Switzerland, the Republic of Ireland's next opponents in Group 10, made the perfect start to their qualifying campaign with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Georgia in Basle yesterday.

Koebi Kuhn's side dominated the match to move to the top of the group standings on goal difference after the opening round of fixtures.

The result increases the importance of an Irish win when the two sides meet at Lansdowne Road on October 16th.

Striker Alexander Frei opened the scoring for the home side in the 37th-minute at the Saint Jakob stadium, heading home a superb cross from Ludovic Magninto.

Georgia equalised through Ajax's Shota Arveladze just after the hour mark.

But 60 seconds later, with the Georgians still celebrating, Frei and Stephane Chapuisat combined for a neat one-two before the latter fed Hakan Yakin, who scored from 10 yards.

Patrick Muller headed a third from Riccardo Cabanas' in-swinging corner, before Chapuisat completed the rout after a fine run from Raphael Wicky nine minutes from time.

Germany, the World Cup finalists and favourites for Group Five, which includes Scotland among others, ran out comfortable 2-0 winners against Lithuania in Kaunas.

Bayern Munich's Michael Ballack, back in midfield after missing the defeat by Brazil in Yokohama due to suspension, scored with a fine left-foot shot after 26 minutes and an own goal settled it just before the hour.

Spain, who host Northern Ireland on October 12th in a Group Six match, were happy enough on Saturday after goals from Raul and Juan Carlos Valeron gave them a 2-0 win in Greece.

But Ukraine, who visit Windsor Park four days later, were held to a 2-2 draw in Armenia despite taking a 2-0 lead, although they did finish the game with 10 men.

France, the defending champions, started their campaign with a stuttering 2-1 win in Cyprus, who took the early lead with a fine lob from Giannis Okkas.

However, goals from Auxerre's Djibril Cisse and Arsenal's Sylvain Wiltord made it a satisfactory start for the new coach Jacques Santini.

Italy, beaten in the Euro 2000 final and due in Cardiff to face Wales next month, got off to a winning start but needed an Alessandro del Piero free-kick to seal a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan.

Holland began well in Group Three, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink killing off Belarus in Eindhoven.