SALZBURG (Austria), June 11: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal for more than two and a half years to send Sweden on the way to a 2-0 Euro win over champions Greece on Tuesday.

The striker, who last found the net for his country in October 2005, combined with partner Henrik Larsson to drive in a superb shot from the edge of the box after 67 minutes to break the deadlock in a dull game.

Petter Hansson scrambled the second goal five minutes later to put Sweden level on points with Spain, who beat Russia 4-1 in the other Group ‘D’ game earlier.

Angelos Haristeas had an early sight of goal after seven minutes when he cut in past two defenders on the right but scuffed his low shot.

Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson also beat out an awkward, bouncing shot from Greece captain Angelos Basinas but spent most of his time watching from afar as the holders played possession football in their own half.

Sweden were always looking to release their re-formed strike partnership of Ibrahimovic and Larsson.

Both men, however, struggled to shake off the muscular attention of centre backs Traianos Dellas and Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Larsson once becoming the meat in a sandwich when the three climbed for a high ball.

Ibrahimovic stole a yard after 32 minutes to reach a hopeful Fredrik Ljungberg punt but his back-header went over.

The game changed when Larsson laid the ball back into the path of Ibrahimovic, who struck unerringly in spectacular style.

Hansson then somehow forced the second over the line after a goalmouth melee.

Earlier on Tuesday, David Villa notched the first hat-trick of the tournament to help Spain hammer Russia 4-1 in their Euro 2008 opener in Innsbruck.

Villa grabbed his first when he steered the ball into an open goal after fellow Fernando Torres drew goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev out of his net in the 20th minute.

Villa added the second before halftime, stroking the ball home after being put through by Andres Iniesta, before making it 3-0 when he tucked in a low shot after jinking past a defender on 75 minutes.

Russia pulled one back with a header from Roman Pavlyuchenko before substitute Cesc Fabregas dived to nod Spain’s fourth goal from close range in injury time after more good work by the inspirational Villa.

Spain quickly settled into their short passing game and had a couple of early chances, Torres sending a shot skidding wide in the eighth minute and Villa scooping an effort over the bar.

Russia also threatened with Yuri Zhirkov and Pavlyuchenko proving a handful for Spain’s back four.

Spain, however, broke the deadlock when Torres raced on to a 30-metre pass from Joan Capdevila. The striker made the most of a lucky bounce as he tried to beat defender Denis Kolodin before setting up Villa.

Russia almost equalised two minutes later when Konstantin Zyryanov fired a shot against the post.

Torres had a couple of half chances to extend Spain’s lead but it was live-wire Valencia marksman Villa who went on to steal the spotlight.—Reuters