Belgium's Wullaert willing lightning to strike twice

Belgium did not enjoy the best of returns to the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, losing 4-1 to Switzerland on Monday, yet playmaker Tessa Wullaert believes they can return to winning ways against a Russia side that needs no introduction.

Wullaert came into the tournament with a burgeoning reputation after five goals in as many matches during qualifying, and her numerous flicks and astute through balls did not go unnoticed against Group A opponents Switzerland on Monday.

Swiss captain Chantal Fimian paid tribute to "a technically-gifted player" before reflecting on "30 minutes of suffering" during a trying second half as Belgium threatened a comeback that never quite happened. Wullaert could not hide her frustration at what might have been. "We were that close to making it 2-2 [when Jana Coryn hit the bar with the score 2-1]," she told UEFA.com. "Then we conceded twice as we were pushing up."

Wullaert is a player of obvious ability but the 18-year-old seems oblivious to her skills, which she attributes to endless practise: "It's just because I have been playing football since I was five and I am now in the elite football academy," she said. "I play sport for two hours a day and that's how I've improved my technique."

As well as clever feet, Wullaert has also forged a strong partnership in a midfield she patrols alongside captain Justine Vanhaevermaet – she could probably pick out Jana Coryn's runs with her eyes closed. Her understanding with the striker should perhaps come as no surprise given that both players honed their craft at Dames Zulte Waregem. "That helps a lot," she agreed. "We have great complicity and when she starts to run one way, she knows she is going to receive a good pass."

Belgium will need more of that dove-tailing in Forli on Thursday when they face Russia, a side they defeated as recently as 5 April, Coryn scoring the only goal. It was the win that ultimately secured Belgium's return to this stage for the first time since 2006. "It was not a fantastic match," she said of the second qualifying round victory, "but we applied enormous pressure and showed real desire to win.

"It's one of the best moments of my career so far because it meant we qualified for my first ever final tournament. We have beaten them once, so we know that if we really want to we can do it again."