..luckily i just blew a fuse.. the big alfa rolls again
anyhow, to answer my own question, this is a rough translation from the italian owners manual;
EMERGENCY START PROCEDURE
1 Get electronic code – this should be on the card, or in the UK the dealer should have it.
2 key in run position (1)
3 pedal gas down and keep it down, injection light is on for 8 seconds
Light off
Pedal gas off
4 Injection light lights X times (X being the first digit of code)
Pedal gas down and keep it down till the injection light is on for 4 seconds
Light is off
Pedal gas off
5 same procedure for the remaining numbers.
6 rapid flashing of the injection light (4 seconds) means that everything is ok
7 turn on the engine from position 1 (RUN) to position 2 (START)
8 if the injection light is on put key in position 0 (off) and remake the procedure
(btw, if anyone thinks it's a bad idea to have this on the interweb i'll delete it)