Great Britain & Ireland opened up a three-point advantage over the Continent of Europe the first of two days of matches at Kytäjä Golf, Finland.
The visitors went ahead early in the morning foursomes. A 4&3 win by captain, Barclay Brown, & Joe Pagdin over Loic Ettlin & Adam Wallin was the first point on the board.
Dutch duo, Jerry Ji and Kiet Van der Weele, responded by making eagle on the 18th hole for a two-hole victory. Spanish pair, Eduard Rousaud & David Puig battled back from two-down to claim a half, while Saku Tuusa & Eemil Alajärvi suffered a heavy 5&3 defeat to Tom McKibbin & Archie Davies leaving the morning session score at 2.5 - 1.5 to the visitors.
The Continent of Europe team had a strong start to the second session, although GB&I responded brilliantly to claim the first five singles matches of the afternoon.
Things were looking eery at this point for the 2016 and 2017 winners, facing a six-point deficit on the scoreboard. Wins from Kiet Van der Weele, Eduard Rousaud, and Loic Ettlin however, in the final three matches of the day, reduced the defecit to three points and left the score at 7.5 - 4.5.
Kiet Van der Weele was the top performer for the Continent of Europe on day one, winning both of his matches, while captain, Barclay Brown, was the only GB&I player to achieve the same.
The teams will play four more foursomes matches in the morning of day two, followed by nine singles matches in the afternoon.
Day one scores: http://scores.golfbox.dk/Shared.aspx?l=http://www.ega-golf.ch/golfbox-result-widget/0&m=t&h=/competition/1690950/teamcup
Day two foursomes draw: http://scores.golfbox.dk/Shared.aspx?l=http://www.ega-golf.ch/golfbox-result-widget/0&m=t&h=/competition/1690950/teetimes
Day two singles draw: http://scores.golfbox.dk/Shared.aspx?l=http://www.ega-golf.ch/golfbox-result-widget/0&m=t&h=/competition/1690950/teetimes/4/0