GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug 7 - Favourites Francis Obikwelu, Dwain Chambers and Ronald Pognon advanced comfortably in their opening heats of the men's 100 metres at the European championships on Monday.

Englishman Chambers, who was stripped of his gold medal at the 2002 championships in Munich after failing a doping test, topped his heat after clocking 10.24 seconds.

"I did not expect a better run as it is only qualification," said Chambers. "The next run will be faster."

Chambers got a good start and began to accelerate away from the field some 40 metres into the run. Slovenian Matic Osovnikar finished second in 10.29 with Spaniard Orkatz Beitia in third with 10.43.

Reigning champion Obikwelu did not get the best of starts but powered home in a time of 10.25 seconds, slowing down towards the line. Hungarian Roland Nemeth finished the heat in second place, 0.14 behind the Portuguese.

"I wanted to take it cool in the heats and just secure my place," said Obikwelu. "I am happy Chambers is back in business. I think it is going to be a great final."

Obikwelu, who has the fastest European time this year, is bidding to become the first man to win both the 100m and 200m at a European championship since Italy's Pietro Mennea in 1978.

French hope Pognon topped his heat with a 10.26 run on one of the outer lanes.

"I was very relaxed and did not force myself too much. I feel very good and the little hamstring problems I had are gone today," said Pognon, the only French runner ever to run a sub 10 seconds 100m.

"But I do not like the way the starter starts, he takes way too long," said the Frenchman.

Four of the six heats had false starts.