Golf:Defending champions Sweden remain at the top of the European Nations Cup leaderboard after a third round 68 at La Sella Golf Resort in Alicante, Spain.

Sophie Gustafson and Anna Nordqvist, who were the winning pairing in 2010, were top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage and increased their lead to three over Spanish duo Maria Hernandez and Azahara Munoz Guijarro to three shots.

Nordqvist carded three birdies, while Gustafson added one for a 17 under par total of 199. The Spanish pair Spain carded a 70 to be three shots back heading into tomorrow's final round played in the Valencian Cup format - an adaptation of Greensomes.

“Four under today, so a solid round,” Nordqvist said. “We got off to a really good start this morning; we're in the lead by three shots and that’s where you want to be. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Welsh golfers Becky Brewerton and Lydia Hall are a further shot back in third after their round of 69, but will still consider themselves well in the race to win the annual event which is now in its fourth year.

England’s Laura Davies and Melissa Reid matched their first-round total of 67 to sit on 12 under.

Karine Icher and Virginie Lagoutte-Clement of France are a further shot back tied for fifth with Germany. Both have moved ahead of Australian duo Katherine Hull and Karen Lunn, who led by a shot after 18 holes but have dropped to seventh after an unimpressive third round of 70.

Christina Kim and Brittany Lincicome of the United States were the best players of the day, carding a fantastic round of 64 to move up to eighth after disappointing in the opening two rounds.

The Irish pair of Rebecca Codd and Martina Gillen carded a third round 73 to be on four under and 13th of the 18 nation event.