The Russian revelation

By Kevin Ashby in Heviz

As all around her struggle to keep the perspiration at bay as the fierce midday sun beats through the huge windows of the Hotel Europa Fit in Heviz, Elena Danilova remains unfazed, displaying the coolness which has made her the leading and most-feared striker at the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship.

Key figure
The 18-year-old has been the key figure in her country's march to their first final at this level, recovering from an inauspicious start against France to score both goals in the 2-1 defeat of England, three more against Scotland and another hat-trick as Russia outplayed Germany in a 3-1 semi-final victory. "I don't really have a favourite goal of the eight, but the late penalty against England was certainly the most important," Danilova told uefa.com.

Confident finish
Indeed it was. Having been beaten 4-0 by France - who they meet in Sunday's final - Russia would have been eliminated with a loss to England. Danilova opened the scoring with a predatory finish in the 17th minute, and concluded it in the 87th by confidently stepping up and sending Dani Hill the wrong way from the spot.

Late strikes
With two of her three goals against the Scots also coming in the last ten minutes, and one against Germany in added time, France are well aware that they will have to be alert to the last in Zalaegerszeg. The semi-final success was doubly delicious for Danilova as one of the eight Russian survivors from the team beaten 8-0 at the same stage by Germany in Finland 12 months ago.

'Good experience'
"Last year's game was a very good experience for the team and we have come back stronger," said the FC Energy Vorozneh forward. "We lost a few players but the most important ones have remained in the squad. That heavy defeat had been hanging over us, now it has gone and we have proved that Russia are capable of beating the Germans. I had a dream that we would win that game and it came true."

World Cup honour
Danilova has previous experience of scoring against Germany, having done so at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. Russia may have lost the game 7-1 but it marked the coming of age of the youngest player in any squad in the United States. Recalling that fine 72nd-minute solo effort, Danilova said: "No words can describe that feeling, only emotion. However, this game is bigger for me."

'Nervous excitement'
Russia drew 1-1 with France in Finland last year but crashed to that 4-0 loss in their opening fixture in Hungary. "We hadn't settled as it was our first game," said Danilova. "I don't think they have improved a lot from last year, although they still have the same style and good technique. I won't be afraid of them, more of a nervous excitement."

Goal pledge
If Russia are to win their first European crown it is vital that Elena Terekhova continues to keep up the supply line from midfield to Danilova, a tactic to which Germany had no answers. "We have a great understanding," the striker said. "I've played with Elena since childhood and have always been in the same teams." Can Danilova make it to ten goals in the final? "Yes. I'll certainly be trying anyway!"