LONDON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Euro zone bond yields fell

for a third straight session on Thursday as investors continued

to worry about global growth.

Data on Wednesday showed U.S. job openings fell to their

lowest level in 3-1/2 years in July, adding to signs of a

slowing labour market. The key monthly U.S. employment report

for August is due on Friday.

Investors have nudged up their bets on U.S. and global rate

cuts, helping pull down bond yields, while also moving into the

safety of government debt as stocks have stumbled.

Germany's two-year bond yield, which is sensitive

to European Central Bank rate expectations, fell 2 basis points

(bps) to 2.288% on Thursday, its lowest since a previous bout of

economic worries sent yields tumbling on Aug. 5.

The German 10-year bond yield, the benchmark for

the euro zone bloc, also fell 2 bps to 2.198%, its lowest since

Aug. 22. Yields fall as prices rise, and vice versa.

​Italy's 10-year yield was little changed​ at

3.572%, and the gap between Italian and German yields

stood at 137 bps.