Continental Europe claimed a two-point lead on day one of the Seve Trophy as Jose Maria Olazabal’s side look to end a run of six straight defeats.
Scottish pair Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher beat veteran duo Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn 3&2 to give Great Britain and Ireland an early lead at St Nom La Breteche.
However, Europe were ahead in the remaining four fourballs as that match finished and went on to win three and halve the other to lead by three and a half points to one and a half.
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Nicolas Colsaerts beat Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson 5&3 to level the scores before Mikko Ilonen and Thorbjorn Olesen survived a nervy finish to defeat Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Wood on the 18th, ending Wood’s unbeaten record in the event.
Francesco Molinari then birdied the last to ensure he and Matteo Manassero snatched a half against Paul Casey and Simon Khan, before Joost Luiten and Gregory Bourdy beat Jamie Donaldson and David Lynn 2&1.
Asked what pleased him the most about the day, Olazabal said: “The way the youngsters played; Joost played extraordinarily well today and made a bunch of birdies, Thorbjorn also played very well.
“It was a great experience for them but the main thing is to win points and I think the team is really happy today.”
GB&I captain Sam Torrance added: “They played very well. Our boys played very well too but they made a few more birdies than us. Our turn tomorrow.”
Discussing his victory with Gallacher, Lawrie said: “It’s always nice to win. Obviously there is a little bit more pressure when you are going out there first, you want to get a point on the board which we managed to do and we both combined very well today.”