Juventus returned to European football with a bang last night, hammering Artmedia Bratislava 4-0 in their Champions League third qualifying round first leg.

Juve, out of Europe for two seasons following their involvement in an Italian match-fixing scandal, looked like they had never been away when Mauro Camoranesi slammed in the opener on eight minutes against a weak Slovakian defence.

The Italy winger had been presented the ball after a run by Czech full back Zdenek Grygera, who was soon carried off and taken to hospital after a nasty collision.

Striker Alessandro Del Piero, who played when Juve won the last of their two European Cups in 1996, thundered in a superb first-time effort from the edge of the box midway through the first half to make it 2-0.

The hosts increased the lead before half-time when defender Giorgio Chiellini, one of the few Italy players to come out of Euro 2008 with any credit, easily headed in Camoranesi's free-kick while Nicola Legrottaglie added a fourth late on.

Claudio Ranieri's side should have had a hatful more but they will pleased with their first competitive outing of the season ahead of the second leg on Aug. 26.

Slovakian champions Artmedia, who had ousted Malta champions Valletta in the first qualifying round, had a few forays forward but never really threatened home keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Elsewhere, Arsenal started their Euro campaign in style after beating Twente Enschede 2-0 in Holland.

The Dutch side, coached by former England manager Steve McClaren, kept the Gunners at bay for over an hour but the London side finally found a breakthrough through William Gallas on 63 minutes before Emanuel Adebayor slammed in a second eight minutes from time.

Liverpool endured a frustrating night in Belgium after the English side could not go beyond a goalless draw against Standard Liege.

The Reds paired Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane upfront for the first time but the two forwards failed to leave their mark.