No 5860 – FévrierApril 2007 2007 4.07 Draw inAthens in Brussels exhibition European in Geneva Club licensors in Barcelona and Cup Conference Meridian Draw inAthens in Brussels exhibition European in Geneva Club licensors in Barcelona and Cup Conference Meridian 12 10 06 03 12 10 06 03 Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president A first step When you take on a new role that is as demanding as that of the UEFA president, you need some time to get used to it, however well prepared you are. If nothing else, you have to discover the intricacies of the organisation and its administration, build a team around you and respond to the interest of the media, an activity which can take up quite a lot of your time. But you have to adjust quickly, as time does not stop for you and events continue to follow their course. The problems and issues to be resolved have not gone away since I took over as UEFA president, as the violence that marred our competitions in February and March sadly proves. I want us to confront these problems and issues together, seeking solutions by sharing ideas and acting according to democratic principles. As I stressed throughout my electoral campaign, the decision-making power lies with the national associations and their elected representatives. By favouring quick action as a means to efficiency, UEFA has in recent years drifted away from this fundamental principle, which must now be re-established in our statutes IN THIS ISSUE without delay. That is why we are holding an extraordinary UEFA Congress in Zurich at Meridian Project enters the end of May, where the delegates from all our member associations will be called a new era 03 upon to accept a partial revision of the UEFA statutes. They will be able to do so Belgium gets ready for the final round of the European in full knowledge of the facts, as, between now and then, we are going to meet Under-17 Championship 05 everyone concerned to explain the amendments that we are proposing and the Seminar for club licensors 06 reason for doing so. Cruyff Academics: educating This congress will be a first and important step along the way to allowing the man and the footballer 08 us, in an environment of mutual trust and transparency, to defend the values of European exhibition football and its general interests from the external threats that it faces and from in Brussels 10 the schemes of those who are only out for profit. Draw for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League 12 News from member associations 15 Michel Platini UEFA President COVER AS Roma have qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time, at the expense of Olympique Lyonnais. Photo: Flash Press

02 uefadirect 4.07 Meridian Cup and Conference MammothMammoth meetingmeeting inin BarcelonaBarcelona

Under its new format, the Meridian Cup has been expanded to include a conference. UEFA-S.Briet

RARELY HAS A SINGLE EVENT WORN QUITE SO MANY HATS – OR HAD ferent nationalities posed some dress- SUCH A HIGH HEADCOUNT. THE MERIDIAN CUP AND CONFERENCE ing-room and training-ground chal- lenges for head coaches Iñaki Sáez and WERE STAGED IN BARCELONA DURING THE WEEK WHEN CALENDARS Frederick Osam-Duodu who, never- HAD TO BE FLIPPED FROM FEBRUARY TO MARCH. theless, produced competitive teams. With the Eurosport cameras looking The event marked the tenth 108 national associations. Fortunately, on and with thousands of local school- anniversary of the UEFA/CAF Meridian the Spanish national association, children creating a great atmosphere for Project, the 50th anniversary of the FC Barcelona, the local Catalan football the second of the two games, played African confederation, and a totally association and the city of Barcelona at 11 in the morning, 6-1 and 4-0 score- revamped format featuring, for the first put their shoulders enthusiastically to lines allowed Europe to retain the time, a four-day conference for youth the wheel and succeeded in turning the Meridian Cup that it had already won coaches, two matches between Europe ground-breaking event into a resound- under the old format. The scoreboard and Africa at Under-18 level, a meeting ing success. But summarising it is just did scant justice to an African team of the Meridian Board, and, for good about as difficult as organising it and that produced two highly competitive measure, the two draws for the qualify- running it. performances. More importantly, the ing rounds of European 2007/08 squads captained by Czech midfielder Under-17 and Under-19 Championships. Europe win the Meridian Cup Jan Hable and Samuel Eto’o’s younger It all added up to a mammoth Let’s start with the football. Two brother Etienne went home with indelible event involving over 300 people from multilingual squads of players of 24 dif- memories of a unique experience.

03 Angel With so Presentations Maria Villar many young and discussions Llona was spectators provided some representing present, pointers for the FIFA, UEFA a lively coaching of and the atmosphere youth players. Spanish FA. was guaran- teed for the second match. SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE UEFA-S.Briet

Balls for Africans The gesture symbolises the receive materials in addition to listen- The magnificent facilities new approach to a Meridian Project ing to the presentations, participating at the Gran Hotel Princesa Sofía were which had, in the previous decade, in open-forum discussion sessions and the setting for the event’s off-the- been based on specific aid to certain occupying privileged ‘observer seats’ pitch activities. Angel María Villar national associations. On the pitch, at the training sessions of the two Llona, trying to juggle his UEFA and ten countries per continent had Under-18 squads and FC Barcelona’s FIFA vice-president’s hats with his disputed the Meridian Cup – which first team. Former Zambian star headwear as president of the Spanish means that over 80 national associa- Kalusha Bwalya, now vice-president federation, opened “an extraordinary tions had not been involved. “The of his national association, was at project” by stating “the progress so project is now focused on education, hand to help Andy Roxburgh and far has been stunning but we must by teaching the coaches, administra- Abdel Moneim Hussein during sessions continue to unite our efforts to tors, referees and so on,” Senes Erzik devoted to the art of goalscoring and become brothers.” commented. “We are covering every- ways of developing today’s talented This theme was picked up body. That is the main difference and youth players into tomorrow’s foot- by UEFA first vice-president Senes I am delighted with it.” balling heroes, while Jacques Crevoisier Erzik after a meeting of the Meridian underlined the importance of mental Board at which UEFA confirmed Exchanges and psychological factors in the devel- that as a ‘golden jubilee’ gift, 81,000 So were the participants. opment of elite youth players. African-made footballs are to be When the conference kicked off, That, in a nutshell, is what distributed throughout the continent. UEFA’s technical director, Andy Rox- went on in Barcelona. But it’s tough “The donation has been made burgh, and his CAF counterpart, to reduce to nutshell dimensions directly to the national associations Abdel Moneim Hussein, stressed to an event which went into the record and, through them, directly to their audience that the aim of the books as the biggest ever to be schools and to grassroots football all event was to make contacts, offer staged by the UEFA/CAF Meridian over Africa.” ideas, exchange information and partnership.

The two teams after the second match. SPORTSFILE

04 uefadirect 4.07 The The Bielmont Leburton stadium stadium in Verviers. in Tubize. UEFA UEFA URBSFA

place for Europe in this global tourna- ment will be disputed by the two European teams that finish third in their respec- tive groups. With the new UEFA coeffi- cient rankings for the under-21s, Under-17 under-19s and under-17s being pub- lished recently, reflecting our national teams’ excellent results, this tourna- ment comes at just the right time for Championship Belgium. It will have the possibility of A month away from kick-off demonstrating the effectiveness of its youth player development work and THE BELGIAN FA (URBSFA), IN CONJUNCTION WITH UEFA, WILL HAVE THE will once again be able to demonstrate its organisational know-how. In short, HONOUR OF HOSTING THE 2007 EDITION OF THE FINAL ROUND OF THE EUROPEAN the Belgian FA and the whole of Bel- UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 2 TO 13 MAY. gian football just can’t wait for 2 May to arrive! In the wake of the resound- Apart from Belgium, who are Pierre Cornez ing success of EURO 2000, this is the coached by Bob Browaeys and qualify second time in ten years that Belgium automatically as the host country, seven The stadiums has had the honour of welcoming other nations will take part in the final EUPEN Stade du Kehrweg – an international football tournament, round, for which the draw will take capacity 3,250 (750 seats) and it can only express its satisfaction place on 4 April at the national centre in at the trust which has been placed Tubize. On this occasion, Marc Wilmots, RONSE Stade Orphale Crucke – in it. the former skipper of the Red Devils, capacity 5,100 (900 seats) This competition is a marvel- will grace us with his presence. TOURNAI Stade Luc Varenne – lous showcase for the stars of the capacity 6,200 (2,500 seats) future, as was seen on past occasions Double stakes with players such as Luis Figo of Por- The stakes are high in this TUBIZE Stade Leburton – capacity 4,200 (1,800 seats) tugal, Thierry Henry of France and European Championship. The top two Wayne Rooney of England. Apart from teams from each group will not only VERVIERS Stade de Bielmont – that, an agreement is already in place go through to the semi-finals of the capacity 6,000 (2,600 seats) that Eurosport will broadcast more than competition but will also qualify auto- VISÉ Stade de la Cité de l’Oie – half the 16 matches, which under- matically for the 2007 U-17 World capacity 6,000 (2,600 seats) lines the importance of an international Cup in the Republic of Korea. The fifth youth competition such as this.

Six centres Six towns have been chosen as venues for the matches in this tournament, namely Eupen, Ronse, Tournai, Tubize, Verviers and Visé. The stadiums, which belong to second and third-division teams, have been renovated and most of them have the capacity to accommodate over 5,000 spectators. The Belgian FA is convinced that this competition will be a true people’s festival. With this in mind, it will propose tickets at a particularly attractive price (between two and five euros) and will be organising many different events in conjunction with URBSFA the matches. Belgium’s Under-17 team.

05 A fruitful exchange of experiences and opinions.

lighting points that need to be taken into account and indicating where there UEFA club is room for improvement. One notewor- thy example was the club PAOK FC from Thessaloniki in Greece. George Dimitriou, the licensing manager of the Greek FA, licensing process described the case, in which PAOK A successful exchange failed to meet the financial criteria re- garding payables overdue and positive ON 22 AND 23 FEBRUARY, UEFA INVITED THE DECISION-MAKERS equity in time but still applied for the licence after the 31 May 2006 deadline. IN THE AREA OF CLUB LICENSING WITHIN ITS 53 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS Every licensor has to send UEFA a list TO A WORKSHOP IN GENEVA FOR AN EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES. of the clubs which have received the licence by the prescribed date. After fur- Marcel Benz, head of sports the licensing procedure, while in 2006/07 ther examination of the case and sub- legal services and club licensing at UEFA, it was 645, of which 113 were refused mission of new financial information, welcomed the association representa- a licence. As far as the UEFA club com- PAOK were awarded the licence after tives – the licensing managers and the petitions are concerned, three clubs the stated deadline and tried to gain chairmen of the first instance and appeals which had qualified for a European com- admission to the UEFA Cup. The UEFA bodies – and explained the purpose of petition this season through their sport- administration rejected their request, the meeting. “The aim is to provide a ing results did not receive a licence. whereupon the club applied to the platform for a mutual exchange of opin- UEFA particularly welcomes the fact that Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in ions and experiences, presenting prac- 39 associations are planning to issue Lausanne. The sole CAS judge dis- tical examples from associations which licences for the 2008/09 season both for missed the complaint, however, on the can then be discussed by you. The suc- UEFA competitions and for their domes- grounds that it was the club’s responsi- cess of the workshop depends on your tic championships. As a result, the bility to meet the deadlines laid down active participation. Ask the right ques- required quality standards will need to in the licensing provisions and to submit tions and also try to share your own be met by more and more clubs, in the necessary financial documentation experiences with colleagues. It’s not sporting, personnel and administrative from third parties (e.g. banks) to the about pointing the finger at mistakes terms as well as in the areas of law and licensor in time. This decision sets a that have been made but learning finance, and this will raise the standards precedent inasmuch as it reaffirms the lessons from them and deciding on further. Increased transparency and im- need for strict observation of the pre- what can be done in the future.” proved standards are two of the recom- scribed deadlines, primarily by the mendations of the Independent Euro- licence applicant but also by the licen- The current situation pean Sport Review chaired by José Luis sor. As a consequence – or rather by In the first part, the partici- Arnault which was published last year. way of a conclusion – the licensing pants were given an illustration of the administration in Greece decided, among current situation in the form of various Case study: PAOK other things, to make the clubs more figures. In 2004/05, a total of 584 Euro- Current cases from different aware of the deadlines and to provide pean top-division clubs went through countries were used as a basis for high- better training for the members of Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

06 uefadirect 4.07 Marcel Benz A presentation ran the by Zoltan meeting. Gertner, licensing manager for the Hungarian FA. Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

both decision-making bodies so that they complete the various steps in the procedure accurately and punctually.

Where is there room for improvement? Additional case studies con- cerning clubs or licensors in Austria, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland and Romania were discussed by the par- ticipants and yielded a number of in- valuable lessons. In addition, specific issues were raised in three language groups and the various opinions were then aired and added to in the plena- ry meeting. This showed that it was essential for the core process of the licensing procedure to be observed. Any issuing of provisional licences or any interference from other club enti- ties (e.g. executive committee or pres- ident) in the activity of the licensing authorities has to be categorically rejected. The independence of the licensing bodies, as of the disciplinary bodies, is a crucial component of the division of powers, and the impar- tiality and professional competence of their members is just as important – an issue which arises as soon as they are appointed or rather elected. The question was also raised whether national law or the licensing regula- No licence, no UEFA competition! tions take precedence in cases of dis- STRINGER/AFP/GETTY IMAGES pute. “In order to be able to apply our rules strictly and avoid civil court Club licensing quality conducted by the independent com- cases, we have to have national standard V2.0 pany Société Générale de Surveillance licensing regulations that are in har- The participants were also (SGS). By comparison with the first mony with national law. That’s why presented with the new version of version, the licensing bodies are given UEFA also required confirmation to the UEFA quality standard, which will more flexibility for meeting the crite- that effect from the associations enter into force in the 2007/08 sea- ria. In particular, the members of both when providing accreditation for the son. Apart from laying down compul- decision-making bodies carry more national regulations,” explained sory criteria for the licensor, it intro- responsibility, and greater value is Marcel Benz. Of equal importance duces a number of optional criteria placed on close and regular coopera- ultimately is contact with the media. which can lead to ISO 9000 certifica- tion between them and the licensing The licensing bodies have to ensure tion. With this quality standard UEFA manager. The workshop was well that the media are kept informed reg- is aiming for a professional, process- received by the participants and at the ularly about the purpose, current oriented working method within end it was suggested that further criteria and workings of the licensing the various licensing bodies. This pro- events of this kind be organised for procedure so that, in cases where a motes equal treatment of clubs at the various experts. After receiving a licence is refused, the licensing body national and European level and ulti- lot of positive feedback, Marcel Benz is not criticised when responsibility lies mately has a positive effect on the thanked those present for their active with the club officials. Here it is also credibility and transparency of the participation and wished them every important that the confidentiality of UEFA club licensing scheme as a whole success with the licensing process for information is guaranteed. – especially as the annual audit is the year ahead.

07 Johan Cruyff, A constant concern at ease as ever with to develop the player a ball at his feet, and the person. at Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial match in London in July 2006. PRO SHOTS ANDERSEN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

CRUYFFMaking better ACADEMICS footballers and better people

THROUGH HIS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY, JOHAN CRUYFF IS HELPING FOOTBALLERS TO MOVE ON,

TO BECOME TRUE AMBASSADORS FOR THE SPORT AND TO AVOID THE PIT OF DEPRESSION THAT OFTEN

MARKS THE END OF THEIR SPORTING CAREER.

Old pictures show Johan Cruyff replacing divots on the pitch dur- ing a match. His mother used to clean the changing rooms at Ajax. She never carried her son’s sports bag. Despite be- coming a footballing giant, Johan Cruyff has kept the key values of respect and hard work instilled in him by his family. He has always been concerned for others. At the end of his career as a player and coach, he was moved by the plight of so many footballers who fall into an abyss of despair, having no other qualifica- tions and feeling disconnected from the world outside. An idea began to take Cruyff playing for the Netherlands root in his mind: to help them, for their in the 1974 World own sake and for the sake of football, Cup final against Germany. since these top sportsmen have excep- tional skills to offer. With the right train- ing, they can become tremendous am- bassadors for the sport, during their career and afterwards. They have a duty towards the young and can act as role models for them. And so Cruyff Academics was founded, with the mission of providing ground-breaking and varied education for footballers throughout the world. In ten years, it has become active in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Mexico, Ecuador and Portugal, with Argentina, Brazil, Chile and other nations showing an interest. Cruyff Academics is currently working with 300 footballers in the Netherlands alone. In the space of two years, demand has grown. Academics, which has its headquarters in Barcelona, is a source of interest to many European countries. Although the nature of the projects differs according to the coun- tries and their structures, the philosophy

EMPICS of the organisation remains the same.

08 uefadirect 4.07 It is a matter of finding the right balance between sport and school.

and even threats during a children’s foot- ball match? “This is sending out the wrong signals. As long as the kids are winning, they’re let off doing anything at home. This hampers the child’s development.

UEFA It’s just as bad as claiming that only school matters and sport doesn’t. A balance is It collaborates with local schools to offer footballer like a god, who attend all train- needed. It’s even good for children to footballers the possibility of following ing sessions but cannot be bothered to play a variety of sports. Johan Cruyff did tailor-made studies which are compatible go to school open days. And is there any- so and it doesn’t seem to have done with practising their sport at professional body who has not heard insults, abuse him any harm.” ➜ level. The Johan Cruyff University concen- trates on sports management, offering a one-year masters course. In the Nether- Total Athlete Development lands, four Johan Cruyff colleges offer a Rob van Bergenhenegouwen has been running courses at Ajax since three-year training in communication and October 2006. “Ajax have always been interested in the overall training sports marketing. Apart from the regular and development of their young players. Apart from that, Johan Cruyff programme, Cruyff Academics proposes a has stayed close to the club. He’s the founding father of the Academics, series of seminars and customised courses, he takes part in lots of events and gives his opinion on where we’re focusing on leadership skills. Students going. It’s not just talk – he takes action too. Ajax are doing everything to get back into the European elite within five years. He sees our project obtain a “Business Skills for Pro-Foot- as an integral part of what he’s trying to do, since we want to improve ballers” certificate on completion of the both the footballer and the person as a whole. He considers that these workshop and courses, which comprise courses form a key part of the obligations of his players.” between 80 and 100 hours in total. The course started in October, with the 17 to 19- year-olds of Ajax. In January, the “young hopefuls” Return to traditional values also benefited from the training. In March, an adapted The general deterioration of version of this course was extended to all Dutch standards and values is being felt in sport professional players. It takes place between coaching too. The current generation no longer sessions. “At the start, I faced scepticism from the seems to produce footballers like Cruyff, youngsters. They were made to take this course. From Platini or Beckenbauer – truly monumen- the outset, I told them that I wanted to make them tal figures, standard-bearers for their better footballers, better people and better citizens. clubs, who influence their teams, impose To begin with, we looked at their personal situation their authority on and off the pitch and Rob van and their goals, on the basis of questionnaires and con- play a figurehead role in conveying a Bergenhenegouwen versations. We then looked at subjects which already positive and powerful message. Too many concern them: communication with the media, the supporters, how to do players devote their free time to shop- an interview, to be a leader, money management, marketing, etc.” ping, video games and television. “We Van Bergenhenegouwen’s approach is to look at each person: character want to broaden their horizons, both and respect develop within the individual before becoming established now and for the future. So even if they’re within the group, in the dressing room and on the pitch, where they are not cut out for a second career in sport, then nurtured collectively. at least they’ll be better equipped and The courses: able to develop interests for themselves. ■ “Personal total athlete assessment” (4-8 hours): personal project. Respect is a fundamental value – it’s ■ “Personal effective communication” (15-20 hours): how to communi- absolutely essential. You have to respect cate, how to answer questions, how to convey one’s message and that yourself, respect your parents, your club, of the club. ■ “Personal leadership” (15-20 hours): one’s role within the team and the supporters, your team-mates, your the club, what is expected from a player on and off the pitch, how to opponents... This is how you build your achieve one’s objectives according to one’s character and personality. personality, first as an individual, then as ■ “Personal finance” (15-20 hours): understanding one’s financial situa- a public figure,” explained Rob van tion, the future, using a credit card, managing a bank account, etc. Bergenhenegouwen, business manager ■ “Personal image/presentation skills” (15-20 hours): what does it mean of Cruyff Academics in Amsterdam. to be part of the club’s public face, how to behave and act towards a On the other hand, there are the group of players, fans, journalists. parents who treat their six-year-old child P.P.

09 A Cruyff Court Raymond Kopa, in the a living football legend, Netherlands. is a member of the scientific committee that created the exhibition. JAN DE KONING/KNVB UEFA

➜ It is still too soon for Cruyff Acad- emics to be able to quote the names of footballers whose characters it has helped to build. This is a long-term project, espe- News cially as it has more impact on children than 30-year-old adults. On the other hand, it can point to the example of a current coach, Frank Rijkaard of FC Barcelona, who spent his formative years at Ajax. “He has from Brussels a great reputation because he respects An exhibition his family, his players, his colleagues, the referees and the game.” in the form of a question Pascale Pierard TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TREATY OF ROME, OUT OF WHICH THE EUROPEAN UNION WAS BORN, UEFA, THE BELGIAN FOOTBALL The Cruyff ASSOCIATION AND THE BRUSSELS REGION HAVE GOT TOGETHER Foundation TO STAGE AN EXHIBITION ENTITLED “ONLY A GAME?”, WHICH COMBINES Johan Cruyff is involved in a large FOOTBALL AND THE CREATION OF A UNITED EUROPE AS A WAY number of social projects. The foun- dation’s target group is young people TO DISCOVER EUROPE AND ITS WEALTH OF HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE throughout the world and its work goes far beyond the context of foot- IN AN INTERACTIVE AND ATTRACTIVE WAY, THROUGH FOOTBALL. ball. Cruyff organises all kinds of games and sports for children of all For half a century, the European day out within the territory of the abilities. The diversity of the games Union has been bringing the people of European Union remain occasions that component enables the children with- its member states together. Its historical unite European citizens around the out disabilities to become aware of the problems encountered by those development and key political role have same passion. In this respect, Europe has who are less fortunate, and fosters contributed in no small way to creating not simply witnessed these matches exchanges and joint activities. a feeling of European unity among its and the history of football; it has been citizens. their stage, their hub. In tandem, or almost, football It is this relationship between has always played a vital role in society. football and Europe that “Only a Game?” The matches which take place day in focuses on. By combining these two PRO SHOTS The Cruyff Foundation organises lots of recreational activities. In collaboration with the Dutch FA, the Cruyff Foundation has also instigated the installation of “Cruyff Courts”, which are dedicated spaces for sport and games in disadvantaged areas which often lack high-quality sports infrastructure. The youngsters can let off steam in the open air in total safety. In an era of heavy traffic, which often prevents children from playing outside, this mirrors the UEFA- backed mini-pitches as an excellent means for creating a whole new gene- ration of street footballers. UEFA P. P. An exceptional setting in the heart of Brussels.

10 uefadirect 11.064.07 A modern “Only a game?” The international identity and interactive is intended of amateur football clubs stage design. for visitors like FC Barcelona Jette, of all ages and a club from the Brussels for football suburbs, reflects the diversity fans and the of European culture. uninitiated alike. UEFA UEFA UEFA

concepts in a modern and original will show that football is a unique mini- “Only a Game?” will run way, the exhibition invites visitors of all replica of European society, with its from 23 May to 26 August at the Royal ages and origins to discover Europe strengths and weaknesses: integration Art and History Museums in the Parc through football. and solidarity, but also racism, to name du Cinquantenaire right in the heart of but a few of the phenomena that can Brussels, which is already looking for- A platform of values and traditions also be found on the football field. ward to welcoming football fans from To bring to life this ambitious “Europe’s roots go deeper Europe and beyond for an exhibition project, which Lilian Thuram is the than its institutional roots, and this full of interest and (nice) surprises. patron, a team of French and Belgian exhibition will be a way of portraying For more information, go to designers were brought in to work another image of Europe, that of its www.onlyagame.be with an international scientific commit- people, as opposed to an administra- tee composed of 18 specialists (direc- tive, bureaucratic Europe,” explained tors of sports museums, sports journal- UEFA spokesman William Gaillard. ists, teachers, members of the Euro- That is why pride of place has been pean Commission and of UEFA, etc.), reserved for those who contribute to including the renowned Raymond football’s popularity in Europe: the Kopa. Their goal was always to demon- players, of course, irrespective of their strate how football could be perceived level, but also the clubs and the sup- as a platform for values and cultural porters. After all, the entertainment traditions that were common to, or at value of the top competitions should least, characteristic of the European not mask the dynamism of amateur continent. football, without which elite football “We want visitors to explore would not exist… European identity in a series of consecutive steps,” explained Olivier An invitation Guilbaud, who is responsible for the to rediscover high-tech and very interactive stage Europe design, at the press conference to In short, by tracing the his- unveil the exhibition, which occupies torical development of the European an area of 900m2, divided into several Union and highlighting the social, areas: in one, the key dates in the his- cultural and educational role of foot- tory of the world’s number one sport ball in society, the exhibition will meet are placed alongside the key dates in the expectations of the football fan the history of the European Union; and also appeal to the uninitiated. in another, among very real rare items It is for this reason that UEFA was and interactive telescopes showing naturally interested in making a highlights of the major competitions, substantial contribution to the artists will express their vision of preparation of the exhibition, which European identity by means of foot- is clearly an invitation to rediscover ball, women’s football in particular. Europe through football.

A mini-community Wandering among the giant GETTY IMAGES Lilian Thuram table football figurines, visitors will is the exhibition also be able to (re)discover the careers patron. and personalities of some truly great European players, like Ferenc Puskas, Johan Cruyff, Enzo Scifo and Lorik Cana. At the same time, the exhibition

11 Michel Platini The draw hands the UEFA in Athens. Champions League trophy to the mayor of Athens, Nikitas Kaklamanis. MESSINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES MESSINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

The draw produced the fol- lowing line-up: Competitions 1.AC Milan – FC Bayern Munich 2.PSV Eindhoven – Liverpool FC 3.AS Roma – Manchester United FC 4.Chelsea FC – Valencia CF The first-leg matches will take and other activities place on 3/4 April and the return legs From Barcelona to Athens a week later. The order of the semi-finals IN MARCH, THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY TRAVELLED FROM will be as follows: BARCELONA, WHERE IT WAS BEING LOOKED AFTER BY LAST YEAR'S WINNERS Winner match 4 – Winner match 2 OF THE COMPETITION, TO ATHENS, WHERE THIS YEAR'S FINAL WILL TAKE Winner match 3 – Winner match 1 PLACE IN THE OLYMPIC STADIUM ON 23 MAY. The semi-finals will take place on 24/25 April (first legs) and on 1/2 May for the return legs. Athens was also the venue into the last eight for the fifth year in on 9 March for the draw for the quarter- a row. ■ The Club Competitions Committee finals and semi-finals. As if to prove The other quarter-finalists met in Athens the day before the wrong those who might claim that have all won a UEFA trophy at least draw. Among the items on the agenda the competition had become once in their history (Bayern Munich, were proposed procedures for the monotonous, the line-up for the Chelsea, PSV Eindhoven, Liverpool, 2007/08 UEFA Cup draw, a review of quarter-finals is almost completely Manchester United, Valencia) or the current UEFA Champions League different from last year, although played in a final (AS Roma). season, the state of preparations it is still made up of European The first knockout round proved for the finals in Glasgow and Athens, “heavyweights”, with five national fatal for the reigning UEFA Cham- proposed amendments to the associations represented: England (3), pions League title-holders, FC Barcelona, 2007/08 club competition regulations, Italy (2), Germany, Spain and the who were eliminated by the previous as well as a summary of the discus- Netherlands. The only club that has season’s winners of the competition, sions regarding the format for the made it back into the quarter-finals for Liverpool. Last season’s other finalists, UEFA club competitions from two years in a row is AC Milan, six-time Arsenal, also bit the dust, against 2009/10 and a study on the distri- winners of the competition, who are PSV Eindhoven. bution of revenue. European Futsal Championship – Final round in Porto The qualifying round of the 5th European Futsal Championship finished on 1 March, with the seven four-team mini-tournaments produc- ing the names of the finalists who will join hosts Portugal in the final round from 16 to 25 November. Spain, who have already won the title twice and are reigning title- holders, are among the finalists once again, as are the other two win- ners of the competition, Russia and Italy. All the European Futsal Champi- onship finals to date have in fact been contested by these three nations. The line-up for this year’s final round is com- Despite being surrounded pleted by the Czech Republic, first-time

by opponents, Clarence Seedorf SABATTINI finalists Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. still has the last word, as did AC Milan against Celtic overall. 12 uefadirect 4.07 Susanne Jim Boyce, Jan Polak from Erlandsson, assisted by the Czech Republic, vice-chairwoman Dor Malul (left) one of the players

of the Women's SPORTSFILE and Nenad in the European XI, Football Adamovic, assists Jim Boyce, UEFA-pjwoods.ch Committee, makes the chairman of the conducts the draw for Youth & Amateur draws for the the European Football Committee, women’s youth Under-17 with the Under-19 competitions. Championship. draw in Barcelona. UEFA-S.Briet

The draw for the final round UEFA Futsal Cup – Spain were pulled out of the hat to face each will be made on 12 May , in Porto, other! where the tournament itself will be gearing up to host the finals MFK Dinamo Moscow – Action 21 taking place. The spectators who gathered Charleroi in the sports arena in Murcia on 10 El Pozo Murcia – FS Boomerang Interviú ■ By the deadline set, four national March enjoyed a foretaste of the 6th The semi-finals will take place associations had expressed their inter- UEFA Futsal Cup final. in Murcia on 26 April. Two days later, the est in hosting the final round of the They were there for the Spanish losing semi-finalists will contest the match European Futsal Championship in league match between two of the con- for third place as a curtain-raiser to the 2009, which will feature 12 teams tenders for the European title, final. All the matches will be broadcast for the first time. The candidates to El Pozo Murcia and Boomerang live on Eurosport. host the tournament are Belgium, Interviú, but at half-time they Spanish clubs have won four Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary were able to watch the draw out of five European Futsal Cups, thanks and Turkey, whose facilities and bids for the order of the semi-finals to Playas de Castellón (2002 and 2003) will now be evaluated in order to of the UEFA Futsal Cup, which and Boomerang Interviú (2004 and 2006). allow the Executive Committee to gave extra spice to the match they were in The 2005 final was won by Action 21 take a decision in October. the process of following, as the two teams Charleroi from Belgium. Series of draws for the youth competitions The draws to form the mini-groups for the qualifying rounds of the 2007/08 UEFA youth championships were made in Nyon (women’s) and Barcelona (men’s).

On 19 February, the Group 9: Germany, Norway, and the six best runners-up go through draw for the first qualify- Israel, Bulgaria; to the second qualifying round. Apart ing round of the Euro- Group 10: England, Russia, from competing for the European title, pean Women’s Under-17 Georgia, Slovakia. the four finalists will also be playing for Championship signalled Mini-tournament hosts in bold. the three places reserved for Europe in the start of UEFA’s the first FIFA U-17 Women’s World youngest competition. Forty national The mini-tournaments will take Championship, which will take place in associations have entered the competi- place in the autumn. The ten group winners New Zealand in 2008. tion, which consists of two qualifying rounds and a four-team final round The same day, the draw was also made in Nyon for the first in spring 2008. qualifying round of the European Women’s Under-19 Champion- Group 1: Switzerland, Wales, ship. Forty-four national associations are involved and were Lithuania, Cyprus; drawn into the following groups: Group 2: Poland, Netherlands, Group 1: Portugal, Iceland, Greece, Romania; Greece, Azerbaijan; Group 2: Poland, Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria; Group 3: Finland, Belgium, Group 3: Sweden, Hungary, Georgia, Kazakhstan; Estonia, Faroe Islands; Group 4: Russia, Italy, Israel, Northern Ireland; Group 4: Ukraine, Iceland, Group 5: Serbia, Finlande, Belarus, Estonia; Slovenia, Latvia; Group 6: Denmark, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia; Group 5: France, Denmark, Group 7: Ukraine, Scotland, Azerbaijan, Armenia; FYR Macedonia, Armenia; Group 8: Switzerland, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Croatia; Group 6: Republic of Ireland, Group 9: Wales, Germany, FYR Macedonia, Czech Republic; Sweden, Turkey, Moldova; Group 10: Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Moldova; Group 7: Italy, Spain, Belarus, Group 11: Spain, England, Lithuania, Faroe Islands. Czech Republic; The matches will be played at the end of September and beginning Group 8: Scotland, Hungary, of October. The group winners, runners-up and two best third-placed teams Northern Ireland, Croatia; go through to the second qualifying round, which will be contested in six groups of four teams. The six group winners and the best runner-up qualify for the final round in July 2008, which will be hosted by France, who qualify automatically as host nation.

have entered, including Montenegro,

UEFA-pjwoods.ch Men’s Under-17 and whose youth teams will be making their Under-19 draws in Barcelona debuts on the European stage. On the men’s side, the draws for The final round of the the European Under-17 and Under-19 Cham- European Under-17 Champion- pionships were made in Barcelona on ship will take place in May the occasion of the Meridian Conference. 2008 in Turkey, whose team Both competitions have attracted qualifies automatically for the last stage. a record number of participants this time. For the qualifying round, 13 groups of In fact, all 53 UEFA member associations four teams were formed by the draw: ➜

13 Arsenal LFC are hoping to add the UEFA Women’s Cup to the English Cup they won in March. EMPICS

➜ Group 1: Greece, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan; UEFA Women’s Cup – Group 2: Austria, Poland, Norway, FYR Macedonia; Group 3: Belarus, Scotland, A first for England Liechtenstein, Slovakia; The sixth UEFA Women’s Cup concludes on 21 and 29 April, when the Group 4: Spain, Wales, San Marino, two legs of the final will be taking place, pitting Swedish side Umeå IK against Andorra; Group 5: Denmark, Ukraine, Arsenal LFC from England. Slovenia, Republic of Ireland; It is the first time that an participants has settled at 43 (repre- Group 6: Germany, Romania, English club has reached senting 42 national associations, with Faroe Islands, Sweden; the final, which the Nordic the reigning title-holders taking part Group 7: Serbia, Israel, Iceland, countries (Sweden in par- alongside their association’s domestic Lithuania; ticular) and Germany have champions). Group 8: Croatia, Hungary, Georgia, guarded as a prized pos- As a result of the increase in Bulgaria; session until now, a German club having the number of participating clubs, a Group 9: Finland, Russia, Bosnia won the competition three times to date, second qualifying round had to be added and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan; and a Swedish representative – in the in 2004/05, leaving the best teams Group 10: France, Netherlands, form of this year’s finalist, Umeå – exempt from the first qualifying round. Latvia, Albania; Group 11: England, Portugal, Malta, having taken the honours on the other The number of matches in the competi- Estonia; two occasions. tion has also increased quite considerably, Group 12: Belgium, Northern from 63 for the inaugural competition Ireland, Montenegro, Moldova; Number of participating to 92 in each of the last three seasons. associations Group 13: Italy, Czech Republic, Number of matches and goals Armenia, Cyprus. 45 40 Mini-tournament hosts in bold. Season No. No. Average 35 matches goals goals/match The group winners and runners-up, 30 as well as the two best third-placed teams, 25 2001-02 63 338 5,36 go through to the elite round. 20 2002-03 68 301 4,43 15 2003-04 77 398 5,17 The format is identical for 10 2004-05 92 388 4,22 the Under-19 Championship, 5 2005-06 92 423 4,60 in which 13 groups will play 0 2006-07 90* 399 4,43 four-team mini-tournaments 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Total 482 2247 4,66 in the first qualifying round, ■ Participating associations from which the group winners, ■ Associations with no participations * (Before the final) runners-up and the two best third-placed Introduced in 2001/02, when Although Arsenal LFC’s qualifi- teams qualify for the elite round. 33 teams took part, the UEFA Women’s cation for this year’s final can be seen as Group 1: Republic of Ireland, Cup took off rapidly. Two seasons later, a sign of the expansion of the leading Portugal, Belarus, Andorra; the field of participants had increased to women’s clubs in Europe, it is actually not Group 2: Switzerland, Hungary, 40, and since 2004/05, the number of all that surprising when you consider that Wales, Kazakhstan; the London club has been a regular par- Group 3: Belgium, England, ticipant in the UEFA Women’s Cup. This is Romania, Iceland; in fact their fifth appearance, as it is for Group 4: Slovenia, France, Umeå. Only three clubs have done better: Luxembourg, Greece; Klaksvikar Itrottarfelag from Iceland, Group 5: Spain, Serbia, Albania, KS AZS Wroclaw from Poland and ZFK Liechtenstein; Masinac-Classic Nis from Serbia, all of Group 6: Sweden, Israel, Finland, whom have taken part in every competi- FYR Macedonia; tion to date. Arsenal LFC have also always Group 7: Armenia, Poland, been successful participants to boot, Lithuania, San Marino; having reached the semi-finals on two Group 8: Netherlands, Norway, occasions and got as far as the quarter- Georgia, Latvia; finals twice as well. Group 9: Turkey, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Bulgaria; Umeå and Arsenal have both Group 10: Austria, Slovakia, reached the final without losing a single Northern Ireland, Cyprus; match. The Swedish team won their seven Group 11: Ukraine, Scotland, matches with a tally of 29 goals for and Azerbaijan, Moldova; five against, while Arsenal won six and Group 12: Germany, Russia, drew one, scoring 26 goals in the process Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia; and conceding seven. Group 13: Croatia, Italy, Malta, The first leg of the final will Montenegro. take place at Umeå’s Gammliavallen

The final round will take place in BILDBYRÅN stadium on 21 April and the return leg at the Czech Republic in July 2008. The host Hanna Ljungberg (in black) is one of Umeå’s Borehamwood on the outskirts of London nation qualifies automatically. key players. on 29 April.

14 uefadirect 4.07 fromN memberEWS associations

the European scene, when they took part BOSNIA AND in the Group 5 qualifying tournament in CROATIA HERZEGOVINA the European Futsal Championship in Split. They lost all three matches, first Club licensing the priority against Croatia, and then against the Football Czech Republic, the ultimate group The Football Federation of Bosnia and winners, by the same result (4-2). In their the best promoter of Croatia Herzegovina (FF BHZ) used the winter third match, the Bosnians lost against While Vlatko Markovic was elected for break to organise many regular seminars Kazakhstan (8-5). the third time in a row as president of the for officials, referees, delegates, con- The qualifying groups for the women’s Croatian Football Federation, his closest trollers, club representatives, doctors and Under-19 and the men’s Under-19 and associate Zorislav Srebric achieved similar coaches. Under-17 European championships are success with his re-election as general sec- The seminars on club licensing and already known. The women’s Under-19s retary. As a player, coach and lawyer, security in stadiums attracted the most are grouped with Belgium, Denmark and Zorislav Srebric has combined great knowl- attention. Both seminars were held in Latvia. The FF BHZ is hosting the qualify- edge, experience and enthusiasm in his Vogosca. ing tournament, which will take place work. With a strong sense of fair play, he The seminar on the licensing of clubs from 27 September to 2 October. In in the national premier league was Barcelona, the Under-19s were drawn into attended by representatives from all the the same group as Estonia, Germany and clubs. Experts from the FF BHZ presented Russia, while the Under-17s will come up the sporting, infrastructural, administra- against Azerbaijan, Finland and Russia. tive, legal and financial criteria for licens- ■ Sarajevo has played host to the 3rd ing. The participants actively took part in European Catholic Priests’ Futsal Compe- a very open discussion. The conclusion tition. The sponsor of the tournament was was to set club licensing as a top priority the city of Sarajevo. All technical aspects for the next period. of the organisation of the event were The topics of the seminar for safety and taken care of by the FF BHZ. The winners security leaders and club representatives were the team from Poland, who beat from the Bosnia and Herzegovina premier Croatia in the final after a penalty shoot- league were staff training, match security out. The host team finished in third place, HNS plans, evacuation plans, the role and beating Portugal. The other participating Zorislav Srebric, general secretary of assignments of club representatives dur- the Croatian FA, shows off the award countries were Austria, Hungary, Italy, presented to the Croatian national ing matches, and the procedure for Romania, Slovenia and Spain. team for what they have done to promote obtaining the security certificate. All the “This competition conveyed the mes- Croatia throughout the world. participants described the seminar as sage that sport is a noble thing and that successful and stressed the importance spirituality and nobility go hand in hand. is an extraordinary personality within Croa- of new approaches and ideas in connec- Most of the people in Bosnia and Herze- tian football. He has been involved in foot- tion with the security aspect of the or- govina are tired of negative energy, but ball for a long time, as an amateur offi- ganisation of matches. The aim of the this competition was refreshingly nice, and cial, as a member of the executive com- seminar was to provide information about people could relate to each other on a mittee and other Croatian Football Fed- effective ways to prevent unacceptable spiritual level,” said Cardinal Vinko Puljic. eration bodies, as well as working as behaviour in stadiums in Bosnia and ■ The second half of the premier coach of all national youth teams. He en- Herzegovina. league competition got under way at the tered the football profession in 1991 as The national futsal team of Bosnia and beginning of March. manager of FC Dinamo Zagreb. In 1994 Herzegovina have had their first outing on Fuad Krvavac he joined the Croatian FA as national teams director before becoming general secretary of the association in 1998. Be- sides his deep involvement in raising lev- els of expertise and especially boosting youth activities and maintaining the high level of performance of the national team, he has made a significant contribution to establishing the legal structures within the Croatian Football Federation. The re-elec- tion of Vlatko Markovic as president and Zorislav Srebric as general secretary is the strongest guarantee that the Croatian FA will continue to be successful in improv- ing all aspects of Croatian football. The meeting of the new assembly, cur- rently composed of 51 delegates, was held on 25 February. During the ceremo- nial part of the assembly meeting, tribute was paid to the most successful organi- sations in the context of the UEFA Grass- roots Programme. UEFA certificates were given to the Youth Sports Games Split as the best event, to the Croatian Special F. KRVAVAC Olympics for their successful work with Poland and Croatia met in the final of the Catholic priests’ futsal competition. disabled persons and also to the veterans’➜

15 ➜ section of the Zagreb football association By then, The FA hopes to have assisted give everyone the possibility to play for their work with veteran players for the in the training of up to 100 new tutors football at their own level all over the past 37 years. and to have helped a minimum of 100 country. The Croatian FA has signed the UEFA individuals through coaching, refereeing The conference is also an important Grassroots Charter, the programme for and tailored training programmes in South part of the Finnish FA’s centenary cele- which was unanimously accepted by the Africa. brations. The Football Association of association’s assembly. The MoU signals a continuation of The Finland was founded in 1907. A “Day of Croatian Football” has also FA’s commitment to developing football Jukka Salasuo been founded. This year it will be cele- throughout the world, and complements brated on 23 June, when football will be the initiatives already under way in The played everywhere by all categories of FA’s UEFA-CAF Meridian Project partner players. Croatian football is especially countries Botswana, Lesotho and Malawi. GEORGIA proud to be the recipient once again of Those countries have already benefit- the annual award made by the Croatian ed from The FA’s expertise in football Olympic Committee, whereby the Croat- coaching, administration, refereeing and Medical seminar ian national team has again been pro- women’s football. On the basis of the mutual agreement nounced the most successful promoter of Head of International Relations Jane of the presidents of the Georgian (GFF) Croatia worldwide in 2006. In connection Bateman said: “We were pleased to be and Turkish (TFA) football associations, with the joint bid by the Croatian and approached by the South African FA to a sports medicine seminar was held in Hungarian FAs to host EURO 2012, we are help to develop football in South Africa. Tbilisi from 4 to 8 February. It was organ- delighted that all bid requirements were “Whilst most public attention focuses ised by Prof. Mehmet Binnet, chairman of fulfilled with the presentation of the final on preparations for the FIFA World Cup the TFA’s medical committee and a mem- documents to UEFA. With great optimism in terms of stadium construction and ber of the UEFA Medical Committee, and we look forward to 18 April, when UEFA other infrastructure projects, SAFA is mak- Dr Valeri Akhalkatsi, head of the GFF’s will select the hosts for EURO 2012. ing the development of people skills a medical department. Ante Pavlovic priority. Challenging problems in the field of “The FA-SAFA programme addresses sports medicine were considered, such as the broader benefits that this World Cup sudden cardiac death in football, resusci- brings to South Africa - the opportunity tation procedures, pre-season screening ENGLAND to capitalise on the spotlight it has of athletes, modern aspects of sports brought on football in the country and to injuries, and their prevention, treatment pro-actively seek to develop new and and rehabilitation. Cooperation with South Africa existing referees and coaches”. The seminar received wide coverage in The Football Association and the South Nada Grkinic the Georgian press, television and med- African Football Association (SAFA) have ical society. Relations and medical projects signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two federations and UEFA to promote a mutual understanding of will progress in the future. football in England and in South Africa. FINLAND Alexander Tsnobiladze The FA’s director of corporate affairs, Simon Johnson, and SAFA chief executive Raymond Hack put pen to paper on the UEFA grassroots conference agreement, devised by the FA’s head of in Helsinki GREECE international relations Jane Bateman, at The Football Association of Finland is Soho Square last week. looking forward to hosting the 7th UEFA The MoU will span four years from Grassroots Conference in the Finnish cap- All (stars) for the captain 2007 to 2010 and will specifically support ital from 2 to 5 April. The conference will Theodore Zagorakis, captain of the the development of football in South take place at the Marina congress centre Greek national team that won EURO 2004 Africa through education and training as close to the city centre. The practical ses- in Portugal and named “Most Valuable the country prepares to host the FIFA sions will take place at the Finnair stadi- Player” of the tournament by the UEFA World Cup in 2010. um, home to HJK, the most successful specialists, will attract all the attention at club team in Finland’s history. In Novem- this year’s all-star game. ber 2006, the first ever official men’s qual- The Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) ifying match played on artificial turf was has decided that Greece’s most-capped played there, when Finland hosted Arme- player (119 appearances for his country), nia. Some of the main topics on the con- who recently announced his retirement ference agenda are the grassroots pro- from international football, will be the gramme in Finland, school football in player to be honoured on 4 April at Sa- Ukraine, football’s role in society, the de- lonica’s Kaftanzogleio stadium, where the velopment of girls’ football in Europe and 2007 all-star game will take place. elite clubs’ (Werder Bremen and Inter- The game will feature Greek and for- nazionale) work for grassroots. There will eign players and coaches from the 2007 also be a debate on how to link grassroots Greek Super League who have been se- and professional football. lected in a ballot run from 10 February to For Finland, hosting this conference is 10 March on the official HFF website a huge compliment, after being accepted (www.epo.gr), as well as by the organis- into the UEFA Grassroots Charter in Jan- ing committee, the professional players’

THE FA uary 2007. Finland’s grassroots philoso- union and the co-organisers of the match. Left to right: Raymond Hack, Jane Bateman phy is based on the all-stars programme, Introduced five years ago, the all-star and Simon Johnson. which was started in 1999. The goal is to game has now become an established fix-

16 uefadirect 4.07 EWS from member associationsN

2003 Greek-Foreigners 4-1 (Athens) – of the Football Union of Kazakhstan, the 2004 Greek-Foreigners 5-4 (penalty shoot- Ministry of Science and Education of the out) (4-4) (Patra) – 2005 Greek-Foreign- Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Coca- ers 1-3 (Crete) – 2006 Greek-Foreigners Cola company. At the press conference, Theodore 6-5 (Volos) a certificate from UEFA recognising Coca- Zagorakis will Panos Korkodilos Cola Bylgary Dop as the most valuable be honoured grassroots football event in Kazakhstan at the all-star in 2006 was displayed to the public. In match. addition, the organisers shared their KAZAKHSTAN plans and ideas for the current year. Askar Akhmetov, general secretary of the Football Union of Kazakhstan, said: New tournament “Football is not only about World Cup

EMPICS for national teams matches or the Champions League, it is From 7 to 11 March, Shimkent city not only about competitions between hosted the new Alma TV Cup inter- professional players, some of whom earn national football tournament, in which millions of dollars for their skills. Football the national teams of Kazakhstan, Azer- is also a game between school children, baijan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan took sometimes three against three, with part. worn-out footballs or even played in the ture and is seen as good entertainment On 1 February, a press conference de- snow. This is where the origins of this and an opportunity for the fans to see the voted to the Coca-Cola Bylgary Dop beautiful game lie. So grassroots football best of the best performing without the youth football tournament was held, for youngsters, women’s football, ama- pressure. The results so far: with the participation of representatives teur football and disability football all deserve our fullest attention. Each year, the member associations of UEFA or- ganise many grassroots tournaments under the “UEFA Summer of Grassroots Football” banner. The best tournaments receive recognition and appreciation as ICELAND well as an award, such as the certificate from UEFA for the Coca-Cola Bylgary Dop tournament. This means that the New president, new era joint decision taken a year ago by the On 10 February, the Icelandic football Football Union of Kazakhstan, the Min- association (KSI) held an elective general istry of Science and Education of the Re- meeting which was historic in more than public of Kazakhstan and Coca-Cola to one way. After more than 17 years as revive this tournament was the right president of the KSI, Eggert Magnusson thing to do. For us, recognition by UEFA decided to step down from this post. Even is very important, but at the same time though Magnusson, who was also a we consider it as an incentive for the member of the UEFA Executive Commit- KSI future. We want the Coca-Cola Bylgary tee from 2002 to 2007, has stood down Eggert Magnusson (left) and his successor, Dop to become a part of the daily life Geir Thorsteinsson. as the association’s president, his involve- of Kazakhstani schoolchildren. In this ment in football is far from over. A “foot- three leagues at men’s level will each con- way, when the kids get together, they ball fanatic”, as he describes himself, he sist of 12 teams in the 2008 season won’t just talk about the previous day’s will now be able to focus fully on his new instead of 10. At women’s level, the num- disco or boast about the level they’ve position, as chairman of the English Pre- ber of teams will be increased from eight reached on the latest computer game. mier League side West Ham United. In to ten in 2008. Football will play an important role in acknowledgement of his work on behalf On 27 March, the KSI will celebrate its their lives. This is our aim and we believe on football in Iceland, Eggert Magnusson 60th anniversary. The national stadium has that together we can achieve it.” was elected as an honorary president of been renovated and Seilda Baishakov, ex-defender of FC the KSI, a title that he shares with his pred- will now seat close Kairat and the USSR national team and ecessor, Ellert B. Schram. to 10,000 spectators youth football specialist at the Football His successor in the president’s seat is instead of the previ- Union of Kazakhstan, said: “Receiving an Geir Thorsteinsson, who has been gener- ous 7,000. The head- award from UEFA is very welcome, but al secretary of the KSI since January 1997. quarters of the KSI our most valuable achievement is appre- He has worked closely with the teams in will also move into ciation of the tournament by the kids Iceland, as well as with UEFA and FIFA, the stadium and its new offices will be themselves, their parents and their teach- and his experience will be vital for the ready in March. The highlight of the year ers. In 2007,we will try our best to cover progress of Icelandic football in the future. will be in July, when the KSI will host the even more schools and further increase In March, Thorir Hakonarson succeeded finals of the European Women’s Under-19 the number of participants. On 16 Feb- him as general secretary. Hakonarson has Championship from 18 to 29 July. Eight ruary, the tournament organising com- a lot of experience as a president of his countries, including the hosts, will com- mittee will meet in Almaty, and after that local club and has an MSc degree in pete for this prestigious title. Seven stadi- the Coca-Cola Bylgary Dop 2007 will International Relations from the London ums have been chosen as venues for this start. The first matches are due to be School of Economics and Political Science. tournament, including the national stadi- played in March in the southern regions Another big decision was made at this um, the Laugardalsvollur. of the country.” general meeting which means that the top Thor Ingimundarson Alexandr Keplin

17 LATVIA LITHUANIA

Second LMT season starts Baltic League kicks off Just like the Barclays Premiership, the At the beginning of March, the long- T-Mobile Bundesliga and the Carnegie awaited Baltic League started in the League, Latvian football’s top division ac- three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and quired a sponsor last year – mobile com- Estonia. munications operator: Latvijas Mobilais and involves four rounds, whereas the For their first matches in the competi- Telefons (LMT). As a result, this year’s Baltic League’s kick-off was 6 March. tion, Lithuania’s representatives played championship goes under the name of the The Latvian Football Federation has their home matches indoors, in the Sporti- LMT Virsliga 2007. The sponsorship con- prepared the webpage for the Baltic ma hall in Vilnius because of the winter tract provides clubs playing in the 2007 League, where all the results, documen- conditions outdoors. LMT Virsliga with significant material sup- tation, news and other interesting infor- The four strongest clubs from each port, which will hopefully improve the mation will be published. country are taking part in the Baltic overall level of football in Latvia. The Latvian second division has 15 league. From Lithuania, they are FBK Kau- There are eight clubs competing in teams taking part this year: Blazma nas (Kaunas), FC Ekranas (Panevezys), the LMT Virsliga 2007, the top four of Rezekne, Zibens/Zemessardze Ilukste, FC Vetra (Vilnius) and FC Zalgiris (Vilnius). whom will also compete in the newly cre- Valmieras FK, Jelgava, Tranzits Ventspils, Before the first match in Lithuania (on ated Baltic club football tournament, the Multibanka, Auda/Alberts, Abuls Smiltene, 6 March), the Lithuanian football associ- Baltic League. The full line-up of the LMT Ilukste, Jauniba, JFK Kauguri Jurmala, ation organised an inauguration ceremo- Virsliga 2007 is as follows: FK Ventspils, RFS/Flaminko, Daugava 90, Tukums 2000 ny, attended by distinguished guests from FHK Liepajas Metalurgs, Skonto FC, and FS Metta/LU. Seven of them already embassies and football clubs, as well as FK Dinaburg, FK Jurmala, FK Riga, FK participated last year. Matches in the two- lots of supporters, spectators and so on. Daugava and new team FK Olimps. round championship kick off on 29 April. True fans of Lithuanian football are also The 2007 LMT Virsliga kicks off on 6 April Martins Hartmanis eagerly awaiting the start of the 2007 season, in which the Lithuanian cham- pionship kicks off on 7 April. The Baltic League was actually organ- pleted by the beginning of next season, ised for the first time 17 years ago, in together with the relocation of the Malta 1990, but when Lithuania, Latvia and Es- tonia gained independence, the football MALTA FA headquarters to the Millennium Stand clubs of these countries were really weak of the national stadium, will be the other on the marketing side and the competi- A busy year two projects of the Maltese association in tion was suspended after just one season, its bid to continue upgrading football A look at this year’s events of the when Lithuanian clubs took the top three facilities on the island. spots, with FC Zalgiris (Vilnius) finishing Malta FA shows that the association is On an administrative level, there have fully immersed in intense activity on dif- first, FC Sirijus (Klaipeda) second and been amendments to the association’s FC Ekranas (Panevezys) in third place. ferent fronts. statutes and a revision of the terms of ref- Malta’s debut in futsal competitions, Since 1 March, the official website of erence of its organs, to make them more the Baltic League has been online at including the hosting of the Group C streamlined and suited to modern needs. preliminary matches in the 2007 European www.balticleague.com. Among other routine activities, the Vaiva Zizaite Futsal Championship, was followed by Malta FA also organises all the domestic activities to mark the 50th anniversary competitions, runs its technical centre, of Malta’s participation in international including the provision of training facili- football, culminating in a friendly home ties, and oversees its youth sector. match against Austria in February, which Such involvement underlines the asso- PORTUGAL ended 1-1. ciation’s constant commitment to promot- Other friendly and competitive matches ing the game and upholding its values. Portugal preparing for European involving the various national teams Alex Vella add up to a busy itinerary for the current Futsal Championship year. Although we are still eight months Commitments on the field of play are away from the start of the European Fut- coupled with infrastructural projects, some sal Championship, expectations concern- of which are already under way, while ing the tournament are huge, among others are due for completion in the next other reasons because futsal is the fasting months. growing sport in Portugal. A number of mini-pitches have been Gondomar and Santo Tirso, in the dis- installed, with work in progress on the trict of Porto, will host the matches in the remaining pitches, which will be ready for competition, in modern and functional use by the end of this year. This project is arenas which provide the participating courtesy of UEFA’s HatTrick scheme, national teams, the media and especially launched as part of UEFA’s assistance pro- the spectators with the best possible con- grammes in the organisation’s jubilee year D.AQUILINA ditions for great futsal events. in 2004. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary “We will try to organise the best Euro- of Malta’s first international match, The laying of a FIFA-approved artificial Joseph Mifsud, president of the MFA (left), pean Futsal Championship ever, continu- turf pitch to replace the old one at the shows some souvenirs to Malta’s prime ing the work carried out by the Por- Centenary Stadium and due to be com- minister, Lawrence Gonzi. tuguese Football Federation recently when

18 uefadirect 4.07 EWS from member associationsN

All 22 clubs were represented at the en the technical skills of the participating event where Fran Gavin, the league di- players, but a prize fund of EUR 10,000 rector, Paddy McCaul, executive chairman for the winners and a place in the UEFA of the league, and Noel Mooney , the co- Futsal Cup qualifying round should add ordinator for club promotion officers extra spice to the competition.

FPF (CPOs) outlined their plans and expecta- The competition was officially launched Álvaro Albino, director of the futsal tournament. tions for the campaign ahead. at Dublin City University Sports Hall on Following the merger of the Football Tuesday, 13 February by the FAI’s techni- it organised EURO 2004, the 2005 UEFA Association of Ireland (FAI) and the eircom cal director, Packie Bonner and the eircom Cup final and the European Under-21 League at the conclusion of the 2006 sea- League of Ireland director Fran Gavin. Championship final round,” says the tour- son, supporters, players and coaches alike ■ The Football Association of Ireland, nament director, Álvaro Albino, who un- have been anxiously awaiting the dawn- in conjunction with the Football Inter- derlines the “excellent cooperation ing of a new era for the domestic game. cultural Advisory Group (FIAG), recently between FPF and UEFA”. The two organ- A budget of EUR 500,000 has been in- hosted an open consultation workshop isations have indeed been working in vested in the marketing of the league, which provided information about the harmony to guarantee the success of comprising advertising across a number ongoing consultative process towards the the event. of different types of media. A record num- development of an intercultural strategy The efforts being made to organise this ber of live fixtures will be screened this for Irish football. This workshop is part of great event are reflected in the care giv- season, with major Irish broadcasters all a development process which began in en to the preparation of the draw for the bringing the eircom League of Ireland into 2006 with the appointment of Des Tom- final round, scheduled to take place in the households across the country. linson as national intercultural football pro- Caves Ferreirinha (wine cellar) in Vila Nova A record prize money fund of well over gramme coordinator and has already de Gaia on 12 May. “We want to make a EUR 1,000,000 is up for grabs to the par- involved extensive discussions with key difference at the very first opportunity and ticipants in the 2007 league. When league stakeholders both internal and external have therefore chosen an emblematic prize money is added to other prize funds to the FAI. place in the district of Porto, a symbol of – including Setanta Cup, FAI Ford Cup, Research on best practice within other one of the most representative products and European qualification monies – the European countries in the area of inter- of our country, port wine,” explains Álvaro total prize fund available exceeds the culturalism, integration and football has Albino. EUR 1,000,000 mark. also been undertaken. A broad range of The European Futsal Championship will The figure represents a ten fold in- participants have been invited to con- take place from 16 to 25 November with crease from what was available just two tribute to the open consultation. The FAI the participation of the national teams years ago and is a further sign of the FAI’s anticipates that the valuable input from of the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, commitment towards making available this day will form a major part of the Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain and Ukraine. the resources needed to take the eircom intercultural football strategic plan. Filipe Félix League to the next level. Fran Whearty ■ The FAI recently launched the eircom League of Ireland Under-21 Futsal League. The association has been busy REPUBLIC introducing and implementing various ROMANIA grassroots futsal activity over the last three OF IRELAND years and has now taken steps to intro- duce the game at a higher level. Romanian referees in Antalya Spectacular promotion plans for A pilot FAI Under-21 futsal league will an enhanced eircom League For the first time in the history of Ro- take place featuring the following clubs: manian refereeing, the referees commit- The upcoming eircom FAI League will Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Drogheda tee of the Romanian FA organised a one have the biggest ever prize fund and the United, Dundalk FC, Monaghan United, week training camp for referees. Not only highest amount of televised coverage in Shamrock Rovers, St. Patrick’s Athletic and that, but it held it abroad. Until now, both the league’s history. U.C.D. Not only will the league help sharp- in winter and summer, there have been special two- or three-day courses for in- structing the referees and putting them through written exams and fitness tests. This time, from 10 to 18 February, a training camp was organised in Kemer (Antalya). Initially, it was intended to be a training camp exclusively for first division referees and assistant referees (both men and women), but the referees committee was asked by the referees and assistant referees in the lower divisions to be allowed to take part in the camp too. In the end, 112 referees and assistant referees from the first three divisions (all referees and assistant referees from the first division were present) travelled to Antalya, where the theory tests took place shortly after their arrival. For the rest of the week, from morning until early FAI evening, all the participants took part in The club managers at the launch of the FAI eircom League. physical training sessions organised and ➜

19 ➜ supervised by an accredited Romanian specialist in physical preparation, as well as receiving instructions. There were six themes, four dealt with by special guest Jozef Marko, vice-chairman of UEFA’s Ref- erees Committee. On the last day, there were the physi- cal tests. Only two of the 112 participants failed to complete them, because of muscle strain. At the end of the camp, Gheorghe Constantin, chairman of the Romanian referees committee, said: “I was impressed by the professionalism displayed by all the participants during this difficult, but important, training camp. The fact that no one scored below 7 in the theoretical test and that only two participants failed

to complete the fitness test, but only FAS because of injury, speaks for itself. Now, Meeting between officials of the Serbian FA and local politicians in Loznica. all I hope is that there will be no major problems in the second half of the sea- Serbian public were delighted with this In meetings with the local authorities, son. I am confident that Romanian refer- news, as were the press, with some 30 FAS officials are trying to find deals to eeing is on the right track.” journalists travelling from Belgrade to re- build new stadiums or renovate existing Paul Zaharia port on the meeting. ones. Infrastructure is considered to be The next decentralised activity was the most important problem at the on 22 February, when the draw for the moment and football leaders are count- quarter-finals of the domestic cup com- ing on political help, as this is the petition was made in the western Ser- best way to ensure success. For its part, bian city of Sabac – another first. the FAS has already contributed EUR These events are just part of a far big- 100,000 to each of its strategic centres ger picture. Zvezdan Terzic, president of to be used on infrastructure. The seven the Serbian FA, and other officials are, strategic centres are: Novi Sad, Subotica, for example, going to be visiting local Zrenjanin, Kragujevac, Cacak, Nis and clubs and local authorities. They have Krusevac. already been to Novi Sad, where they Aleksandar Boskovic visited FK Vojvodina, and to Kragujevac, where they called on FK Radnicki, one of FRF the oldest and most important Serbian A first training course abroad clubs, as well as the city’s mayor, Veroljub SWITZERLAND for Romania’s referees. Stevanovic. In Sabac, meanwhile, meet- ings were organised with FK Macva and the mayor, Milos Milosevic. A visit was Ralph Zloczower re-elected also paid to nearby Loznica. president SERBIA Serbian head coach Javier Clemente Elections were the main item on has been to Novi Sad, Sabac and Loznica the agenda at the SFV general meeting to find out more about the situation of in Berne, attended by the FIFA presi- Policy of decentralisation football in Serbia (infrastructure, plans dent Joseph S. Blat- The football association of Serbia (FAS) for future, youth work, etc.). He also ter and the Swiss is continuing to make changes to the spoke to local football people (journal- national coach Jakob way it operates. After changing the for- ists, coaches, leaders) and shared some Kuhn. The 101 dele- mat of the Serbian league, organising of his experience with them. His involve- gates, representing open roundtables where anyone could ment means so much to everyone in the Swiss Football come and discuss the problem of low Serbia, and a lot of children will cer- League (SFL, 28 del- match attendance figures, renovating its tainly be encouraged to take up football egates), 1. Liga (26) offices and building new relations with as a result. and Amateur League the Serbian government, the associa- The next meeting of the executive (AL, 47), re-elected tion has now adopted a decentrali- committee will be held in the southern Ralph Zloczower, who Ralph sation policy. Serbian city of Nis at the end of March. has been in office Zloczower ASF-SFV In the past, the association organised Before that, officials from the association since 2001, and the three current repre- all its activities in the capital. But in Feb- will visit the eastern cities of Bor and sentatives of the SFL (Ernst Lämmli), ruary, the decision was taken to hold Zajecar. 1. Liga (Giuseppe Poma) and AL (Paul events outside Belgrade. “We really care about all of Serbia and Krähenbühl) by acclamation for a The historical date was 14 February, all Serbian football people. Our work and further two-year term. The SFV board when the association’s executive com- national team must be open to all and also automatically includes the three mittee met in the central Serbian city of we will continue with that practice. We league presidents, Urs Saladin (AL, vice- Kragujevac. It was the first time that the expect so many good things from our president), Kurt Zuppinger (1. Liga, vice- committee had met away from Belgrade new approach, and that has to be good president) and Peter Stadelmann (SFL, and the reaction was very positive. The for everyone,” said Zvezdan Terzic. member).

20 uefadirect 4.07 EWS from member associationsN

In his opening speech, Ralph Zloczower The SFV president mentioned the SFV’s stressed that the comment he had made “Play Football, Switzerland!” road show, at the general meeting two years ago – which would be promoting football in all WALES that football was the most popular sport 26 Swiss cantons. On the previous year’s in Switzerland – was still true. “The ex- annual census day, the SFV had 246,519 Clubs await their club citement we experienced in the World licensed players, 13,305 teams and 1,412 Cup stadiums last summer, and which last- clubs, whose matches were officiated by licensing fate ed for weeks in our country, is unforget- 4,700 referees. With all of the documentation sub- table.” The choice of the Swiss national In the meantime, the SFV had reached mitted for the current club licensing sea- team as Team of the Year, Jakob Kuhn as the magic number of 250,000 licensed son, the 17 Principality Welsh Premier Coach of the Year and Johan Djourou as players. “Thanks to the game’s populari- League clubs await the decision of the Young Sportsman of the Year at the Credit ty, the SFV is able to perform an impor- first instance body, which, on Thursday, Suisse Sports Awards, together with Jakob tant function in terms of education, 6 April, will decide the licence applicants’ Kuhn’s nomination as “Swiss of the Year”, health, fair play and integration,” Zloc- destiny this season. underlined the game’s popularity. zower said. The SFV president was pleased The SFV president remained particularly with the results of his “Vision 2008 for concerned about the continuing violence Swiss Football”. “The SFV is on the right on and around football pitches. He was track and will remain so,” he said in clos- hopeful that the Fair Play and Anti-Vio- ing, before welcoming the news that lence Pact, which had recently been sent Giangiorgio Spiess would become a co- to all 1,414 SFV-affiliated clubs, would opted member of the UEFA Executive help improve the situation. Committee, where he would be able to Looking back at his previous two years represent the interests of Swiss football. in the president’s seat, Zloczower was Guido Cornella, who had retired after

pleased with the preparations for EURO 23 years as President of the 1. Liga and SFV DRAGON PHOTO UK 2008. “In partnership with UEFA, public vice-president, was named an honorary The New Saints (TNS) are hoping to win authorities at national, cantonal and host member, along with Bernard Carrel, who their third title in a row. city level, as well as other Swiss cities and had spent 23 years as president of the Fri- municipalities, Switzerland will be capa- bourg regional association and 22 years as The Football Association of Wales ble of hosting a European Championship a member of the Amateur League Com- (FAW) is currently in its fourth year of which will be long remembered on mittee, most recently as its vice-chairman. licensing. The number of successful li- account of its success.” Pierre Benoit censees has increased every year, and FAW club licensing officer Andrew Howard is optimistic that this figure will be improved upon again. The workshop participants were shown “The majority of our clubs have now horrific footage of tragedies at stadiums accepted the overall benefits of club UKRAINE during matches, which could not have licensing and our association’s decision happened if attention had been paid to to introduce a domestic licensing system safety matters. within the Welsh premier league is cer- Workshop on safety The national association hopes that this tainly a tremendous step forward. I have and security workshop will contribute to further up- been impressed by the extra work car- On 22 February, the Ukrainian Football grading the football club infrastructure ried out by the majority of clubs due to Association (FFU) held a very topical and and enforcing the precepts governing the the emergence of a domestic as well as momentous international workshop on sta- maintenance of safety/security and pub- the UEFA licence, and I expect us to dium and security matters. In attendance lic order at football matches, in accor- license more clubs again this year.” were senior executives representing dance with accredited world standards. The percentage of licensed clubs has Ukraine’s Ministry of the Interior and Min- The FFU is also planning to hold such risen from 29% to 44% to 50% during istry for Emergencies, the State Security Ser- workshops on a regional basis in the near the first three seasons, so with 17 licence vice, the Ministry of Health, Ukraine’s Min- future. applicants this year, Howard is expecting istry for Family, Youth and Sport, Ukraine’s The workshop over, an appropriate res- nine or more to be granted the UEFA Professional Football League, the Youth olution was passed to sum up its conclu- licence. Football Union, regional football associa- sions. In the Principality Welsh Premier tions, plus stadium manager guests from Valery Nykonenko League, TNS are in pole position to earn East European and CIS countries. their third successive title and a UEFA The importance and high profile of this Champions League qualifying spot, with event was reflected to by the involvement former champions Rhyl looking to seal a in it of high-ranking visitors from the UEFA Cup spot. The surprise package Council of Europe, FIFA and UEFA. of the season are Welshpool Town, who The workshop participants addressed could qualify for Europe for the first time the key problems of security service- ever if they can hold on to their third ministry interaction, the modern require- place. TNS still have to visit Welshpool ments of maintaining law and order in in the title run-in, so there could still accordance with the FIFA, UEFA and FFU be a twist in this year’s exciting compe- regulations, the situation as regards crowd tition. behaviour, safety and security arrange- For the latest information on the Prin- ments before, during and after matches, cipality Welsh Premier League, visit as well as measures to combat terrorism FFU www.welshpremier.com. and racism. A high-level workshop on safety and security. Andrew Howard

21 WELCOME TO UEFA’S HOUSE

■ 5 and 6 March: the UEFA president meets the media. POLOGNE-UKRAINE CROATIE-HONGRIE ITALIE ■ 15 February: delivery of the bids to host EURO 2012. Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

■ 27 February: A seminar for students from the Université de Bourgogne.

22 uefadirect 4.07 UEFA

Notices

■ On 2 February, Angelo Brou was Communications appointed general secretary of the Birthdays – Calendar Portuguese football association, having been acting general secre- tary since 2005.

■ On 10 February, Geir Thorsteins- Birthdays ● Jacques Lambert (France, 24.4) ● Nebojsa Ivkovic (Serbia, 24.4) son was elected president of the ● Sandor Piller (Hungary, 24.4) Referee observer Patrick Fenech (Malta) Icelandic football association for a ● Roy Millar (Northern Ireland, 25.4) celebrates his 60th birthday on 22 April. ● Ole Myhrvold (Norway, 25.4) two-year term. The association has On 3 April, match delegate Dennis Cruise ● Philippe Verbiest (Belgium, 25.4) also had a new general secretary (Republic of Ireland) reaches the half-century ● Philip Gartside (England, 27.4) mark, where he is joined by referee instruc- since 1 March, in the person of ● Jan Carlsen (Denmark, 27.4) tor Vitor Manuel Melo Pereira (Portugal) ● Henk van de Wetering (Netherlands, 27.4) Thorir Hakonarson. on the 21st and by Jira Panel member Daniel ● Gudmunder Ingi Jonsson (Iceland, 29.4) Ryser (Switzerland) on the 25th. UEFA also ● Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros ■ In February, the Swiss football wishes many happy returns to: (Portugal, 30.4) association re-elected Ralph ● Carlo de Gaudio (Italy, 1.4) ● Lale Orta (Turkey, 1.4) Upcoming events Zloczower as its president for a ● Jan Peeters (Belgium, 2.4) further two-year term. ● Kaj Østergaard (Denmark, 3.4) Meetings ● Yoav Strauss (Israel, 3.4) ■ The Croatian football association ● Christian Kofoed (Denmark, 4.4) 2-5.4.2007, Helsinki ● Jan Ekstrand (Sweden, 5.4) UEFA Grassroots Conference has extended the contract of its ● Lennart Wangel (Finland, 5.4) 4.4.2007, Tubize (Belgium) general secretary, Zorislav Srebric, ● William Attley (Republic of Ireland, 5.4) Draw for the final round of the European for another two years. ● Aleksandra Nikolovska Under-17 Championship 11.4.2007, Nyon (FYR Macedonia, 5.4) ■ The Serbian football association ● Isak Mikladal (Faroe Islands, 7.4) National Teams Committee ● Pavol Peracek (Slovakia, 7.4) 17/18.4.2007, Cardiff is mourning the loss of its general ● Jacques Devismes (France, 8.4) Executive Committee secretary, Miroljub Rajic, who died ● James Fleeting (Scotland, 8.4) 23.4.2007, Nyon from a heart attack on 2 March. ● Ladislav Svoboda (Czech Republic, 9.4) Draw for the UEFA Intertoto Cup ● Zoran Petrovic (Serbia, 10.4) Zoran Lakovic has taken over as ● Panagiotis Tsarouchas (Greece, 10.4) Competitions acting general secretary. ● Vlastibor Minarovjech jr (Slovakia, 10.4) ● Umberto Gandini (Italy, 11.4) 3-4.4.2007 ● Eduard Dervishaj (Spain, 11.4) UEFA Champions League: quarter-finals ● Rodger Gifford (Wales, 12.4) (first legs) New publication ● Paolo Piani (Italy, 13.4) 5.4.2007 ● Anja van Ginhoven (Netherlands, 14.4) UEFA Cup: quarter-finals (first legs) An anthology of football verse ● Olí Holm (Faroe Islands, 15.4) 10-11.4.2007 This highly original work by Ann ● Georgios Bikas (Greece, 15.4) UEFA Champions League: quarter-finals ● Charles Schaack (Luxembourg, 17.4) (return legs) Langton combines the emotion of ● Michael Kuchenbecker (Germany, 19.4) 12.4.2007 poetry and the drama ● Jean-Louis Valentin (France, 19.4) UEFA Cup: quarter-finals (return legs) of football action. Most ● Jean Appietto (France, 20.4) 21.4.2007, Umeå texts in the anthology ● George Frank (Israel, 20.4) UEFA Women’s Cup: final (first leg) ● Jean-Luc Veuthey (Switzerland, 20.4) are in English but a ● 24-25.4.2007 Ronnie Lundqvist (Sweden, 20.4) UEFA Champions League: semi-finals (first legs) selection of poems in ● Alexandru Burlac (Moldova, 21.4) ● Jan Damgaard (Denmark, 22.4) 26.4.2007 French and German is ● Morgan Norman (Sweden, 22.4) UEFA Cup: semi-finals (first legs) also included. ● Martin Bodenham (England, 23.4) 26-28.4.2007, Murcia (Northwest Regional Development ● Roland Tis (Belgium, 23.4) UEFA Futsal Cup: final round ● Gheorghe Constantin (Romania, 23.4) 29.4.2007, London Agency – 37, Renaissance House, ● Mehmet S. Binnet (Turkey, 23.4) UEFA Women’s Cup: final (return leg) Warrington WA1 1XB, England).

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL Editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications and Public Affairs Division Editorial deadline: 12 March 2007 source is indicated. UEFA Route de Genève 46 Union des associations CH-1260 Nyon européennes de football Switzerland Phone +41 848 00 27 27 Fax +41 848 01 27 27 uefa.com