SAINT-NOM-LA-BRETECHE, France: Continental Europe’s bid to win the Seve Trophy for only the second time and first in seven editions was picking up steam on Friday as they led Sam Torrance’s Great Britain and Ireland in three of the five fourballs.

At the halfway point of day two at the majestic Saint-Nom-La-Breteche golf club, Jose Maria Olazabal’s ten-man team carried on from where they left off from day one with another good start.

Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts, who was drafted in as a wildcard by Olazabal for the sensational Ryder Cup victory last year at Madinahh, was closing in on another victory alongside Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

The two men who dominated their opening match against Scottish duo Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson were four up after just eight holes against former British Open winner Paul Lawrie and fellow Scot Stephen Gallagher.

Elsewhere, the European’s were leading in two of the other matches with GB and Irl one up in the other two fourballs.

The Italian pairing of Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero, who halved their match on Thursday with a birdie at 18, were two up on England’s David Lynn and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson, heading down the back nine.

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and Joost Luiten of the Netherlands are clinging to a one hole lead over English pair Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Wood, never having trailed as they made the turn.

Torrance’s side are desperately hoping the English team of Paul Casey and Simon Khan protect their two hole lead over Mikko Ilonen of Finland and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen with a chance of turning things round elsewhere.

The final matchup is another tight affair with Torrance’s decision to pair Welshman Donaldson and Warren of Scotland paying early dividends against veterans Thomas Bjorn of Denmark and chain-smoking cigar Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Donaldson was doing the damage with four birdies but a lead of just one hole was still a long way from victory with eight holes to play in that group.

Showers had been expected at the plush resort, close to Versailles but conditions remained dry and plenty of birdies to offer an enthusiastic crowd, hoping Europe can end their dismal losing streak.

Olazabal was in the side captained by Seve Ballesteros when Europe won their only trophy back at the maiden event in 2000, when Colin Montgomerie captained GB and Irl.

There are eight matches slated for Saturday, all of them pairs while Sunday will provide the much anticipated finale with all ten players from both teams facing off in singles play.