Germany's men and women's indoor hockey teams showed their strength and class to jump immediately to the top of their respective points tables on the opening day of the World Games 2005 in Duisburg.
With indoor hockey appearing at the World Games as an invitation sport in the German industrial city, the home team's men showed their class with an 18-2 demolition of Canada.
Germany piled on nine goals in each half in an entertaining and at times ruthless display that further enhances their overwhelming favouritism for the title. Oliver Domke scored four goals for Germany with Christian Mayerhoefer, Philipp Sunkel and Christoph Bechmann each contributing a hat trick.
Scott Tupper scored both of Canada's goals but it was not even close to overcoming the might of the reigning indoor world champions.
While the first men's match on day one was a one-way contest, the second between Switzerland and Czech Republic was a tight and exciting clash.
Switzerland raced to a 3-0 lead before Czech Republic pegged back the deficit with three goals in four minutes late in the first half.
After scores were tied at 3-3 at half time, the teams traded goals in a high-stakes second half until Switzerland edged ahead in the final three minutes to win an even match 6-5. Michael Kloter starred for Switzerland with three goals and his third was the one that sealed his team's vital win.
Given the brief nature of the tournament (three days), Switzerland are now favoured to face Germany in the final, but all teams but play two more matches before the qualifers for Sunday's final is determined.
In the women's competition, Germany join their male counterparts at the top of the points table after recording an expected 5-3 victory over Czech Republic.
However Germany had to work hard throughout the opening 20 minutes and into the second half to overcome their opponent.
Czech Republic led twice in the first 10 minutes but couldn't maintain their momentum as the experience of the home team prevailed. Anneke Boehmert's acute goal sense netted her two goals - one in each half ÔÇô in an impressive individual performance.
In the other women's match, Belarus came from 2-1 behind at half time to overrun Lithuania 3-2. Each team had chances to gain the advantage in the second half but Belarus gradually wrested control of the match and were deserving winner.
As with the Switzerland men, Belarus are now in the favoured to move into Sunday's final, but they face two tough matches against Czech Republic and Germany on Saturday.
Each team will play two matches each on Saturday before the top two meet in Sunday's final.
Click here for the match schedule.
Women
Germany 5 defeated Czech Republic 3
Goals: GER ÔÇô Denise Klecker 4m, Kerstin Holm PC 17m, Anneke Boehmert FG 19m FG 34m, Franziska Gude FG 20m; CZE ÔÇô Eva Stankova FG 2m PC 21m, Karolina Mikesova FG 9m
Belarus 3 defeated Lithuania 2
Goals: BLR ÔÇô Volha Saroka PC 20m FG 25m FG 30m; LTU ÔÇô Dovile Jakaite FG 5m PC 16m
Men
Germany 18 defeated Canada 2
Goals: GER ÔÇô Oliver Domke FG 3m FG 26m FG 27m FG 37m, Christian Mayerhoefer FG 7m FG 13m FG 32m, Florian Kunz PC 9m PC 19m, Philipp Sunkel FG 15m PC 25m FG 38m, Christian Domke FG 16m, Christoph Bechmann PS 17m FG 19m FG 29m, Hendrik Lange FG 39m PC 40m; CAN ÔÇô Scott Tupper PS 3m FG 40m
Switzerland 6 defeated Czech Republic 5
Goals: SUI ÔÇô Michael Kloter PC 6m FG 31m PC 38m, Roman Richner FG 9m, Thomas Gahwiler FG 10m FG 25m; CZE ÔÇô Lukas Lahoda PC 12m, Stepan Bernatek FG 12m FG 16m FG 22m, Richard Kotrc FG 36m
