Banks on target for relieved England

England can be relieved to have taken a point from their first game in a major tournament for six years and will remain cautiously optimistic of getting beyond the first stage of the Women's European Championships.

England rode their luck to take a lead, in first-half stoppage time, through Angela Banks but had no complaints after Russia equalised through Alexandra Svetlitskaia midway through the second period. But for some prolifigate finishing from Natalia Barbachina, Russia could have won convincingly.

Three times in a first period they edged, Barbachina was in excellent positions in England's penalty area but failed to capitalise. She fluffed a clear heading opportunity, was brilliantly challenged by Rachel Unitt and then, when clean through seven minutes before the interval, blasted her shot into the side-netting.

Banks, herself, spurned an inviting opening within seven minutes, when a poor first touch took her away from goal after Karen Burke's superb cross. So when Burke, of Doncaster Belles, again teed her up, Banks did not hesitate. But Russia's stamina allowed them to remain on top early in the second period and Svetlitskaia reacted sharply to win a one-on-one with Pauline Cope and toe-poke the ball home.

The Russians, who scored 19 goals in winning all their qualifying games, looked the stronger, despite the odd promising foray from Kelly Smith, of Philadelphia Charge, during her 28-minute cameo appearance.

Hope Powell, the England coach, said: "The hot conditions didn't really suit our girls but this was a game we said beforehand we really didn't want to lose. Sweden are a good side but I believe we can play better and the girls believe they can play better."

England now face Sweden, who lost 3-1 to Germany on Saturday, back here in Jena on Wednesday when they will attempt to shed the understandable nervousness that affected them in yesterday's heat.

RUSSIA (1-3-4-2): Petko (CSK VVS Samara); Boukova (Energia Voronezh); Jikhareva (TNK Ryazan), Egorova (Lada Togliatti), Karasseva (CSK VVS Samara); Komarova (CSK VVS Samara), Grigorieva (CSK VVS Samara), Fomina (CSK VVS Samara), Svetlitskaia (Lada Togliatti); Barbachina (TNK Ryazan), Letiouchova (TNK Ryazan). Substitutes: Kremleva (CSK VVS Samara) for Letiouchova, 56; Skotnikova (Lada Togliatti) for Grigorieva, 63; Chmatchkova (TNK Ryazan) for Svetlitskaia, 85.

ENGLAND (4-4-2): Cope (Charlton Athletic); Murphy (University of Florida), Marley (Everton), Chapman (Fulham), Unitt (Everton); Burke (Doncaster Belles), Easton (Doncaster Belles), Proctor (Charlton Athletic), Smith (Tranmere Rovers); Banks (Arsenal), Spacey (Arsenal). Substitutes: Smith (Philadelphia Charge) for Banks, 52; Fletcher (Charlton Athletic) for Unitt ,70; Britton (Everton) for Easton, 83.

Referee: R Tacoronte (Spain).