Intro:

Victories for Brazil, Croatia, Domincan Republic and hosts Italy on day one of the FIVB Women's World Championships on Tuesday (23 September).

Script:

Day one of the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championships saw a dominating performance by host nation Italy, while Brazil, Croatia and Dominican Republic also recorded victories.

Croatia beat Argentina in convincing fashion, emerging 3-1 victors after the South Americans got themselves back into the game with a second set win.

Later on the same court, Dominican Republic edged-out a dramatic back-and-forth match against Germany with a 3-2 victory.

Having won the first set, Germany capitulated in the second and third before narrowly taking the fourth, only for the Caribbean nation to overhaul them after a long rally on match point.

Hosts Italy then swept to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Tunisia, with the North Africans only scoring eight points in the final set.

Brazil dominated against Bulgaria, recording a 3-0 win; the South Americans delivered the hammer blow in the form of a precise and powerful smash.

The results mean that Italy and Croatia sit at the top of Pool A with three points.

Brazil top Pool B on three points alongside Canada and Serbia, who recorded wins over Cameroon and Turkey respectively.