The Dutch quartet won the first heat in Linz-Ottensheim in 6min 17.96sec to guarantee their place in the event at Tokyo 2020.

Olivia van Rooijen, Inge Janssen, Sophie Souwer and Nicole Beukers finished ahead of reigning world champions Poland, and Germany.

Poland were second, 0.79sec adrift of the Dutch crew, while Germany came through to take third.

China earned victory in the second heat as Chen Yunxia, Zhang Ling, Lyu Yang and Cui Xiaotong clocked 6:18.12.

New Zealand were second and Britain did enough for third.

The top three in each heat qualified for the final on Saturday (August 31).

World champions United States eased into the final of the women's eight after finishing the opening heat in 6:07.04.

The American crew were followed by Australia and Russia, second and third, respectively.

New Zealand recorded the fastest time across both heats, winning the second in 6:04.63 to beat Britain and China.

Germany, the reigning world champions, were among the four qualifiers for the final of the men's eight.

The German team triumphed in the opening heat in 5:30.28 and were followed into the final by Australia.

In the second heat, Britain stormed to victory in a time of 5:25.91, 0.50 faster than the second-placed US team.

The event continues tomorrow with quarter-finals and semi-finals.