Ballack helps Germany to winning start

Reuters, Kaunas, Lithuania

A first-half strike from playmaker Michael Ballack and an embarrassing own goal gave Germany a 2-0 win over Lithuania in their opening European championship Group Five qualifier on Saturday.

The World Cup finalists dominated from the kick-off but had created few chances when Ballack opened the scoring with an angled drive from 22 metres out on 27 minutes.

Lithuania, who fought bravely but were rarely dangerous, helped the visitors when defender Marius Stankevicius headed the ball into his own net from a Torsten Frings cross in the 59th minute.

Germany coach Rudi Voeller, whose team had managed only a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria in a friendly last month in their first outing since losing 2-0 to Brazil in the World Cup final, was satisfied with a straightforward victory.

"In such games you have to play with a lot of confidence and our performance at the World Cup helped us do that," said the former international striker.

In other match, Romania beat Bosnia 3-0 after a fine first- half performance on Saturday to make a perfect start to their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

In Istanbul, Turkey, buoyed by their World Cup success, cruised to a 3-0 victory against Slovakia in their group seven European championship qualifier on Saturday even without some of the biggest names from their June campaign.

Meanwhile, a superb second-half free-kick from Alessandro Del Piero gave Italy a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in their European championship qualifying group nine match on Saturday.

Spain got their European championship group six qualifying campaign off to a winning start against Greece on Saturday as goals in each half from Raul and Juan Carlos Valeron sealed a 2-0 victory.

Slovenia clinched a comfortable 3-0 win over Malta after an own goal helped them on the way in their opening European Championship group one qualifier on Saturday.

Separately, Latvia held Sweden to a goalless draw in their opening European Championship group four qualifier on Saturday -- a result that delighted the hosts and was a big disappointment for the visitors.

Meanwhile. substitute Alexander Kerzhakov scored one goal and created another to give Russia a winning start in their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign as they beat Ireland 4-2 in a Group 10 opener on Saturday.

As well, Wales secured an impressive 2-0 win over Finland in their opening European championship group nine qualifying match on Saturday thanks to goals from striker John Hartson and midfielder Simon Davies.