LTA Agency’s Spanish striker Maria Ruiz, better known as Mery, scored a crucial second goal and provided two assists for her Zvezda-2005 teammates as they defeated Norwegian Champions and Cup Winners Røa IL 4:0 in the second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 16 to qualify for the spring quarterfinal stage 5:1 on aggregate.

The result represents the reverse of the last-year’s round of 16 tie between the same opponents when Røa went through on away goals after 1:1 and 0:0 draws. It marks the second time the Russian club from the most eastern European city of Perm makes it to the spring stages of the competition after a run to the final in 2008-2009 season. Zvezda-2005 joins the other 7 European powerhouses in this Friday’ s quarterfinal draw in Nyon, Switzerland along with English Arsenal and Everton, French Juvisy and Lyon, German Turbine and Duisburg, and Linköpings of Sweden.

Mery is the last remaining representative of Spain in Europe’s best 2010-2011 women’s club competition after last year’s Superliga Champions Rayo Vallecano were eliminated by Arsenal in London. The Madrid-born striker was also named player of the match in the previous round of the tournament when she scored a goal and had an assist in Limassol against the Cypriot victors of the giants from Umea – FC Apollon. Zvezda-2005 won the match 2:1.

Along with Mery, LTA Agency’s Mexican midfielder Fatima Leyva, South African forward Busi Ndimeni, and Bulgarian strength and conditioning coach Kaloyan Petkov were part of Zvezda’s success and will be preparing for the quarter final matches in March of next year.

All eight quarter-finalists in focus from UEFA.com: 2010-2011 UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Finalists

Zvezda beat the fellow title-challengers FC Energia Voronezh in front of about 900 home faithful braving rain and cold at the Zvezda Stadium in Perm Sunday. The seemingly comfortable 3:0 scoreline behind the strikes by Zvezda’s Ukrainian internationals Vera Djatel and Dasha Apanaschenko and an own goal from Yulia Zapotichnaya did not impress the Polish-born tactician:

“I am very disappointed with our team, especially with the way our midfielders and forwards played. 4-5 players completely fell out of the game today. We will have to work very hard, and the team will have to improve quickly if we want to achieve anything this season. This concerns both foreign and Russian players. This performance is completely unacceptable, and if we continue to play like this we’ll even struggle against our reserve team,” said Borkowski at the post-match press-conference.

Zvezda-2005 will play their next match away to last year’s Russian Premier League Runners-Up and Cup Winners – FC Rossiyanka (Moscow Region) on April 29th in Krasnoarmeysk.

LTA: You have been successful in America, why move to Russia? Why now?
SB: I need to improve as a coach and that can only come from operating outside of my comfort zone. I have coached the same club for 6 years, and it was time for a change and a new challenge. The league where FC Indiana competes is going through changes, and when the opportunity presented itself, I decided to take it. As all coaches I want to coach against the best, I want to challenge my players and myself.

LTA: What are your goals in Russia and what do you want to achieve as a coach in general?
SB: Short term I want to win the Russian League and the Cup, and the UEFA Women’s Champions
League. Ultimately, I want to coach in the Women’s World Cup and win it.

LTA: Those are very ambitious goals, are they realistic?
SB: With commitment and hard work anything is possible. Specifically in Russia, the talent is here. What is missing is the focus and the approach. When I take on a task, I do it to the best of my ability and aim as high as possible. If I didn’t dream about winning the World Cup or that goal was unattainable for me, I would not coach. Winning it all in women’s football is what drives me to go across the world to coach.

LTA: Can you achieve your goals at Zvezda?
SB: Why not? In Stanislav Kharitonov I have an opportunity to work with one of the best football executives in Europe. He has a good vision, wants to win and be the best, and takes care of the finer details. He is one of the reasons I am in Russia.

LTA: Your thoughts on Russia’s performance in the Euro 2009 in Finland?
SB: They underperformed because they lacked experience at this level and conceded very poor goals. Take for example all three goals conceded against England. Very poor from Russia’s perspective. But there is great latent potential. Russia really is at a very unique point in time as far as women’s football goes. The next three years can really help them arrive internationally. Four years ago Russia won the U19 Euros. That generation of players will be reaching footballing maturity in 3-4 years time, and they represent Russia’s best chance for international success. And make no mistake, they have the quality necessary to compete against Germany and USA, no doubt in my mind.

LTA: What are your thoughts about women’s football in Europe?
SB: The level is excellent. Clearly, Germany is at the forefront of development of the game and has excellent women’s football infrastructure and environment. Having said that, I believe that Russia right now has a very unique opportunity to gain ground on both Germany and USA.

LTA: Some would say that before catching up to Germany and USA, Russia needs to catch up to Sweden, don’t you think?
SB: No, Sweden have reached their peak both in terms of their national team and Damallsvenskan, and I think you will see countries such as Russia, France, Holland, England pass them by. The opportunity is certainly there.

LTA: You have coached 28 internationals from 19 countries, does anyone stand out?
SB: No, all players have unique character traits and footballing abilities, and I treat them all equally. I ask for excellence and commitment in every training session and match, and when they deliver, we get along fine.

LTA: The biggest difference in coaching in America and in Europe?
SB: [pause] There is no promotion/relegation in America so there is very little pressure. You can lose and there are minimal consequences for clubs. In Europe top clubs can’t afford to drop points, quality, and consistency is required for success.

LTA: You have some critics in America who say that you can be difficult.
SB: [Laughs] Who said I am difficult? Probably owners and coaches of teams I beat. My wife thinks I am nice. All joking aside, too many people confuse charisma with quality. As a coach I have to recognize qualities in players and have to have my tactics right in every match. Coaches do not have to be liked. They have to be respected but not liked, especially by opponents [laughs]. Respect comes from quality training, discipline, and winning. I interact or socialize with players very little off the field. Coaching is a results oriented business, and I don’t get paid for being a pen pal. I get paid for results; that’s why I am here in Russia.

LTA: As a coach, do you get the best out of all your players and what can Zvezda players expect?
SB: Without a doubt. I will get them to perform at a level they didn’t think it was possible for them to perform. All Zvezda players who will be in my top 11 will be good enough to be in Russia’s top 11.

LTA: You went out of the UEFA Champions League on goal difference. That must have been a disappointment for the club and for you?
SB: Yes, but from day one our focus was on 2010 after I had a chance to bring in my players, staff, methods, and philosophy.

LTA: Thank you for your time and good luck in the new season in Russia!
SB: Thank you. I can’t wait to start our pre-season next month.