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Paris - Continental Europe hit back against Great Britain and Ireland in the Vivendi Seve Trophy on Friday, cutting their overnight deficit from three points to just one after the second day of fourballs.
The European team, who have only won the tournament once, back in 2000, saw Swedish pair Alex Noren and Peter Hanson claim a dominant 5 and 3 victory over Ian Poulter and Robert Rock.
Thomas Bjorn and Raphael Jacquelin fought back from three down to snatch a half from Simon Dyson and Jamie Donaldson in the top game while Ross Fisher and Scott Jamieson lost 2 up to Nicolas Colsaerts and Matteo Manassero.
Great Britain and Ireland's only win came when world number two Lee Westwood and Mark Foster ran 5 and 3 winners over Anders Hansen and Francesco Molinari.
In the final game, Spaniards Pablo Larrazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez took a 3 and 2 victory over British Open Champion Darren Clarke and David Horsey.
The day's action left Paul McGinley's team with an overall lead of five and a half to four and a half.
"It was a good reaction," said Europe skipper Jean Van De Velde. "I'm very happy with what I've seen, and the result did follow, as well.
"The intensity was there, the commitment was there. None of the players were not on their game, and that's what I'm very happy with and very proud of."
Westwood's performance provided a rare bright spot for Great Britain and Ireland with the Englishman playing a remarkable approach on the eighth hole, having hit his drive under a tree.
He then managed to run the ball up onto the green and within six feet of the flag.
The resulting birdie put him and Foster one up, and Westwood doubled the advantage with a ten foot birdie putt at the next.
Foster won the 13th with a birdie but it was Westwood who secured the win with a birdie at the 14th and eagle at the next.
"It's nice when the more established players play well, it takes the pressure off the rookies," said Westwood. "That's why you pair them together."
McGinley added: "Today was the result they would have wanted, not the one I would have wanted," said the captain.
"But when you play professional golf, I just said to the team in there in our meeting, you have good days and you have bad days. We didn't have as good a day as we did yesterday. It's not the end of the world."
Scoreboard:
Continental Europe 4 1/2 Great Britain & Ireland 5 1/2
Friday (Continental Europe names first):
Raphael Jacquelin/Thomas Bjorn v Jamie Donaldson/Simon Dyson - match halved
Peter Hanson/Alexander Noren bt Ian Poulter/Robert Rock 5 & 3
Nicolas Colsaerts/Matteo Manassero bt Ross Fisher/Scott Jamieson 2 holes
Francesco Molinari/Anders Hansen lost to Mark Foster/Lee Westwood 5 & 3
Miguel Angel Jimenez/Pablo Larrazabal bt David Horsey/Darren Clarke 3 & 2
