The United States lost twice on day one ©WBSC

Men's softball world number ones New Zealand began the Intercontinental Cup in Prague by beating a United States side who suffered two opening day losses.

The Kiwis are the favourites for the inaugural World Baseball Softball Confederation tournament and began in style at the Svoboda Ballpark in the Czech capital.

They roared past the US 7-0 with all six sides playing each other in a round-robin to start the event.

It followed the US also being upset by Denmark earlier in the day, with the European side edging home 5-4.

The Danes were then thrashed 8-1 by Japan in their second match.

Hosts Czech Republic began against Argentina but fell to a big defeat, 10-0.

The event features countries from five continents as well as the Czechs, who gained an automatic place as hosts.

Prague will also hold the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championships in 2019.

The top four sides at the end of the round robin will contest the semi-finals.