Hosts Italy make winning start at volleyball world tourney

Azzurri sweep aside Tunisia 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-8)

(ANSA) - Rome, September 24 - Hosts Italy made a winning start at the women's volleyball world championship, thrashing Tunisia 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-8) before a 10,000-strong crowd at Rome's PalaLottomatica arena on Tuesday. The Azzurre, world champions in 2002, are aiming to become the first hosts to win the title since Japan in 1967.

They now face Croatia in their second Pool A match later on Wednesday in Rome. Italy is hosting the women's volleyball world championship for the first time, having staged the men's equivalent twice. The competition will climax with the final in Milan on October 12.