Boys from Brazil overwhelm Greece

World champions Brazil scored an emphatic 3-0 win over European champions Greece on Thursday with a stunning goal by Adriano the highlight of their opening Group B Confederations Cup match.

The Inter Milan striker scored with an unstoppable left-foot drive that flew past Greek goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis after 41 minutes.

Robinho, the 21-year-old Santos striker coveted by many of Europe's richest clubs, made it 2-0 in the 46th minute after Gilberto surged through the Greek defence unchallenged before crossing for him to score unmarked at the far post.

Juninho, who had replaced Kaka after 77 minutes scored Brazil's third four minutes later with a superbly executed free-kick.

Brazil, bidding to become the first country to win the Confederations Cup twice, were the better team in a match that was evenly balanced for most of the first half, before opening up in the second as Greece were forced out of their shell.

Brazil's superior technique told as the artistry of Ronaldinho, Robinho, Kaka and Adriano found increasingly large gaps in the Greek defence.

Despite the final scoreline, Greece could have gone ahead as early as the second minute when the unmarked Sotirios Kyrgiakos wasted a free header.

It was their last clearcut chance until first-half stoppage time when Angelos Haristeas smashed the ball into the side netting with only Brazilian keeper Dida to beat.

Brazil missed a good chance after 17 minutes when Ronaldinho jinked his way past a defender to set up Robinho for a rasping shot which Nikopolidis saved superbly.

Kyrgiakos was a tower for Greece at the back and followed Adriano like a shadow all over the pitch, but was powerless to stop him scoring four minutes before the break.

Kyrgiakos had only just returned to the field after being treated for a leg injury and for once allowed some daylight between himself and Adriano which the Inter Milan striker took full advantage of.

Robinho could also have doubled Brazil's lead with the last kick of the first half when he volleyed high and wide when unmarked at the far post -- although he made up for that seconds after the break with Brazil's second.

With the likes of Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo all missing from this squad, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is testing younger players like right-back Cicinho and Robinho. Both acquitted themselves well.

Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel, starting the match with eight of the players who won Euro 2004 a year ago, saw his team play with their usual gritty defensive strength.

But the Brazilian rearguard, helped by an outstanding Roque Junior, performed even better and deserved their emphatic success.