June 24, 2001

England and Russia draw in UEFA Championship at Jena

Russia 1 England 1

By Colin Aldis & Thorsten Frennstedt

Russia has indeed improved. England was lucky to tie 1-1 in the teams´ first match during the European Championships which took place Sunday 24th of June in the German city of Jena.

The first half was typical for two teams who are anxious to lose. However Russia seemed better in keeping the ball. In the very last seconds though English forwards for the first time hit the goal. A good attack finished with Angela Banks scoring off a ball from Karen Burke.
In the second half the Russians Irina Grigorieva and Galina Komarova skilful play revealed some weakness in the English backline. Alexandra Svetitskaia´s equalizeer in the 62nd minute was well deserved. Natalia Barbachina got free three times during the match. Once Pauline Cope did a great save but twice Natalia missed the goal. The Swedish side looked upon the match from the stands in order to evaluate their opponents. Russia will be the difficult one to play. On Wednesday Sweden face England.
England played the first Euro finals in 1984 against Sweden and lost on PK:s. Russia playing in their second finals, finished at the bottom of the group in 1997. Last time England met Russia met was in 1991 in Brighton. Russia won 3-1, but in Southhampton England won 2-0 in the 2-match series.
Russian players GK Svetlana Petko and Irina Grigorieva, plus Marianne Spacey, Samantha Britton and Karen Walker in the England Team are still are playing ten years later.