Scots face play-off with Russia

Scotland beat Slovakia to clinch their place in the play-offs

Scotland's women must overcome Russia - 11 places above them in the world rankings - to reach the Euro 2009 finals in Finland next August.

Anna Signeul's side face a two-leg play-off later this month to make the expanded 12-team tournament.

Hosts Finland, holders Germany and qualifying group winners Denmark, England, France, Norway and Sweden await the winners of five play-offs.

Republic of Ireland were drawn against Iceland in their play-off game.

Czech Republic take on Italy, Slovenia face Ukraine and Spain are against Netherlands in the other play-offs.

Scotland are at home to the Russians on Sunday 26 October, with the second leg in Russia on 30 October.

This is arguably the most difficult draw we could have been handed, but nothing is impossible Scotland coach Anna Signeul

And Signeul believes that Monday's draw was particularly unkind to her side, who could have faced Iceland or the Italians.

"I travelled to Russia for their final group game against Norway and I saw a very good side," she said of the team ranked eighth in Europe and 15th in the world.

"In fact, they were unlucky not to win the game.

"This is arguably the most difficult draw we could have been handed, but nothing is impossible.

"We have produced some excellent performances recently and we know that we definitely have a chance against Russia.

"We will certainly be up for it and will give everything over the two legs to secure a place at the finals in Finland."

The Scots clinched their place in their first-ever play-offs for a major tournament by thrashing Slovakia 6-0 last weekend in Group 5 to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, while Russia finished second in Group 6 after a 0-0 draw with Norway.

Now Signeul's side, ranked 15th in Europe and 26th in the world, must defeat Igor Shalimov's Russians to be included in the draw for the European Championship finals at Helsinki's Finlandia Hall on 18 November.

Scotland captain Julie Fleeting said she was slightly disappointed to come out of the hat against the Russians as they would provide a tough test in the play-off.

Any team in the draw was going to give us two very hard games, and if we want to progress, we're going to have to be able to compete with countries who are the best in Europe Scotland captain Julie Fleeting

"We said that they were the team we would hope to avoid," said Fleeting.

"But any team in the draw was going to give us two very hard games, and if we want to progress, we're going to have to be able to compete with countries who are the best in Europe.

"Russia will be a test for that - we had them in our last campaign, so we know quite a bit about them."

The finals run from 23 August until 10 September 2009, with matches at the Helsinki Football Stadium and Olympic Stadium in the capital, Tampere, Turku and Lahti.