England and Russia in 'must-win' game

For the second UEFA Women's EURO running England and Russia meet in Group C having both lost their opening game.

England suffered a last-gasp 3-2 loss to Spain, the same scoreline by which they crucially beat Russia in 2009. Manager Hope Powell, who hopes to welcome back defender Sophie Bradley, knows this is a "must-win" game. Unlike Powell, Russia coach Sergei Lavrentyev was not in charge four years ago but respects England as a "top team with huge experience".

Hope Powell, England manager
There were too many unforced errors [against Spain]. Some basic things, we talk about doing the simple things well and we didn't do the simple things well, we created some of our own problems. Lots of positives, actually, to come out of the game but it is the overriding result that matters. It's about the next game now, the players met, discussed it, it's now about trying to get the result.

There are four or five players that were also here in 2009. In 2009, they were difficult to play against, I expect them to be difficult again. Both teams lost their opening games and both teams will want to correct that and come away with maximum points.

We've got to be on our game, we've had them looked at. I've watched them a couple of times this year already and the players I saw against Finland and Spain earlier on this year were different. It's a new coach and he obviously looked at a large squad, so some of the players are different from what I saw.

The situation we are in, it's not ideal losing the first game, we've been here before and you still don't want to lose. We have to win this game if we want to stay in the competition. A must-win.

When you come into a major tournament, the expectations are what they are. Everybody's rooting for you at home, 1.2 million people watching, that's a lot pressure. You go round the players individually and they feel OK but actually in it, they feel a bit nervous. Anxiety is a bit draining. It's a case of reminding players that they are good.

Matchday one result
England 2-3 Spain
(Aluko 8, Bassett 89; Boquete 5, Hermoso 86,  Putellas 90+3)
Bardsley; A Scott, Bassett, Stoney, Houghton; J Scott, Asante; Aluko (Carney 72), Williams, Yankey (Clarke 90+1); White.

• Player of the match: Jennifer Hermoso

• Twice England equalised only to fall to a late deflection off goalkeeper Karen Bardsley. Laura Bassett started in defence for the injured Bradley.

• On a booking: Laura Bassett

Team news
Bradley missed the first game with an ankle injury but has been training, though did not take part in Sunday's pre-match session at the stadium. "Sophie's done really well," Powell said, adding of forward Kelly Smith's shin problem: "She's progressed. Is she in a position to start the game tomorrow? No, she isn't."

Sergei Lavrentyev, Russia coach
We are not scared of anything. I just want the team played their game and put in the performance they are capable of. The major task is to not beat yourself.

England are among the favourites in any tournament. They were the runners-up four years ago. They are a top team with huge experience. England are very well organised and balanced in all departments. They play modern football and have everything they need to play that. They are good at crossing as well. There is no sense in picking out somebody, because England are strong as a team first of all.

The EURO 2009 game is history already, that was played four years ago, while tomorrow we want to write a new chapter. The standings show we can expect a very exciting and uncompromising game tomorrow with both teams needing only victory.

Matchday one result
France 3-1 Russia
(Delie 21 32, Le Sommer 67; Morozova 84)
Todua; Petrova, Sidorovskaya, Tsybutovich, Medved (Gordeeva 35); Terekhova, Kostyukova, Savchenkova (Pozdeeva 35, Skotnikova 68), Sochneva; Korovkina; Morozova.

• Player of the match: Eugénie Le Sommer

• Marie-Laure Delie's two early goals took the match out of reach of Russia, who remain without a win in ten UEFA Women's EURO final tournament fixtures.

• On a booking: Tatiana Skotnikova, Anastasia Kostyukova

Team news
Midfielder Anastasia Pozdeeva, who made her competitive debut on Friday as an early tactical substitute, is out for the tournament with the cruciate ligament injury that forced her off in the second half. "Luckily we do not have any other injury concerns besides Anastasia Pozdeeva, but that is a really harsh blow as she could have sealed the central midfielder position," Lavrentyev said.

Meanwhile, forward Natalia Shlyapina turned 30 on Saturday. "First of all I wanted to get a present from the team a day before my birthday [against France], but unfortunately we didn't manage that," the seven-goal qualifying top scorer said. "Let's hope it is another story tomorrow."

Match fact
Four years ago these teams met in Helsinki, also having lost their opening Group C games. England knew defeat would end their hopes, so were in trouble when they fell 2-0 down to Ksenia Tsybutovich and Oleysa Kurochkina. But they quickly rallied and after Karen Carney and Eliona Aluko had levelled, Kelly Smith's 42nd-minute strike from the centre circle gave them a lead they never lost. England were to reach the final, Russia exited from the group.

Did you know?
Alex Scott will win her 100th cap if she plays for England. "If selected it will be a proud moment and a big honour for me," the right-back said. "But it comes at a time when winning the game is more important than my 100th cap, that will be my main focus."