Misha Zilberman.

His success was followed by a 21-11, 21-15 triumph for Rasmus Gemke over Daniel Chislov, before Jan O Jorgensen sealed the victory by overcoming Maxim Grinblat 21-4, 21-12.

Denmark added further gloss to the score by winning both of the men’s doubles encounters to wrap up a 5-0 success.

The second tie in the pool saw Ireland claim a 4-1 win over Croatia.

France eased to a 5-0 win over Ukraine their Group Five opener as they look to better their silver medal from 2016.

The second match in the group saw Austria beat Lithuania 4-1.

Slovakia and 2016 bronze medallists England both secured 5-0 wins in Group Two against Greenland and Hungary respectively.

Germany, who also won bronze two years ago, enjoyed a comfortable start as their team stormed to a 5-0 triumph against Iceland.

They moved to the top of the Group Three standings ahead of Luxembourg, who emerged as 4-1 winners against Azerbaijan.

Spain and hosts Russia began impressively in Group Four having both earned 4-1 wins in their respective ties against Belgium and Bulgaria.

Poland and the Czech Republic were 5-0 winners over Italy and Portugal in Group Six, while Finland and Turkey replicated the scores in success against Estonia and Norway in Group Seven.

The women’s event also saw Denmark secure a straightforward win, as they saw off the challenge of rivals Sweden.

Despite suffering defeat, Sweden enjoyed a consolation win as Amanda Hogstrom and Clara Nistad came from behind to beat Julie Dawall Jakbsen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl 17-21, 21-14, 21-16.

Denmark’s 4-1 victory places them top of Group One, with Israel lying second following their narrow 3-2 success against Iceland.

Spain and Slovakia earned 3-2 success against Hungary and Portugal in Group Two, while Germany and Ukraine thrashed Ireland and Lithuania 5-0 in Group Three.

Russia delighted the home crowd by edging Turkey 3-2 in Group Four, with Estonia topping the standings after their 5-0 win over Latvia.

Group Five saw Belarus beat Greenland 5-0, while Bulgaria secured a 3-2 success over France.

There was a 5-0 win for England over Norway in Group Six, while Poland edged the Czech Republic 3-2.

The group winners will all advance to the knock-out stage, while the top second place team in the men’s event and best two in the women’s will also progress.

The competition will run until February 18 and serves as a qualification event for the 2018 Thomas and Uber Cups.

The African Continental Team Badminton Championships have also got underway in Algiers, with Cameroon and Mauritius enjoying progression from Group A of the men’s event due to Tunisia’s withdrawal.

Hosts Algeria started Group B with a 5-0 win over the Ivory Coast, while Nigeria beat Morocco by the same scoreline in Group C.

Egypt were also 5-0 winners over Zimbabwe in Group D.

The host nation suffered a 4-1 loss to Nigeria in Group A of the women’s event, leaving them requiring a win over Uganda to have a chance of progression.

Mauritius top the Group B standings after a 5-0 win over Zimbabwe in Group B, with Egypt lying second after a 4-1 win over Ghana.