Uefadirect #76 (08.2008)

UEFAdirect-76-Fichier•E 14.7.2008 14:31 Page 1 8.08 Spain crowned champions of Europe 03 2008/09 UEFA Club competition dates 15 No 58 – Février 2007 76 August 2008 UEFAdirect-76-Fichier•E 14.7.2008 14:31 Page 2 Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president A reward and an incentive Years spent putting the finishing touches on the organisation of the event, right down to the tiniest detail, followed by a period of less than a month, so intense that it is gone before you realise it. Already, it is time to look back and analyse. Let us leave the technicians to identify the tactical trends, the economists to assess the financial impact, the statisticians to describe the matches and tournament in figures, and everyone to draw their own personal conclusions from EURO 2008. The limited space available in this editorial is hardly sufficient for such exercises, but it does enable me to thank everyone – starting with the Austrian and Swiss host associations – who helped to make this tournament such a great success. For that is the main conclusion: EURO 2008 was a magnificent success at every level and the call for respect was well and truly answered. The competition’s slogan IN THIS ISSUE promised emotions and it certainly did not fail to deliver: plenty of surprises, games turned on their heads in the last few minutes, penalty shoot-outs, tears of joy and Spain win EURO 2008 03 despair among the supporters and, above all, a festive atmosphere in the stadiums, fan zones and cities. In short, a whole series of impressions, images and anecdotes Youth training in Kiev 08 to be remembered and whet the appetite for football’s next major tournament. And a priceless reward for all the hours spent in meeting rooms and on football Meeting of presidents pitches, preparing for the tournament and all that went with it. and general secretaries Such a successful tournament leaves no doubt that football is a fantastic in Vienna 12 sport and that the passions it generates are simply phenomenal. Is there any Document for the EU 13 better incentive than this for us who are charged with overseeing its development and wellbeing? 2008/09 UEFA In conclusion, I would like to congratulate Spain, brilliant European club competition dates 15 champions, and all the players and coaches who helped to give European football such a positive image: attacking play, a sporting, dignified attitude in victory News from member as well as defeat, matches which were compelling often right to the final whistle. associations 16 In essence, a true festival of football! COVER Michel Platini UEFA President Cesc Fàbregas and Iker Casillas show off the new European Championship trophy: it is 44 years since Spain’s only other European Championship victory. Photo: Silz /AFP/Getty Images 02 uefadirect 8.08 UEFAdirect-76-Fichier•E 14.7.2008 14:31 Page 3 Spain win EURO 2008 EndEnd ofof aa longlong waitwait Sabattini SINCE BEATING THE USSR TO BECOME EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS IN 1964, Spanish once again confirmed their superiority and rightly booked their place SPAIN HAD FAILED TO WIN A SINGLE TITLE AT SENIOR LEVEL, DESPITE THEIR in the final. OBVIOUS POTENTIAL. BUT NOTHING GOES ON FOREVER AND THE SPANIARDS Germany: EMERGED FROM THE WILDERNESS ON SUNDAY 29 JUNE, WHEN THEY DEFEATED fighting spirit not enough GERMANY IN THE FINAL OF EURO 2008. The final itself remained in the balance right until the final whistle, since This fully deserved victory group winners to survive the quarter- Fernando Torres was the only player stands in stark contrast with the disap- final stage. The Spaniards set the tone to find the net. Nevertheless, Spain pointing performances of several major right from the outset with a convincing were clearly the better side, in terms of nations, including World Cup 4-1 win against Russia. They then both organisation and individual tech- holders Italy, and France. Not for- disposed of Sweden – admittedly nique. Despite their legendary fighting getting the inglorious exit of the with much more difficulty – before spirit, Germany were left licking their previous edition’s shock winners, beating Greece in order to finish wounds. The qualities that had enabled Greece. top of group D with maximum them to reach the final were not enough points. Facing Italy in the quarter- at this stage of the competition. Joachim Unanimously acknowledged as finals, Luis Aragonés’ team wavered Löw can nonetheless take pride in his the best team at EURO 2008, Spain slightly before winning on penalties, team’s performance, since they showed finished the tournament with an impec- their first competitive victory against the plenty of spirit, despite losing to Croatia cable record of results. Not only did Italians for 88 years! In the semi-finals, in the group phase. A few weaknesses they remain unbeaten throughout the Russia had vowed to take revenge for which had been evident at various stages competition, but they were also the only their defeat in the group stage, but the of the tournament, particularly defen- 03 UEFAdirect-76-Fichier•E 14.7.2008 14:31 Page 4 Switzerland (in red) beat Portugal but still failed to reach the quarter-finals. Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images sively, cost them victory in the final, when the brilliant Fernando Torres eluded the German defence twice, first hitting the post with a header and then scoring the winning goal. He fully merited a memo- rable kiss from the Queen of Spain at the trophy presentation. The Germans simply could not find a way past a solid Spanish defence and the superb Iker Casillas. For Spain, the crucial department was the midfield, where Xavi, supported by team-mates who comple- coach, who had been the target of mented each other very well, was criticism for a long time, particularly deservedly named player of the tourna- when he decided to leave Raul at ment thanks to his tenacity and passing home, this triumph must be particularly ability. Even though he missed the final, satisfying. Even at 70 “Zapatones” David Villa can console himself with the showed that he still had something to title of the competition’s top scorer with offer. His efficient playing system, four goals. His absence in the which was hard to break down, attracted final was inconsequential, nothing but praise. Even the decision to proving that Luis Aragonés bring in the genial Cesc Fàbregas as a had a highly talented squad luxury replacement was a total success. with a number of excel- Finally, and this is something that may lent players in reserve. not have been given sufficient Getty Images For the Spanish recognition, Spain has reaped Thierry Henry tackled by Giorgio Chiellini: neither France nor Italy could reproduce their the rewards for its tremen- 2006 World Cup performances at EURO 2008. dous efforts to train young players. Its numerous penalty to keep his side in the competi- world and tion. They then beat France rather un- European convincingly, defeating opponents who youth titles were reduced to ten men early on, be- were bound to lead to success at senior fore losing to Spain on penalties. The level sooner or later. absence of Pirlo, a cornerstone of the team, in their final match certainly did Italy, France, Portugal not help the Italians, whose midfield, and the Netherlands: playing under the shadow of a certain bitter disappointment Francesco Totti, failed to reach the Italy’s elimination by the future expected standards. In attack, Luca Toni’s champions in the quarter-finals was tireless running was too often unre- a major disappointment not just in warded. The World Cup already seems Italy itself. The Italians’ problems had a distant memory. begun in their opening match, when The same could be said for they were heavily defeated by a France, whose defensive solidity was Xavi, an often decisive element in the Spanish midfield. dazzling Dutch side. Unable to get the supposed to be their strength at this better of Romania in their second tournament. However, they were only match, the “squadra azzura” came very able to secure a single point against close to going out Romania before collapsing against the altogether Netherlands and Italy. The limitations of when Buf- an ageing back line were well and truly fon saved exposed. Meanwhile, in the attacking Mutu’s department, France also had to deal Action Images / John Sibley 04 uefadirect 8.08 UEFAdirect-76-Fichier•E 14.7.2008 14:31 Page 5 Germany (Miroslav Klose, 11) struggled against Austria but then found the means to go all the way to the final. Turkey v Croatia in the quarter-finals: a last-minute goal Getty Images by Semih Senturk (9) took the game into the tournament ten days before the impressively. However, in the quarter- extra time followed by penalty kicks, final. The sense of anguish was huge in finals, the “Oranje” fell to pieces, falling from which Turkey Portugal, where there had been high to the thrusts of a Russian team which came out on top. hopes for the team that was undoubt- had rediscovered its best form following edly the nation’s best since the era of the return of Zenit St. Petersburg’s the legendary Eusebio. impish forward, Andrei Arshavin. It also all ended in tears for the Getty Images Dutch, who some thought were des- Russia and Turkey: with inadequacies that were certainly tined for the title after surprise packages not helped by the early exit of Franck a highly convincing However, having established Ribéry, their most exciting and creative opening win over themselves as credible pretenders to the player, during the match against Italy.

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