By Mark Lamport-Stokes

SUGAR GROVE, Illinois (Reuters) - Resurgent Europe outplayed holders the United States at the Solheim Cup on Saturday, ending a rousing second day at Rich Harvest Farms tied for the lead at 8-8.

Having trailed by 4- points to 3- overnight, the Europeans dominated the morning fourball matches before splitting the afternoon foursomes encounters to leave the biennial team competition delicately balanced.

They are well aware, though, their hosts have won five of the last seven editions of the Solheim Cup despite having led only once going into the last-day singles.

"It was massively important for us (to be ahead)," European captain Alison Nicholas told reporters. "The history of this event has been they (the U.S.) always do well in the singles."

Swede Sophie Gustafson and Britain's Janice Moodie set the tone for the visitors in the first match out in the afternoon, thumping world number four Paula Creamer and Cup veteran Juli Inkster 4&3.

Creamer and the 49-year-old Inkster failed to register a single birdie on their own ball and never recovered after losing the first two holes.

"They played great and we just kind of gave them the match," a dejected Creamer said after losing her first point of the week in her third outing. "We didn't play very well out there.

"I feel I have a lot of confidence. I'm hitting the ball really well and I'm putting the ball great, so we'll see what happens tomorrow."

Briton Becky Brewerton and Gwladys Nocera of France piled up five birdies in a flawless display to sweep aside Natalie Gulbis and Christina Kim 5&4 and put Europe ahead 8-6.

However, the Americans leveled as Kristy McPherson and Morgan Pressel beat Helen Alfredsson and Suzann Pettersen two up before Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie scraped past Anna Nordqvist and Maria Hjorth one up.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)