The match at the Tofurdo venue was the first of the day and it was the side from the US that initially took the lead.

At the end of the first quarter the Croatians trailed 3-1, but that early deficit merely seemed to wake up the defending champions and by half time the score was 5-4 in their favour.

From that point they merely kicked on, with the final score reading 14-8.

Elsewhere in Group C, Italy bounced back from their narrow defeat to Croatia yesterday to see off Uzbekistan comfortably today, 27-8.

It means they sit second in the group on six points.

In Group D, it is all to play for still after three days.

Serbia beat Spain today by just one goal, 9-8, which means they move level with the Iberians at the top of the group on six points.

Colombia and Canada each sit just behind on three points, after Canada beat Saudi Arabia today.

Colombia were the one team not to play.

In Group A, Montenegro saw off Brazil today to move six points clear at the top, though they have played one more match than both Brazil and Australia behind them.