UEFA Regions' Cup Returns to Italy Umeå IK Win the UEFA Women's
8.03 7/
UEFA Regions’ Cup returns to Italy 03
Umeå IK win the UEFA Women’s Cup 07
UEFA Champions League: the leagues’ share 11
New UEFA Cup 12 no. 16 – july/august 2003 no. 16 COVER IN THIS ISSUE Club competition calendar 10 After losing the final last Share of the revenue for the leagues 11 year, Umeå IK (Sweden) were not disappointed this time Final round of the UEFA Regions’ Cup 03 New UEFA Cup format 12 round and won the second Umeå IK win the UEFA Women’s Cup 07 Meridian Project: Meeting in Bangui 15 UEFA Women’s Cup. PHOTO: EPA Fair play campaign in Norway 08 News from member associations 16
EditorialThe success of the club competitions
When the UEFA Champions League was launched in the early ‘90s, it certainly caused an upheaval on the European club football
A wide scene, establishing new benchmarks, not only in financial terms but also consultation process in terms of organisation and television broadcasting. took place before the UEFA Executive There is unanimous agreement that the impact of the UEFA Champions Committee adopted a new League has been positive overall. However, the launch of this competition format for did have a few side effects. By concentrating the top clubs the UEFA Cup. in one competition, it diminished somewhat the appeal of the other UEFA competitions. A first measure to combat this devaluation was the merger of the UEFA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup, to create a revamped second European club competition. More recently concern about the amount of football played and the balance in the club competitions, allied to a downturn in the market, led us to re-examine those com- petitions. For the UEFA Champions League, the upshot was a new format, to be launched this season. The second group phase has been dropped and matches after the one and only group stage will be played on a direct knock-out basis. The question of the UEFA Cup is more tricky, and to improve the chances of finding the optimum format, UEFA took some additional time for reflection. This time was used for an unprecedented broad consultation process, accompanied by a market survey. In a context where everyone agrees that there is no question of damaging the UEFA Champions League and where the market is no longer as buoyant as it was a few years ago, it is plain that there is no miracle solution, but that change is needed. By opting for a new group phase, in keeping with the preference expressed by a very large majority of those consulted, by alternating as far as possible the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup match weeks, and by maintaining the feed of clubs from the UEFA Champions League to the UEFA Cup, the Executive Committee has chosen the solution that appears to have the greatest chance of success. This enhancement of the UEFA Cup, together with the smaller number of matches in the UEFA Champions League, should help to redress the balance between the two UEFA club competitions and give them the stability they need to remain as popular and successful in the future.
Gerhard Aigner Chief Executive
SPORTIMAGE/BILDBYRÅN we care about football
02 uefadirect 7/8.03 Final round of the UEFA ARegions’ great adventure Cup
The regional representative team from Piedmont/ Aosta Valley achieved the second Italian victory in three editions of the UEFA Regions’ Cup. BONGARTS
FROM 22 TO 28 JUNE, THE FINAL ROUND OF THE THIRD UEFA REGIONS’ CUP tee, he currently serves on the
TOOK PLACE IN THE WÜRTTEMBERG REGION OF SOUTHERN GERMANY. THE EVENT UEFA Match Delegates Panel, and is also chairman of the DFB’s Technical WAS AS SUCCESSFUL AS THE ORGANISERS HAD HOPED IT WOULD BE. Committee and Vice-President of the Württemberg regional football Which region of Europe The towns which hosted association. would succeed Venetia (Italy, 1999) the matches all have a rich history and “Our players weren’t all and Moravia (Czech Republic, 2001) many interesting tourist attractions, that keen to play the finals at as winners of the UEFA Regions’ as the participants were able home,” he said, repeating the view Cup? This question was not, how- to discover during the excursions shared by all the finalists, who firmly ever, the main preoccupation of organised as part of the tourna- believe that travel broadens the mind. UEFA, the local organisers or the ment programme. “But UEFA, having seen our organi- supporters, nor that of the major- One of the kingpins of sational skills in action, wanted ity of the team officials and ama- the 2003 UEFA Regions’ Cup in us to take on this responsibility. teur players (ranging in age from 20 Germany was in fact a resident of one We therefore enlisted Michael Hurler to 34) involved. What mattered most of the host towns, Wangen. Hermann to run the tournament, banking for everyone concerned was that Selbherr, 64, a warm and enterprising on his recent experience organising it was an opportunity to get together man, has enjoyed a brilliant career the European Women’s Champion- on and around a football field in with the German FA (DFB), UEFA and, ship and the European Women’s glorious weather and in a beautiful of course, the Württemberg regional Under-18 Championship”. location. It was even sometimes a bit football association. A former member “Amateur football is cer- too hot for the players. of UEFA’s Club Competitions Commit- tainly a pet subject of the DFB. Silver medals for a visibly disappointed Ligue du Maine. BONGARTS
Its former president Egidius Braun However, their devilish No. 10, was one of those who revived ama- Ramazanov, a skilled futsal player, teur football at European level,” certainly made an unforgettable said Selbherr, “because he com- impression on everyone. pared football to a magnificent The Dutch team, which tree, the branches and leaves of did not have a single player over which represent the professionals 24 years of age, paid the price for and the trunk and roots the ama- its youth against more experienced teurs. We have 150,000 amateur opponents. UEFA Szabolcs Gabona Csoport (white) clubs in Germany, which adds In Group A, the German vs Ligue du Maine. up to about three million players – team stood out for their fitness and that’s a lot of people!” their skills in midfield. Libero Rentschler, the ubiquitous Demirki- Strong contenders ran and Peschel, supporting the The eight finalists were strikers, were the best individual divided into two groups, from which players. the team from Piedmont/Aosta Spain’s Principado de As- Valley (Italy, winners of Group A, turias had an incredibly strong and Heidenheim ) and Ligue du Maine talented team – collectively, no (France, Group B, Wangen) went doubt the best of the tournament – through to the final. The Württem- with key players like midfielder berg team fought hard but finally Pantin and striker Quero Lopez.
UEFA succumbed to the Piedmont team, The 3-5-2 of Piedmont/ Captain Giovanni Battista receives while the French team dominated Aosta Valley was geared to the the trophy from Jim Boyce, Chairman of the Youth and Amateur Football Group B, winning all their matches attack, with the team displaying a Committee (centre), and Executive Committee member Henri Roemer. until their stormy (literally) match very strong fighting spirit. On the against District Noord from the left wing, De Marzo was a constant Netherlands. threat to defenders, and striker In terms of the strength of Montalto proved to be a constant the teams, Ligue du Maine in Group danger and a real opportunitst. B were by far the best balanced, best However, he had to leave the two organised and most talented, thanks winning goals in the final to his to the skills of midfielder Bigarret team-mate Borgna. as well as strikers Guyard and above The Swiss side from Ticino all the swift and prolific Missaye. proved that having the right attitude Hungary’s Szabolcs Gabona is not enough to win. They were Csoport got off to a disastrous start rather too short on technical skills – because of the heat, so their coach and stability in defence. Their two thought – but recovered well thanks most visible players were centre to playmaker Dora and intelligent forward David Guerra and defending counter-attacker Varga, both highly midfielder Albertoli. experienced players. With six goals in two games, Varga was the top A dream come true scorer of the tournament. The final at the charming Azerbaijan’s Gayazan could and well-equipped Albstadion in have surprised everyone, but ulti- Heidenheim was a fantastic experi-
UEFA mately lacked depth and self-control. ence for Italy. Paolo Borgna had had
04 uefadirect 7/8.03 Piedmont/Aosta Valley open District Noord the score against the team from the vs Geyazan. Ticino region of Switzerland. UEFA UEFA
to go home to take care of the 11 o ’ c l ock last liked to finish the match in order office he runs in Turin but night. It’s like a to keep their invincibility intact. BONGARTS returned in time to score the two dream. My two goals Despite these misadventures, winning goals. The French could won us the final”. the tournament was a great social have prevented the goals, but the French coach success, proving that friendship, opportunist streak of Borgna won René Logie was not too kinship, solidarity, understanding the day. The French made a last- disappointed. “Finish- and good-humour remain the keys gasp effort to retrieve the situation ing a tournament in to rallying and uniting footballers, and scored a goal, but the Italians second place as the at amateur level at least. deserved their win, with a team that representatives And one final remark: neither was tactically stronger and mentally of 1.8 million the players nor the coaches com- better prepared. They might not French amateur footballers is some- plained about having to play three have been the most elegant but they thing to be proud of.” matches in five days – or five matches were certainly the most determined Apart from the stakes and in seven days in the case of the and ready to fight. fair play on the field being fantastic, finalists, which just goes to show Their coach, the highly so were the evenings organised for that as far as amateur players are charismatic Michele Delvecchio, was all the participants. Sadly, a fatal concerned, a unique opportunity is filled with emotion. “I couldn’t be accident involving one of the Italian always there to be made the most of. happier. It’s a great day for the team officials cast a shadow over Mick Michels team, for me, for Piedmont and the end of the tournament. for the whole of Italy. Usually, the The final round was also players work eight or nine hours marked by another unusual occur- a day. Here they worked like pro- rence, the interruption and fessional footballers. It was a new ultimately the abandonment of experience for them but they were the match between Ligue du brilliant. UEFA also has to be Maine and District Noord complimented. The tournament because of a violent storm was organised magnificently and directly over the stadium in it was a great event, as is always Friendrichshaven. Fortu- the case when you win...” nately, the result did not A beaming Paolo Borgna: affect the final position “I worked Thursday and Friday and of the French, who didn’t get back to Germany until would, however, have Württemberg’s Michael Rentschler IUSEPPE RIPPIOLO who was accompanying the up against G G , Spaniard Italian delegation, was involved in a fatal road accident Oscar Pantin. on the evening of 24 June. He was 66. The untimely death of this football fan, a long-serving member of his regional association and of the Italian Football Federa- tion, deeply affected all the tournament participants. UEFA Friday, 1 August Child star MATCH CALENDAR Rebecca helped Winners Group 1 – Karen Espelund, Friday, 25 July Sunday, 27 July Tuesday, 29 July Runners-up Group 2 Chairwoman Norway – France Germany – Sweden England – Germany Winners Group 2 – of the Women’s Football Netherlands – Spain Italy – England Italy – Sweden Runners-up Group 1 Committee, Germany – Italy Norway – Netherlands Spain –Norway Sunday, 3 August with the draw. Sweden – England France – Spain France – Netherlands Final in Leipzig European Women’s Under-19Exciting Championship entertainment
SLOWLY, THE EXCITEMENT HAS BEEN BUILDING UP. SINCE THE DRAW WAS MADE FOR THE FINAL ROUND OF THE EUROPEAN WOMEN’S UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP, CONCENTRA- TION HAS BEEN GROWING. WHEN THE CONTINENT’S TOP WOMEN’S UNDER-19 TEAMS COMPETE FOR THEIR EUROPEAN TITLE IN GREATER LEIPZIG FROM 25 JULY TO 3 AUGUST, THEY WILL HAVE TO PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS. INDEED, ALL THE COACHES OF THE TEAMS TAKING PART ARE EXPECTING THE COMPETITION TO BE REALLY CLOSE.
Child star Rebecca did a great possible throughout the tournament, job. The child of Fortune of the city all the teams are preparing very of Leipzig’s Olympic bid also seriously for the event. They have had a lucky hand in the draw some difficult games ahead of them. for the final round “This kind of tournament is of the European no picnic,” said Silvia Neid. Women’s Under-19 “It won’t be easy to make Championship, which it into the semi-finals”. took place at the The reason is quite simple: beginning of May in many good teams are taking the old chamber of part in the final round. the new city hall. She To quote Germany’s coach shared out the teams so equally again, “France, Sweden and Spain that afterwards everyone agreed are my favourites, but Norway have that she had cast a lucky spell over also chalked up some good results the draw pots, out of which two well- on the way to the finals”. balanced groups emerged as a result, Just because Silvia Neid sees with hosts Germany, Italy, Sweden Sweden as serious contenders for the and England in Group A, and Norway, title in Group A, that does not mean France, Spain and the Netherlands that her team will get through to the in Group B. semi-finals as a matter of course. The result was well re- Quite the contrary. “The fact ceived by Karen Espelund, who that we have won the last chairs UEFA’s Women’s Football three European Champion- Committee and who presented ships counts for nothing. and led the draw, which she The competition has got harder. described as interesting, a view We’ve been drawn with Sweden shared by the coaches of the and Italy, two of the group winners participating teams, for whom from the qualifying competition. interesting means challenging. Every team wants to reach the Speaking on behalf of all of them, semi-finals,” she said. Silvia Neid said, “the spectators Of course, what they would can look forward to some exciting all like even better is to lift the trophy matches. This tournament on 3 August. And it is a brand-new is going to be a great advert for trophy, the old one having been PHOTOS: PICTURE POINT PHOTOS: women’s football”. given to Germany for winning Germany (Katharina Griessemer, in white) In order to ensure that the it three times in a row. in their warm-up match entertainment value is as high as Niels Barnhofer against Switzerland (Isabelle Kaufmann). 06 uefadirect 7/8.03 Umeå IK won both legs of the final. PHOTOS: BILDBYRÅN PHOTOS: Ready for the third edition UEFA Umeå IK are about to embark on a new adventure as they prepare to compete in the third UEFA Women’s Cup. Of the 40 teams entered for the competition, Women’sUmeå IK win bothCup legs 11 will contest qualifying matches until 20 July. They were divided into three groups in a draw made at UEFA’s head- THE SECOND UEFA WOMEN’S CUP ENDED WITH A DOUBLE WIN FOR quarters in Nyon on 4 June. Group 1: ZNK Krka Novo Mesto (SLO), SWEDISH CLUB UMEÅ IK IN THE FINAL AGAINST DENMARK’S FORTUNA HJØRRING. Maccabi Holon FC (ISR), TKSK Visa Tallinn (EST) Group 2: ZFK Lombardini Skopje (MKD), In the first-leg match at Umeå’s was sealed with a third goal after SV Neulengbach (AUT), SK ZSNP Zliar nas Gammliavallen stadium on 9 June, the the break. Hronom (SVK), Ledra (CYP) home side notched up a 4-1 win which Umeå IK therefore take over Group 3: ZNK Osijek (CRO), Cardiff left them overwhelming favourites from 1. FFC Frankfurt as titleholders City LFC (WAL), SFK 2000 Sarajevo (BHZ), to lift the trophy two weeks’ of a competition which this FC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KZK later. Fortuna Hjørring, who time round attracted 35 par- had not lost a single match on ticipants, two more than in their way to the final, actually the first season. With 301 in opened the score, but Umeå, 68 matches, the goal average losing finalists in the first was high (4.43), though lower edition of the UEFA Women’s than last season, when the
Cup, drew on their experience average was 5.36 goals per UEFA-HIGUERAS to turn the tide in their favour, inspired match. This is due in part to the fact also by a record 7,600 crowd. Two that the gap between the competitors goals from star striker Hanna Ljung- is narrowing. There were still one Karen Espelund, Chairwoman of the Women’s Football Committee, and UEFA’s berg – one before half-time and the or two overwhelming victories (up to Technical Director Andy Roxburgh. other just after the break – gave the 12-0), but fewer than in the first Swedish club the boost they needed, edition, when scores of 18-0, 17-0 and The group winners will go through to the propelling them to cement their two of 13-0 were recorded. next stage, involving eight groups of four. win with a further two goals. This levelling out is reflected Group 1: Brøndby IF (DEN), ZFK Masinac- Classic Nis (SMN), FCL Kilmarnock (SCO), In Hjørring on 21 June, the in the higher number of draws (eight KR Reykjavik (ISL) hopes of the Danish side were virtually compared with five). And in the direct Group 2: Schwerzenbach (SUI), dashed when they gave away a penalty knock-out matches (from the quarter- FC Bobruichanka (BLS), Gömrükçu Baku in the third minute, a blow from which finals), the results were also quite (AZE), AE Aegina (GRE) they were never quite able to recover, close, so much so that the semi-final Group 3: Umeå IK (SWE), Czech club, despite their best efforts. By half-time, between the then titleholders and the Newtownabbey Strikers WFC (NIR), Umeå had scored again, putting For- future winners had to be determined CFF Clujana (ROM) tuna in an impossible position, which by a penalty shoot-out. Group 4: FC Foroni Verona (ITA), FC Energy Voronezh (RUS), 1 FC Femina Buda- pest (HUN), Winners Qualifying Group 3 Group 5: Malmö FF (SWE), FC United Jakobstad Pietarsaari (FIN), Legend-Checkseal (UKR), Winners Qualifying Group 1 Group 6: Kolbotn IL (NOR), Juvisy FCF (FRA), AZS Wroclaw (POL), UCD Women’s FC (IRL) Group 7: 1.FFC Frankfurt (GER), Athletic Club (ESP), S. União 1º Dez 3 (POR), Winners Qualifying Group 2 Group 8: Fulham Ladies FC (ENG), Ter Leede (HOL), KI Klaksvik (FAR), FC Codru Anenii Noi (MOL) These group matches have to be completed by 25 August. EPA Respecting the referee is a fundamental aspect of fair play. UEFA Norwegian FA promotes
BONGARTS How fair do you play? Peter Schmeichel consoles a sportsmanship Bayern Munich player after the memorable UEFA Champions League final in 1999. THE NORWEGIAN FA HAS LAUNCHED A VAST
FAIR PLAY CAMPAIGN UNDER THE TITLE OF “FAIR PLAY GJELDER
ALLE! HVOE FAIR ER DU?” (FAIR PLAY GOES FOR EVERYONE!
HOW FAIR DID YOU PLAY?).
Addressing the whole ■ Respect the decisions football community, the leaflet of the referee produced by the association sends ■ Create a community out the following message: where everyone feels included “Fair play isn’t just about ■ Teamwork demands avoiding warnings and penalties. co-operation Fair play is about how we behave towards others, both on and off Special messages are the field!” directed at each component of the football community (players, The association then coaches, family). For example, goes on to explain the objective the coaches are told that: of its campaign: “As a coach and manager, “Everyone in the football it is your responsibility to ensure community should be responsible that the spirit of fair play perme- for following the guidelines, rules ates the game. You must ensure PHOTONEWS For young players, taking part should and regulations, which create the that players are well aware of the be more important than the result. attitudes and values we are so rules and regulations, and that proud to represent. The Norwegian these are followed. You may invite Football Association seeks to work players and referees to meet actively to help all players, and discuss possible situations to coaches, referees, managers, create increased awareness.” parents, etc. get involved and contribute to creating a football Coaches are also community marked by a sense encouraged to make their players of security and enjoyment.” understand: ■ The significance of the A list of key words follows: referee and his/her role ■ Show respect and accep- ■ That referees have tance for others to make quick decisions – and ■ Everyone is equally valuable therefore cannot be perfect
AN/BOZZANI ■ Reject racism and other ■ The importance of not
BAUM forms of harassment overreacting to refereeing decisions
08 uefadirect 7/8.03 Helping Football injured for the whole players, family irrespective guarantees of which a good team they atmosphere. are on. UEFA UEFA WITTERS
■ That it is the referee’s deci- For parents and other Questions sion which counts, and it is unaccept- family members, emphasis is laid able to risk being penalised for arguing on the fact that: and concerns ■ The importance of following “Parents, grandparents and The leaflet ends with the rules – this benefits all parties, other relatives are a very important a number of questions which and therefore the game as well resource for Norwegian football. everyone is asked to explore with You can also contribute to a good The message addressed atmosphere and fair play in the foot- a view to spreading the spirit at the players is: ball community!” of fair play in football. “As a football player, it’s ■ What does including your responsibility to behave in the To do so, family members everyone mean? spirit of fair play. It may seem sim- need to be aware that: ■ How important is equality ple enough, but what does it mean?” ■ Their involvement means in football? a lot for children and young people ■ When do you feel most at The answer comes in the ■ Everyone in the football home in the football community? form of recommendations: community should feel equal, ■ What can you do to help ■ Take care of team-mates accepted and included others feel more at home in the and make sure you include new team ■ They should show how football community? members they appreciate fun, good behaviour ■ How can the football ■ Avoid rough play and and team spirit community help when someone unsporting behaviour ■ Respect the decisions is having a hard time? ■ Create a sense of security of the coach regarding players – do ■ Are rules made to be and team spirit on the field not criticise his/her decisions broken? ■ The referee is also trying ■ The association also calls to do his/her best – do not criticise Is the referee a necessary on players to cultivate a spirit of fair his/her decisions evil? play through: ■ The result does not matter ■ Have you seen good foot- ■ A cheerful attitude during too much – the skill of the players ball matches with poor referees? training and matches is also significant ■ Was there ever a referee ■ Treating opponents with ■ Encourage all players – who did not make mistakes? respect not just those you know personally ■ Do referees make mistakes ■ Helping injured players ■ Encourage participation – on purpose? irrespective of their team but without pressure ■ How far are you willing ■ Saluting opponents after ■ Do not hesitate to call to go to stop an opponent during the game parents’ meetings to help clarify a match? ■ Refraining from verbal abuse attitudes and ambitions. ■ Do rough behaviour and bad language make you a better football player? ■ Are football players who follow the rules necessarily worse players? ■ How important is it to respect the referee’s decisions? ■ Should the rules of the game be part of football training?
Visit the Norwegian Football Association online at: www.fotball.no EMPICS The auditorium in the House of European Football was the setting for the draw on 20 June. PHOTOS: UEFA-BOZZANI PHOTOS:
Calendar for the 2003/04 UEFA club season UEFA Champions League Staggered start ■ st competitions 16 July 2003: 1 qualifying round, first legs ■ 23 July: return legs to the new season ■ 25 July, Nyon: draw for the 3rd qualify- ing round THE NEW UEFA CLUB COMPETITION SEASON HAS KICKED OFF, WITH THE ■ 30 July: 2nd qualifying round, first legs ■ 6 August: return legs UEFA INTERTOTO CUP IN JUNE, THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIERS IN JULY, ■ 12/13 August: 3rd qualifying round, first legs AND THE UEFA CUP PRELIMINARIES TAKING PLACE IN AUGUST. ■ 26/27 August: return legs ■ 28 August, Monaco: draw for the group matches The UEFA Intertoto Cup is Champions League draw, and by ■ 16/17 September: group matches, match day 1 into its ninth season, the UEFA Cup its Jean Fournet-Fayard (France), co-opted ■ 30 September/1 October: match day 2 thirty-third, and the UEFA Champions member of the same committee, ■ 21/22 October: match day 3 ■ 4/5 November: match day 4 League its twelfth (or forty-ninth if you for the UEFA Cup, the draws whetted ■ 25/26 November: match day 5 count the Champion Clubs’ Cup). The the appetite for the new season, which ■ 9/10 December: match day 6 format of the UEFA Champions League now traditionally kicks off properly ■ 12 December, Nyon: draw for the 1st knock-out round is slightly different this time round, in Monaco at the end of August, with ■ 24/25 February 2004: 1st knock-out however, with just one group stage, the draw on 28 August, at the Grimaldi round, first legs ■ 9/10 March: return legs followed by direct knock-out matches Forum, for the UEFA Champions ■ 12 March, Nyon: draw for the quarter- immediately thereafter, once the field League group stage and on 29 August finals and semi-finals has been reduced to 16. The method for the first round of the UEFA Cup. ■ 23/24 March: quarter-finals, first legs ■ 6/7 April: return legs for determining the winners of direct On the evening of 29 August, the ■ 20/21 April: semi-finals, first legs knock-out matches has also been Louis II stadium in Fontvieille will again ■ 4/5 May: return legs ■ 26 May, Gelsenkirchen (Germany): final modified, with the introduction of the be the setting for the UEFA Super Cup, “silver goal” for extra time and the which this year opposes UEFA Cham- UEFA Cup abolition of the rule whereby away pions League winners AC Milan and ■ 14 August 2003: qualifying round, first legs goals count double during extra time. their UEFA Cup counterparts FC Porto. ■ 28 August: return legs These new rules apply to all three ■ 29 August, Monaco: draw for the club competitions. All this information and 1st round ■ 24 September: 1st round, first legs In the UEFA Intertoto Cup, the the results of the matches are ■ 15 October: return legs third round will have been completed updated permanently on uefa.com ■ 17 October, Nyon: draw for the 2nd round by the end of July and the draw for ■ 6 November: 2nd round, first legs the semi-finals and finals made at the ■ 27 November: return legs House of European Football on 14 July. ■ 12 December, Nyon: draw for the 3rd round On 20 June, the draws for ■ 26 February 2004: 3rd round, first legs the UEFA Champions League and UEFA ■ 3 March: return legs ■ 4 March, Nyon: draws for the 4th round, Cup qualifiers took place at UEFA’s quarter-finals and semi-finals headquarters in Nyon for the first time, th ■ 11 M a r c h: 4 round, first legs bringing together representatives of ■ 25 March: return legs ■ 8 April: quarter-finals, first legs more than one hundred clubs. Presided ■ 14 April: return legs over by Friedrich Stickler (Austria), ■ 22 April: semi-finals, first legs PHOTONEWS Chairman of the Club Competitions ■ 6 May: return legs Sint-Truidense (Belgium) vs FC Tobol (Kazakhstan) ■ 19 May, Gothenburg (Sweden): final Committee, in the case of the UEFA in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
0010 uefadirectuefadirect 7/8.034.03 UEFA ... including Champions the youth sector. League (here a match between AFC Ajax and Valencia CF) revenue benefits the whole of European football… FLASH PRESS UEFA Champions WITTERS Over CHF 61League million Leagues f or the leagues not represented Portugal 743 200 CHF THE DISTRIBUTION OF UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVENUE Scotland 736 900 CHF Austria 517 300 CHF FROM THE CENTRALISED MARKETING OF THE RIGHTS COMPLIES WITH Poland 388 700 CHF CRITERIA LAID DOWN IN THE COMPETITION REGULATIONS. Sweden 366 800 CHF Denmark 366 800 CHF Understandably, the partici- It is up to the league in Republic of Ireland 319 700 CHF pating clubs are the main beneficiaries question to decide whether the money Finland 316 600 CHF and, for the 2002/03 season, should be distributed among all its Czech Republic 314 700 CHF CHF 730 million has already been paid member clubs or just among those Hungary 310 000 CHF out to them (cf. uefadirect No. 15 – in the top division. They are also free Romania 300 900 CHF June 2003). The regulations stipulate to decide whether the revenue should Bulgaria 294 700 CHF that a share of the revenue allocated be shared equally or according to Serbia and Montenegro 291 500 CHF to the clubs must go to the leagues the quality of youth training. In any Croatia 290 900 CHF represented in the competition. For the case, UEFA has to be informed of the Cyprus 286 500 CHF 2002/03 season, 14 leagues received distribution method applied. Slovakia 280 900 CHF the amounts shown in the table below. For national associations Slovenia 280 900 CHF The leagues not represented which do not have a league, it is the Malta 279 900 CHF in the competition, i.e those of UEFA’s association itself which distributes Bosnia & Herzegovina 277 400 CHF 38 other member associations in the the money directly to its top-division Albania 277 400 CHF case of last season, are also entitled clubs, according to the same criteria Georgia 277 100 CHF to a slice of the cake, taken from as apply for the leagues. Iceland 276 500 CHF the amount reserved for solidarity FYR Macedonia 275 800 CHF payments, in other words, from UEFA’s Lithuania 273 600 CHF share (see table right). Leagues represented Belarus 272 700 CHF The differences between in the UEFA Champions Latvia 272 700 CHF the leagues in these two tables is due League Moldova 272 700 CHF to the value of the domestic TV mar- Germany 9 573 000 CHF Estonia 272 700 CHF kets, according to a basic payment Italy 7 906 000 CHF Armenia 272 700 CHF of CHF 272,700. France 7 658 000 CHF Northern Ireland 272 700 CHF In addition, payments entail Spain 6 872 000 CHF Wales 272 700 CHF certain conditions: England 6 539 000 CHF Faroe Islands 272 700 CHF ■ the leagues must distribute Netherlands 2 076 000 CHF Luxembourg 272 700 CHF the amount they receive only among Greece 1 356 000 CHF Azerbaijan 272 700 CHF clubs which did not compete in the Turkey 1 315 000 CHF Liechtenstein 272 700 CHF UEFA Champions League (excluding Belgium 1 119 000 CHF Andorra 272 700 CHF the qualifying rounds); Switzerland 1 026 000 CHF San Marino 272 700 CHF ■ only clubs with their own Norway 1 021 000 CHF Kazakhstan 272 700 CHF youth training programmes for all age Russia 996 000 CHF categories from 12 upwards are Israel 909 000 CHF TOTAL12 162 500 CHF eligible for a share of the proceeds. Ukraine 834 000 CHF TOTAL 49 200 000 CHF From 7 to 9 July, The new UEFA Cup the venue directors will continue to take in met at UEFA’s the third-placed teams headquarters in Nyon from the UEFA Champions to prepare the League group matches. coming season’s In 2002, this route UEFA Champions took Feyenoord League. and Borussia Dortmund to the UEFA Cup final. EMPICS UEFA-WOODS Meetings and Acompetitions group phase for the UEFA Cup
AT ITS MEETING IN NYON ON 9 AND 10 JULY, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECIDED
Qualifying ON THE NEW UEFA CUP FORMAT TO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM THE 2004/05 SEASON. format for national team After a wide-ranging consul- of the Club Competitions Commit- tation process, the Executive Com- tee, which met on 12 June after competitions mittee endorsed the near unani- the plenary session of the European mous desire to introduce a group Club Forum, which had adopted The Executive Commit- phase. After a first knock-out round a similar position but with slight tee defined the format for the played among 80 teams and pre- differences as regards the “feed” qualifying phases of the next ceded by two qualifying rounds, the of clubs from the UEFA Champions two major national-team com- 40 qualifying teams will be divided League into the UEFA Cup. into eight groups of five. There petitions: will be no home-and-away matches IN BRIEF, THE ■ For the 2006 World Cup, but each team will play two matches EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: the format to be proposed to at home and two matches away. ■ approved the regulations FIFA is as follows: the 51 Euro- The three top teams in each group of the 2003 UEFA Super Cup and will go through to the final knock- the 2003/04 UEFA Futsal Cup; pean teams (Germany qualifies out phase where they will be joined ■ chose TEAM Marketing AG automatically) will be divided by the eight teams placed third in as the marketing agency for into three groups of seven and their groups after the group phase the final of the 2002/04 European five groups of six. The eight of the UEFA Champions League, Under-21 Championship; making 32 teams in all. The Execu- ■ approved the formula for group winners will qualify tive Committee opted to keep distribution of the CHF 84,606,000 together with the two best run- the feed from one competition to surplus of revenue from the ners-up. The six remaining the other, both for the first round 2002/03 UEFA Champions League; runners-up will contest play-offs (the 16 teams eliminated in the ■ approved the Charter third qualifying round of the of the new HatTrick assistance pro- for the three remaining berths. UEFA Champions League) and after gramme (UEFA investment pro- ■ For EURO 2008, as the group phase. gramme) and appointed Marios Austria and Switzerland qualify The competition will con- Lefkaritis, Mathieu Sprengers and tinue with matches played over two Geoffrey Thompson as members automatically, there will be legs up to the final, which will be of the HatTrick Committee. Three 14 qualifying spots for 50 played on neutral ground. It will further members of this decision- teams. They will be divided into therefore occupy 16 match dates making body will be appointed from one group of eight and six (and four for the qualifying matches). among the UEFA directors; In the current market climate, there ■ took note of the progress groups of seven. The two top will be no central marketing. report on the club licensing system teams in each group will play The Executive Committee and stressed the importance of this the final round. followed the recommendation project, which will be implemented
12 uefadirect 7-8.03 Group Philippe discussions Margraff in a good at the atmosphere EURO 2004 in Media Coverciano. and Marketing Workshop. UEFA-SABE FRANCISCO PARAISO
from this summer for the next sea- son, as clubs will not be eligible for the UEFA club competitions without a licence from 2004/05 onwards.
Media and marketing workshop in Lisbon The Dom Pedro hotel in Lisbon was the setting for the sec- ond EURO 2004 media and market- ing workshop from 25 to 27 June. The first such event was held at UEFA headquarters in November. Attendees represented
the commercial affiliates of the Euro- FRANCISCO PARAISO pean Championship in Portugal Time to unwind with a game of human table football after the workshop in Portugal. in 2004, including Adidas, BPI, Canon, Carlsberg, CTT-Correios, Dentsu, EBU, of Professional Football and Marketing, The busy agenda covered all Hyundai, GALP Energia, Vista Alegre said, “It is important to create the marketing and media aspects of the Group, JVC, Mastercard, McDonald’s, right ambience for co-operation, tournament, including updates on the NTT Communications, Octagon CSI, to create a family feeling amongst official music, presentation of EBU’s PMG, Portugal Telecom, Coca-Cola, everyone. So that after the tourna- role, an update on licensing and pre- Verio and Warner Bros. ment we can taste the sweet taste miums, update from euro2004.com The three-day workshop of success as one team. When we and the latest on the plans for served as an exchange of ideas, and score it should be the whole team sponsor promotion in the lead up to, an opportunity for all those involved which scores together”. and during the final tournament. to share thoughts and opinions in And on that note the business Away from the workshop two-way discussions. began, led by Philippe Margraff, Head room, there was a beach event featur- The workshop kicked off of the Marketing Operations Centre, ing Carlsberg human table football with 353 days to go until the final with presentations on all aspects of and McDonald’s bouncy football tournament. In his welcoming words, EURO 2004 having a direct relevance game, followed by a buffet dinner Lars-Christer Olsson, UEFA’s Director to the commercial affiliates. with catering provided by Do&Co, who will be the official hospitality management company in Portugal next summer. Grassroots programme The 4th Grass- roots Football Course took place in Coverciano, near Florence in Italy, from 30 June to 3 July. Its main purpose was to launch UEFA’s new grassroots football programme. UEFA Technical Director Andy Roxburgh introduced the course by
UEFA-SABE defining grassroots football, which is Exercises demonstrating the appeal of football. often classed as youth football but Portugal Boca Juniors World first (Saleiro, left) and (Marcelo in Finland Spain (Sergio), Delgado, right) this year’s were too European Under-17 well-organised The Finnish FA is hosting Championship for FC Santos finalists, are (Alex). the tenth FIFA Under-17 heading for the World Champion- World Championship from ship in Finland. UEFA AFP 13 to 30 August. Apart from the host nation, who qualify automatically, which in fact also encompasses The latter part of this tour- two other European teams will all categories of amateur football nament was played in a poignant be competing: Portugal, recent in the widest sense. emotional climate following the death winners of the European Under-17 The UEFA programme is of Marc-Vivien Foé of Cameroon, Championship, and runners-up based on a Grassroots Charter, the who collapsed on the field during the Spain. aim of which is to promote, protect semi-final between his team and The draw made in Helsinki and develop all aspects of grass- Colombia (1-0). Just 28 years old on 10 June placed the 16 finalists roots football. The programme and with 63 caps to his credit, Marc- into the following four groups: should, in particular, help national Vivien Foé was one of the many Group A (Helsinki): Finland, associations wanting to apply the African players who have brought charter to build up their grassroots their footballing talent to Europe. People’s Republic of China, activities, establish standard French champion with Lens and again Mexico, Colombia structures throughout Europe and with Olympique Lyonnais, he played Group B (Turku): Argentina, support leader training. the last season with Manchester City. Australia, Costa Rica, Nigeria Since it takes a solid base At the Stade de France in Group C (Tampere): Yemen, to produce a strong elite, promoting Paris, in a final dedicated to their Portugal, Cameroon, Brazil grassroots football will ultimately countryman, the Cameroonian side Group D (Lahti): Republic benefit the game as a whole. were beaten in extra time when the In addition to presentations, tournament’s best striker, France’s of Korea, USA, Spain, Sierra Leone the course agenda was made up of Thierry Henry, shot home a golden The winners and runners-up group discussions, demonstrations goal, the only goal of the match. in each group will go into and exercises. the quarter-finals on 23 and Argentinian 24 August. The semi-finals are France hold on opponents scheduled on 27 August, and to the Confederations for AC Milan the final itself will be played Cup at the Töölö stadium in Helsinki Boca Juniors have just Eight national teams on 30 August. It will be the won the Copa Libertadores for from the six continents took first time that the final of a FIFA the fifth time and will therefore part in the fourth FIFA Confeder- competition has been played now face AC Milan in the ations Cup staged in France European/South American Cup on artificial turf. from 18 to 29 June. in Tokyo on 14 December. The two European teams, In the Copa Libertadores France and Turkey, proved worthy final, Boca Juniors defeated FC Santos representatives of our continent (Brazil) twice over, winning the first as France retained the title gained leg in Buenos Aires 2-0 on 25 June in the Republic of Korea and Japan and then going on to win the second in 2001, while Turkey took third leg in São Paulo 3-1 on 2 July, in place as in the most recent front of more than 70,000 specta- World Cup, beating Colombia 2-1 tors. in the bronze-medal play-off. Boca Juniors are heading for their fourth European/South American Cup, which they have won twice so far, in 1978 and 2000, before losing to Bayern Munich in 2001. AC Milan are also European/ An intensely emotional South American Cup veterans, having moment for Rigobert Song (Cameroon, left) taken part six times so far and and Marcel Desailly (France) achieved a level record of three wins at the end of
EMPICS/TURKSPORFOTO the Confederations Cup. and the same number of defeats.
14 uefadirect 7-8.03 The Identifying building the main needs. which will house the FA of the Central African Republic.
tion, including the provision of one thousand plastic footballs for First meeting in Bangui schools, sports gear for 90 youth Meridian Project teams and 50 referees in the 17 regional leagues, as well as referee- THE FA OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC IS ONE OF THE TWO ing and first aid equipment for each league. NEW BENEFICIARIES OF TWO YEARS OF DIRECT UEFA AID FROM THE MERIDIAN In the longer term, the asso- PROJECT, THE OTHER BEING THE FA OF ETHIOPIA. ciation’s objectives are to refurbish a hut within the confines of the head- quarters which could be used for Having established initial con- The UEFA/CAF delegation met referee meetings and as a training tact with the Ethiopian FA in May, those the president and the full executive and recreation room. in charge of the Meridian Project at committee in the association’s rented Emphasis will also be placed UEFA travelled to Bangui, capital of the offices in the centre of Bangui to com- on training, with four courses planned Central African Republic, at the begin- pile a detailed list of the projects that in the fields of administration, sports ning of June. They were accompanied the association would like to implement medicine, refereeing and youth on this first visit by a delegate from the with UEFA’s help. One of the FCF’s coaching. African Football Confederation (CAF). priorities is to acquire its own head- Plans to develop a training As its name implies, the quarters and the association has excep- centre will, however, need to be Central African Republic is situated tionally been able to benefit from studied in more detail. in the heart of Africa. It covers some FIFA’s Goal programme not only for this During their stay in Bangui, 623,000 km2 and has a population undertaking but also for the renovation the UEFA/CAF delegation were of just 3.8 million. The official lan- of the national stadium in the capital. received by the local authorities, the guage of the country is French, but The FCF would therefore Minister for Culture, and the special Sangho and other tribal languages, like UEFA to assist with the furnishing adviser to the prime minister. They such as Banda, Gbaya, and Manza, are of its new offices, supplying it with tele- also attended an African Nations Cup also spoken. Since gaining independ- phones, faxes, copiers and computer qualifying match between the Central ence in 1960, the republic has experi- equipment (four computers and print- African Republic and the Congo. enced several periods of unrest, the ers). After detailed examination, these A press conference was also held, latest of which occurred as recently projects have been approved, as have to inform the local media about the as 15 May of this year, when General other requests made by the associa- main aspects of the co-operation. Bozizé, now president, orchestrated a successful coup d’état. A lot of installations were destroyed and plundered, but fortunately, sports installations emerged unscathed. The FA of the Central African Republic (FCF) was founded in 1961 and was admitted as a member of FIFA in 1963, before joining CAF in 1965. On account of the political situation, the national team has been deprived of competing in the international arena for long periods at a time. Current president of the asso- ciation is Thierry Kamach, who was first elected in 1997 and re-elected last year. The executive committee is composed of 12 members elected for a four-year term. Among other duties, the executive body appoints the full-time
general secretary, a position presently UEFA PHOTOS: held by Jean-Marie Gbaté. The national stadium was full for the match against the Congo. Practical A festive exercises atmosphere in Moldova. at the Marek Wielgus tournament. FMF PZPN
Assistance from Preparingprogrammes for HatTrick BELGIUM THE EAST EUROPEAN ASSISTANCE BUREAU (EEAB) AND THE KIOSK PROGRAMME Quality youth training As part of the “Futurofoot” WILL HAVE BEEN PHASED OUT BY THE END OF JULY TO MAKE ROOM FOR A NEW scheme, and in co-operation ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME, HATTRICK, TO WHICH ALL UEFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS HAVE with several Belgian univer- sities, the Belgian FA has launched ACCESS. THE BROAD LINES WERE PRESENTED AT THE UEFA CONGRESS IN ROME. “QIKFoot”. The first results of a survey among the clubs will serve the first and second division clubs as a basis for assessing their strengths and weaknesses The last courses in the “Some 40 participants from in the youth training sector, with a view Progress V cycle were therefore organ- all over the country attended the to improving their programme. ised this spring. One such course took Progress Course V for coaches, which The objectives place in Chisinau, capital of Moldova, was run by Wim Koevermans, head of “QIKFoot” are multi- ple. The clubs have to as Press Officer Vasile Vatamanu coach of the under-21 team of the be made aware of the reports: Netherlands. need to develop talent. “From 16 to 19 June, the Following on from last year’s To do so, they have to be encouraged to Football Association of Moldova hosted course, the participants were able train young players at all levels within the club itself and to support youth coaches in the fifth UEFA Progress Course for to follow all the latest coaching devel- the running of quality football education. coaches and referees from Moldova. opments in the youth sector. The survey revealed some Altogether, 50 coaches and 25 “The course sequence contin- quite surprising and significant figures. referees took part in the event. UEFA ued immediately with the referees’ For example: committee members György Mezey course, involving 35 first and second ■ 45.5% of clubs offer at least four (Hungary) and Josef Marko (Slovakia) division referees as well as the youth training sessions a week; ■ 90.9% of clubs have a technical presented interesting theoretical leaders of the Referees’ Board of the director responsible for youth training who and practical sessions. The opinions FA of Macedonia. The main theme holds at least a UEFA B diploma; of the course participants were unani- of the course was “Unifying refereeing ■ 69.7% have at least one qualified mous – both lecturers had come to in Europe”, focussing on co-operation goalkeeper coach; ■ 54.5% have a fitness and/or rehab Chisinau well prepared, the content between the referee and his assistant coach; of the sessions was full, and, as a referees. ■ 51.5% have a physiotherapist result, the Moldovan coaches and “The course was run by Vladimir attending training sessions and 39.4% referees enriched their knowledge.” Sajn from Slovenia, a member of the have a physio at matches; ■ 24.2% offer a school liaison officer; Moldova FA Vice-President UEFA Referees Committee. Both courses ■ 18.2% have an artificial playing field; Valentin Cojuhari, responsible for the were very well organised, with the ■ 19.7% of the players trained by a course, said, “We are very grateful participants mixing nicely and getting club make it into the first team. to UEFA for paying special attention the chance to visit many of the monu- A club training ranking table to the FA of Moldova. I also want ments in the ancient city of Ohrid.” has been compiled according to different to thank the lecturers so very much Within the framework of Kiosk, specific criteria. Heading the 2003 table are Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen, for their very good presentations. the Polish FA (PZPN) received financial followed by KRC Genk and KSK Beveren. For us, these courses have special support from UEFA to organise its François Vantomme significance, because only the best eighth Marek Wielgus Tournament, in professionals have been coming which 22,340 under-11s, in 2,290 BOSNIA & to Moldova to run them. teams, took part. The first qualifying HERZEGOVINA At the press conference phase was organised in 49 regions Football unites organised right after the courses, the of the country. The 98 winning teams the country lecturers highlighted the good organi- (girls and boys) will be meeting up at Football has been the first sation of the Progress V courses.” summer camps organised by the sport to unite the territory of Bosnia and In FYR Macedonia, a similar PZPN to play in the second qualifying Herzegovina. After many years of tough course brought together coaches and phase, which will determine which discussion, football clubs from the entity of the Republic of Srpska joined the referees in the city of Ohrid. Press 16 teams will go through to the final Premier League last year, with the help of Officer Zoran Nikolovski reports: at the beginning of September. UEFA and FIFA. The new, united Premier
16 uefadirect 7/8.03 BOSNIA & CROATIA HERZEGOVINA Damir Cup winners Vrbanovic, FK Zeljeznicar. a man of experience. HNS FUAD KRVAVAC FUAD
player who receives this symbol of fair play then goes into a lottery with different prizes. In addition, the young players member associations do not compete for points, as each team news is automatically guaranteed six matches in the tournament, with no risk of not qualifying for the second round. League of Bosnia and Herzegovina with European Club Forum. With his wide inter- In past years, teams such as 20 clubs started. A lot of people were national experience, we are expecting him Real Madrid, Smena, Kispest Honved, skeptical about this league, but everything to contribute to the successful implemen- Dynamo Kiev, Tahuichi and FC Köln have went just fine, although the league num- tation of UEFA’s club licensing scheme. won the Helsinki Cup, along with many bered too many teams. Next season, On youth level, besides numerous Finnish champions. This year’s results can 2003/04, the league will number 16 teams. official competitions, many tournaments be found at www.helsinkicup.fi. FK Leotar became champions have also been organised, notably the Sami Terävä of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after a neck- fifty-first Kvarner Riviera international and-neck chase with last season’s champi- youth tournament, staged in the wider GERMANY ons FK Zeljeznicar. The same two teams territory of Rijeka. This tournament is the also met in the cup final, from which it was second oldest European youth tourna- First amateur FK Zeljeznicar’s turn to emerge victorious ment. This year’s winners were Brazilian football congress after the two legs, the first in Trebinje and club Atletico Mineiro. Another notable “New challenges for ama- the second in Sarajevo. event was the under-9 tournament with teur football: information – The new Premier League season 32 teams that took place in Zagreb. ideas – impulses”. This was the theme kicks of on 2 August, involving14 of the We are especially pleased that participants from last season and the cham- the Jira Panel has made a positive assess- of the first national amateur football con- pions of the First League of the Federation ment of the activities of the Football gress organised by the German Football of Bosnia and Herzegovina (NK Travnik) and Academy of the Croatian FA and proposed Association (DFB) in Barsinghausen the First League of the Republic of Srpska it for the UEFA Convention at Pro level. (Lower Saxony) from 13 to 15 June. “It is (FK Modrica Maxima). The academy was founded in 2000 and the first time a German sports associa- By uniting football in Bosnia and since then has brought about significant tion has organised a congress focusing Herzegovina, the national teams have been improvements in the field of coach entirely on amateur and grassroots able to boost their quality, thereby leaving education for A and B licences. aspects”, said DFB First Vice-President the senior and under-21 teams with a We are also expecting the Engelbert Nelle, who is responsible for better chance of qualifying for EURO 2004 Croatian government to urgently pass amateur football, after the gathering. in Portugal and the final round of the a law governing the prevention of crowd “Over the three days of the congress, European Under-21 Championship. Players disturbances at sports events which we held many intensive discussions from clubs from all over the territory of the Croatian FA has been backing for and developed ambitious new goals Bosnia and Herzegovina are representing a number of years. Ante Pavlovic and strategies for amateur football. their country. Now, we shall have to translate them Footballers have broken the ice FINLAND into action as soon as possible.” in uniting the country and it seems that all After a number of presentations other sports are heading in the same Helsinki Cup by leading experts with backgrounds in direction! invades the capital social, sports and economic sciences, the Fuad Krvavac In Finland, summer 120 or so congress participants split into CROATIA would not be summer smaller groups and came up with numer- for young players without the Helsinki ous ideas as to how amateur football Successful activities Cup. Established in 1976 with 211 teams could ensure that its current popularity The end of the season from five different countries, the Helsinki continues into the future. In this respect, increased optimism in Croatian Cup has become one of the biggest youth the DFB will have to react to a steeply football even more. With a tournaments in the world. This year’s falling population in order to keep its series of victories, the Croatian senior event took place from 6 to 12 July. national team is in with a chance of quali- To date, clubs from 52 different fying for EURO 2004, while the under-21s countries have participated in the competi- are gradually achieving their ultimate goal tion. The field this year comprised 810 of qualifying for the Olympic Games. clubs from 22 countries, including teams The first season of a new competi- from Brazil, the Seychelles, France, Israel, tion system with 12 clubs and play-off Spain, the Philippines and Mexico, to matches was very successful. Attendance mention but a few, falling short of last figures have increased, as has media atten- year’s all-time record by nine teams. An tion and the number of potential sponsors. The elective assembly of the association of international atmosphere invades Helsinki Croatian first division clubs that has been every July, as the teams arrive to compete vested by the Croatian Football Association for the cup. to manage the championship has taken The Helsinki Cup includes ten place in Zagreb. Damir Vrbanovic, General age groups for boys and six for girls. The Manager of NK Dinamo Zagreb, was elected Green Line philosophy of the Finnish FA
president. In this capacity, he at the same is applied in all categories. After every BONGARTS time becomes vice-president of the Croa- match, the referee rewards one player GERMANY tian FA. He is also vice-chairman of the from each team with a green card. The Engelbert Nelle addressing the congress. FINLAND HUNGARY International Antal Roth (left), flair coach of the in Helsinki. U-21 side and Imre Gellei, coach of the Hungarian senior team. MLSZ MLSZ
membership levels up. “We have realised given the top-level support they need, and Runar Kristinsson of Lokeren well in advance that we shall have to benefiting from the professional coaching in Belgium has become the first ever Ice- broaden and adjust the opportunities we skills of Antal Róth (former international landic player to clock up a century for the offer”, said Nelle. Among the main focuses and Feyenoord player) at under-21 level and national team, having won his one hun- are greater support for girls’ and women’s of Imre Gellei as far as the senior national dredth cap against Lithuania. Kristinsson is football, fitness-oriented football for 40- to team is concerned, both of whom have likely to hold the record for years to come, 60-year olds and a children’s football con- been successful with their respective teams as the second most-capped player is Gudni cept based on a non-competitive approach. since 2001. Bergsson (80 caps), who announced his Variants such as futsal, beach soccer and In reaching their current position retirement from football after the EURO street soccer are also to be promoted. in the respective European Championship 2004 qualifiers. Bergsson has been a great Last but not least, the technical and social qualifying groups, the under-21s 5-2 victory ambassador for Icelandic football for many skills of youth coaches are to be stepped against Sweden and the senior team’s 3-1 years, playing for Tottenham Hotspur and up by means of an intensive educational win against Latvia stand out. Bolton Wanderers in England. programme. These positive signs give the Ómar Smarason Stephan Brause Hungarian supporters hope for future ISRAEL HUNGARY games. There are some tough matches left before Hungary can qualify for EURO 2004 75th anniversary (which would be Hungary’s first European Successful national This year is a very memo- teams Championship final round since 1972) and rable one for the Football It has been a long time the Olympic Games in Athens (last appear- Association of Israel, since the Hungarian fans ance in the Atlanta Games in 1996). as it marks the 75th year of its founding. last felt so proud of their national teams’ Márton Dinnyés/György Szöllösi To mark this special year a commemora- performances at all levels. At the moment, tive dinner was held in Tel Aviv on15 June, however, the youth teams have been ICELAND including a presentation of shields doing well in their European competitions, to Israeli FA officials and former national Ásgeir Sigurvinsson players, as well as a spectacular floor while the under-21s and senior national appointed national coach team are in a hopeful position (second show. in each case) in their respective European A new national team coach Chief guest was FIFA President championship qualifying groups. was appointed in early May following the Joseph S. Blatter, who was joined by Angel Villar Llona, FIFA and UEFA vice- Despite these promising perform- resignation of Atli Edvaldsson. Ásgeir president, and president of the Spain FA; ances, the leaders of the Hungarian Football Sigurvinsson, one of the most successful professional players ever to come out Henri Roemer, UEFA Executive Committee Federation are still counting on long-term member and Luxembourg FA President; development from the nationwide “Bozsik” of Iceland, took over the coach’s seat on a temporary basis while the search for Joseph Mifsud, UEFA Executive Committee youth education programme. However, member and Malta FA President; and a permanent incumbent was under way. it is quite clear that the young guns need Marios Lefkaritis, UEFA Executive Commit- their Hungarian heroes. They give them Sigurvinsson played professional football tee member representing UEFA President motivation, hope and a good reason to play for Standard Liège, as well as Bayern Lennart Johansson. football. München and Stuttgart, and it was at the In addition, the presidents and Consequently, the teams of the latter club that he was most successful, chief executives of another 20 European present and the future are both top of the winning the German championship in 1984 football associations attended the celebra- MLSZ’s list of priorities. They are being and being voted Bundesliga player of tion. Altogether about 700 people, includ- the year. Sigurvinsson has called on the ing Israel FA officials, attended the dinner. services of Logi Ólafsson, one of the most FIFA President Joseph Blatter said respected coaches in Iceland, who has in his speech that he would exert all this coached both the men’s and women’s influence to enable Israel to play its home national teams, as assistant national team matches for the 2006 World Cup in Israel. coach. UEFA officials also promised to support this The EURO 2004 qualifying cam- move within the various UEFA competitions. paign did not get off to as good a start Gavriel Levi, Chairman of the Israel FA, welcomed the guests, and said: NORTHERN as had been hoped, but two good victories IRELAND under the leadership of Sigurvinsson and “Football, as the most popular sport in Sectarianism Ólafsson, against the Faroe Islands in Israel, is shared by over a million people, gets the Reykjavík (2-1) and against Lithuania in Kau- who meet every week: players, coaches, red card! referees and fans, men and women, nas (3-0) have put the team on the right young and old, Jews and Arabs, Chris- track again. Following these victories, tians and Druz, new immigrants and Sigurvinsson and Ólafsson were offered a Israeli veterans. It is only natural that contract to remain at the helm until the end over a million Israeli football fans want of 2005, which they duly accepted. If three to enjoy their right to see their national points are gained in the Faroe Islands on team and leading clubs play right here, 20 August, Iceland will go top of Qualifying at home, against the leading teams and Group 5, a position which not many would clubs of Europe. have expected, to say the least. But the Football – as all sports – is dedi- Faorese proved yet again in Reykjavík that cated to promoting the spirit of friend- they are no pushovers, and the winning ship and fair play. Football should bring goal in Iceland’s 2-1 victory came in added all people together – not set them apart.”
IFA time after 90 minutes. Haim Zimmer
18 uefadirect 7/8.03 ISRAEL KAZAKHSTAN FA President A fascinating Gavriel Levi exhibition. (right) welcoming FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter FUK IFA
KAZAKHSTAN better than their neighbours, finishing After the opening of the FLF football with a total final score of 34.5–29.5. A win academy and building of the national Football and art was worth one point while half a point football centre in Mondercange, a The Football Union of was awarded for a draw. The Latvian teams number of additional important reforms Kazakhstan was the venue scored 166 goals and their opponents 158. have also been carried out. for the exhibition “Football, The centre of the event was the In May this year, the FLF organ- its Past, Present and Future”, held on Keizarmezs sports centre in Riga, where the ised a referendum that dealt with two 29 May, on the occasion of the ninetieth main match was played between the parlia- important issues. Happily, both proposals anniversary of football in Kazakhstan. ments of both countries (Latvian Saeima received the required majority of the Visitors were able to enjoy works of art, vs Lithuanian Seima). The visiting parlia- votes: match programmes, pins and other football mentarians won 4-1 but the Latvian team From the 2005/06 season, articles. The exhibition was successfully can be pleased with their performance. teams playing in championship and cup combined with the presentation of the The match involving the national bank matches in Luxembourg will have to book “Kazakhstan Football. 1913-2003. teams ended the other way round, with include at least seven players who are Part I 1992–2002”. a 4-1 win for the Latvian Bank. Keizarmezs either eligible for the FLF’s representative Tlekbek Akpayev, Vice-President was the site of the most impressive defeat – teams or who fulfil the necessary condi- of the Football Union of Kazakhstan, said, the Latvian journalists lost their match tions to acquire Luxembourg nationality “On the occasion of the anniversary against a Lithuanian show-business team, at short notice. This will help to ensure of football in Kazakhstan, the Football “Preleganta”, 15-2. that the clubs invest more in the develop- Union of Kazakhstan decided to co-oper- Several matches were played ment of local young talent than they ate with journalists, historians and statis- between youth teams. Disappointingly, the have in recent years. ticians in order to create an official Latvian women’s under-19 and under-18 From next season, the FLF publication which adequately reflects the teams lost their matches. under-19 team will play in the DFB cham- history of football in Kazakhstan. Very It was widely concluded that this pionship (South-West Regional Junior few football works have seen the light football festival in two countries was a suc- League). Fortunately, the DFB has said of the day in sovereign Kazakhstan. cess. The most enthusiastic were the young it is willing to allow the Luxembourg team This book should help cover that gap. under-11 players, for whom it was a tremen- to enter the competition without impos- “This is a reference work-cum- dous honour to represent their country in ing any special conditions or formalities. encyclopaedia where figures and brief such a large contest. Luxembourg’s top players in this age comments help recreate football events Latvian FA General Secretary Janis group train and play under the expert of recent years. The first instalment is Mezeckis expressed his satisfaction with the guidance of former national team captain, dedicated to independent Kazakhstan event: “Such a competition between teams Jeff Saibene. They enjoy excellent and covers recent football events. The of different levels from two countries will facilities at the recently opened technical next ones will recount the first football definitely promote the development of the centre (CNF) in Mondercange and steps in Kazakhstan, the glorious history game in both countries. The most essential are already very excited about this new of FC Kairat/Almaty and other domestic aspect is the promotion of the popularity challenge. clubs. We have both people and results of football in Latvia and Lithuania. The best native players aged to be proud of.” Today we saw that football is not only a between 14 and 19, split into three A delegation from the German FA game for professionals. Exciting and squads (U15, U17 and U19), will there- (DFB), headed by Vice-President Karl-Josef emotional matches also take place fore spend six years being trained ex- Tanas, visited Kazakhstan with the Mittel- between people for whom football is a clusively at the FLF rhein youth team from 10 to 20 June. The leisure pursuit.” football academy. guests played two friendly matches, losing Nils Kalns 1-0 in Astana against the local youth team and winning 3-1 against the Kazakhstan national under-19 team in Almaty. Kazakh- stan has been invited to make a return visit to Germany in the autumn. The end of May saw the comple- tion of the 2002/03 futsal championship. LUXEMBOURG FC Zhigitter from Astana suffered only Important reforms ICELAND two defeats during the season and were Runar Kristinsson consequently declared champions. The The Luxembourg Football (in blue), best scorer of the championship was Association (FLF) has tried the first Icelandic everything in recent years player to chalk Sergey Levoshko (Aktubrentgen/Aktobe), up 100 caps. with 41 goals. to raise the general Alexander Keplin/Anton Vorobyev standard of football in Luxembourg. LATVIA Football festival in Latvia and Lithuania 21 June was the date of an important football event in a number of Latvian and Lithuanian towns – a total of 128 teams of different levels competed simultaneously, playing 64 games in the “LATVIA-LITHUANIA 100+”
competition. The Latvian players scored KSI LUXEMBOURG NETHERLANDS Jeff Saibene Left to right: (right, opposite Michel D’Hooghe, Kholkhov Mathieu Sprengers, of Russia) Harry Been coaches and Luxembourg’s Theo Zwanziger. U-19 side. BONGARTS KNVB
During that time, they will not be allowed Macedonian Women’s League, which NETHERLANDS to play for their clubs, but will receive started up in 2002/03. The first the type of sports education from the FLF women’s champions of FYR Macedonia Awards for Egidius Braun that in other countries is normally only are ZFK Lombardini. and Michel D’Hooghe offered by professional clubs. The FLF In order to increase the popu- On 16 June, before the start hopes that this highly challenging project larity of football among girls, the associa- of the KNVB general assembly, will, in the medium term, produce tion has agreed to host its group’s Egidius Braun and Michel D’Hooghe national team players with an excellent qualifying mini-tournament in the UEFA received the first ever Jo van Marle Award. football education who may then be Women’s Cup. The matches are being KNVB President Mathieu Sprengers and capable of making the grade as profes- played in Ohrid in July. General Secretary Harry Been honoured sional footballers. In addition, the Former Yugoslav these dedicated football officials from the There are also some new devel- Republic of Macedonia will host a two neighbouring countries. The award opments in women’s football. Romain qualifying tournament in the European was initiated two years ago in commemo- Jean, the first national coach, will get a Women’s Under-19 Championship. This ration of former KNVB president Jo van Luxembourg national team up and tournament will be held in October, again Marle. Van Marle also served UEFA as running from August. The team will on the shores of beautiful Lake Ohrid. treasurer in his modest but most commit- initially play friendly matches against Zoran Nikolovski ted manner for a long time. The award is foreign club teams. This will ensure that presented to non-members of the KNVB women’s football, which has enjoyed MALTA who have made a notable contribution to a somewhat unexpected boom in football in general. Unfortunately, Egidius Luxembourg in recent years, remains Noel Turner Braun was absent due to illness. DFB treas- in the public eye. Footballer of the Year Joël Wolff urer Theo Zwanziger accepted the award At the national stadium, on his behalf. Malta succumbed to Egidius Braun from Germany was FYR MACEDONIA another 2-1 defeat, this time at the treasurer and president of the German First women’s hands of ‘Mediterranean’ neighbours Football Association (DFB). Thanks to him championship Cyprus. Sigfried Held’s side could not the DFB has become a European and have got off to a worse start when goal- worldwide example for many others. Under At this time, the association keeper Saviour Darmanin was harshly the leadership of Braun the DFB supported is paying a great deal of dismissed after 20 minutes for a chal- poor football countries. As a UEFA attention to the development and estab- lenge inside the area. Cypriot striker official he played an important part in the lishment of women’s football. Konstantinou converted the resulting joint allocation of the organisation In this direction, several friendly penalty-kick and added a second soon of EURO 2000 to the football associations matches have been played against na- after the interval. The Maltese tried hard of the Netherlands and Belgium. tional teams from neighbouring countries to claw themselves into the game but a In his view it was inconceivable to and the best women’s clubs from the late Luke Dimech tally was not enough allocate these major projects to the larger to salvage at least a point. Malta striker associations only. In order to enable the Michael Mifsud said afterwards, “The red other 45 member associations of UEFA card dented our chances of a positive to host events on this scale it was deemed result. Down to ten men, we all knew necessary to create the possibility of it was an uphill struggle but we co-hosting. Furthermore, Braun has always showed character and did very well been aware of the sensitive relationship after the break”. between the Netherlands and Germany. Malta’s under-21 side were Michel D’Hooghe from Belgium also unlucky to lose by a solitary goal also played an important part in the alloca- scored in injury time after dominating tion of EURO 2000. The necessary, but the Cypriots for long stretches of the eventually seamless co-operation between game. Mark Miller’s side failed to convert the Belgians and the Dutch, can be attrib- a penalty and hit the woodwork twice uted to him to a large extent. Furthermore, during the match. D’Hooghe has supported projects of the After leading Sliema Wanderers Royal Belgian Football Association with to their first Premier League title in seven charitable aims. A well known example is years, skipper Noel Turner’s sterling con- the support of a children’s home in Mexico. tribution through the 2002/03 season Under the leadership of D’Hooghe an earned him the Malta FA’s Footballer of annual donation is made from Belgium. the Year award for the second time. He Rob de Leede was still a burgeoning midfielder when he was named Footballer of the Year for NORTHERN the 1995/96 season. Unassuming and IRELAND modest off the pitch, but determined and committed on it, the 28-year old Sliema Campaign against and Malta midfielder prefers to let his bigotry feet do the talking on the field. “My main Former Northern Ireland striker Iain Dowie target was to help my team win the helped to promote a “Football For All” ini- league and that triumph certainly tiative on the night of the European quali- MALTA played a big part in my personal suc- fier against Spain at Windsor Park. He said: Noel Turner, cess. My thanks go to my team-mates Malta’s “The Community Relations Coun- because it was a collective effort,” cil, Northern Ireland Supporters and the best player said an elated Turner. D. AQUILINA of the year. Louis Micallef IFA deserve a lot of credit for their Foot-
20 uefadirect 7/8.03 PORTUGAL RÉPUBLIC Portugal OF IRELAND lift the A win European over Albania Under-17 for Trophy. Robbie Kean and the Republic of Ireland. UEFA EMPICS
ball For All campaign. It was a pleasure For all this, and with less than a On the international front too to help support their “Give Bigotry the year to go before EURO 2004 in Portugal, June was a big month for the Republic as Red Card” appeal on the night. The fact people’s interest and enthusiasm the Irish senior team put their challenge that so many children, families and sup- continues to grow, as they look forward to to qualify for EURO 2004 in Portugal back porters are involved in the campaign is an enjoyable European Championship. on track in a major way. Successive victo- fantastic.” João Paulo Diniz ries in the space of just five days over Windsor Park was full of families Albania and Georgia moved the Republic and they were all behind the Football For REPUBLIC into second place in the table, just two All campaign. A poster campaign promot- OF IRELAND points below pace-setters Switzerland. ing the fans’ red card appeal was being The 2-1 Irish victory over Albania funded by UEFA. There were five billboard Outstanding success may have come ‘at the death’ by means posters, a bus campaign and leisure centre of Special Olympics of an own goal in injury time at Lansdowne campaign. A huge “Give Bigotry the Red Games Road, but it was crucial to the hopes Card” banner was placed over advertising of the Republic figuring in the EURO finals These have been exciting and history- space on the North Stand. UEFA have also in Portugal next summer. making times for sport in Ireland. A week sponsored 1,000 “Give Bigotry the Red The Irish followed up that success of huge sporting involvement came to a Card” badges and car stickers which the with a 2-0 win over Georgia, again at Lans- close at the end of June with the glittering IFA gave away free to fans. Some 2,000 downe Road, and that victory was the icing closing ceremony of the Special Olympics, community tickets were given to commu- on a very pleasant cake for the Irish from which brought the curtain down on the nity groups and school children free of two vital matches in their march towards activities of over 7,000 athletes and 3,000 charge to encourage an inclusive atmos- the summer sunshine of Portugal in a coaches from 170 countries. phere at the game. Free T-shirts, footballs, year’s time. It was the first time these games, balloons, balloon hats, flags and foam The next assignment for the which were the brainchild of Eunice hands were given out by comedy mascots Republic is their third ‘home’ game in a Kennedy Shriver, had been held in Ireland, and cheerleaders on the night to families row against Russia in September. A victory and the week-long occasion was rated an and community groups to encourage a car- here would leave the Irish in a wonderful outstanding success. nival atmosphere. A samba band on stilts frame of mind when they travel to Switzer- Football had a big part to play, and cross community mini soccer at half land in October for the final game of the with competitions for eleven-a-side and time ensured the crowd have an entertain- qualifying group. five-a-side teams, and the contributions and ing night. But it has also been a very good Michael Boyd input from Irish football officials and the time for Irish women’s football. A six-goal many volunteers were a major reason why victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina in these football events went off without a PORTUGAL Dublin and a scoreless draw in Zagreb with hitch and why it was such a joy to watch the Croatia during the month of May were Portugal scores points participants taking part. followed by a thrilling 2-2 draw with Portuguese football continues This, without a doubt, was a Romania at the end of June. The Republic to enjoy great moments. To big week for Irish sport which has helped looked as if they were about to lose to the mention only the very recent enormously to further the standing of the Romanians as the game in Dublin entered past and at club level, FC Porto had an Republic of Ireland, injury time, but with virtually the last extremely successful 2002/03 season. not just in football, kick of the match the Irish scored a second Besides winning the First League but also in a full equaliser to take another vital point Championship, the “Dragons” also won the sporting sense. and so maintain their unbeaten record Portuguese Cup (1-0 against União de in these qualifiers. Leiria) and the UEFA Cup (3-2), in a memo- Brendan McKenna rable match in Seville. With this triumph, FC Porto have won a place in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco at the end of August, where they will face AC Milan. As far as the national teams are concerned, Portugal continues to register international success. The under-17 national team won the European Championship, the final round of which took place in Portugal in May, beating Spain 2-1 in the final. There- fore, there is good reason to expect a great performance from these youngsters in the World Championship in Finland in August. More recently, the prestigious Toulon Tournament in France was the stage for a new victory for Portugal. The Por- PORTUGAL tuguese under-20 team beat Italy 3-1, Capucho gets away from João Manuel showing that they too have a lot to offer. d’União Leiria: Finally, in their preparations FC Porto also won for EURO 2004, the senior national team the Portuguese Cup. recently played two matches in Portugal against Paraguay and Bolivia. The game against the former ended in a goalless draw, while the other game was won by Portugal 4-0. Another warm-up game
is set for August, against Kazakhstan. EMPICS SLOVENIA UKRAINE Draw for The winning the 2003/04 captain being season. congratulated by Lyudmila Bannikova, widow of Victor Bannikov. NZS FFU
SLOVENIA the first round of the Slovenian Cup, in- Defender of the Year: volving 32 clubs, will be played on 30 July. Murat Yakin (FC Basel) League draw “It’s not the quantity but the Midfielder of the Year: At the end quality that counts” could be consolation Mihai Tararache (GC) of the 2002/03 season and before the start for the current situation in Slovenia. In Striker of the Year: of the next one, the FA of Slovenia and fact, this has been said before by Sloven- Christian Gimenez (FC Basel) the First League Clubs’ Association ran a ian football officials, who realise that the Scorer of the Year: draw for the 2003/04 season in the first situation will have to change in some way, Richard Nuñez (GC) and second national leagues and the first hopefully for the good of football. Pierre Benoit round of the Slovenian Cup. The draw Irena Ilesic Cujovic was made at the Slovenian national team’s UKRAINE base camp, Brdo, near Kranj. On the same SWITZERLAND occasion, the president of the First League Victor Bannikov Clubs’ Association, Branko Florjanic, and Stiel and Hakan Yakin Tournament FAS Vice-President Marko Ilesic presented named players This year, the second awards to the best teams of last season. of the year international youth football The First League Fair Play Award went On the sixth “Night of tournament in honour of Victor Bannikov, to NK Mura and the Second League award Swiss Football”, the best players of last the first president of the FFU, took place to Aluminj. Awards were also given season were honoured. Pride of place was in Kyiv from 16 to 21 June. to the teams which have qualified for the given to the men’s and women’s national Following the success of last UEFA competitions: Maribor, Publikum, teams, all of whose players were present. year’s inaugural tournament, in which Olimpija and Slovenia’s representatives Monica di Fonzo, Swiss Woman Footballer four national youth teams took part, the in the UEFA Intertoto Cup Koper. Second of the Year in 2002, who had scored for field of participants was increased to eight League winners and runners-up Domzale her country only the evening before in for this year’s event, to match the typical and Drava-Ptuj, were also honoured. Switzerland’s European Women’s Cham- international standard for tournaments A special award was presented to the best pionship qualifier against Finland, took of this kind. The under-17 teams from scorers in each league, Marko Kmetec on a different role for the occasion and Belarus, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Matjaz Majcen respectively. charmingly and competently conducted Russia, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine were The awards ceremony was followed the proceedings with Swiss-German TV divided into two groups, with the two by the draw. The Slovenian championship presenter Rainer Salzgeber. group winners contesting the final. has normally comprised 12 First and 16 Swiss FA President Ralph Zloczower Besides the tournament, the Second League clubs. Unfortunately, this will welcomed an illustrious multitude of participants were able to pay homage to not be the case next season, since quite a guests and showed himself to be in the Victor Bannikov by visiting his grave few clubs have renounced their right to play best of moods in his opening address, at the Baikove cemetery. They also visited at a certain competition level, mainly be- for a variety of good reasons, particularly the monument in memory of Valeriy cause of the severe conditions imposed by on account of the recent performances Lobanovskiy at the Dynamo stadium. the coming licensing system. The end result of all the Swiss national teams, which have A boat trip gave the teams the opportunity is that there will be 12 clubs competing in helped place Swiss football on the high to enjoy the picturesque scenery of Kyiv, the First League and 12 clubs in the Second. it is currently enjoying, as well as the while a visit to a Ukrainian championship The draw was therefore impover- extension of the contracts with principal match involving Dynamo Kyiv was also ished. The First League will kick off on sponsors the Credit Suisse bank and on the programme. 20 July. The competition will be staged in suppliers Puma until summer 2008. The Ukrainian team won the three cycles. The three main awards for which tournament, scoring 11 goals in four The 12 Second League clubs kick the public could also vote went to goal- matches and not conceding a single goal. off their new season on 10 August, while keeper Jörg Stiel (Borussia Mönchenglad- Second place went to Slovakia, who lost bach), Hakan Yakin (FC Basel) and the final 1-0. In the play-off for third Christian Gross (FC Basel). Stiel was place, Turkey beat Russia 2-0. named Best Swiss Player Abroad, Hakan Bulgaria actually finished in Yakin was voted Best Player in second place in Group B, but a heavy Switzerland, and Christian Gross received preparation schedule meant that they had the Coach of the Year award. to leave Ukraine before the end of the The other winners were: tournament and cede their place in the Referee of the Year: play-off to Russia. Claudio Circhetta At the end of the tournament, Woman Player of the Year: Prisca FFU President Grigoriy Surkis expressed Steinegger (SV Seebach) his satisfaction with the atmosphere on Young Player of the Year: the field. “It is of great importance to us Roland Schwegler (GC) that we have conducted this tournament Goalkeeper of the Year: for the second time and it has already Fabrice Borer (GC) become a traditional event. Last year only four teams took part, but this year we allowed for an optimum number of participants – eight – and from now on we plan to keep to that number. Before, the FFU had not hosted any national team tournaments but now we can say that we have top-level international SWITZERLAND football competitions,” he said. Swiss FA awards night hostess Monica di Fonzo
ASF in action on the pitch. Valeriy Nykonenko
22 uefadirect 7/8.03 RICHIARDI
Announcement communicationsbirthdays – calendar On 25 June, the executive committee of the Bulgarian FA appointed Stefan Capralov as chief executive/general secretary of the association. He replaces Ivan Voutzov. Congratulations ● Enrique González Ruano (Spain, 24.8) ● Nicolae Grigorescu (Romania, 24.8) Match agents meet in Nyon Wilhelm Hennes (Germany), member ● Thomas Slosarich (Denmark, 24.8) of the circle of former UEFA committee ● Josef Poucek (Czech Republic, 25.8) Match agents holding a UEFA licence members, will be 75 on 23 August. ● Dulberto Gloria (Portugal, 25.8) gathered at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon On 19 August, Vitalijs Liholajs (Latvia), ● Leslaw Cmikiewicz (Poland, 25.8) recently for a meeting intended to member of the Referee Observers Panel ● Giancarlo Abete (Italy, 26.8) familiarise them with the organisation and will be 60. Alex Manfré (Malta), member ● Charles Rubli (Switzerland, 27.8) of the Fair Play and Ethics Panel, follows ● Juan Ansuategui Roca (Spain, 27.8) to exchange ideas and information. suit on 26 August. On 30 August, Pedro ● Karl Hopfner (Germany, 28.8) Manuel Correia Magro (Portugal), member ● Markus Wanger (Liechtenstein, 28.8) of the Medical Committee, turns 40. ● Joseph Mc Glue (Republic of Ireland, 28.8) UEFA also wishes many happy returns ● Fredi Fiorentini (Croatia, 29.8) of the day to: ● Tassos Katsikides (Cyprus, 29.8) ● John Christopher McGinn (Scotland, 30.8) ● Theodore Theodoridis (Greece, 1.8) ● Leo Windtner (Austria, 30.8) ● Süheyl Önen (Turkey, 2.8) ● Christer Fällström (Sweden, 31.8 ● Peter Gans (Netherlands, 3.8) ● Andreas Schluchter (Switzerland, 3.8) ● Zdravko Jokic (Serbia and Montenegro, 4.8) Upcoming events UEFA ● Lamberto Perugia (Italy, 5.8) ● Yehuda Wilk (Israel, 5.8) MEETINGS The meeting was attended by 21 agents, ● Piet Hubers (Netherlands, 6.8) 27.8.2003, Monaco who discussed primarily the revision of the ● Pierino Lardi (Switzerland, 7.8) Club Competitions Committee Regulations for Licensed UEFA Match Agents. ● Simo Ruokonen (Finland, 8.8) 28.8.2003, Monaco The agents’ comments on the main changes ● Peter Donald (Scotland, 8.8) Bureau of the European Club Forum envisaged will be taken into consideration ● Nico de Pauw (Belgium, 8.8) Draw for the UEFA Champions League ● Pierre Schiepers (Belgium, 9.8) group matches for the final version, which will be submitted ● to the Executive Committee later this year. Odd Flattum (Norway, 9.8) 29.8.2003, Monaco ● Roy Hodgson (England, 9.8) Draw for the first round of the UEFA Cup The agents also raised questions regard- ● Heinz Fahnler (Austria, 10.8) European Club Forum ing, for example, the use of the licensed ● Keith Burge (Wales, 10.8) agent’s logo, the problem of agents working ● Maurice Burlaz (France, 11.8) COMPETITIONS without a UEFA licence and the need to make ● Dr Urs Vogel (Switzerland, 11.8) sure that the national associations are better ● Alexis Dedes (Greece, 12.8) 6.8.2003 UEFA Champions League: second qualifying informed about the role of licensed agents. ● Roger Vanden Stock (Belgium, 13.8) ● round (return legs) In his welcome message, UEFA Chief Joseph Mifsud (Malta, 13.8) UEFA Intertoto Cup: semi-finals (return legs) ● Cornel Cristian Bivolaru (Romania, 13.8) Executive Gerhard Aigner said that “in recent ● Gevorg Hovhannisyan (Armenia, 13.8) 12.8.2003 years it has not been easy for agents to ● Metin Tuncer (Turkey, 13.8) UEFA Intertoto Cup: finals (first legs) organise friendly matches or tournaments ● Markus Hörwick (Germany, 14.8) 12-13.8.2003 because the international calendar has ● Nikolay Ryashentsev (Russia, 15.8) UEFA Champions League: third qualifying been too congested”. He also expressed round (first legs) ● Hermann Selbherr (Germany, 16.8) UEFA’s desire to preserve and even improve ● Alan Hutchings (England, 16.8) 13-30.8.2003, Finland the image of its licensed agents. ● Arman Hovhannisyan (Armenia, 16.8) FIFA Under-17 World Championship The agents re-elected Günter Bachmann ● Jean Hardt (Luxembourg, 17.8) 14.8.2003 (Germany) as their spokesman and ● Dane Jost (Slovenia, 18.8) UEFA Cup: qualifying round (first legs) ● George Gregoriou (Cyprus) as his substitute. Patricia Gregory (England, 19.8) 26.8.2003 ● The spokesman represents the agents at Hans Reijgwart (Netherlands, 19.8) UEFA Intertoto Cup: finals (return legs) ● Frantisek Laurinec (Slovakia, 19.8) meetings of the Licensed UEFA Match Agents ● Per Ravn Omdal (Norway, 20.8) 26-27.8.2003 Panel, where, as an observer, he is able ● Oleg Orekhov (Ukraine, 20.8) UEFA Champions League: third qualifying round (return legs) to share his knowledge and experience with ● Carmelo Bartolo (Malta, 21.8) the panel. ● Hasan Ceylan (Turkey, 22.8) 28.8.2003 ● Kazimierz Oleszek (Poland, 22.8) UEFA Cup: qualifying round (return legs) ■ Wolfgang Knispel (Germany) has given ● Geoffrey Thompson (England, 23.8) 29.8.2003, Monaco up his licence and is therefore no longer ● John Economides (Greece, 23.8) UEFA Super Cup a licensed UEFA match agent.
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: 10 July 2003 source is indicated. UEFA Route de Genève 46 Union des associations CH-1260 Nyon européennes de football Suisse Téléphone +41 22 994 44 44 Téléfax +41 22 994 44 88 uefa.com