As dubious a penalty as one can imagine helped Italy to a 2-1 victory over Turkey in a hugely entertaining Group B clash in Arnhem's Gelredome stadium.

Filippo Inzaghi converted from the spot after he had collapsed under the most innocuous of challenges to restore Italy's advantage after Antonio Conte had given them the lead in spectacular fashion.

Okan Buruk levelled with his first goal for his country after 61 minutes.

Spurred by Belgium's rousing 2-1 win over the Swedes in the curtain-raiser in Brussels, the first match of the tournament on Dutch soil lacked nothing for intensity and excitement.

Italy coach Dino Zoff opted to play Inzaghi with Francesco Totti in attack, preferring to leave Alessandro Del Piero on the bench.

Despite having a Galatasaray dominated squad, members of the UEFA Cup-winning side were outnumbered by five Fenerbahce players as coach Mustafa Denizli opted to leave striker Arif Erdem on the bench and Hakan Sukur as the lone striker.

Turkey, who had astonishingly played just one match this year before today, opened brightly with Yelcin's free kick swung into the box avoided everyone and Toldo was forced to push the ball wide for a corner.

And within 30 seconds the Turkish defence was under siege with Totti forcing Fatih into a clearance for a corner from a whipping cross.

Conte had a free header on four minutes and moments later Inzaghi was sent clear but opted to pass inside to Totti instead of shoot and the chance went begging.

Four corners were forced by the Azzurri in the first six minutes and Conte struck the post as Rustu Recber's goal was put under siege.

After the frantic opening the match settled into something resembling a pattern, with the Italian midfield, chaperoned by the excellent Stefano Fiore, managed to retain possession to great effect.

Then on the 15th minute Sergen Yelcin came closest to opening the scoring with a swinging effort from the edge of the box which just eluded Toldo's left upright.

Inzaghi squandered another opening for Zoff's team when he was unmarked but headed wide from Fiore's cross with the goal begging.

But Turkey were not lying down fore anyone and added to the evidence that this tournament is wide open by giving as good as they got against their illustrious opponents.

Sergen had the power of a goal-bound header removed when it deflected off an Italian defender while Hakan Sukur almost forced an embarrassing error from Toldo when hassling the 'keeper with his aerial presence.

Turkey came out after the break full of vitality but against the run of play veteran Conte opened the scoring with a spectacular overhead kick.

Fiore was put clear and his cross box ball found Inzaghi, his shot deflected upwards off Alpay but Conte did supremely well to hook the ball over his head past the helpless Rustu. It was his second goal for the national side.

The breakthrough revitalized Italy's mood and Zamrotta went tantalizingly close with a long-range effort as the Turks' heads dropped.

Inzaghi, for whom little was going right, should have doubled the lead when Totti headed Zambrotta's cross against the post and the Juventus striker just needed to find the empty goal from the rebound but his strike was too weak and Tayfur cleared off the line.

Then Okan Buruk restored the parity with his first goal for the national team.

Dino Zoff must have looked to the gods after 62 minutes when Sergen's free-kick crossed to a totally unmarked Okan and he had no problem heading past Toldo.

In an increasingly open half, Inzaghi went close again when sent clear but his shot struck Rustu's legs.

Italy then threw everything at the Turks when referee Hugh Dallas incredibly awarded a penalty after Inzaghi collapsed under a tame challenge from Ogun Temizkanoglou.

The decision prompted deafening whistles from the Turkish supporters and missiles thrown onto the pitch but Inzaghi held his nerve and beat Rustu with a low spot-kick.

Fiore was replaced by Del Piero with 20 minutes to go and with just about his first touch of the ball the Juventus forward curled a 30-yard free-kick onto the underside of the bar.

Turkey fought back and Abdullah Ercan and Sergen both went close, and the latter was replaced by Arif Erdem as Turkey pushed for the equalizer in the later stages.

But it was to no avail as Zoff made a defensive substitution with Angelo di Livio replacing Totti as Italy shut up shop in the closing stages.