September 08, 2008	Monday	Ramazan 07, 1429

LONDON, Sept 7: French pride took a fresh hammering on Saturday when the national team were humbled 3-1 in Austria as Europe’s big guns began their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaigns.

It proved to be the only major upset on a day when holders Italy snatched a 2-1 stoppage-time win in Cyprus, European champions Spain edged Bosnia 1-0, Germany crushed Liechtenstein 6-0 and England were booed before beating Andorra 2-0.

France coach Raymond Domenech needed a positive start after the debacle of his team’s failure to survive the group stage at the European Championship in June.

Domenech, who is bound to come under renewed fire from the French media, had promised that France would come out fighting in Vienna after limping out of Euro 2008.

However, goals from Marc Janko, Rene Aufhauser and Andreas Ivanschitz left them reeling in Group Seven as Austria marked the first competitive game of new coach Karel Brueckner with a stunning win.

World champions Italy made a stuttering start as Marcello Lippi began a second term in charge of the Azzurri, having steered them to 2006 World Cup glory over France.

Two goals from Antonio Di Natale, the second a stoppage-time winner, earned a 2-1 victory over Cyprus in their Group Eight opener in Larnaca.

Former Real Madrid coach Vicente Del Bosque began his reign as coach of Spain with a home victory in Group Five against Bosnia, courtesy of David Villa’s second half strike.

The Germans were far more convincing on Saturday in their Group Four demolition of Liechtenstein, helped by two goals from Lukas Podolski either side of halftime.

England, with Italian coach Fabio Capello kicking off his first international qualifying campaign, ambled to victory against tiny Andorra in Barcelona in Group Six, although the travelling England fans booed the team at halftime.—Reuters