Shalimov upbeat after draw

Russia 0-0 China
Russia have won just one of six friendlies this year after their latest match in the run-up to UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ ended in a 0-0 draw against China in Krasnoarmeysk.

Coach happy
Igor Shalimov's side played in an exhibition match three days ago against a team featuring former Russian men's international Yuri Kovtun, drawing 3-3, but it was back to serious business against the Chinese, with the game including the return of Elena Danilova, who played in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup aged 16 but has been out for two years through injury. "It was a useful match," Shalimov told uefa.com, "especially in view of the experience gained. China are among the top eight teams in the world. We had the majority of the ball possession and created the better chances but couldn't score. This match has improved the confidence of the girls and showed that we can compete against such a strong team."  The sides meet again on Thursday before Russia complete their preparations for Finland with games against fellow finalists Germany on 6 August in Bochum and the Netherlands a week later in Moscow.

Russia: Todua, Poriadina, Tsybutovich, Pertseva (Kozhnikova, 46), Shmachkova, Morozova, Skotnikova, Fomina (Rogova, 71), Savchenkova, Kurochkina (Barbashina, 61), Petrova (Danilova, 58).