Rampant Russia hit six

Natalia Mokashanava scored three goals in the space of 16 second-half minutes to lead Russia to a 6-0 victory in Israel.

Tough for Israel
Russia were opening their UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifying Group 6 campaign against a side who had drawn 2-2 with Poland on their return to top-level international competition. But Israel found life tougher today and were behind on 29 minutes through Olessia Kuroshkina. Olga Kremleva doubled Russia's lead on the stroke of half-time to make life tougher for an Israel team missing striker Silvi Jen. The 34-year-old had announced her retirement earlier this week having notched up 840 career goals.

Mokshanova feat
That allowed another forward to take centre stage and Mokashanava found the target on 54, 59, and 70 minutes before Oksana Shmachkova completed the scoring to boost Russia's hopes of a place in Finland in two summers' time. They welcome Poland to Krasnoarmeysk on 16 June, a day before Norway provide Israel with another testing fixture.