Dwain Chambers, Dwayne Grant, Marlon Devonish and Mark Lewis-Francis ran a season's best of 38.45 seconds to take silver behind the USA (Americas team).

Lewis-Francis said: "We passed the baton well and it's good to end the season on a high note."

Becky Lyne, the only British athlete representing Europe in an individual event, was fourth in the 800m.

The 24-year-old former European under-23 champion, led the race into the home straight but was passed by Cuban Zulia Calatayud, who won for the Americas team in two minutes 0.06 seconds.

I just didn't have the strength in the home straight Becky Lyne

The world champion beat Africa's Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya by just 0.03secs.

Lyne lost out on third place when she tied up in the final 20m, allowing Russian Olympic champion Olga Kotlyarova to sneak ahead of her by just 0.13secs.

"I gave it a good show out there," said Lyne. "I just didn't have the strength in the home straight, but I made up for the mistakes of last week and I was thinking positively throughout the race.

"I always planned after that hitch to ensure tonight I stayed in touch with the field and it worked out really well."

The British women's team of Anyika Onuora, Emma Ania, Emily Freeman and Joice Maduaka finished last representing Europe in the sprint relay.

But they and the Americas team, the USA, lodged a protest after they were placed in the wrong lanes for the handover and the event may be re-run on Sunday's final day.

The USA were disqualified after winning for the Americas in 42.26secs, the best time in the world this year.

The USA's Tyson Gay won the men's 100m in the absence of world record holder Asafa Powell in an impressive 9.88secs, with European champion Francis Obikwelu of Portugal second.

IAAF World Cup, Athens, 16-17 September standings after day one:

Men's standings after 10 events: 1 Europe 76pts, 2 United States 74, 3 Africa 61, 4 Americas 50, 5 Russia 50, 6 Asia 44, 7 France 35, 8 Oceania 32, 9 Greece 25

Women's Standings after 10 events:1 Americas 65pts, 2 Russia 65, 3 Europe 60, 4 Africa 57, 5 United States 49, 6 Poland 47, 7 Asia 42, 8 Greece 35, 9 Oceania 26