LONDON, Oct 13: European champions France maintained their perfect start to their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign when they crushed Slovenia 5-0 at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Of the other probable contenders for the European title in Portugal in 2004, England overcame a shaky start to win 2-1 in Slovakia, Turkey did the same to win 2-1 in Macedonia and Italy, runners-up to France in Euro 2000 two years ago, were held to a 1-1 draw by Yugoslavia in Naples.

Spain, always so good in qualifying and usually equally disappointing in the main event, beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in Albacete.

Germany, who drew 1-1 with Bosnia in a friendly on Friday, get back to competitive action against Faroe Islands at home on Wednesday when another full round of qualifiers take place.

Despite downpours of rain across much of the continent which made many pitches wet and muddy, there were no big upsets on Saturday but Latvia did well to win 1-0 in Poland and move to the top of Group Four.

Meanwhile, the match between Georgia and Russia in Tbilisi was called off at halftime after the stadium lights failed for the second time.

UEFA official Rudolf Bata of the Czech Republic said the Group 10 match, which was halted at 0-0, would have to be rescheduled. Angry Georgian fans threw stones and debris at two buses carrying the Russian team to the airport after the match was called off.

Saturday’s results: