No. 10 4 – 12/2010 Meet Slavek and Slavko

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 1 16.12.10 09:16 2 In this issue

Fresh impetus for women’s football 4 The creation of the UEFA Women’s Champions League last season has done wonders for women’s football. le The competition is now well into its second season, UEFA with the quarter-fi nals just around the corner. Sportsfi

UEFA EURO 2012 mascots 7 Slavek and Slavko, the UEFA EURO 2012 mascots, were introduced to the public in November. UEFA

MESGO seminar in Nyon 8 A Master in European Sport Governance (MESGO) seminar was held at UEFA HQ in Nyon in November. UEFA

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL UEFA Executive Committee meets in Prague 12

Offi cial publication of the The last Executive Committee meeting Union des associations of the year was held in the Czech capital européennes de football in early December. UEFA Chief editor : André Vieli Produced by : Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland Printing : Celebrating football unity 15 Artgraphic Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson Celebrations were held in Leipzig to mark Editorial deadline : 10 December 2010 20 years since German football’s reunifi cation Hartmann/Bongarts/Getty Images The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the on 21 November 1990. offi cial views of UEFA. The reproduction of articles published in UEFA·direct is authorised, provided the source is indicated.

UEFA News from member associations 16 Route de Genève 46 CH-1260 Nyon Switzerland Tel. +41 848 00 27 27 Fax +41 848 01 27 27 www.UEFA.com E-mail: [email protected] Cover

Slavek and Slavko, the UEFA EURO 2012 mascots, have been busy promoting the tournament in Poland and Ukraine since November. Photo: UEFA

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Keeping the

fl ame alive UEFA

ne of the most popular symbols of Christmas is the On that note, I would like to take this opportunity to Otree, with its fairy lights and tinsel. Its traditional wish the entire football family and all its friends a very shape – with thicker, denser lower boughs tapering into happy Christmas and New Year. Let us all resolve to a point with fewer branches – is reminiscent of the foot- keep the fl ame of football alive and burning bright in ball pyramid, with its wide grassroots base and slender 2011. Even without any major international tournaments elite peak. on the calendar, the year ahead is sure to provide us with no shortage of exciting football at all levels of the However, unlike the short-lived Christmas tree, football game. seeks durability and stability – of the Laws of the Game, of its competitions and structures – although at times, ensuring this perennial state can be something of a struggle, with threats on various fronts never far away. Michel Platini UEFA President

Football has achieved its popularity and established itself thanks, in no small part, to the faith of its pioneers, who never stopped believing in their ideal. They man- aged to keep alight the fl ame they had lit and pass it on to us. Times have changed, as have the challenges we face, but our enthusiasm must be as strong as that of our predecessors’ in order to fuel the fl ame of football and ensure that it burns brighter and longer than the lights on the Christmas tree.

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 3 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 4 UEFA Women’s Champions League Fresh impetus for women’s football

The introduction of a European women’s competition was approved by the UEFA Executive Committee at a meeting in Paris on 23 May 2000. As a result, the fi rst UEFA Women’s Cup was staged in 2001/02, bringing together 33 clubs from as many different national associations.

The number of associations represented of the revamped competition is the fi nal, which is now increased considerably within just a played as a single match on the Thursday before the few years. This, combined with the suc- men’s fi nal, in the same city. cess of the competition and the emer- gence of top-level women’s teams, Competition format prompted UEFA to modernise the for- Before moving onto the fi nancial aspects of the compe- mat in 2009/10 and the UEFA Women’s Champions tition, let us take a look fi rst at its sporting side. In principle, League came into being. each association is represented by one team, although The new format is inspired by that of the men’s UEFA the top eight in the rankings are entitled to two places Champions League. It raises the profi le of women’s (one in the round of 32 and the other in the qualify- football and puts more resources at its disposal, while ing round for the seasons 2009/10 and 2010/11; as guaranteeing a maximum number of participating mem- from the 2011/12 edition, both clubs from the top eight ber associations. For outsiders, the most striking feature will start in the round of 32). The qualifi ers take place in

1. FFC Turbine Potsdam won the fi rst Women’s Champions League fi nal, which was held in Madrid in the same week as the men’s fi nal. le Sportsfi

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Looking ahead to the quarter-fi nals

The access list for the 2010/11 UEFA Women’s Champions League contained 51 teams. For 28 of them, the competition kicked off in August with the qualifying round, played in the form of mini-tournaments for which the teams were drawn into seven groups of four.

he clubs seeded for these mini-tournaments, i.e. the domestic Tleague runners-up of the eight associations with the high- est coeffi cient rankings, all made it through, with the notable exception of Umeå IK, fi ve-time UEFA Women’s Cup fi nal- ists and winners in 2002/03 and 2003/04. This time, the Swedes left Cyprus empty-handed after being comprehen- sively beaten (4-1) by the mini-tournament hosts and ultimate Empics Sport group winners, Apollon Limassol LFC. Gwenn Haries of Everton passes the ball despite All the other seeds qualifi ed for the round of 32, either by pressure from MTK’s Zsuzsanna Szabo in the second leg of their round of 32 tie this season. winning their mini-tournaments – as in the case of Denmark’s Brøndby IF, Everton of England, French team August, in the form of mini-tournaments played as round- FCF Juvisy Essonne, robin fi xtures by groups of four teams. The group winners Italy’s ASD Bardolino and, depending on the number of entries, potentially Verona, Russia’s Ros- one or more runners-up qualify for the knockout stage, siyanka and Ger- which kicks off in September with the round of 32. From many’s 2001 Duis- here until the fi nal, all matches are played on a home burg – or, in the case and away basis and the away goals rule applies. As of Iceland’s Breidab- in the men’s game, if two teams score the same number lik, as best group of goals at home and away, two 15-minute periods of runners-up. ZNK Krka extra time are played and, if necessary, the match goes of Slovenia also quali- UEFA to penalties. fi ed as runners-up. The clubs, heavyweights and newcomers alike, are They were joined delighted with the new format and, just like their male in the round of 32 Quarter-fi nal draw in Nyon counterparts, lots of players have waxed lyrical about by another 23 teams their impressions: the Champions League really is the – including the titleholders, 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam – who ultimate club competition. Such sound bites are quick had byes to the knockout stage. It was in the round of 32, to confi rm. Flemming Nielsen, manager and coach of played in September and October, that Apollon’s incred- Danish club Fortuna Hjørring, for example, says: “As cham- ible campaign came to an end, although the Cypriots made pions of a small football country two seasons in a row, Russia’s Zvezda-2005 work hard for their place in the next we need the Champions League to help us improve, round. Three others who had make it through the qualifying because our domestic competition doesn’t produce enough round – Bardolino, Breidablik and Krka – were knocked out tough matches. We played very well against Bardolino in the round of 32, with another two – Brøndby and Rossi- Verona this season and last, but Duisburg are obvi- yanka – bowing out in November’s round of 16. This meant ously formidable opponents.” Alexander Bondarenko, there were only three domestic runners-up remaining when manager of FC Rossiyanka, shares Nielsen’s enthusiasm: the quarter-fi nal draw was held on 19 November in Nyon. It “It was an excellent idea of UEFA’s and has breathed produced the following ties: new life into women’s football.” Rainer Zimmermann, ■ 1. Zvezda-2005 v Olympique Lyonnais FCR 2001 Duisburg press offi cer, attaches great ■ 2. Arsenal Ladies FC v Linköpings FC importance to the competition, especially as his side ■ 3. Everton v FCR 2001 Duisburg lifted the UEFA Women’s Cup two years ago, in their ■ 4. FCF Juvisy Essonne v 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam debut season: “The Bundesliga is obviously our top prior- The quarter-fi nals will be played on 16/17 March (fi rst ity, because a domestic title illustrates the continuity of a legs) and 23/24 March (return legs). team throughout the season and shows that we are the The semi-fi nal ties were also decided on 19 November: best team in the country of the world champions. But this ■ Winners of quarter-fi nal 1 v Winners of quarter-fi nal 2 season we’re probably out of the running for the title, as ■ Winners of quarter-fi nal 3 v Winners of quarter-fi nal 4 we’re already quite far from the top, so the Champions The fi rst legs will be played on 9 and 10 April, with the League is even more important.” After wins in qualifying return legs a week later on 16th and 17th. The fi nal is being in Northern Ireland, and against CSHVSM of Almaty staged in London on 26 May. ●

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 5 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 6 InaugurationUEFA Women’s de ChampionsLa Clairière League

(Kazakhstan) and Hjørring (“worthy opponents”), Duisburg have their eyes on the prize. THE FINAL DEBATE ussia’s Alexander Bondarenko and Denmark’s Financial contributions RFlemming Nielsen are enthusiastic: “Staging Some women’s clubs that are not as well-established the women’s fi nal in the same city as the men’s or experienced as the men’s have more mixed feelings can only help to raise the profi le of women’s foot- about the new horizons open to them. While FC Ros- ball. It’s excellent for the competition.” For Rainer Zimmermann, however, the debate remains open. siyanka consider the fi nancial conditions good, Fortuna FCR 2001 are clearly a case apart: women’s foot- would welcome more of a helping hand from UEFA: ball is hugely popular in Germany and FCR won € “Last season we had a shortfall of 3,000, and we the last ever UEFA Women’s Cup in May 2009. didn’t even have to travel that far. So participating in For the return leg of the fi nal, 28,112 spectators the competition could threaten the sustainability of our turned out to set an as yet unbroken world record. club.” FCR 2001, with their more solid foundations, “We’re a bit torn: this new single-match fi nal, in draw the following conclusion: “We’re happy that, after the same place as the men’s, is excellent promotion for the competition, but I wonder whether our sup- having done away with the home and away fi nal, UEFA porters wouldn’t prefer to go to see ‘half a fi nal’ in decided to allocate prize money to the fi nalists. But if their home town than undergo an expensive trip to we don’t get that far, it’s almost impossible to earn any Madrid or London.” P.P. money from the Champions League. We’ve had our fi ngers burnt to a certain extent: in two years, we’ve already had four long, expensive trips – to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazan [Russia] and Kazakhstan, as well as two qualifying mini-tournaments.” On the topic of fi nancial contributions, the UEFA Executive Committee decided, at its meeting in Minsk

in October, to make changes to the prize pot and its Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images distribution. Whereas in the fi rst UEFA Women’s Cham- pions League, only the two finalists received prize money (€325,000 for the winners and €225,000 for the runners-up), all eight teams that reach this season’s A record turnout for FCR 2001 Duisburg. quarter-fi nals will get a slice of the cake. The four that are knocked out will each receive €25,000, the two losing tunity to measure ourselves against the best players semi-fi nalists €50,000, the runners-up €200,000 and in Europe. FCR 2001 will therefore once again be the winners €250,000. doing everything they can this season to qualify for the next.” Alexander Bondarenko, however, would like to Hot topic see UEFA go a step further: “The new format is certainly Dieter Oster, chairman of FCR 2001 Duisburg, ac- heading in the right direction, but it should be made curately sums up what seems to be the general feeling: possible for more teams to benefi t by means of a second “The Champions League sometimes causes us to travel tournament, like the Europa League, for the next teams long distances, which generates considerable costs, but down and those who aren’t lucky enough to qualify for in sporting terms, this competition is exciting for every the Champions League.” player and every team, because it gives us an oppor- ● Pascale Pierard PA Wire/PA Images Wire/PA PA

Craven Cottage, the venue for the 2011 fi nal

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 6 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES UEFA EURO 2012 mascots 7 Slavek and UEFA Executive Committee member Slavko already František Laurinec reveals the names of the two EURO

at work EURO 2012 Loc Ukraine 2012 mascots.

There may be 18 months to go until the start The Football Federation of Ukraine president, Grigoriy of EURO 2012 but the mascots, Slavek and Slavko, Surkis, emphasised the importance of the role the pair have already got the ball rolling. will play. “The two mascots represent the joint effort and commitment of both countries and their football associa- tions to organise a successful EURO 2012,” he said. Following in the footsteps of the EURO “We share the same ideas and are looking forward to 2008 mascots, Trix and Flix, this new pair the fun of the tournament.” are fl ying the fl ag for Poland and Ukraine and have quickly made their presence Young and dynamic felt since being unveiled at a star-studded Poznan was their fi rst stop on a whirlwind tour of ceremony at Warsaw’s Polish Theatre on 16 November. the eight host cities, with the mascots also visiting Lviv, Like Trix and Flix, who represented Austria and Donetsk, Wroclaw, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Gdansk before Switzerland in 2008, Slavek and Slavko sport the home returning to Warsaw. Their road show took in stadiums strip of each host nation and have their hair dyed in their and tourist attractions across the two nations, as well national team colours – red and white for Poland, and as numerous photo sessions with enthusiastic children, yellow and blue for Ukraine. including thousands who braved the cold during the fi nal Slavek wears No 20 and Slavko No 12, and if a mas- leg of the tour on 4 December to see Slavek and Slavko cot’s role is to bring a team good fortune, then legendary turn on the Christmas lights in the Polish capital. Polish striker and EURO 2012 ambassador Zbigniew Each step of the way, people voted to help name Boniek, who wore the No 20 for Poland, thinks his the pair, with Slavek and Slavko proving most popular nation could be on to a winner. with the 56% of votes, followed by Siemko and Strimko “This number was good for the national team, it (29%) and Klemek and Ladko (15%). In all, 39,233 fans brought me a lot of luck,” he said. “Grzegorz Lato had had their say, including 8,424 who voted in the online this number too. As No 20 I scored three famous goals poll on UEFA.com. The winning names were revealed against Belgium at the 1982 World Cup.” by UEFA Executive Committee member František Lauri- The pair also impressed Ukraine striker and fellow am- nec in Kyiv on 4 December. “The mascots promote the bassador Andriy Shevchenko, who noted that, as well host countries very positively,” he said. “They are young as promoting EURO 2012, “the mascots can play good and dynamic, just like Ukraine and Poland.” ● football and that is a good sign for the tournament”.

Since 1980 Mascots have been an integral part of the European Football Championship since 1980, when Pinocchio took to the fi eld in Italy. They have been created by Warner Bros since 2004, when Kinas helped to cheer hosts Portugal to the fi nal, and following the success of Trix and Flix in 2008, two mascots are again deemed better than one. Since being unveiled, the twins’ feet have hardly touched the ground. On 17 November they attended Poland’s friendly international against Ivory Coast at the Miejski Stadium in Poznan, as well as Ukraine’s game against Switzerland in Geneva. The president of the Polish Football Federation, Grzegorz Lato, was on hand to witness their international debut and said: “I like the

mascots. They do their job well, promoting the two host EURO 2012 Loc Poland nations and the fi nals.” Slavek and Slavko meet the public.

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 7 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 8 Master in sport MESGO module in Nyon

Football and its environment have evolved to such an extent over recent years that those involved in the administration and governance of the game must have specialist skills and expert knowledge to fulfi l their duties. Consequently, UEFA has created a series of education programmes specially designed with the national associations and the professionalism of European football governance in mind.

ne key education programme which has been that maintain the KISS spirit and objectives. The courses Olaunched is the Executive Master in European in question are the UEFA certifi cate and diploma in Sport Governance (MESGO) – a course designed to football management (UEFA CFM and DFM) and the help UEFA’s 53 national associations, and UEFA staff European team sports associations’ joint Executive members, to enhance their knowledge of sports govern- Master in European Sport Governance (MESGO). In ance and regulation, and to benefi t European football addition, UEFA has launched a research grant pro- as a whole. The inaugural MESGO course began in gramme to support the work of researchers in the fi eld September, and UEFA recently hosted a module at the of European football. House of European Football in Nyon. The MESGO course which came to Nyon in No- vember is open to elected offi cers and association Knowledge sharing managers, as well as senior managers from European, Since 2005, the ambitious KISS project (Knowledge international and national sports federations, leagues & Information Sharing Scenario) has been providing and clubs, European institutions and governments, and UEFA’s member association staff with opportunities to partners of sports organisations. The MESGO came develop and exchange best practice. Interactive work- into being when a convention creating the master’s pro- shops and the online KISS platform have seen asso- gramme was signed at UEFA’s headquarters last year. ciation representatives swap know-how in a variety of areas. Better understanding In the wake of the initial success of the knowledge- The MESGO programme is designed to help par- sharing programme, UEFA has put together new courses ticipants have a better understanding of the specifi c UEFA

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nature of the European sports model, and provides them with the opportunity to study the many and varied challenges facing international sports organisa- tions at a European and global level. The course has been developed and is delivered by a number of academic bodies: Birkbeck Sports Busi- ness Centre, Birkbeck College, University of London; Centre de Droit et d’Economie du Sport, University of Limoges; Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz; Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya, Uni- versity of Lleida; and Sciences Po, Paris. In addition, UEFA’s team sport partners – the Euro- pean associations of basketball (FIBA Europe), hand- ball (EHF), rugby (FIRA-AER) and volleyball (CEV) – have given the programme their backing. MESGO modules will take place in Paris, London, Mainz/ Frankfurt, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva/Nyon/Lausanne and New York. Under the executive master’s programme, key stake- UEFA holders of European sport come together to analyse Nils Fisketjonn and Kenneth Reeh, two national association the characteristics of its specifi c model, its main chal- representatives enrolled on the MESGO course lenges and measures that could be put in place to guarantee its future prosperity. During the week, the participants also attended sessions at FIBA, the Fédération Internationale de Work and study in parallel l’Automobile (FIA), the International Committee of the Participants from national football associations are Red Cross (ICRC) and the Stade de Genève, all in welcoming the chance to further their own know-how Geneva, and the International Olympic Committee on behalf of their associations. These new courses (IOC) in Lausanne. have all been designed to enable participants to work and study in parallel, to complement their day-to-day Total support professional activities and to meet their unique needs. UEFA’s support is total, as the European body is They incorporate state-of-the-art teaching methods, confi dent that the MESGO will strengthen football including distance learning, and should help UEFA management and sports governance in Europe at a member associations’ staff to find fulfilment in their time when professional sport has evolved consider- careers as well as giving them academic recognition ably in the face of sporting and commercial changes, of their achievements, be it in the form of a certifi cate, and will also benefi t the long-term good functioning of a diploma or even an internationally recognised mas- its member associations. ter’s degree. “We are all serving football, we can all learn “The course gives me the chance to go deeper from each other,” Gianni Infantino told the audience. into details and to be educated,” said Kenneth “This is the reason why we support the MESGO pro- Reeh, head of administration at the Danish Football gramme. This master’s is very important for the future Association (DBU). “It’s very interesting to have the of European sport, and European football in particu- chance to learn not only from other sports, but also lar. Governance is key in whatever we do – we have to be able to bring people from other sports into the eyes of everyone on us, and this is right. We are my network.” Nils Fisketjonn, competition director at demanding, but we also have to structure ourselves in the Norwegian Football Association, added: “The a way which justifi es these demands.” course gives me knowledge which I can take into my The organisations involved in the MESGO all have job back home. The issues we have discussed are something in common, be it from an academic or very interesting, and the quality of the speakers has sporting point of view. TheUn pursuit vaste travail of excellence est and been very high.” the necessity for sound governancenécessaire dans is paramount les coulisses for At UEFA, the 20 participants in the inaugural sports at European level. Asavant a result, que le itvainqueur, is a priority for MESGO programme listened to a presentation by the top executives to have a àhigh l’image level d’Iker of Casillastraining and en 2008, puisse laisser general secretary, Gianni Infantino, on the political excellence. Furthermore, theéclater knowledge sa joie. acquired and and administrative organisation of European football’s experience shared within the networks established by governing body, and William Gaillard, adviser to these programmes can only be of benefi t to UEFA’s the UEFA president, spoke about the principle of soli- member associations. ● darity in sports governance. Both presentations were A MESGO brochure is available, as is information followed by lively question and answer sessions. online at ➜ mesgo.org/.

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 9 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 10 European youth championships Draws aplenty

In November, the House of European Football in Nyon received representatives of the UEFA member associations for various men’s and women’s youth competition draws in the ongoing 2010/11 Kelly Gadea, captain of the French team that lifted the U19 fair championships and the forthcoming 2011/12 play trophy in 2010, helps out at the draws for the latest women’s U19 competitions. competitions.

The women’s competition draws were held on 16 2011/12 season November. For the 2010/11 season, the draws con- The fi rst qualifying round draws for the 2011/12 cerned the second qualifying round of the U17 and U19 European women’s youth competitions were held the competitions. same day.

For the U17s, who will once again play In the U17s, the groups are as follows: their fi nal round in Nyon (from 28 to 31 Group 1: Switzerland, Poland, Georgia, Latvia July 2011), the 16 teams were split into four Group 2: Republic of Ireland, Italy, Romania, groups, the winners of which will gather in FYR Macedonia Switzerland next year. Group 3: Sweden, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria Group 4: Norway, Russia, Slovenia, Lithuania Group 1: Iceland, Sweden, England, Poland Group 5: France, Wales, Faroe Islands, Moldova Group 2: Spain, Czech Republic, Belgium, Italy Group 6: England, Finland, Israel, Northern Ireland Group 3: Germany, Denmark, Finland, Russia Group 7: Denmark, Turkey, Greece, Serbia Group 4: Switzerland, Scotland, Wales, France Group 8: Czech Republic, Belgium, Belarus, Estonia Mini-tournament hosts in bold Group 9: Spain, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan Group 10: Scotland, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Austria In the U19 category, the 24 teams that had Mini-tournament hosts in bold qualifi ed were divided into six groups of four. The group winners and the best runners- Two teams (Germany and the Netherlands) have up will join Italy in the 2011 fi nal round, to qualifi ed directly for the second qualifying round, where be held from 30 May to 11 June. they will be joined by the group winners and the four best runners-up. Group 1: France, Netherlands, Denmark, Lithuania Group 2: Russia, Belgium, Finland, Serbia Group 3: Germany, Iceland, Wales, Turkey U19 groups: Group 4: England, Norway, Croatia, Portugal Group 1: Norway, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Croatia Group 5: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Ukraine Group 2: Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Portugal Group 6: Austria, Spain, Scotland, Poland Group 3: Czech Republic, Poland, Cyprus, Estonia Mini-tournament hosts in bold Group 4: Iceland, Wales, Slovenia, Kazakhstan Karen Group 5: Sweden, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovakia Espelund, Group 6: Austria, Italy, FYR Macedonia, Armenia fi rst vice- Group 7: Finland, Scotland, Belarus, Faroe Islands chairman of Group 8: Denmark, Russia, Greece, Latvia the Women’s Football Group 9: Belgium, Romania, Northern Ireland, Lithuania Committee, Group 10: Spain, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is given a Moldova helping hand Mini-tournament hosts in bold by Germany’s Kristin Demann, Three teams – Germany, France and England – have captain of the been given a bye for the fi rst qualifying round. They will U17 fair play be joined by the top two in each group and the best champions of 2010. third-placed team. Turkey automatically qualify for the fi nal round, which they will host in July 2012.

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 10 16.12.10 09:16 Matthew James, captain of the England team that topped 11 the U19 fair play table in 2010

Men’s competitions The top two in each qualifying round group and the best third-placed team will 2011/12 season compete in the elite round in spring 2012 in order to The 2011/12 European Under-17 Championship determine which seven teams will join the hosts, Estonia, will culminate in the fi nal round in Slovenia in May in the fi nal round. 2012. The draw on 30 November split the 52 teams involved in the qualifying round into the following 13 groups:

Group 1: Norway, Hungary, Andorra, Belarus Group 2: Portugal, Romania, Russia, Finland Group 3: Scotland, Turkey, San Marino, FYR Macedonia Group 4: Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein Group 5: Italy, Austria, Denmark, Cyprus Group 6: England, Netherlands, Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina Group 7: Belgium, Croatia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan Group 8: Georgia, Sweden, Bulgaria, Moldova Group 9: Wales, Serbia, Armenia, Lithuania Group 10: Northern Ireland, France, Luxembourg,

Faroe Islands Photos: UEFA Group 11: Spain, Poland, Montenegro, Malta Group 12: Slovakia, Germany, Albania, Estonia Group 13: Greece, Switzerland, Israel, Iceland Grigoriy Mini-tournament hosts in bold Surkis, Second part of the 2010/11 season chairman of the Youth These matches will be played in autumn 2011, with The 2010/11 elite round draws in the and Amateur the top two in each group and the two best third-placed men’s U17 and U19 competitions were also Football teams qualifying for the elite round in spring 2012. held on 30 November. The group winners Committee, will qualify for the fi nal rounds, which will conducts the draw with be held in Serbia and Romania in May and the help of July 2011 respectively. Spain’s Jonas Ramalho, In the 2011/12 European Under-19 Championship, Results of the U17 elite round draw: captain of the fairest England, Spain and France have been given a bye for Group 1: Italy, Slovakia, Scotland, Czech Republic team in the the qualifying round, which will involve 48 teams. The Group 2: Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Austria 2010 U17 following groups were drawn: Group 3: Denmark, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Latvia competition. Group 4: Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine Group 1: Hungary, Portugal, San Marino, Faroe Islands Group 5: Spain, England, Belgium, Northern Ireland Group 2: Russia, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia Group 6: Norway, Georgia, Belarus, France and Herzegovina, Bulgaria Group 7: Romania, Hungary, Iceland, Russia Group 3: Italy, Azerbaijan, Romania, Sweden Mini-tournament hosts in bold Group 4: Iceland, Norway, Latvia, Cyprus Group 5: Serbia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Israel Results of the U19 elite round draw: Group 6: Ukraine, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Group 1: Belgium, Estonia, Portugal, Croatia FYR Macedonia Group 2: Spain, England, Switzerland, Group 7: Belarus, Germany, Montenegro, Montenegro Northern Ireland Group 3: France, Slovakia, Belarus, Greece Group 8: Belgium, Scotland, Wales, Slovenia Group 4: Italy, Republic of Ireland, Group 9: Poland, Turkey, Georgia, Luxembourg Ukraine, Poland Group 10: Slovakia, Greece, Armenia, Andorra Group 5: Netherlands, Russia, Israel, Czech Republic Group 11: Netherlands, Croatia, Moldova, Finland Group 6: Serbia, Norway, Wales, Moldova Group 12: Austria, Denmark, Malta, Albania Group 7: Germany, Turkey, Hungary, FYR Macedonia Mini-tournament hosts in bold Mini-tournament hosts in bold

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 11 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 12 Executive Committee meeting Promoting the growth of women’s football The Executive Committee’s fi nal meeting of the year was held in Prague on 9 December.

s usual, a large part of the meeting chaired by the should be one of the driving forces behind the develop- A UEFA President, was devoted to a review of the ment of women’s football, which will also be the focus of various UEFA committees’ activities. For example, an up- a higher number of study group visits and seminars organ- date was given on the HatTrick programme, which will ised as part of the KISS knowledge sharing programme. complete its second cycle in 2012. The third cycle will The Executive Committee decided to extend the Study begin immediately afterwards and run until 2016. The Group Scheme, which was launched in 2008 for a four- investment arm of the new programme will provide each year period, by converting it into a long-term programme national association with an extra €500,000, bringing that will run for an indeterminate length of time. Already the total sum available to each association to €3 million in the programme’s third season (2010/11), some over the four-year period. In addition, the annual solidar- 1,850 technicians from all over Europe will benefi t from ity payments will be boosted from €1.3 million to €1.5 56 visits to 28 national associations. million per association. This increase is to cover higher The Executive Committee also gave the green light to operating costs €100,000) and an additional payment the idea of a medical passport for UEFA offi cials travel- of €100,000 for the development of women’s football. ling to Poland and Ukraine for UEFA EURO 2012. This measure, similar to the one FIFA introduced at the World Huge growth in women’s football Cup in South Africa, is designed to facilitate the provi- In recent years, women’s football has grown at an ex- sion of emergency medical care and guarantee effective traordinary rate, with the number of registered players in treatment, while strictly respecting patient confi dentiality. Europe increasing by 54% between 2000 and 2006 and rising to almost 945,000 players by 2009. In order Social responsibility to promote the game’s future development, the Women’s In the fi eld of social responsibility, the Executive Com- Football Committee has created a working group respon- mittee noted the decisions of the Fair Play and Social sible for drafting a development strategy that will include a Responsibility Committee, including to extend the pro- tailor-made programme for each national association. The gramme aimed at offsetting carbon emissions linked to money provided through the additional HatTrick payments the air travel of UEFA offi cials and to earmark €200,000 UEFA

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 12 16.12.10 09:16 13 for this initiative. Furthermore, a total of €500,000 was awarded to the national associations of Poland, Portu- gal, Romania and Slovakia to help them to repair foot- The ball facilities damaged by natural disasters. ambassadors, The Executive Committee also received an update Gary Lineker for London on the state of preparations for EURO 2012 and was and Ronnie told that the EURO 2016 organisers were making good Whelan progress too. A steering committee is being formed, to for Dublin, be chaired by Jacques Lambert as of January, after his with the visual identities stepping down as director general of the French Football of their Federation. respective fi nals Getty Images Franz Beckenbauer retires The Executive Committee adopted the UEFA budget for 2011/12, which will be submitted to the Congress in Paris on 22 March for approval, and the fi ve-year strategic fi nancial outlook, which will be presented to the national association delegates. It noted that Franz Beckenbauer, European member of the FIFA Executive Committee, would not be standing for re-election to the FIFA Executive Committee in March. Visual

The Executive Committee also decided: identities for • to ask the International FA Board, which will be meet- club ing in March, to authorise the use of two additional 2011 assistant referees at EURO 2012 matches; competition • to amend the UEFA Europa League calendar from the le 2012/13 season so that matchdays 5 and 6 fall

fi nals unveiled Sportsfi in the same weeks as the corresponding UEFA Cham- pions League matches, rather than a week later; UEFA offi cially presented the visual identities for • to maintain the status quo in the UEFA Europa League the 2010/11 club competition fi nals in London on with regard to the replacement of the domestic cup 25 November and in Dublin on 30 November. winners by the runners-up if the winners qualify for the UEFA Champions League; or the UEFA Champions League fi nal, to be played • that, for the last round of qualifying matches for EURO Fat Wembley Stadium on 28 May, the main logo is 2012, each group should agree the same kick-off a heraldic crest that represents London’s history and time for all matches in the group (if the teams in culture. The trophy is fl anked by two lions which symbo- the group cannot agree, the UEFA administration will lise the two fi nalists who will battle it out for the European decide the kick-off time); crown. Former England international and fi nal ambassa- • to present an award, the details of which have yet to dor, Gary Lineker, unveiled the visual identity. be decided, to players who achieve 100 caps for The UEFA Europa League final, to be held at the their national team, with retroactive effect. Dublin Arena on 18 May, has been given a Celtic fl avour in a design unveiled by the fi nal ambassador, EURO 2012 sponsors Ronnie Whelan. in Nyon At the end of November, UEFA welcomed UEFA EURO 2018 World Cup in Russia 2012 sponsors to its headquarters in Nyon. Meeting in Zurich on 2 December, the FIFA his workshop, the fi rst in a series of four, enabled Executive Committee selected the Football Union UEFA Events SA, the UEFA subsidiary that specia- T of Russia as hosts of the 2018 World Cup fi nals. lises in marketing and event organisation, to form initial Belgium-Netherlands, Spain-Portugal and Eng- links with the companies that have already signed up to land had also submitted bids. sponsor EURO 2012 and provide them with information designed to help them achieve their objectives. “It is im- For 2022, the FIFA Executive Committee chose portant, as partners, that we develop an understanding Qatar. of each other’s business and how we work,” said David Taylor, CEO of UEFA Events SA.

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 13 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 14 Women’s World Cup Draw in Frankfurt

The European delegation at the Women’s World Cup, which is taking place in Germany from 26 June to 17 July, will comprise fi ve teams: the hosts, Germany, who also happen to be the titleholders, plus England, Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images France, Norway and Sweden. The coaches of Group A, which includes two European teams. From left to right: Bruno Bini (France), Silvia Neid (Germany), here was the possibility of one more European Carolina Morace (Canada) and Ngozi Eucharia Uche (Nigeria). Tteam securing a ticket to Germany through a UEFA- CONCACAF play-off, but Italy, who had earned their At a draw held at Frankfurt’s congress centre on 29 place in the November play-off by defeating Switzer- November, the fi nalists were split into the following groups: land in October, had the misfortune of facing a formi- Group A: Germany, Canada, Nigeria, France dable opponent in the United States (1999 and 2003 Group B: Japan, New Zealand, Mexico, England world champions), who had fi nished behind Canada Group C: United States, Korea DPR, Colombia, Sweden and Mexico in their qualifying competition. The Italians Group D: Brazil, Australia, Norway, Equatorial Guinea. narrowly lost both legs of the play-off 1-0, fi rst at home The matches will be played in Augsburg, Berlin, in Italy and then in the United States, thereby passing up Bochum, Dresden, Frankfurt, Leverkusen, Mönchenglad- the chance to join Europe’s World Cup delegation. bach, Sinsheim and Wolfsburg. ●

European Women’s Championship

liminary round kicks off. These eight teams were divided into Eight teams at two groups of four at a draw held in Nyon on 3 December: Group A: Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia, FYR Macedonia the starting gate Group B: Faroe Islands, Georgia, Armenia, Malta Each group will contest a mini-tournament between 3 There are a total of 45 teams taking and 8 March, hosted by the former Yugoslav Republic of part in the 2011–13 European Women’s Macedonia and Malta respectively. The mini-tournament Championship, which culminates in Sweden winners will join the other 36 participating teams in the in July 2013. qualifying group stage, the draw for which will take Sweden, who qualify automatically, will be place on 14 March. joined by 11 other teams in the fi nal round. Although this still seems a long way off, for eight The teams, in seven different groups of either fi ve or teams the competition will already be getting six, will contest the group stage between September under way at the beginning of March, when the pre- 2011 and September 2012. ●

UEFA Futsal Cup

Meanwhile in Lisbon, Sporting Clube de Portugal Four set for fi nals beat their most diffi cult opponent, ElPozo Murcia FS, as well as City’us Târgu Mures, which meant their draw against FK EP Chrudim would have no repercussions. The UEFA Futsal Cup elite round matches were For the fi rst time since 2006, there will be no Spanish played between 20 and 28 November to determine side in the fi nal round. The other two fi nalists are the Italian who would qualify for the four-team fi nals. side ASD Città Di Montesilvano C/5, who managed to beat MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg in a tournament held in The two Lisbon-based clubs involved in the Russia that also involved Araz Naxçivan and AGBU Ararat competition – SL Benfi ca and Sporting Clube Nicosia FC, and the Kazakhs of Kairat Almaty, who, play- de Portugal – both qualifi ed for the fi nal ing at home, fi nished equal on points with Iberia Star Tbilisi round. In a mini-tournament held in Kragu- but topped the group on goal difference following victories jevac, the current holders, SL Benfi ca, won all three of their over Akademia FC Pniewy and Slov-Matic Bratislava. matches, in which they faced local side KMF Ekonomac, The fi nal round will be played at the end of April in FC Time Lviv and MNK Nacional Zagreb. the city of one of the participating clubs. ●

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 14 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES German Football Association 15 Celebrating 20 years of football unity

“My former German teacher would be very proud of me,” Michel Platini said, giving the public another playful smile and leaving the stage to a big round of applause.

he UEFA president had just given a ten-minute speech former East Germany in this sea- Tbefore some 300 guests invited to celebrate the 20th son’s Bundesliga and just four play- anniversary of German football’s reunifi cation at the Leip- ing in the second division. zig congress centre. Just the fact that he spoke entirely Hans-Georg Moldenhauer is in German made the UEFA president’s intervention some- not satisfi ed with this status quo thing special – his ability to converse in the native lan- either, but after 20 years of foot- guage of his audience came as something of a surprise ball unity his overall impressions – but it was also symbolic: “It is a testament to the great are positive: “Unfortunately the Four German signifi cance of the occasion,” the president said. fi rst thing anyone looks at is the number of clubs in the presidents, The occasion for which the UEFA president and numer- Bundesliga. Of course we cannot be happy with the from left to right: ous other big names in sport and politics had gathered in current level, but we have good reason to be proud Hans-Georg Leipzig was indeed a signifi cant one: it was in this very of everything else the association has achieved since Moldenhauer city, 20 years ago to the day, that the football associa- 1990. We have 90 regional training centres in the east- (DFV), Gerhard Mayer-Vorfel- tions of East and West Germany offi cially became one, ern states, 15 specialist sports schools and 300 paid der (DFB), Theo just a few weeks after the reunifi cation of the two states. coaches working through the DFB. In total, we received Zwanziger Hans-Georg Moldenhauer, the last ever president of the around €35 million from the west, which was mostly (DFB) and Rein- hard Rauball East German Football Association (DFV) and honorary invested in infrastructure. This was very important. That’s (German Foot- vice-president of the modern-day, unifi ed German Foot- how we know the path we took was the right one – and ball League) ball Association (DFB) since October – in recognition of that it still is.” his contribution to German football unity among other things – gave a very moving speech about his memories Gala match of the historic day when German football was united: The celebrations of 20 years “You take 40 years of East German history and discard of football unity began the night it. With great melancholy, you close a chapter, knowing before the gala with a commemo- what the people are thinking and feeling.” rative match between a selection of West Germany’s 1990 World Progress in course Cup winners and a team of East That was 20 years ago. A lot has happened in east- German ‘legends’ from the same ern Germany since, and German football has grown to- era. A crowd of 15,400 watched gether, even though the DFB president, Theo Zwanziger, as the East German selection, Photos: DFB admits there is still progress to be made. “I’m well aware which included Ulf Kirsten and that there’s still scope for development in eastern German Andreas Thom, beat Jürgen Klins- football. I can see this region becoming a football region mann, Lothar Matthäus, Guido Michel Platini comparable with the Ruhr, but their club football is not Buchwald and co. 2-1. Also in the stands, of course, offers his best wishes there yet,” Zwanziger said. There are no clubs from the was the UEFA president, who himself had played against and shares many of footballers out on the fi eld. “I still his memories clearly remember our international matches of German against Germany when the country was football’s reunifi cation. divided. Sometimes our opponents were in white, sometimes in blue, and generally we lost,” he reminisced. This was not the main reason, however, that he too was so happy about the political and football reunifi cation of the two states. “With the reunifi cation the people in Germany and Europe gained more freedom. And this freedom is impor- tant in society and football,” he said, in The gala match between former World Champions and ex-East German internationals German, of course. ● Stephan Brause

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 15 16.12.10 09:16 UEFADirect104•EN.indd 16 Member associations 16 Greece at Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion, matchof2010 against last international a halfyears. to head the association for the next four and in whichRubenHayrapetyanwasre-elected agenda, namelythepresidentialelections, ber 2010. riod from1November2008toNovem- andbalancestatementsforthepe- report then presentedtheassociation’s fi sented hisreport. and itssecretariat,theFFA presidentpre- and thecompositionofcountingboard thority ofthegeneralmeeting,agenda 2012 inUkraineandPoland. national teamwouldbepresentatEURO ball, andsaidhehopedthattheArmenian foot- seen in the development of Armenian notedtheprogress comed theparticipants, of theUEFA ExecutiveCommittee,whowel- Football FederationofUkraineandmember speech byGrigoriySurkis,presidentofthe Ruben Hayrapetyan.Thiswasfollowedbya speechbytheFFAductory president, 27 November. eral meetingofFFA memberswasheldon (FFA),Federation of Armenia the eighth gen- Against racismandviolence–foragoodcause re-elected president Ruben Hayrapetyan EDITORIAL On 17November, Austriaplayedtheir itemonthe Then camethemostimportant After the formalities ofapprovingtheau- After theformalities The meetingopenedwithanintro- oftheFootball At theheadquarters The FFA Minasyan, chiefexecutive,Armen I www.ffa.am Armenia MEETINGS www.oefb.at Austria I COURSES I nancial COMPETITIONS

top, buttheAustriansputinasolidperform- 2004 Europeanchampionscameouton the venueofEURO2008fi the developmentoffootballinArmenia. for variousprogrammes,allofwhichtarget total, theFFA hasreceivedfourtopawards through anaward-winningprogramme.In schoolsacrossthe country in secondary ball hasbecomeoneofthesubjectstaught thanks tothehardworkofFFA, foot- under theUEFA and, GrassrootsCharter July 2010,theFFA wasawardedfi football andinfrastructureinthecountry. In devoted himselftothedevelopmentofyouth headoftheorganisationhas permanent dent oftheFFA in2002.Sincethen,the Ruben Hayrapetyan,re-electedFFA president Hayrapetyan wasfi rst electedpresi- I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS nl The nal. ve stars ve I NOTICES

GEPA Pictures für ÖFB Christmas offering. €20,000, makingforaconsiderablepre- association rounded up its contribution to conditionsandthe out despitethewintery cause. Over16,000spectatorsturned matchticketsoldtoagood €1 fromevery against Racismbanner. teams, childrenalsoheldupaFootball Show Racism the Red Card. In front of the lining upwithredcardsbearingthemotto against discriminationandexclusionby Many Colours;OneGame). Play. Viele Farben.EinSpiel(FairPlay; of aninitiativeentitledFair- racism aspart fair playcampaignfordiversityandagainst dition, theÖFBusedmatchtolauncha clubs tocombatviolenceinfootball.Inad- and theAustrianFootballLeagueits rior, theAustrianFootballAssociation(ÖFB) oftheinte- July 2009bythefederalministry week, apreventionprogrammesetupin Gewalt match kickedoffthesecondWelle gegen initiatives inthespotlight.The important evening, thereweresomeinteresting, and threedefeats). record(threewins, one draw international ance and ended the year with a balanced new heights.” ble toensurethat Armenian footballreaches my re-electionandwilldoeverythingpossi- goal. Iwillbefaithfultothepolicythatled will relentlesslymoveclosertowardsthis is thestrategicdirectionofFFA andwe develop children’s andyouthfootball. This done everythingpossibleinourcountryto fi tyan said:“Thankyouforyourvoteofcon- Hayrape- ball familyforthefuture.Inturn, foot- and wishedgoodlucktotheArmenian by RubenHayrapetyanandallhisFFA staff say notoracism. Austrian internationals dence. Overthepasteightyears,Ihave ●PeterKlinglmüller Last butnotleast,theÖFBdonated Before kick-off,thetwo teams tookastand exploitsofthe Alongside thesporting ●Tigran Israelyan

FFA (Wave ofAnti-violence)action the hugeamountofworkdone the FFA, GrigoriySurkisnoted 59th position. for thefi rst timeinitshistory, in in theFIFA rankingsandisnow, qualifi series ofvictoriesinEURO2012 the nationalteam,whichaftera illustrated bythegoodresultsof dent, MichelPlatini. Sargsyan, andtheUEFA presi- Serzh the presidentofArmenia, football academyinYerevan, ing among localresidents.Theopen- which aroused great interest As aguestatthecongressof The workoftheFFA isalso In 2010,theFFA openeda ceremony wasattendedby ers hasmadeagreatleap 16.12.10 09:16 Azerbaijan Belgium 17 www.affa.az www.footbel.be

UEFA Study Group Scheme Germain Landsheere

in Baku AFFA steps down On 2 and 3 November, the Association of Theory session for grassroots specialists Germain Landsheere (71) announced at a Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) meeting of the Royal Belgian Football Asso- hosted a UEFA Study Group Scheme workshop Kovacs, head of the Hungarian Football Fed- ciation (URBSFA) executive committee that he entitled Grassroots Football in Azerbaijan, with eration’s children’s programme, and Atilla would be stepping down as treasurer and vice- representatives from the football associations Varkonyi, ambassador of Special Olympics president on 31 December 2010. of Azerbaijan, Hungary, Serbia and Latvia in Hungary, focused on grassroots football in their Football has always been his passion and he attendance. Around 40 grassroots specialists country. considers himself very lucky to have been able participated in the workshop in the capital of After visiting the FK Bakı training centre, the to make it his career too. Azerbaijan, Baku, which included both theoreti- participants also had an opportunity to watch From 1971 to 1991 he was general man- cal and practical work. some U15 and U17 national league matches. ager of KSV Waregem, a club close to his heart Opening the workshop, the AFFA general Back at the workshop, reports were given by and, at the time, at the top of its game. Lands- secretary, Elkhan Mammadov, welcomed the various Azeri specialists: Elnur Mammadov, the heere, meanwhile, also served as treasurer for participants and thanked UEFA for giving the AFFA academy manager, talked about football in the professional league from 1975 to 1990 and AFFA the opportunity to host such an event. schools, Elchin Mammadov about U13 and U15 became a member of the URBSFA fi nance com- “We are delighted to be able to host this impor- tournaments and the U17 national league, and mittee on 27 October 1978. tant workshop. The AFFA has been involved in Elkhan Asadov about problems in the develop- He steadily climbed the ranks within the grassroots for the past couple of years and a lot ment of grassroots events. In addition, the AFFA URBSFA and on 25 June 1983 became a mem- of hard work has been done. I think this work- technical director, Bernhard Lippert, and deputy ber of the executive committee, the highest organ shop will give us an opportunity to share our technical director, Kamran Guliyev, discussed the of the association. experience.” Elkhan Mammadov then talked AFFA’s elite training project, and a presentation 1986 was a big year for Belgian football, about the AFFA’s grassroots philosophy and its was given by Javid Garayev, head of the AFFA’s with the Red Devils’ excellent World Cup cam- youth development concept. marketing and advertising department. paign in Mexico culminating in the semi-fi nals. On the fi rst morning of the workshop, a All the presentations were accompanied by It was an exciting time for Landsheere too, as he UEFA representative gave a detailed introduc- video clips and followed by animated discus- was appointed treasurer of ASBL Casa Hogar, tion to the UEFA Study Group Scheme and an sions. Before the workshop was wound up, a social project set up by the URBSFA to help overview of the UEFA technical education pro- the participants also visited the AFFA’s football disadvantaged children in the Mexican town of gramme, including the Grassroots Charter, with- academy. In his closing remarks, Tibor Oze, Toluca. out forgetting to mention his Azeri colleagues, head of the Hungarian delegation, said: “The In 1990, he rose higher still to become URBSFA without whose efforts such a workshop would feedback we received suggests it was a very treasurer, a role in which he excelled and has not have been possible, he said. successful workshop. Local and foreign speakers hence remained all this time. Like the excellent After the break Aivars Vaivods, a grassroots gave presentations on topics that are currently manager he is, caution has always been his specialist from the Latvian Football Federation, very important, at home and at international watchword and the association’s fi nancial sus- gave a presentation on grassroots football in level. I’m sure that the exchange of experience tainability his fi rst concern. Latvia. Igor Jankovic, head of the Serbian FA’s and good practice will help the growth of our As if all this was not enough, when club licens- grassroots department, then gave some insights grassroots football.” ing was introduced in Belgium in 2000, Lands- in his area of expertise, after which Szilveszter ● Ulviyya Najafova heere was also appointed chairman of the URBSFA club licensing committee, a position he held until the end of 2007. Belarus The URBSFA is currently looking for a succes- sor who will continue the good work of Ger- www.bff.by main Landsheere. With the mark he has made on the association, however, he will be a hard Conference for head coaches have a feeling for the team and every single act to follow. The URBSFA thanks him for his and club directors player within it. A good football coach learns continuous hard work and admirable contribu- something new every day.” The BFF president tion to Belgian football, and wishes him all the thanked the coaches working at all levels in all very best for the next chapter in his life. divisions, including those working with women and children, and added that the progress ● Pierre Cornez achieved in Belarusian football had been pos- sible only thanks to “strong support from all the coaches, referees, players and football special- ists working in our country.” The morning was dedicated to a presentation by Bernd Stange, head coach of the Belarus national team, on tendencies in international football (with specifi c reference to the 2010 FIFA World Cup) and developing your team’s own style of play, using the national team as an BFF example (positive and negative points). The BFF president, Gennady Nevyglas, The afternoon was set aside for group work. addresses the participants. The fi rst group, made up of club directors, dis- cussed the project for a new calendar for the On 22 November, the Belarus Football Fed- 2011 season and cooperation between the BFF eration (BFF) held a big conference for the head and its clubs, among other things. The second coaches and directors of its premier league and group, representing the coaches, also discussed fi rst division clubs. Specialists responsible for the calendar project, and how to raise perform- youth and women’s football at the clubs were ance levels in the domestic championship. The also invited, and the total number of partici- third group was composed of youth and women’s pants was over 150. football specialists, who discussed ways of im- The BFF president, Gennady Nevyglas, proving the skills and technique of their players. opened the conference by stressing the impor- Some of the suggestions from the conference tance of the coach’s role in modern-day foot- will be presented at the federation’s annual gen- ball: “The coach is an extremely important link eral meeting. Photo News in the team. He must understand football and ● Yulia Zenkovich Germain Landsheere

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 17 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 18 Bosnia and Herzegovina www.nfsbih.ba

3-2. Interestingly, this match was the debut for in their group, thanks to wins against Malta (8-1) four of the team, three of whom were previously and Cyprus (4-2). In their other group match, members of the U21 side: goalkeeper Ibrahim they were beaten 6-5 by Tunisia. They then lost Sehic from current domestic champions Zeljez- 6-1 against Slovenia in the quarter-fi nals, and in nicar, Ognjen Vranjes, who plays for Moldova’s the play-offs for places fi ve to eight were beaten FC Sheriff Tiraspol, and Muhamed Subasic of 5-3 by Morocco and won 5-2 against Tunisia to Olimpik Sarajevo. The fourth debutant was fi nish seventh overall. ● Fuad Krvavac defender Muhamed Besic from Hamburger SV. Besic is the youngest player ever to have played on the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. France He was born in Berlin on 10 September 1992; when he ran onto the Bratislava pitch he was www.fff.fr 18 years, 2 months and 7 days old. The youngest player on the fi rst Bosnia and Herzegovina national team was Hasan Saliham- FFF F. Krvavac F. idzic (1.1.1977), who played against Croatia in Muhamed Besic (2), Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Bologna, Italy, on 8 October 1996. At the time youngest A international he was 19 years, 10 months and 8 days old and, just like Muhamed Besic, played for Hamburger Four debutants in Bratislava SV. After him, the youngest player was Senijad Ibricic (26.9.1985) from NK Zagreb (Croatia), At the end of the fi rst stage of the champion- who made his fi rst appearance when he was ship, FK Borac Banja Luka are at the top of the 19 years, 4 months and 7 days old, on 2 Febru- table with 33 points, 5 clear of the top two clubs ary 2005 against Iran in Teheran. This record from the capital, FK Zeljeznicar and FK Sarajevo. was later broken by Miralem Pjanic (2.4.1990) These three teams, together with NK Siroki of Olympique Lyonnais, who played against Brijeg, will be the main runners in the race for Hungary on 20 August 2008 when he was the title in the second half of the season, which 18 years, 4 months and 16 days old. Martinique won the Coupe de l’Outre-mer. starts on 26 February. For the fi rst time, the country’s youngest women’s The four matches in the quarter-fi nals of the side is taking part in European qualifi ers, in the At the heart of the islands Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup have also now 2011/12 European Women’s U17 Champion- been played. The semi-fi nalists are Zeljeznicar, ship. They will play against their peers from Spain, By the end of September, the trees have started Siroki Brijeg, FK Olimpik Sarajevo and NK Celik Ukraine and Azerbaijan in Group 9 this autumn. to change colour and greens give way to a (Zenica). A draw will be held in March, when The hosts of the mini-tournament are Azerbaijan. landscape of yellows and oranges. Then comes the pairings and kick-off times will be decided. Finally, the national futsal team of Bosnia and the rain, bouncing off umbrellas and raincoats The national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina Herzegovina took part in the 1st Mediterranean dug out of the cupboards. In this pre-autumnal played a friendly match against Slovakia in Bra- Futsal Cup, Tripoli 2010, which was held in the atmosphere, one event in particular warms peo- tislava recently, which Safet Susic’s squad won Libyan capital. The Bosnian team came second ple’s hearts and lifts their spirits. Every two years, the Coupe de l’Outre-mer (overseas territories’ cup) lights up the pitches England of the Paris–Ile-de-France league. A spectacu- lar, tropical ray of sunshine that reminds any- www.thefa.com

The FA one who needs reminding that football on the islands is a true purveyor of talent. FA young leaders share The second edition, held from 22 September coaching experience to 2 October, once again captured the hearts of in Trinidad and Tobago football lovers, attracting a total of 20,000 spec- tators. “This event is very important. It represents Four teenagers had the trip of a lifetime after a time of communion and fraternity between the travelling to Trinidad and Tobago in October overseas communities,” said a delighted Marie- as part of The Football Association’s interna- Luce Penchard, minister for overseas territories. tional leadership and volunteering programme, To the stirring beat of the djembes, teams Changing Lives. from Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Laurisa Robson, Jay Amin and Victoria Sum- Mayotte, New Caledonia, French Polynesia merfi eld were picked from The FA’s national A young leader from Trinidad puts into practice and Réunion, accompanied for the fi rst time this leadership and volunteering camp in July 2010, what she has learned from The FA. year by St Pierre and Miquelon, went head to while Stuart Brown was selected for his commit- head in a spirit of fair play. The action on the ment to the programme, having been involved pitch was as entertaining as the activities in the as a mentor since 2008. Changing Lives trip to Trinidad. The trip gave stands. The media were also out in force, with The Caribbean trip saw the four coaches me the opportunity not only to develop my leader- more than 120 accredited journalists giving working with a variety of local youngsters in ship, coaching and interpersonal skills, but also unprecedented coverage to the competition. coaching sessions at the St. Michael’s Home to help mentor a group of amazing, young and After 14 matches, Martinique were victorious for Boys and the Toco secondary school in Trini- enthusiastic coaches from both islands. in a rerun of the 2008 fi nal against the titleholders, dad, and Shaw Park Grounds in Tobago. “My highlight of the week was taking a back La Réunion. In front of 6,000 spectators at the Victoria said: “My goal at the start of this trip seat on the last few sessions and watching the Dominique-Duvauchelle stadium in Créteil, the was to not rely on others and be confi dent in young coaches I had been working with organ- Antilleans, led by Guy-Michel Nisas and Mario myself when coaching. I knew by the end of ise and manage the sessions I had shown them Bocaly, won their fi rst title after a thrilling fi nish this trip that I had accomplished this and that I previously. More importantly, they had the con- (0-0, 5-3 on penalties). Guadeloupe beat Mayotte could leave my Trinidad leaders by themselves fi dence to step in and coach the young children 4-0 to fi nish third. to coach and they would give a great session. playing football in their sessions.” “I have only one thing to say: well done!” “I loved this trip, it really showed me what This is the fi rst time the Changing Lives pro- said Fernand Duchaussoy, president of the skills I’m good at and which I need to work on,” gramme has gone outside Africa, where young French Football Federation. “It is not easy to the 17-year-old added. leaders have worked alongside their contem- organise a competition involving teams from all For Stuart, it was a dream come true to be poraries in each of The FA’s partner countries over the world. We don’t get enough opportu- coaching on the other side of the world: “It’s (Botswana, Lesotho and Malawi) through the nities to pay tribute to these départements and safe to say that I was completely surprised UEFA-CAF Meridian project. territories that help make our sport so rich. See when I found out I had been selected for The FA ● Matt Phillips you again in 2012.” ● Xavier Thébault

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 18 16.12.10 09:16 Georgia Hungary 19 www.gff.ge www.mlsz.hu

German midfi elder on International conference Georgian youth team on hooliganism Lucas Hufnagel (17) was born in Germany. The Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) His father, Kristian Hufnagel, is a German plans to combat hooliganism together with the journalist working for the Süddeutsche Zeitung ministry of home affairs and the high commis- and his mother, Fiqria Aptsiauri, is Georgian. sioner of the Hungarian national police force. Since childhood Lucas has played on the youth The three organisations held an international teams of FC Bayern München. His coach, Stefan conference in November in Budapest, where Beckenbauer, is the son of a living legend in the MLSZ president, Sándor Csányi, announced world football. that serious action would be taken in the near Nevertheless, Lucas decided he wanted to future: “The MLSZ is determined to act fi rmly play on the Georgian U17 team. This year he against hooligans and put an end to their ano- took part in youth tournaments in Ibiza and nymity. This includes implementing a fan card FFF Palanga and earned himself the title of best mid- scheme and CCTV systems inside grounds, and fi elder. Based on his performances, Georgia’s using any other tools that might help to keep U17 coach, Koba Jorjikashvili, decided that unwanted people away from football stadiums.” Lucas could make the Georgian midfi eld much Sándor Csányi is sure this process will have stronger and asked the Georgian Football Fed- immediate effects as the MLSZ has been in close eration to put his name on the offi cial list for the contact with the ministry and the police for the U17 qualifi ers held in Tbilisi. last four months, working on the issue together. Lucas received a Georgian passport and “The examples of England and Germany show lined up alongside his new Georgian team- that, with steadfast determination and a clear vi- mates, wearing No 7, his new country’s new sion, we can deal with hooliganism in stadiums.” lucky number. During each game, 5,000 young GFF Hungary wants to learn from best practices. Georgian fans were crying out “Midi Luka!” Lucas Hufnagel Specialists including David Bohannan from the (Go Luka in Georgian). He was irrepressible UK home offi ce, Germany’s anti-hooliganism and helped the young Georgians to second “I am very proud,” said the shy young Ger- expert Hendrik Grosse Lefert and UEFA secu- place in the group after a draw against Eng- man-Georgian in his fi rst interview after his fi rst rity expert Kenny Scott were recently invited land (1-1) and wins against Sweden (1-0) and offi cial game. to make a presentation to Hungarian clubs Poland (2-1). ● Mamuka Kvaratskhelia / Tatia Burduli and colleagues working in the fi eld of security. Kenny Scott said that UEFA wanted to ensure a safe and friendly atmosphere at stadiums, an Greece aim which the MLSZ shares. ● Márton Dinnyés www.epo.gr

New stadium in Larissa FC arena is a category 3 venue. It is considered to be the most modern football arena in Greece. The new state-of-the-art football arena of Super With a total capacity of 16,118 seats and League club AEL FC (located in the city of 38 luxurious suites for 12 spectators each, the Larissa) will host the Greek national team’s fi rst AEL FC arena comprises four separate stands international friendly match of 2011, against and offers high-quality facilities. Canada on 9 February. The arena also contains four well-equipped The president of the Hellenic Football Federa- dressing rooms, indoor warm-up areas for the mlsz.hu tion, Sofoklis Pilavios, was among the 16,000 athletes, a multifunctional media centre for 100 spectators present at the opening ceremony and written press journalists, three TV studios, two Determined to stamp out hooliganism testing of the newly built AEL FC arena, which video walls, a 350-seat VVIP stand, a VVIP bar- took place on 23 November and drew the restaurant, a VIP lounge, a football museum and Iceland attention of the majority of the Greek media, as 32 places for disabled spectators. well as football fans from all over the country. The AEL FC arena will be the main feature www.ksi.is The chairman and CEO of the arena and of the Crimson Park, a sports and leisure facil- club, Kostas Piladakis, personally guaranteed ity currently under construction, which will also European Futsal € the construction of the 45 million arena. include 12 tennis courts, a fun park and 2 shop- Championship debut According to UEFA stadium criteria, the AEL ping centres. ● Panos Korkodeilos For the fi rst time, Iceland is participating in the European Futsal Championship. In January, the Icelandic national team go up against their peers from Armenia, Greece and Latvia. This is a huge step for futsal in general in Iceland, it being only three years since this growing sport became established there. Iceland’s futsal players have nevertheless always had their sights set on European competition and the win- ners of all three of our domestic competitions have played in the UEFA Futsal Cup. In August, Kefl avik hosted their preliminary round group in the 2010/11 UEFA Futsal Cup, where they played against teams from Sweden, France and the Netherlands. Even though the hosts achieved only one win this time, their host- ing was a great success. Among other things, it prompted the FA of Iceland to apply to host their preliminary round group in the 2011/12 European Futsal Championship. The mini-tournament will be HFF played at the Asvellir arena in Hafnarfjordur from The new stadium in Larissa 21 to 24 January. ● Thor Ingimundarson

UEFA•direct | 12.10

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 19 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 20 Italy www.fi gc.it

Training young talents The national youth teams coordinator ad- dressed the coaches of the Primavera (U20) As part of efforts to create a healthy future for and Berretti (U19) teams, who welcomed the FIGC Italian football, almost a month after an initial opportunity to discuss and compare working Arrigo Sacchi, an advocate of ‘global football’ meeting was held at the technical centre of the methods and proposals for mutual cooperation. Italian Football Federation in Coverciano (Flor- In order to improve the current situation, Arrigo Meanwhile, Ciro Ferrara called on the techni- ence), the national youth teams coordinator, Sacchi launched the idea of ‘global football’, cians present to help promote the development Arrigo Sacchi, met the youth football technical with smaller-sided teams encouraged to work of young players by creating stronger links directors of the Serie A and B clubs and the pro- as a unit and keep possession of the ball, all between the clubs and the FIGC. fessional league, along with all the coaching the while enhancing individual skills. He also Arrigo Sacchi’s deputy, Maurizio Viscidi, staff of the national youth teams (Ferrara, Rocca, encouraged the coaches to have complete con- pointed out that Club Italia is endeavouring, Zoratto, Evani and Salerno) and the national fi dence in their work. through a programme involving visits to club amateur U18 side (Giancarlo Magrini). He ex- His presentation was illustrated with video clips, youth teams, to organise more training courses plained the work programme and organisational including one focusing on players born in 1990 and international matches for the Italian national structure of Club Italia (the body that coordinates who might be contenders for the Under-21 team youth teams. Maurizio Viscidi also launched the the national teams’ activities) in order to encour- under new coach Ciro Ferrara. He was disap- Top 11 project, through which club coaches are age the clubs to adopt the same techniques. Fol- pointed to note that, on the last match day, only encouraged to identify promising young players lowing a very successful period for the national fi ve of these players had been fi elded in Serie to the national youth team coaches. youth teams, the last decade has seen a reduc- B matches, whereas abroad, such players were The meeting was rounded off with a debate tion in investment in the youth sector. The opti- playing fi rst-team football. In the spirit of coopera- on issues linked to coaching techniques, goal- mism expressed by Arrigo Sacchi during his talk tion on which these meetings are based, Sacchi keepers’ participation in the game, player age suggests that fi nancial fair play will revitalise the reminded the coaches that their task should be to categories and the idea of setting up reserve healthy ideals of the game, as well as the com- train the players rather than win matches and to teams at the professional clubs. mitment to the development of our players. work for the youngsters rather than for themselves. ● Barbara Moschini

Kazakhstan www.kff.kz

Round-up of the season This season’s championship was played under a new format. The fi rst stage was contested by The 2010 football season fi nished on 14 all 12 premier league clubs in a double round- November and, in keeping with tradition, was robin system. Based on the results of this fi rst rounded off with the fi nal of the Kazakhstan stage, the teams were then divided into two Cup. This year’s fi nal was contested by groups. The fi rst six played for places 1 to 6, FC Lokomotiv Astana and – for the second year the rest for 7 to 12. in a row – FC Shakhter Karagandy. It was held FC Akzhayik Uralsk and FC Okzhetpes Kok- once again at the Astana arena. The fi nal was shetau were relegated after fi nishing 11th and won with a narrow 1-0 margin by Lokomotiv 12th respectively. They will be replaced next Astana, securing the fi rst trophy in the club’s his- season by FC Vostok (Ust-Kamenogorsk) and tory. They were led to victory by their German FC Kaysar Kyzylorda, who took the top two coach, Holger Fach. places in the fi rst division. The Kazakhstan championship ended on With 16 goals this season, the top scorer of 6 November and was won, for the fi rst time, by the premier league was Tobol forward Ulugbek FC Tobol of Kostanay and their Russian head Bakaev. His team-mate Nurbol Zhumaskaliev and coach, Ravil Sabitov. Previous achievements of Georgi Daskalov of Irtysh each notched up 15. the Kostanay club include lifting the Kazakhstan The 2011 season kicks off in Kazakhstan on Cup in 2007, as well as four silver and three 2 March with the super cup between the league bronze medals in the championship. This year’s champions (FC Tobol) and the cup holders silver medals were won by FC Aktobe, who fi n- (FC Lokomotiv). The 2011 Kazakhstan champion- KFF ished one point behind Tobol. Bronze medals ship then starts on 6 March. First-time domestic champions FC Kostanay Tobol went to FC Irtysh Pavlodar. ● Alexandr Keplin

Latvia www.lff.lv

Winter football kicks off 11 December to 25 February and other pitches are being set up in various cities and alongside Most of northern Europe was covered in ski slopes all over Latvia. For more information, snow in December, but that did not stop outdoor visit www.futbols.lv. football in Latvia. In fact, the Latvian Football In other news, the LFF’s fi ve-year partnership Federation (LFF), in cooperation with the mar- with the largest Latvian mobile operator, Latvijas keting agency Inspired, set up a winter football Mobilais Telefons (LMT), in the association’s top pitch in Riga so people could enjoy winter foot- tier, the LMT Virsliga, has come to an end. How- ball at its best. ever, the LMT will continue its involvement at the The pitch, which is free to use, is covered by roots of the game, in youth football. a net to keep the ball in play. Twenty-minute Also, a FIFA and UEFA delegation visited Riga matches are played by teams of four (including at the end of November to discuss suggested the goalkeeper) and equipment can be rented changes to the LFF statues, creating regional from a temporary rental shop nearby. The most federations and introducing good governance important feature is that the pitch is covered principles in the LFF board. A new LFF strate- in snow. And yet fi reworks, DJs and dancers gic plan will be drawn up on the basis of these create an atmosphere not unlike that of beach discussions. LFF soccer. The winter football league runs from ● Martins Hartmanis Festive winter football with a beach soccer atmosphere

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 20 16.12.10 09:16 Liechtenstein Northern Ireland 21 www.lfv.li www.irishfa.com

Referee Day leagues. No fewer than 16 referees took up the invitation, which produced an excellent turnout. FIGC On 6 November, the Liechtenstein Football In 2009, the association created its own ref- Association (LFV) celebrated its fi rst ever Ref- eree committee with the aim of paving the way eree Day. To mark the occasion, all the referees for the LFV to sign the UEFA Referee Convention affi liated to the principality’s seven clubs were and, afterwards, managing the training and invited to a one-day seminar to work on their organisation of Liechtenstein’s referees in line theoretical and practical skills with their col- with the principles laid down by the convention. Referee Day is one of many measures that the LFV has taken in pursuit of its goal of producing another FIFA referee to follow in the footsteps of Roland Beck. IFA As well as receiving theoretical and practi- A much-appreciated award cal tuition, the 16 referees at the seminar heard from guest speaker and former Swiss Super An award for our website League referee Andreas Schluchter and were given a presentation on the Referee Convention The Irish Football Association (IFA) website, by UEFA representative Charles Schaack. www.irishfa.com, was named best sports web- LFV site at the 2010 eircom Spider Awards in Dublin. The Liechtenstein referees’ seminar ● Anton Banzer The 2010 eircom Spider Awards are Ireland’s premier technology and digital media awards, honouring Irish individuals, businesses and com- Malta munity organisations for their outstanding achieve- ments online throughout the year. www.mfa.com.mt The Irish FA launched its new and improved website in July. The site, www.irishfa.com, More football facilities opened As part of this ambitious project, four new which was designed by Belfast-based company artifi cial pitches, including two at new football Tibus, underwent a major facelift following feed- The construction of new football facilities and grounds in different parts of Malta, were inau- back from fans and a number of consultancy the renovation of existing ones has been a prior- gurated recently by the MFA president, Norman reports that analysed the IFA’s internet presence. ity of the Malta Football Association (MFA) for Darmanin Demajo. The new site delivers much more in terms of some time now. This work is being carried out Footballers, including the very young work- video content and integration with various online in conjunction with UEFA’s HatTrick programme, ing their way up in the game, will be able to social networking sites, yet it still provides con- which is aimed at consolidating the football use these facilities to hone their skills, while also tent on the main elements of our game, namely infrastructure of all member associations, includ- being assisted in their social and educational international, domestic and grassroots football. ing Malta. development. In addition, the online shop has gone through These points were highlighted by major changes, employing the latest in e-commerce Darmanin Demajo during the inau- functionality to enhance the users’ experience. guration ceremonies at the different Geoff Wilson, head of marketing and com- venues. The MFA president stressed munications at the IFA, said: “To win this award that the primary aim of the project was is a fantastic achievement for the association to invest in human resources and said and I would like to pay tribute to all those who that this objective should have prior- worked on this project – from the marketing ity over the results of the senior teams team at the Irish FA to our partners, Tibus. This representing the different towns and award demonstrates the level of professionalism regions, although they also helped to at the Irish FA.” generate interest and enthusiasm in the Rick McKee, managing director of Tibus, game in different parts of the country. added: “We were delighted to pick up the The MFA is committed to pursuing award on the night on behalf of the Irish FA. It’s the construction and renovation of club testament to all the hard work from both teams facilities for the benefi t of the football over many months and the true spirit of partner- family of Malta and Gozo. This is also ship that we’ve enjoyed with each other. The in line with the new administration’s judges’ comments on the site are very encourag- policy of making the country’s clubs its ing and show that all the hard work has borne D. Aquilina focal point. fruit in meeting the needs of Northern Ireland FC Siggiewi’s new pitch ● Alex Vella football fans.” ● Sueann Harrison

Moldova www.fmf.md

Youth tournament scoring for the eastern team after 25 minutes and his team-mate Veaceslav Cazantev made The Football Association of Moldova (FMF) it 2-0 three minutes later. Nicolae Tivirenco of recently organised the fourth edition of its the northern team responded in the 36th minute, Viitorul (‘the future’) tournament for talented but another goal by Veaceslav Cazantev in the young players born in 1996, selected from all 46th minute secured a 3-1 victory for the east- regions of Moldova. ern team. The winners were presented with their In the semi-fi nals, the northern team beat the trophy by Radu Rebeja, vice-president of the western team 1-0, while the team from the east FMF. won 3-0 against their counterparts from the This tournament attracted great interest from south. In the third-place play-off, the westerners the public and youth team coaches. The aim of imposed themselves on the southerners to win the Viitorul tournament is to discover talented 2-0, with goals scored by Gheorghe Modvala young players and it has already become a LFF and Mihai Motriuc. The fi nal proved to be very regular competition on our fi xture list. FMF close and tense. Vlad Calandaev opened the ● Press offi ce The eastern team, winners of the Viitorul tournament

UEFA•direct | 12.10

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 21 16.12.10 09:16 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 22 Republic of Ireland www.fai.ie

Irish coaches visit Israel’s Football Village of Hope In December, the Football Association of Village of Hope’s vision is to establish itself as Ireland (FAI) sent a delegation of coaches to visit a long-term grassroots peace-building activity the Football Village of Hope, an Israeli-Palestin- that will become a showcase for Palestinian- FAI ian peace-building initiative which hosts 100 Israeli peace building and coexistence. Bringing FAI representatives at the Village of Hope Israeli and Palestinian boys and girls from the together children from both sides will hopefully Twinned Peace and Sport Schools programme, contribute to a future of peace between the run by the Peres Center for Peace for the last two nations. The project is organised by Milo Ger Dunne, Sue Ronan and Des Tomlinson eight years. This year’s Football Village of Hope Corcoran,former president of the FAI and current and a mixed team of Israeli and Palestinian event took place in the northern Israeli youth vil- chairman of the FAI’s international committee counsellors, providing positive role models lage of Shfeya for the third year in a row, dur- and the Setanta Sports Cup organising commit- for the youngsters. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime ing the fi rst week of December. tee, together with Ophir Zardok, former general opportunity for the kids to meet the ‘other side’ The Football Village of Hope’s objective is to manager of Drogheda United, 2007 League and to work together on the common goal of bring together children from both sides of the of Ireland champions. The Village of Hope is a better future,” said Anwar Zeidan, the head Palestinian-Israeli border, give them a chance funded by the Irish government department Palestinian coach. to meet the ‘other side’ and break the cycle of of foreign affairs, through the Irish Aid pro- Tamar Hay-Sagiv, director of the Peres Center’s segregation and distrust. gramme. The local partners are the Peres Center sports department, agrees that sport is a uniquely During this year’s event, 100 children (boys for Peace, which operates and greatly helps effective vehicle for breaking down barriers of and girls) from Kiryat Gat, Merchavim, Jericho, with the implementation of the project, and the enmity and distrust: “The Peres Center for Peace Hebron, Yata and Yerucham played football Al Quads Association. has brought thousands of Israeli and Palestinian together and received guidance from professional “We have received tremendous support from children together through a wide range of pro- FAI coaches. The children also engaged in peace- the minister of foreign affairs, Micheal Martin, grammes, with sport as their central platform. building activities such as classes, mixed group and Irish Aid, as well as the FAI and Umbro. I have On the football pitch, Palestinian and Israeli drawing sessions and coexistence workshops. no doubt that football, as the world’s game, can kids learn they can compete without confronta- The plan is that the Football Village of Hope make a positive impact with children from Israel tion, win without vanquishing, and lose without will grow year on year, with more and more and Palestine,” said Milo Corcoran. The foot- humiliation.” children taking part each time. The Football ball training sessions were run by FAI coaches ● Fran Whearty

Scotland Sweden www.scottishfa.co.uk www.svenskfotboll.se

Schoolchildren lift Scottish Cup to be brought to his school to let his pupils share the prize. The trophy was taken to Calderglen by Delighted pupils from Calderglen high Stirling Albion player Gordon Smith and William school, East Kilbride, got their hands on the Kinniburgh of Partick Thistle ahead of the Scot- oldest association football trophy in the world tish Cup third round tie between the two clubs. thanks to an exciting competition running on the The competition is being run on facebook. new Scottish Cup Facebook page. com/scottishcup ahead of each round of the When Michael Kane, a maths teacher at the tournament, which culminates with the fi nal at school, triumphed in the Win the Scottish Cup Hampden Park on Saturday 21 May. for the Day competition, he asked for the trophy ● Clare Bodel SvFF Bob Houghton and Johan Cruyff

Zlatan Ibrahimovic once again voted player of the year Until 1973, no Swedish player had won the Guldbollen (Swedish player of the year award) more than once. Since then, Bo Larsson, Ralf Edström, Ronnie Hellström, Glenn Hysén, Tomas Brolin, Patrik Andersson, Henrik Larsson and Fredrik Ljungberg have all twice claimed the fi nest award in Swedish football. At this year’s football gala (annual round-up of the Swedish season), a million TV viewers watched Zlatan Ibrahimovic rewrite the history books once again as he accepted the award for the fourth time in succession and the fi fth time overall. Therese Sjögran was, for the second time in her career, named the female player of the year. Top manager Bob Houghton was presented with an honorary award at the gala in recogni- tion of his work in Swedish football. Houghton’s special brand of football and his success at Malmö FF (crowned by their runners-up spot in the 1979 European Cup) have led to his often being quoted as a signifi cant inspiration for later Swedish coaches such as Lars Lagerbäck, Tommy Söderberg and Sven-Göran Eriksson, to name but a few. The honorary award was SFA presented to him by special guest Johan Cruyff. Gordon Smith of Stirling Albion and students from Calderglen high school with the Scottish Cup ● Andreas Nilsson

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 22 16.12.10 09:17 Switzerland 23 www.football.ch

Women’s football boom burg, currently in fourth place in the Bundesliga, while defender Danique Stein lines up for Bad Before the start of qualifying for the 2011 Neuenahr. Ana Maria Crnogorcevic (three FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, no goals) is under contract with Hamburger SV and FAI one would have bet even a penny on Switzer- Noëmie Beney with Saarbrücken. In addition, land topping their group, and yet Béatrice von goalkeeper Marisa Brunner and Isabelle Meyer Siebenthal’s team did just that. Their 3-0 opening both play for SC Freiburg in the German fi rst divi- win against fi rm favourites Russia cleared their sion, while Marina Keller is at Levante in Spain. way into the play-offs, in which another surprise The experience the players are gaining in lots victory, this time against Denmark, sparked of tough matches to build on their solid initial hopes of qualifying for the fi nals even. Italy put training in Switzerland is having a positive infl u- an end to any such ambitions and Switzerland ence and will doubtless result in plenty more suc-

will not be present in Germany, but the team cess for what is still a very young national team SFV/ASF far exceeded expectations nonetheless. The (the average age is under 23). There are also National team captain Lara Dickenmann, one fact that many of the players are based abroad more talented female players coming up through of the protagonists in the Swiss women’s football boom has undeniably helped to raise the level of the the Credit Suisse Football Academy set up in national team. The captain, Lara Dickenmann, 2004 and the U19 and U17 national teams. The has already scored three times for Champions U19s made it through the fi rst qualifying round the spring. The U17s also notched up three wins League fi nalists and French domestic leaders of their European Championship with three wins in their fi rst qualifying round, against Poland, Olympique Lyonnais, and by and large those against Poland, Kazakhstan and the former Iceland and Latvia; they face Sweden, Wales playing in the Bundesliga have also shown Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and are now and France in the second qualifying round. All themselves to be assets to their teams. Martina preparing to meet the Czech Republic, Sweden eyes are on both teams, eager to see how far Moser (fi ve goals) plays in attack for VfL Wolfs- and Ukraine in the second qualifying round in they will go. ● Pierre Benoit

Turkey Wales www.tff.org www.faw.org.uk

Third grassroots star: Roadshows around the country football for all The Football Association of Wales (FAW) will Turkey has successfully achieved its third be busy during the next few months travelling star in its third year as a signatory to the UEFA around the country meeting supporters at FAW Grassroots Charter. Since becoming a charter roadshows. member in 2007, the Turkish Football Federa- The events are an opportunity for fans to fi nd tion (TFF) has organised many grassroots tour- out about the association and put their questions naments and activities in various categories to the chief executive, Jonathan Ford. and in different regions under the Football for The fi rst was held in November at the home All programme. In 2009, the number of Foot- of Cefn Druids AFC. The Druids were among ball for All participants in Turkey increased to TFF the founding members of the FAW and have 240,000 and with the support of Ülker, the pro- Football for all, throughout the country a proud tradition and history. It was therefore gramme’s main sponsor, many projects were very appropriate that the fi rst roadshow was developed for children. As a result of all these encourage people to play sport anywhere and held there. activities, the TFF was awarded its second UEFA everywhere with grassroots projects. At the At the roadshow, former Welsh international Grassroots Charter star. same time, we are helping to create a more goalkeeper Dai Davies spoke about his career, Thanks to its other social responsibility projects effective ‘sports culture’ than we currently have there was a contribution from FAW councillor aimed at increasing the number of disabled in the country. Children’s development is also Steve Williams about his role in the association, people and girls on the football pitch, Turkey very important. For this reason, we are look- and a question and answer session was held has now achieved its third star, in the category ing into developing the current leagues and with Jonathan Ford. of football for all. creating new ones. In particular we want more It was a busy time in North Wales as the Ersun Yanal, the TFF’s director of football, Turkish girls to become part of the game; we roadshow coincided with a Wales v Bulgaria said: ‘’With grassroots football for all activi- want a fourth star for the healthy development women’s international at Cefn Druids’ new ties, we aim to diversify football and increase of women’s football in Turkey.’’ ground – a fi rst for the stadium and a fi rst for the the number of people who play the game. We ● TFF Communications Offi ce new Welsh coach, Jarmo Matikainen. Members of the team visited local primary schools on the Monday, before putting on an impressive per- Ukraine formance on the Wednesday as they beat Bul- garia 8-1 in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd. www.ffu.org.ua ● Ceri Stennett

Ukraine undo Russia to expectations with a 15-4 win against Belgium in deaf futsal fi nal in the Group A opener, followed by a 6-4 win in a tense encounter with Sweden. Oleksandr The 3rd European Deaf Futsal Championship, Kunytsia’s team then sealed their place at the jointly staged by the UEFA-backed European top of the group with a crashing 17-0 win Deaf Sports Organisation (EDSO) and its Swiss against Scotland. counterpart, the Schweizerischer Gehörlosen Ukraine stormed to the fi nal in style with an- Sportverband (SGSV), took place in the Swiss other three wins in the knockout round. They city of Winterthur from 6 to 14 November. clinched a narrow 4-3 victory over Belarus in The men’s deaf futsal tournament involved the round of 16 before beating Turkey 6-3 in 26 teams, who kicked off the competition in six the quarter-fi nals. The Netherlands stood in their groups of four or fi ve, with Ukraine placed in path in the semi-fi nals but the Ukrainians were Group A along with Sweden, Scotland and Bel- triumphant, with a 5-0 win putting them in the gium. Ukraine, Spain, the Netherlands, Israel, perfect frame of mind for the fi nal showpiece FAW Portugal and Russia were considered the pre- against Russia, whom they beat 5-1 to lift the From left to right: Dai Davies, Steve Williams, tournament favourites. The Ukrainians lived up trophy. ● Igor Linnyk Jonathan Ford and Ian Gwyn Hughes

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UEFADirect104•EN.indd 23 16.12.10 09:17 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 24 Slovenian Football Association Ninety years since the creation of Slovenia’s fi rst football body

The fi rst Friday in December marked a very special impact of recent football suc- occasion in Slovenian football: 90 years since the fi rst cess on Slovenia’s reputation governing body was set up on Slovenian soil. The abroad: “The achievements of predecessor of the Football Association of Slovenia Slovenian football fi ll me with was established in April 1920 and, in one form or pride and joy, and I’m sure that another, has been managing football throughout the this is the case for every Slov- country ever since. enian citizen. Football has a long tradition in Slovenia and has a lot of fans. It is inherently a people’s sport. Our achieve- Danilo Türk, president ments have spread the good of Slovenia name of Slovenia around the world. The excellent game of football has shown us how to achieve worldwide recognition for our country, which is why I thank the people in charge at the FA of Slovenia, those working in football administration and the players. You are the elite.”

Exciting times A very The second speaker of the evening was the fi rst vice- distinguished lthough its 90th year was creeping to a close, 2010 president of the FA of Slovenia, Stane Oražem, currently audience Ahad been such an amazing year, with the nation- acting president following the resignation of Ivan Simicˇ. al team contesting another World Cup, that the FA of “This was one of the most exciting years of the Football Slovenia decided to push back its anniversary celebra- Association of Slovenia. Our national team made us tions to December. This was clearly the right decision, proud at the World Cup and we’ve never been this high not only because 2010 was an action-packed year in the FIFA rankings. Our players are becoming more for this reasonably small association, but also because and more established in foreign leagues, our women are December, being a month of festivities, suited the occa- developing within the game and our futsal players are sion perfectly. getting noteworthy results in their competitions. In Slovenia, we’re seeing exciting new players, new training pitches More than 500 guests and new stadiums. Despite the problems we’ve had, Planning for the 90th anniversary event started months Slovenian football has proven to be creative and resil- ago and in the end everything came together for a won- ient. It offers hope, is accessible to all, and embodies derful evening of celebration. More than 500 guests values that have become universal,” Oražem said. from football, politics and the community were greeted After the speeches, the hosts and guests honoured at one of Ljubljana’s fi nest hotels by the FA of Slovenia’s fi ve former presidents of the FA of Slovenia with a 90th current management and honorary president. On the anniversary plaque. A selection of Slovenian football guest list were the country’s top offi cials, including the legends presented the plaque to Tone Florjancˇic, Miro president of Slovenia, Danilo Türk, the president of the Samardžija, Branko Elsner (absent due to illness), Marko national assembly, Pavel Gantar, and the president of Ilešic and Rudi Zavrl. ● Matjaž Krajnik the national council, Blaž Kavcˇicˇ. One more important guest was expected. The UEFA president, Michel Platini, had confi rmed his attendance months in advance, only to have no other choice but to cancel minutes before his scheduled departure. Geneva airport would not give clearance for the presidential air- craft to take off, as the weather conditions were not safe to fl y in. The president was forced to stay in Geneva but, as he said in his video message, had “Slovenia in his heart”. With one of the main speakers detained because of Photos: Drago Wernig – TAKA Photos: Drago Wernig snow, all eyes were on the remaining two. Danilo Türk, the Four former presidents of the Football Association of Slovenia president of Slovenia, took to the podium fi rst and, in an united for the 90th anniversary celebrations: (from left to right) inspirational and well-delivered speech, highlighted the Miro Samardzija, Marko Ilešic, Rudi Zavrl and Tone Florjancˇic

UEFADirect104•EN.indd 24 16.12.10 09:17 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES November 2010 25 Committee meetings in Nyon Photos: UEFA

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Mitja Lainscak (Slovenia, 15.1) Women’s Football Committee, is celebrating Congratulations Cleomenis Bontiotis (Greece, 16.1) her 50th, as is Katriina Elovirta (Finland), ref- Christophe Perruchoud (Switzerland, 16.1) eree observer, on 15th. Sune Hellströmer (Sweden, 17.1) UEFA also extends birthday greetings for Febru- BIRTHDAYS IN JANUARY Vera Pauw (Netherlands, 18.1) ary to: Phivos Vakis (Cyprus), member of the Fair Bujar Kasmi (Albania, 19.1) Volker Roth (Germany, 1.2) Play and Social Responsibility Committee, Lars-Åke Lagrell (Sweden, 20.1) Kyros Vassaras (Greece, 1.2) and Alessandro Lulli (Italy), match delegate, Pedro Ángel Galán Nieto (Spain, 20.1) Leonardus van der Kroft (Netherlands, 2.2) both turn 50 on 15 January. They are fol- Anders Mattsson (Finland, 21.1) Trygve Bornø (Norway, 2.2) lowed on 22 January by Lassin Isaksen Ángel María Villar Llona (Spain, 21.1) Mark Blackbourne (England, 3.2) (Faroe Islands), referee observer. UEFA also Maria Teresa Andreu Grau (Spain, 21.1) Renata Tomasova (Slovakia, 3.2) wishes many happy returns in January to: Are Habicht (Estonia, 22.1) Jelena Oblakovic-Babic (Serbia, 3.2) Urs Meier (Switzerland, 22.1) Vaclav Krondl (Czech Republic, 5.2) Necdet Cobanli (Turkey, 1.1) Teuvo Holopainen (Finland, 23.1) Gabriel Weiss (Slovakia, 6.2) Vlatko Markovic (Croatia, 1.1) Harry M. Been (Netherlands, 23.1) Erich Rutemöller (Germany, 8.2) Monica Ortigueira (Switzerland, 2.1) Sviatlana Hrynkevich (Belarus, 23.1) Yusuf Namoglu (Turkey, 8.2) Robert Sterckx (Belgium, 3.1) Pat Quigley (Republic of Ireland, 24.1) Michael Appleby (England, 8.2) Gerhard Sager (Sweden, 3.1) Patrick Wattebled (France, 24.1) Alexander Slutski (Belarus, 8.2) Andreas Demetriou (Cyprus, 3.1) Gevorg Hovhannisyan (Armenia, 25.1) Fino Fini (Italy, 9.2) Aleksei Spirin (Russia, 4.1) Leonid Dmitranitsa (Belarus, 25.1) Donald McVicar (Scotland, 9.2) Kuanysh Kanapyanov (Kazakhstan, 4.1) Stig-Ove Sandnes (Norway, 25.1) Danilo Filacchione (Italy, 9.2) David George Collins (Wales, 5.1) Metin Kazancioglu (Turkey, 26.1) Zoran Lakovic (Serbia, 9.2) Mariano Moreno (Spain, 6.1) Miroslaw Ryszka (Poland, 26.1) Luc Rabat (France, 10.2) Walter Clarke (Northern Ireland, 6.1) Krister Malmsten (Sweden, 27.1) Tomislav Karadzic (Serbia, 10.2) Sergiy Lysenchuk (Ukraine, 6.1) Cosimo Bolognino (Italy, 30.1) Dani Koren (Israel, 10.2) Nelly Viennot (France, 8.1) Brian Lawlor (Wales, 31.1) Henadz Niavyhlas (Belarus, 11.2) Franco Ferrari (Italy, 9.1) Annelie Larsson (Sweden, 11.2) Velid Imamovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 9.1) Fritz Stuchlik (Austria, 11.2) Milos Tomas (Slovakia, 9.1) Borislav Mihailov (Bulgaria, 12.2) Guido Cornella (Switzerland, 10.1) Pierluigi Collina (Italy, 13.2) Herbert Hübel (Austria, 10.1) BIRTHDAYS IN FEBRUARY Oleksandr Bandurko (Ukraine, 13.2) Michel Dumoulin (Belgium, 11.1) William McDougall (Scotland), match dele- Christian Mutschler (Switzerland, 13.2) Olivier Brochart (France, 11.1) gate, is celebrating his 70th birthday on 11 Marinus den Engelsman (Netherlands, 14.2) Juan N. Garcia-Nieto Portabella (Spain, 12.1) February. Adalbert Kassai (Romania), mem- Manuel Lopez Fernandez (Spain, 14.2) Sofoklis Pilavios (Greece, 13.1) ber of the National Associations Committee, Thomas Weyhing (Germany, 14.2) Luis Horta (Portugal, 14.1) is turning 60 on 16 February, as are referee Livio Bazzoli (Italy, 14.2) Iljo Dominkovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 14.1) observer Constantin Gheorghe (Romania) Peter Bonde (Denmark, 14.2) Martin Iseli (Switzerland, 14.1) on 18th and match delegate Edward Potok Juan Carlos Miralles (Andorra, 14.2) Nodar Akhalkatsi (Georgia, 14.1) (Poland) on 20th. On 1 February, Karen John McBeth (Scotland, 15.2) Atanas Furnadzhiev (Bulgaria, 15.1) Espelund (Norway), vice-chairman of the Susanne Erlandsson (Sweden, 15.2)

The UEFA president, directors and staff readers a happy and prosperous 2011.

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Leif Sundell (Sweden, 15.2) Notices Svitlana Shkil (Ukraine, 15.2) Forthcoming Orkhan Huseynzade (Azerbaijan, 15.2) ■ On 27 November, Ruben Hayrape- Karoly Török (Hungary, 16.2) events tyan was re-elected president of the Helena Fernandes (Portugal, 17.2) Football Federation of Armenia. Gudrun Inga Sivertsen (Iceland, 17.2) Meetings Jozef Venglos (Slovakia, 18.2) ■ At the end of November, the council Borislav Alexandrov (Bulgaria, 18.2) 13.1.2011, Nyon of the Irish Football Association elected Flemming Serritslev (Denmark, 18.2) Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee Patrick Kelly (Republic of Ireland, 18.2) 19/20.1.2011, Nyon Jim Shaw as president. Pertti Alaja (Finland, 18.2) Jira Panel ■ Antonello Valentini (Italy, 18.2) 25/26.1.2011, Nyon As of 1 January, Josef Kliment will be Pascual Jordi (Andorra, 18.2) Anti-doping Panel the new general secretary of the Slovak Janis Mezeckis (Latvia, 19.2) 27/28.1.2011, Nyon Football Association. Lars Arnesson (Sweden, 20.2) Executive Committee Eggert Magnusson (Iceland, 20.2) 30.1–4.2.2011, Cyprus ■ The offi ces of the UEFA administration João F. De Magalhães Marques (Portugal, 20.2) Referee course will be closed from 24 December to Ralph Zloczower (Switzerland, 21.2) 31.1.2011, Nyon 2 January inclusive. Fernando Gomes (Portugal, 21.2) HatTrick Committee Asim Khudiyev (Azerbaijan, 22.2) 10.2.2011, Nyon ■ The next issue of UEFA·direct will Holger Hieronymus (Germany, 22.2) Club Competitions Committee be published in February. Vladimir Sajn (Slovenia, 22.2) 15.2.2011, Nyon Ana Caetano (Portugal, 22.2) Youth and Amateur Football Committee Maarten Fontein (Netherlands, 23.2) Women’s Football Committee Peter Jones (England, 24.2) 16.2.2011, Nyon Match agents Janos Ring (Hungary, 24.2) Club Licensing Committee Oleg Harlamov (Estonia, 24.2) Two new UEFA match agent licences Juan Padron Morales (Spain, 25.2) Competitions Miroslav Radoman (Serbia, 25.2) have been issued: Vladimir Hrinak (Slovakia, 25.2) Alberto Lopez Moreno (Spain, 25.2) 20–24.1.2011 Giorgio Ranieri European Futsal Championship: preliminary round Jens Erik Magnussen (Faroe Islands, 26.2) Viale America 24 15/16 + 22/23.2.2011 Ghenadie Scurtul (Moldova, 26.2) 00060 Formello, Rome Egidius Braun (Germany, 27.2) UEFA Champions League: round of 16 (fi rst legs) Allan Hansen (Denmark, 27.2) 17.2.2011 Italy Xavier Lebray (France, 27.2) UEFA Europa League: round of 32 (fi rst legs) +39 340 887 63 65 Zorislav Srebric (Croatia, 28.2) 24.2.2011 [email protected] Aron Schmidhuber (Germany, 28.2) UEFA Europa League: round of 32 (return legs) John Beattie (England, 28.2) 24–28.2.2011 Andrew Sprott Markus Stenger (Germany, 28.2) European Futsal Championship: qualifying round Progression Sports Management 4 Hobbs Close Bishop’s Sutton SO24 0AS Winchester, Hampshire UK +44 78 1111 2425 [email protected]

Obituary

Jim Farry, former chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, died of a heart attack on 10 November at the age of 56. He had been a member of the Non-Amateur Football Committee from 1990 to 1992 and of the Club Competitions Committee from 1992 to 1998. UEFA wish all UEFA·direct

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