Tinning (left) and Matthew (right) celebrate winning a hole

Europe's golfers recovered from a poor morning display to trail the United States by just one point at the end of day one of the Solheim Cup in Sweden.

After winning the fourballs 2�-1�, the USA led all four of the afternoon fourballs but ended up sharing them to close the day with a 4�-3� advantage.

The European highlight was Iben Tinning and Catriona Matthew's win over Brittany Lincicome and Pat Hurst.

Having been two down after six holes, they ended up winning 4&2.

Laura Diaz and three-time British Women's Open champion Sherri Steinhauer scored the first win of the day as they beat European pair Annika Sorenstam and Matthew.

The hugely experienced Laura Davies and novice Becky Brewerton went down to Paula Creamer and 47-year-old Juli Inkster, with Swedish pair Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson halving against Pat Hurst and Cristie Kerr.

To be only one down feels like a real result Laura Davies

The only European success in the opening session came from Gwladys Nocera and Maria Hjorth, who beat Natalie Gulbis and Morgan Pressel 3&2.

Early on in the fourballs, it looked like the USA had kept their momentum going as they went ahead in each match.

But as the weather deteriorated, so did their advantage.

Former world number one Sorenstam was in danger of suffering her second defeat of the day until she and Hjorth grabbed a half at the final hole when Angela Stanford and Stacy Prammanasudh both missed par.

Davies' miraculous recovery from an appalling tee shot at the 16th helped her and Trish Johnson salvage another half against Creamer and Pressel.

Nicole Castrale and Cristie Kerr eased past Gustafson and Nocera 3&2 for the American team's sole win of the afternoon.

And Tinning and Matthew's win over Lincicome and Hurst ensured the Europeans go into day two full of optimism.

"I'd have given 500-1 on us winning the hole," said Davies. "It was hit and hope.

"I had to find a route to swing the club because of a couple of brambles and it was just a hack - a 36-handicapper shot.

"I probably made a fool of myself celebrating when the chip went in, but these things happen in golf and it was a great moment - the best par save I've ever had given the circumstances.

"To be only one down feels like a real result. I think we have done well and it's all about momentum."