Both of today's Group C matches were held at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, which was stunned when debutants Slovakia took the lead through Peter Kozár.

However, Russia proved why they entered the competition as one of the favourites, having finished third in 2018 and lost three successive finals from 2012 through to 2016, as they turned the contest around.

Quick-fire goals from Artem Antoshkin and Anton Sokolov had them in front at the interval, and they took charge in the second half.

Antoshkin struck with a low volley from Nando's corner and tackled Slovakian goalkeeper Richard Oberman for a tap in, either side of a superb goal from Robinho.

Sokolov struck his second before Ivan Milovanov added a seventh for the Russians.

Hat-trick hero Antoshkin felt the display underlined his team's credentials at the Futsal Euro 2022.

"We came here as a team to win the title, while scoring three goals today was just pure luck," he said.

"It was a nervous start to the game as we conceded an unnecessary goal.

"It's good we managed to equalise really quickly.

"We found our rhythm and were able to continue like this until the end of the match."

In the day's later game, all the goals came in the first half as Croatia ran out 3-1 winners against Poland.

A terrific piece of play from Matej Horvat enabled him to fire Croatia ahead just over seven minutes into the contest.

Patryk Hoły levelled the scores, but parity lasted for just 15 seconds as Antonio Sekulić restored the Croatians' advantage.

Franco Jelovčić made it 3-1 before the break and that was how it stayed, despite Poland twice striking the post early after the restart.

Seven-time winners Spain are set to get their tournament underway against Bosnia and Herzegovina tomorrow, a match which follows Georgia against Azerbaijan in Groningen.