Padraig Harrington prepared to launch Europe's Ryder Cup defence at Valhalla today with a confident declaration that Nick Faldo's team are ready to lift one of sport's greatest prizes for a fourth successive time.

The Open champion, who was due to tee off the first foursomes match here alongside Robert Karlsson against the powerful but risky American combination of Phil Mickelson and rookie Anthony Kim, also offered a glowing tribute to his emotional captain Faldo.

When asked for his match prediction, the unusually bullish Harrington insisted: "We wouldn't be here unless we were going to win." The Irishman said he would "lead by example" and help win the trophy.

Faldo insisted he did not feel under pressure despite a bizarre performance where he was holding back tears when talking about his meeting with Louisville's legend Muhammad Ali. Faldo, picking up the Ali theme, told counterpart Paul Azinger at the opening ceremony that the Europeans were ready to "rumble in the jungle".

Faldo will attempt to silence the home crowd by sending Paul Casey and Henrik Stenson out second against Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan; Justin Rose and Ian Poulter then face Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell and Europe's top pairing, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, take on Jim Furyk and local hero Kenny Perry.

"The opening session is important; momentum is always nice to have," added Harrington. "They have gone for their best team, their two best players in Mickelson and Kim, so we will have to bring our A games."