Pjanić pulls Bosnian strings in Luxembourg

Bosnia and Herzegovina made a solid start to UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group D with a confident victory in Luxembourg thanks to first-half strikes from Senijad Ibričić, Miralem Pjanić and Edin Džeko.

Olympique Lyonnais attacking midfielder Pjanić pulled the strings at the Stade Josy Barthel as the home side were forced onto the back foot throughout the opening 45 minutes. His cross teed up HNK Hajduk Split midfielder Ibričić for the Bosnians' sixth-minute opener, and the home side had barely had time to regroup before goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert was beaten again, Pjanić's free-kick from distance clearing the Luxembourg wall and finding the net.

The game was effectively over as a contest by the 16th minute, a great through ball from Zvezdjan Misimović allowing VfL Wolfsburg striker Džeko to advance on the unprotected goalkeeper and score. From then on Safet Sušić's men seemed happy to conserve their energy, mindful perhaps that France are their next opponents in Sarajevo on Tuesday.

There could still have been more goals; Vedad Ibišević turned and shot 16 minutes from the end, but Joubert kept his effort out. With a goal and an assist to his name Pjanić was substituted after 77 minutes but chances continued to come, Ermin Zec's delivery from the right finding Džeko only for his header to flash wide. Luxembourg will hope for an easier night as they visit Albania next week.