Europe draw level in Solheim Cup

The destination of the Solheim Cup is delicately poised ahead of the singles round after Europe drew level with the USA at 8-8.

Alison Nicholas' side carried a one-point deficit into the second day but had restored parity by the end of the morning fourballs.

Another strong showing in the afternoon foursome, which saw both sides take two wins, kept Europe on track for a final-day tilt at a first ever win on US soil.

Christina Kim and Michelle Wie got the hosts off to a dream start with a 5&4 drubbing of Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui 5&4.

But the tide began to shift in match two, with Wales Catriona Matthew and Italy's Diana Luna - in her first outing of the weekend - fighting back from two down at the 16th to halve their match with Angela Stanford and Brittany Lang - a result which left the holders 6-4 up with two matches of the morning remaining.

The fightback continued as the final two European pairings each prevailed 1up.

Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist saw off Nicole Castrale and Cristie Kerr, while Gwladys Nocera and Maria Hjorth got the better of Brittany Lincicome and Kristy McPherson.

The afternoon session began with the momentum still with the Europeans, as Swede Sophie Gustafson and Scot Janice Moodie beat big-name US pairing Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster 4&3.

Morgan Pressel and Kristy McPherson led from the off against Scandinavian duo Suzann Pettersen and Alfredsson to secure a point for home team, before Becky Brewerton, of Wales, and Frenchwoman Nocera dominated Kim and Natalie Gulbis with a 5&4 triumph.

That put the underdogs a point ahead as the final game approached the 18th green but Kerr and Wie held on against Swedish duo Horth and Nordqvist to take the point 1up.

A total of 12 more points are on offer in tomorrow's singles, with the USA needing six of them to hold the cup and Europe looking for a total figure of 14.5 to claim a historic win.