Skotnikova sets her sights high

Russia captain Tatiana Skotnikova insisted that her team need to set only the highest goals as she looked forward to the start of their UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ campaign against Sweden in Turku.

Crucial role
Having last qualified in 2001, Russia returned to the finals following an away-goals play-off defeat of Scotland and Skotnikova played a crucial role in the achievement. Like goalkeeper Elvira Todua and striker Ksenia Tsybutovich, she played in all ten qualifying games, including the play-offs, and is hoping that there will be more than just the three group fixtures to add to that tally.

No pressure
"Our goals are very high at such tournaments and we need to achieve them," said Skotnikova, a veteran of the 2001 finals as well as two FIFA Women's World Cups. "It's very difficult to predict, but we want to qualify for the next stage. We need to respect every team and we do not have any pressure at all."

Mobile team
A midfielder with WFC Rossiyanka, Skotnikova also maintained that Russia know all about their opponents' strengths. "Sweden have a very mobile and quick team," she said. "It will be difficult for us but we will try to do our best."

'Great excitement'
They can expect a good following back home as well, with interest in women's football having grown after Igor Shalimov's team booked a place in the Finland tournament. Skotnikova said: "It is very good that we qualified for the final stage and many people in Russian follow women's football now. There is great excitement around the national team in the press and TV with the tournament approaching."

Dual role
The 30-year-old played against Sweden in the 2001 finals in Germany, when Russia lost 1-0, and she is willing to take any role to try to reverse that scoreline this time around. "We will try to play our own game and show how good we are," she said. "I can play as an attacking or holding midfielder, but I suppose I will play closer to our defenders. But of course it depends on the coach's decision."

Hiddink watches
Another coach with an interest in what happens will be the men's national team trainer Guus Hiddink, who visited one of Russia's training sessions before their recent 1-0 friendly win over the Netherlands. "I was very glad to see him at the training session," Skotnikova said. "He wished us luck and said that we should win against the Dutch because then he would be happy to say that in Russia even the women are playing football well."