The two Maltese players in the 2006 European Championships currently being played in Constanta, Romania, had a fine start after their first group match.

Holder Alex Borg launched his title defence with a 4-0 win over Rhybrabin Alexander, of Russia, in Group A.

Borg was always in control, compiling breaks of 62, 53 and 51.

Frame scores: 93(51)-3, 90(53)-26, 93(62)-8 and 69-25.

Borg will be in action again this morning when he faces Janis Bindze, of Latvia.

From Group E, Simon Zammit also had a positive start after beating Shay Arama, of Israel, 4-0.

Zammit required snookers on the green in the last frame but went on to win it on the black.

Frame scores: 61(47)-36, 65(50)-18, 54-20 and 56-50.

Zammit has a day off today. He will be in action again tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in the Romanian Open, held just before the European Championships, Dutch cueist Roy Stolk beat Douglas Hogan, of Switzerland, 4-2 in the final. Stolk earned a place in next season's World Snooker Association Main Tour.

Zammit was the only Maltese player in the Open.

He lost in the last 32 stage against Kevin Van Hove, of Belgium, 3-2 after leading 2-0.