The match saw Croatia start the better at the Tofurdo venue, but they never built a commanding lead and at half time the match was all square.

The reigning champions lost the final quarter 3-4 as well, but a two goal win in the third 3-1 proved just enough give them the win.

The other match in that group between New Zealand and Uzbekistan was much less close, with the team from Oceania taking that win 20-7.

The first quarter ended with the Kiwis 3-0 up and they pressed on from there, winning every quarter by at least three goals.

In Group A, Montenegro beat South Africa by an even more comfortable score line 23-5 to take their second win of the tournament.

The team nicknamed “the black mountain” totally dominated the South Africans, who were wasteful from penalties and action shots, while the Australia versus Egypt match in that group today, was won by the Australians 11-7.

In Group B, China and Argentina faced each other in the first match of the day and cancelled each other out.

That match ended 5-5, meaning both sides picked up their first points of the competition.

Greece versus Hungary meanwhile, the other match in that group, finished 15-12 to the Greeks.

In the final group, Group D, Spain beat Saudi Arabia by the biggest margin of the day, 27-4.

Saudi Arabia were never able to get a foothold in the game.

At half time the Iberians were up 12-0, and after three quarters it was 19-1.

Serbia then beat Colombia in their first match of the tournament in that group to go second.

Tomorrow the competition will continue with Croatia facing the United States at 09:30 in the morning.