Ireland's bid for a fourth successive European Senior Men's Team title got off to the perfect start when they topped the qualifiers by a massive 13 strokes from Scotland at Diners Golf and Country Club in Slovenia.

The men in green will face Italy in Thursday's quarter-finals after another impressive performance in the stroke play qualifying which saw Spain's Ignacio Gonzalez top the qualifier on eight under par with a pair of 68s.

He finished one ahead of Alan Mew with Banbridge's Jim Carvill third on three under after rounds of 70 and 71 on his senior international debut.

European Senior Men's Team Championship, Diners Golf and Country Club (Par 72), Ljubljana, Slovenia

Strokeplay scores - Team | Individual

• 3 CARVILL, Jim -3 F -1 70 71 141  
• T4 KELLY, Maurice -2 F Par  70 72 142
• T4 MORROW, Adrian -2 F +1 69 73 142
• T12 CLEARY, Tom Par F -1 73 71 144
• T12 PIERSE, Arthur Par F +3 69 75 144
• T17 MCGIMPSEY, Garth +1 F +2 71 74 145

Quarter-finals 

• Ireland v Italy
• Germany v Sweden
• England v Spain
• Scotland v France