No. 157

MAY 2016 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNION OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS

NO TO RACISM

FOOTBALL FOR LIFE UEFA Grassroots Workshop in Slovenia No.157 2016 • May CHAMPIONS JACQUES SWITZERLAND LEAGUE FERRAN UNITED Milan and San Siro The business of creating Many cultures, roll out the red carpet the European Cup one team BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS

Campbell Ogilvie (Scotland, 1 May) Milovan Djukanović (Montenegro, 19 May) Peter Mikkelsen (Denmark, 1 May) Rune Pedersen (Norway, 19 May) Vasko Dojčinovski (FYR Macedonia, 1 May) Raimondas Statkevicius (Lithuania, 19 May) NOTICES Alexey Smertin (Russia, 5 May) Greg Dyke (England, 20 May) Anton Fagan (Scotland, 2 May) Michał Listkiewicz (Poland, 20 May) • Yuriy Zapisotskiy has replaced Chris Bonett (Malta, 2 May) Sandra Renon (France, 20 May) Vladimir Geninson as general Vladimir Medved (Slovakia, 3 May) Neli Lozeva (Bulgaria, 20 May) secretary of the Football Olivier Chovaux (France, 3 May) Ewa Gajewska (Poland, 21 May) Federation of Ukraine. Haim Jakov (Israel, 3 May) Nicolai Cebotari (Moldova, 21 May) Volodymyr Chorno-Ivanov (Ukraine, 3 May) Costas Kapitanis (Cyprus, 21 May) • Rovnag Abdullayev Ronen Hershco (Israel, 3 May) Theo van Seggelen (Netherlands, 22 May) was re-elected on 11 March Anghel Iordanescu (Romania, 4 May) Karl Dhont (Belgium, 22 May) for a third term as president Peter Gilliéron (Switzerland, 5 May) Packie Bonner (Republic of Ireland, 24 May) of the Association of Football Christian Welander (Sweden, 5 May) Ainar Leppänen (Estonia, 24 May) Federations of Azerbaijan. Costakis Koutsokoumnis Teresa Romao (Portugal, 24 May) (Cyprus, 5 May) 60th Andrzej Zareba (Poland, 24 May) • Karl-Erik Nilsson was Goran Mihaljević (Montenegro, 5 May) Semen Andreev (Russia, 25 May) re-elected on 19 March Ken Ridden (England, 6 May) Hans Cooman (Belgium, 25 May) for another one-year term Gudmundur Petursson (Iceland, 6 May) 70th Ivančica Sudac (Croatia, 25 May) as president of the Swedish Karl-Erik Nilsson (Sweden, 6 May) Marco Tura (San Marino, 26 May) 60th Football Association. Charles Flint (England, 7 May) Evgeni Giner (Russia, 26 May) Pekka Luhtanen (Finland, 8 May) Peter Lawwell (Scotland, 27 May) Michel Pralong (Switzerland, 8 May) Jim Stjerne Hansen (Denmark, 28 May) Marc Dobbeleir (Belgium, 8 May) Jean-Pierre Escalettes (France, 29 May) Miroslav Tulinger (Czech Republic, 8 May) Jacques Antenen (Switzerland, 29 May) 60th Dan Vo Quang (France, 8 May) Jozef Kliment (Slovakia, 29 May) Stuart Turner (England, 9 May) Donel Conway (Republic of Ireland, 31 May) Magnus Forssblad (Sweden, 10 May) István Huszár (Hungary, 31 May) Yuri Baskakov (Russia, 10 May) Arnaldo Cunha (Portugal, 31 May) Jean-Marie Gantenbein Mad Øland (Denmark, 31 May) (Luxembourg, 11 May) Timo Huttunen (Finland, 11 May) Volodymyr Geninson (Ukraine, 12 May) 40th FORTHCOMING EVENTS Gaston Schreurs (Belgium, 13 May) Henrik Ravnild (Denmark, 13 May) Meetings Carlos Manuel Ferreira Matos (Portugal, 14 May) 2 May, Budapest 9–13 May, Nyon Maria Luisa Villa Gútierrez (Spain, 14 May) Executive Committee Women’s Football Leadership Programme Hans-Jörg Eissmann (Germany, 15 May) Piotr Maranda (Poland, 15 May) 3 May, Budapest 12 May, Mexico Nikolay Levnikov (Russia, 15 May) 60th 40th Ordinary UEFA Congress FIFA Congress Evzen Amler (Czech Republic, 15 May) Sotirios Sinnis (Greece, 15 May) Luis Cuervas Del Real (Spain, 15 May) Azamat Aitkhozhin Competitions (Kazakhstan, 15 May) 40th Egon Franck (Germany, 16 May) 4–16 May, Belarus 18 May, Basel Denys Lutiuk (Ukraine, 16 May) European Women’s Under-17 Championship: UEFA Europa League: final Svein Johannessen (Norway, 17 May) final tournament Kadri Jägel (Estonia, 17 May) 26 May, Reggio Emilia www.uefafoundation.org Lars Appelqvist (Sweden, 18 May) 5–21 May, Azerbaijan UEFA Women’s Champions League: final Tamara Chichinadze (Georgia, 18 May) European Under-17 Championship: final Andreas Morisbak (Norway, 19 May) tournament 28 May, Milan Jozef Marko (Slovakia, 19 May) 70th UEFA Champions League: final Gaetano De Gabriele (Malta, 19 May)

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 51 EDITORIAL

WATERING THE GRASSROOTS

he climax to the club competition season with and between all of UEFA’s member is upon us and it is not long now before associations, with a view to creating and T we crown the best teams in Europe. managing ever more programmes that protect However, as important as the UEFA Champions the future of football. We have a responsibility League and the UEFA Europa League are, it and a desire to be present when children of all is necessary to remember that professional ages, backgrounds and abilities start playing football is only the pinnacle of the game. For the game. We want to be there to guide, UEFA, football is about so much more than nurture and support them as they discover our elite competitions, and it all starts with the what football can teach them both on and off work that we do at grassroots level, together the field. with our national associations all over Europe. Regarding the UEFA Youth League, it is safe This was aptly illustrated at the 11th UEFA to say that young footballers across Europe are Grassroots Workshop in Slovenia and the 3rd thriving on the experience of participating in UEFA Youth League finals in Nyon. this fantastic competition. We are very happy The UEFA Grassroots Workshop has long with the competition’s new format for this been a means for us to increase cooperation season, which brought an expansion in the number of participants from 32 to 64. The decision taken to make the Youth League a permanent fixture in the European football calendar has certainly proved its worth, enhancing the quality of the competition and giving more countries the chance to participate. We are looking forward to seeing more and more talented young players develop their skills as a result of their involvement.

Theodore Theodoridis UEFA General Secretary ad interim

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 03 CONTENTS

12 8 Getty Images for UEFA UEFA IN THIS ISSUE 8 MESGO graduations 18 Interview The Executive Master in European Jacques Ferran is one of the founding Sport Governance continues to provide fathers of the first-ever European club Official publication of executives and administrators in sport competition. Now 96, he looks back on the Union of European with a unique platform for continuing the origins of what would later become Football Associations professional development. the UEFA Champions League. Chief editor: Emmanuel Deconche

10 UEFA Champions League 24 Grassroots football Deputy chief editor: The stage is set in Milan for the ultimate The 11th UEFA Grassroots Workshop, Dominique Maurer showdown in European club football on held in Slovenia from 11 to 14 April, gives External contributors: 28 May. a voice to the 99% that make up the Yannick Rappan (SFV-ASF, page 12), François Verdenet grassroots of the game. (L’Équipe, pages 32-37) and 12 UEFA Europa League André Vieli (pages 16-17)

St. Jakob-Park in Basel is ready to host 30 For the record Production: its fifth European club competition final UEFA’s Elite Club Injury Study identifies Touchline on 18 May. positive trends in overall injury rates and Printing: player availability. Artgraphic Cavin 13 European Under-17 CH-1422 Grandson Championship finals 32 Special feature Editorial deadline: While their female counterparts head to The second match at this summer’s EURO 15 April 2016

Belarus, the best men’s Under-17 teams in 2016, Switzerland v Albania, throws up Cover photo: Europe prepare for their moment of truth some interesting issues of national identity Grassroots football in action in Azerbaijan, where the focus is firmly on and family loyalty. at the 11th UEFA Grassroots Workshop, held at the laying the foundations for the future. national training centre in 38 News from Kranj, Slovenia. 16 Henri Delaunay Cup member associations Sportsfile Not only is it the greatest prize in European national team football but, despite its various transformations over the years, the Henri Delaunay Cup is an important part of European football’s cultural heritage.

04 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 CONTENTS

18 24 Presse Sports Sportsfile

Getty Images 32

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 05 COMMUNICATIONS

SPREADING THE WORD UEFA has launched a Media Outreach Programme to help its member associations in their communications aims.

“ t’s a pleasure to be hosting an event that The gathering on the Adriatic coast was the will allow us to develop the tools to achieve first of two workshops planned during the pilot our communications goals – not only about phase. The national associations of Azerbaijan, I Sportsfile our competitions,” said Football Association Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova of Montenegro (FSCG) general secretary – and and Ukraine joined the hosts, Montenegro. UEFA Media Committee member – Momir Djurdjevac in his opening address. “We fully Understanding our image understand the challenges faced by associations Participants heard an engaging presentation and we need a strategic approach in order to on the UEFA GROW 2020 project, which address them.” interacts with associations to understand Football associations, stakeholders and UEFA the image of football and the association in focus their energies on promoting, protecting their country and to build the sport there. and developing our sport. At the very first pilot Supporting that programme, the associations session of a new project, communications teams and correspondents then got together in got together in Montenegro to discuss relaying breakout sessions to discuss next steps, which that strong message to the wider media. principally involved the sourcing and sharing of Picture the scene: a mini-tournament for two multimedia materials. national youth teams has just finished and the Local media representatives were also invited communications team of the host nation faces a to Budva, where they heard about UEFA’s race against time. Getting the messages out to mission to develop the sport as well as the varied the public about the results and assisting media roles of media relations and communications with their requests is time-consuming and brings around the initiatives of both UEFA and the host many pressures. Resources are in short supply. association. “We are part of the same family and Solving that dilemma is at the heart of the it is bringing huge benefits,” concluded FSCG creation of UEFA’s Media Outreach Programme, press officer Ivan Radović. “We are striving to UEFA’s Media Outreach which made its debut in the Montenegrin produce great content together, so that we can Programme brought together town of Budva on 5 and 6 April. There, UEFA’s get better engagement with our fans, to build a communications teams communications team met with counterparts basis for our first fan relationship management from all over Europe for a first workshop in Budva in from national associations, the UEFA (FRM) base and really give the fans a better way Montenegro at the beginning ‘correspondents’ in each of those territories and of communication and a better approach.” of April. members of the UEFA Media Committee at a workshop to better understand common needs in order to become more efficient in messaging.

Positive messages “This is a programme that allows us to work directly with national associations all over Europe on messaging, tools and strategy, so that we can be best aligned in telling the world what we do to promote, protect and develop football,” said UEFA’s chief of communications and media, Pedro Pinto, in opening the workshop. “What really inspires me about working at UEFA is to see all the stories at grassroots level about people who are falling in love with the game and what is being done to support that regionally and locally. Also making the media aware of that is of vital importance to us as a governing body.” Sportsfile

06 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

THE UEFA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN – ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE The UEFA Foundation for Children has been up and running for a year now, so we decided it was time to catch up with its chairman, José Manuel

Just Play Barroso, to ask how things are going.

A year after its launch, what is your which will bring together young people aged 18 initial assessment of the work the and under, for the most part from the 30 UEFA foundation has done? member associations which did not qualify for The foundation is already making a difference all EURO 2016. over the world, for the time being with the one exception of South America. Today, thousands Do you have any particular criteria of children who are underprivileged or living in for your partnerships? difficult circumstances are being supported in We define our action as ethical and responsible. their daily lives by the foundation and its partners We have chosen to be completely transparent, – through education and opportunities to play, as the foundation’s website shows, and our among other things. That is simply priceless. partners know that everything is subject to the UN’s code of ethics, which sets out very strict In concrete terms, what has the rules on working with children and respecting the foundation done? environment, for example. First of all, we made sure to continue working Getty Images on the projects that UEFA had been supporting How does UEFA support you? José Manuel Barroso itself. One such project is Just Play, a unique First of all, UEFA – which the foundation is Chairman of the UEFA Foundation football programme in Oceania for children aged independent from – has committed to giving us for Children 6 to 12, which aims to engage the community an annual grant until 2025. In addition to that, and promote healthy lifestyles. Another involves a large amount of work has been done by UEFA socio-educational football activities in the Zaatari staff and through UEFA events and activities. refugee camp in Jordan. At the same time, we This has involved the allocation of revenue to are supporting projects as wide-ranging as a foundation projects and a desire to act responsibly pan-European research project on autism and by giving competition and event materials a a partnership with the John Giles Foundation second life. A number of projects and associations in the fields of health and social integration in have benefited from material support in the form the Republic of Ireland. I should also mention of bibs, balls and all sorts of other equipment. One Goal for Education, which is using football The Children’s Dreams programme, which aims to to promote social inclusion through big clubs in help make the football-related dreams of seriously Belgium, England, Israel, the Netherlands and ill children come true, would also not be possible Scotland. without the direct support of UEFA.

Are you planning any particular What are the main things that activities for UEFA EURO 2016? the foundation will be doing in the First, we’ve launched 20,000 Children’s Smiles, near future? a project that will enable 20,000 disadvantaged In order to develop our activities, we will continue children and accompanying adults to attend to look for new forms of financing that respect one of 43 EURO 2016 matches. Second, in the code of ethics – and we will do this with cooperation with Sport dans la Ville (Sport in complete transparency. And we will continue the City) and streetfootballworld – associations to mobilise the whole football family – clubs, that use sport as a vehicle for social change – we associations, sponsors, etc – because a simple are organising a solidarity tournament in Lyon, ball can erase differences such as skin colour, where 500 girls and boys from all over the world background and religion, and because, at the will come together. And finally, we will have a end of the day, football is a fantastic tool to help European schools tournament in Lens and Lille, people live together in harmony.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 07 EDUCATION

MESGO GRADUATES READY TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF EUROPEAN SPORTS GOVERNANCE

The scene in the Lennart Johansson auditorium at UEFA headquarters in Nyon was the educational equivalent of full time at the end of a first-leg tie. The successful graduates from the third edition of the Executive Master in European Sport Governance (MESGO) were excited as much about what they had accomplished as where it might lead.

peakers at the graduation ceremony gives us an introduction to many different were keen to stress that MESGO sports,” said graduate Elkhan Mammadov, Sgraduation was not the end of a general secretary of the Association of journey, but rather the point at which those Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA). involved would take the lessons they had “We can be too oriented towards football learnt and implement them in their respective but we can learn a lot from other sports – places of work, for the benefit of European through the process, we have seen that there and national associations, clubs, leagues, are some elements that can be implemented trade unions, public institutions, governments in the future in football, especially in terms of and partner organisations. youth development.” UEFA marketing manager Noel Mooney Making a difference works with national associations across “It’s an essential experience for us, because Europe to improve football’s image using the MESGO gave us not only the knowledge, it innovative GROW 2020 programme. A video

08 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 EDUCATION

The third edition of the Executive Master in Euroepan Sport Governance (MESGO) came to a close with the graduation ceremony held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on 1 April. The fourth edition gets under way in September. UEFA

screened at the ceremony showed the high The MESGO programme – which is delivered hopes he has for the impact that his MESGO by five internationally renowned academic studies will have on the football family. institutions, with the support of UEFA and “MESGO gives you an ability to understand other European and international sports and actively participate in sport’s decision- governing bodies – is designed specifically making processes on a proactive basis, to for the top executives and senior staff be reactive, and to preserve and further of national and international sports the interests of sport,” added UEFA’s organisations. It is particularly useful competitions director, Giorgio Marchetti, in for board members, general secretaries, his address to the graduates. “I hope that directors and other senior managers dealing the programme has given you the tools with international affairs and/or regulatory to do that. You should be very proud of matters. The MESGO III cohort included yourselves for what you have achieved. We the CEOs or general secretaries of six UEFA are very proud of you.” The graduates also member associations. heard passionate and reflective speeches The course is made up of nine one-week TO DATE by Jean Brihault, president of the European sessions spread over 19 months. Seven Handball Federation, Nicolas Péjout, director sessions take place in European cities, with of executive education at Sciences Po, and two sessions being held outside Europe 58 Didier Primault, general manager of the (in New York and Tokyo for the fourth graduates Centre de Droit et d’Économie du Sport edition) to allow an in-depth study of other (CDES) at the University of Limoges (one of organisational models. UEFA’s academic partners). Preparations are already well under way for 25 the fourth edition of the MESGO programme, from UEFA member Looking ahead to MESGO IV which will start in September. The opening associations Contributing to the professional management session will be held in Paris, with the final of football across Europe has long been one session scheduled to take place in Tokyo. of UEFA’s key objectives. Through its various The final list of participants will be available 13 professional development programmes, UEFA in June. currently hold the position of is committed to offering training tailored For more information on the MESGO president, general secretary to the executives and staff of its member programme, take a look at its website: or deputy general secretary associations at all levels. www.mesgo.org. of their association

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 09 Getty Images MILAN PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Preparations are entering their final stages, both on and off the pitch, as Milan readies itself to welcome the cream of European football once again.

Milan will host the UEFA Champions known as a football stadium. It was built for AC League final on Saturday 28 May Milan in 1925 and named after the city’s San – the fourth time that the city has Siro district, where it is located. Inter beat Milan staged the climax to Europe’s premier 6-3 in the stadium’s inaugural match on club competition – and final preparations are 19 September 1926. already well under way, both at the stadium AC Milan owned the stadium until it was and across the city. sold to the city in 1935, and its capacity The match will take place at San Siro, the was then increased to more than 50,000 in home of seven-time European champions AC 1939. Internazionale moved into the venue Milan and three-time winners FC Internazionale in 1947, and a revamp in the mid-1950s Milano, who last lifted the trophy in 2010. took its capacity to more than 100,000. The In fact, Internazionale were also victorious in stadium was used as a venue for the 1980 1965, the first time the final was held at San European Championship, the same year that Siro, when they lifted the trophy for the second it was officially renamed in honour of former time in two years. SL Benfica were the runners- Internazionale and AC Milan player Giuseppe up in that first Milanese final, going down 1-0 Meazza. It then underwent further renovations to Inter, and five years later, the second San Siro in preparation for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, showpiece was equally tight, with Feyenoord becoming an all-seater and acquiring its needing extra time to finally see off Celtic FC. impressive concrete towers. The third and most recent final in Milan came in 2001, when FC Bayern München claimed Festival of fun their fourth European title, defeating Valencia However, the distinctive San Siro will not have a CF 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. monopoly on the public’s attention in the week While San Siro is also a notable music venue leading up to the Champions League final. The – staging concerts by Bob Marley, Madonna, Champions Festival has become an established The Champions Festival will be held in the very heart of Milan, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, the Rolling part of the build-up to the Champions League across five iconic locations, Stones and U2, among many others – it is best final, and this year’s event promises to be including Piazza del Duomo.

10 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

another one to remember. It will be held in the names from years gone by. The 2015 line-ups very heart of Milan, across five iconic locations: included Cafu, Edwin van der Sar, Davor Šuker Piazza del Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Clarence Seedorf. While this year’s squads Via Mercanti/Via Dante, Piazza Castello and are still to be finalised, women will play in the Castello Sforzesco. These areas are normally match for the first time, with UEFA Women’s better known for their famous museums and Champions League final ambassador Patrizia art collections, but for four days from Thursday Panico set to take to the field. 26 May they will be dominated by football. Also on the pitch will be a series of activities The trophy will arrive in Milan on the showcasing grassroots football in Milan: Thursday morning, with the Champions Gallery football clinics, football sessions for players of having opened the previous evening. There will all abilities and the adidas Young Champions be a media event involving former Champions tournament. Meanwhile, a series of top DJs League winners from Internazionale and AC and musicians will light up the stage, beginning Milan on the Wednesday night, hosted by with a performance by a superb gospel choir. international journalist Gabriele Marcotti. The likes of Lea Rue, Andrea Del Vescovo, Former greats from the two clubs have Francesco Rossi and Benny Benassi are all promoted the gallery in video messages, scheduled to appear. reflecting on their finest moments in the Matchday will be the busiest day on the competition, and those messages will be used stage, with the Konami Pro Evolution Soccer in promotions across Italy during the build-up Finals in the afternoon, followed by a special to its opening. hour-long DJ set by Gaizka Mendieta – himself The gallery, which will be located at the a Champions League runner-up with Valencia festival site, will feature around 150 images, CF in 2000 and 2001. reflecting the history of UEFA’s premier club Champions League sponsors will be competition and some of the ways in which its prominent at the festival, with Gazprom revenues have contributed to the development, organising a Football for Friendship event and promotion and protection of the game across Pepsi staging a five-a-side competition. Pepsi Europe. There will also be a display featuring will also be promoting its Pepsi Max brand at the shirts of all 32 teams that participated in both the Duomo and the Castello, while Nissan 5 this season’s group stage. will organise a number of activities, including Champions Festival transporting the trophy from the festival to the locations Wide range of attractions stadium. The festival itself will feature a whole host of PlayStation and Sony Xperia will provide a activities for visitors to enjoy. For example, a large number of products (such as headphones, 150 treasure hunt is scheduled to run from Thursday Bluetooth speakers, tablets and mobile devices) images in the Champions to Saturday, with a number of great prizes on for integration into UEFA on-site promotions. Gallery offer. There will also be a giant replica of the Meanwhile, UniCredit will highlight their Champions League trophy, which will feature sponsorship rights and key products in their in social media activities. These will include a tent at the Duomo, while the Castello site will 2001 competition to find the best selfie taken with feature an upgraded version of their robot last time Milan staged UEFA the trophy, giving festival attendees the chance keeper. They also plan to display match coins Champions League final to win two tickets to the final. and credit card countdown clocks at both sites. The main events at the festival will be centred The Champions Festival opens at 10.00 local around the pitch and the stage. The highlight time on Thursday 26 May and will be open 71,500 on the pitch will probably be the Ultimate throughout the next four days before closing its San Siro capacity for the final Champions match, which will feature star doors for the final time at 17.00 on the Sunday. Thinkstock Photos AT THE READY BASEL AND ST. JAKOB-PARK ready and raring to host another major international showpiece. EURO 2008, including the opening match and one of the semi-finals, the city is banks of the Rhine, at the heart of Europe. Having staged several matches at UEFA This year’s UEFA Europa League final is taking place in the Swiss city of Basel, on the UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE 12 –UEFA DIRECT •May played several fixtures there, however,there, including fixtures several played Turkey beat Germany have since Swiss 3-2. The saw at played Jakob-Park St. semi-final the and stage, group the beyond to progress event. an such befitting of security alevel as well as final, exciting and for aspectacular setting aperfect provide will for football, exclusively less or more built stadium, 35,000-capacity Its fans. their and finalists League Europa season’s Meyer.Richard and &Diener Diener Botta, Mario Meuron, &de Herzog as such architects by famous designed buildings modern numerous by characterised is which architecture, city’s city. Swiss any other than renown of international of museums density a higher of Cultures, boasts it Museum and Foundation Beyeler Museum, Tinguely Jean Museum, Arts Fine the as such attractions culture: with of acity also is Basel of openness, A city France. and Germany between enclave Swiss of a something forms it Rhine, of the banks both on of Europe. Built heart the at right Cup 1969, (in Winners’ 1975, 1979 1984). and the all in Cup European finals, competition club UEFA to four previous host played also has It 2012). (in 2015) FC United Manchester and and 2003 (in FC Liverpool as such opponents in 2003, 2012 2015 and of expense the at of 16 round League UEFA Champions the 1893, Basel reached FC featuring who football of nights great to hosting accustomed is Park calendar. St. football Jakob- European the on event big to another backdrop the providing At EURO 2008, the Swiss team failed failed team Swiss the At 2008, EURO this welcoming to be delighted is Basel inthe evident also is of openness spirit This sits of 166,000, population its and Basel, Austria, Switzerland is thrilled to be to be thrilled is Switzerland Austria, with 2008 EURO co-hosting After on final May.18 League Europa 1893, year’s this Basel FC staging is club of Swiss home St. Jakob-Park, 2016 of drama, excitement and emotion. emotion. and excitement of drama, match full for ahigh-quality conditions possible best the provide and to final League Europa for the atmosphere magical same to the ensure power intheir everything doing are organisers local 2010 the and of Basel Cup. World city The the at aplace them secured match that the

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(aet) 90th minute against Turkey against minute 90th at St. Jakob-Park to secure secure to Jakob-Park St. at Philipp Lahm scores in the the in scores Lahm Philipp Germany a place in the the in aplace Germany final of EURO 2008. of EURO final EUROPEAN WOMEN’S UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP

BELARUS, HERE WE COME! The European Women’s Under-17 Championship kicks off on 4 May, with powerhouses Spain and Germany drawn together in Group B.

Three nations will be represented for the first time at the European Women’s Under-17 Championship finals in May as the competition continues to broaden footballing horizons across the continent. Hosts Belarus join the party, as do the Czech Republic and Serbia, bringing the number of teams to have qualified for final tournaments at this level to 20. Indeed, it is the first time a Czech women’s side has qualified for a UEFA final tournament at any level. Qualifying concluded in dramatic fashion on 29 March, when Allegra Poljak struck a hat- trick to help Serbia beat Iceland 5-1 to clinch the best runners-up spot. That completed an impressive field which also includes champions Spain and four-time winners Germany, plus England, Italy and Norway. Spain and Germany have won seven of eight UEFA women’s U17 titles and they meet in Group B alongside Italy and the Czech Republic. Keep an eye out for Spain’s Lorena Navarro, joint top scorer in qualifying with nine goals, who has picked up from where she left off in last summer’s final tournament in Iceland, where aged just 14 she scored in Spain’s 5-2 win in the final against David Catry Switzerland. Hosts Belarus meet Serbia, England and Norway in Group A. but for something bigger, if their attitude is right.” The Czech Republic’s Kamila As for advice, she adds: “Listen to and think about Dubcová puts her best foot forward what your coach says. Forget about everyone against Tess Laplacette of France in All to play for their elite round tie in Flers, France, Poland are the only other side to have lifted the else and believe in yourself. Just go out there and on 19 March (1-1), paving the way trophy, and they did so in 2013 when it was still show what you’re capable of.” for the visitors’ first appearance a four-team event. Since then the tournament As if the title of European champions were not at the final tournament of a UEFA has expanded to eight, with the intensity of the enough, there are also three places at stake for women’s competition. competition increasing year on year. Belarus will be the 2016 U-17 Women’s World Cup, with the two no exception. Matches will be played at five venues finalists and the winner of the play-off between the in the capital Minsk, Zhodino, Slutsk and Borisov beaten semi-finalists earning places in Jordan. (Gorodskoi Stadium and Borisov Arena), with the final held at the 13,121-capacity Borisov Arena on Monday 16 May. Belarus also successfully hosted THE CONTENDERS MATCH SCHEDULE ROLL OF HONOUR the European Women’s Under-19 Championship Group A Group stage 2015 Spain finals in 2009, a lucky omen for England, who Belarus (hosts) 4, 7 and 10 May 2014 Germany clinched their first title at that level that year. Serbia For the 2015 Belarus women’s player of the England Semi-finals 2013 Poland year, Svetlana Astasheva, this is a huge window of Norway 13 May 2012 Germany opportunity for the young hopefuls. “The number Group B World Cup play-off 2011 Spain of girls in football is increasing, and staging this Italy 16 May 2010 Spain tournament should give it a further boost by Czech Republic motivating young players,” she said. “Girls will Germany Final 2009 Germany see what they can aspire to. They will begin to Spain (holders) 16 May 2008 Germany understand they are not training for the sake of it,

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 13 BAKU TO THE FUTURE 14 –UEFA DIRECT •May is laying the foundations for success in the years ahead. Championship final tournament, an impressive development programme AzerbaijanAs prepare to kick off this season’s European Under-17 indicate the enjoyment now derived from from derived now enjoyment the indicate Arena Bayil at room dressing inthe smiles the development.”If to football commitment our of part as to make investment this decided in2010, tournament that awarded we been in2012.Cup, hosted we which Having U-17 the was tous invest Women’s World motivated that Mammadov. “One things of the infrastructure,” of our explained in terms May. in tournament final Championship Under-17 European season’s of this hosting for Azerbaijan’s well bodes which for football, foundations strong to developing dedication association’s the illustrate to serves tournament the around Everything (AFFA). of Azerbaijan Federations of Football Association of the secretary by Mammadov, Elkhan general led are celebrations the room dressing the inside and tournament development international

“Everything actually started in 2009 in2009 started actually “Everything Getty Images won a match at a UEFA-sponsored amatch aUEFA-sponsored at won have just team boys’ Azerbaijan The inBaku. Arena Bayil the around swirls of excitement sense A tangible 2016 generation. next Azerbaijan’s to inspire opportunity another be will it time, in four years’ arrives tournament alike.that When stakeholders and players for young map football the on milestone significant another planted – inBaku aquarter-final 2020EURO –including matches UEFA to stage right the Winning least. at term immediate inthe results, over development on focus the is inAzerbaijan game’s growth inthe key factor another commitment, that international believes the Azerbaijani youth youth Azerbaijani the believes international way.”The inapositive and Croatian former collectively them with to work here them bring we and of talent have alot youngsters The to on. play grounds have good play to want who kids the that important it’s and pitches, and of stadiums interms best the to offer everything does country “This team. national senior of the coach head year,” Prosinečki, every improving Robert said and good very is infrastructure “The promise of level High the final tournament in Baku. in tournament final the at place their secure to successfully navigated teams both which round, elite the in Kübler Jannis Germany’s and Netherlands the of Reith Boyd EUROPEAN UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP

teams are already illustrating a high level of THE CONTENDERS promise, with the goal of EURO 2020 in mind Group A and excellent stages on which to showcase their skills. Dalga Arena – situated around AZERBAIJAN Azerbaijan (hosts), Portugal, 35km from Baku – is another ground that has READY FOR Belgium, Scotland facilitated football development in Azerbaijan, having been constructed, like Bayil, with KICK-OFF assistance from UEFA’s HatTrick programme. Group B The two stadiums hosted matches at the U-17 Azerbaijan and Bosnia Ukraine, Germany, Austria, Women’s World Cup and continue to benefit and Herzegovina are both the grassroots and elite levels of the game. competing in European U17 Bosnia and Herzegovina Staging that World Cup in 2012 clearly left finals for the first time. a legacy for women’s football in Azerbaijan, which continues to go from strength to The 15th UEFA European Under-17 Group C strength. Building on the boys’ success at Championship final tournament is taking France (title-holders), Denmark, the above-mentioned U16 development place in Baku from 5 to 21 May, with the England, Sweden tournament in 2015, the girls put in a solid hosts kicking off their debut appearance performance at an equivalent competition the in Group A alongside Portugal, Belgium following week. and Scotland. Bosnia and Herzegovina Group D will also be appearing for the first time, Italy, Serbia, Netherlands, Spain From 20 female players bringing the number of UEFA member to… 4,000 associations represented at this level “I enjoy playing against international teams,” over the past 15 years to 38 out of 54. said Sanay Fatullayeva after an impressive Title-holders France meet 2014 winners MATCH SCHEDULE performance helped the hosts to victory England in Group C, with both aiming Group stage over Georgia. “You meet other players, for a record third title in this age group. coaches and people and learn how they Three other associations have won the 5/6, 8/9 and 11/12 May play, and maybe learn some new tricks. If title twice before: Russia (in 2006 and Baku Olympic Stadium, the association wasn’t working hard then we 2013), the Netherlands (in 2011 and Qarabağ Stadium, 8km Stadium wouldn’t be here, so I’m grateful they are 2012) and Spain (in 2007 and 2008). and Dalga Arena giving me the opportunity to do what I enjoy.” Baku Olympic Stadium will host the final Playing football with a smile was not on 21 May, with Qarabağ Stadium, 8km necessarily top priority in 2011 when Stadium and Dalga Arena also staging Quarter-finals Azerbaijan took their only women’s team – an matches. 14/15 May Under-15 side – to a training camp at UEFA Many great players have performed on 8km Stadium and Dalga Arena headquarters in Nyon. As well as trying to this stage before going on to make their establish a completely new team, the task names at senior club and national team back then was to destroy a stereotype that level, with the likes of World Cup winners Semi-finals girls and women cannot play football and thus Mario Götze, Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard 18 May to nurture interest in participation. Piqué recent examples. Paul Pogba Baku Olympic Stadium “Today we have girls playing on an equal was in the France side that reached the footing with boys, in the same leagues, and semi-finals in 2010, and despite losing to we even have projects where girls and boys eventual champions England, he looks Final play on the same team,” added Mammadov. back on the experience with great fond- 21 May “This project is implemented in different ness: “It’s a great memory, playing in that Baku Olympic Stadium schools in the regions, and in Baku too. The EURO against England, Spain and other regulations state that every team must have big nations. It was a good experience for at least one girl, which helps the integration a young player. We lost but I learnt a lot. of girls in sport in general. We cannot have a It helped me grow. It was always a dream men’s team at U15, U17 and U19 levels and of mine to wear that shirt and play for my not have the same for the girls. That would be country – for the French national team.” Eldeniz B. discrimination.”From an estimated 20 to 25 Six years on, Pogba will be hoping to registered female players at the start of the inspire France to victory on home soil at decade, Azerbaijan had moved to about 4,000 EURO 2016, and he has some words of in April 2015. That surge is a rich dividend advice for those players about to give derived from the AFFA’s avid development their all in Azerbaijan: “Never give up and initiatives. With further inspiration on offer give everything. Realise your dreams. You from Europe’s finest U17 prospects at the final must believe in them until the end.” tournament in May, more burgeoning talent may soon be uncovered.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 15 HISTORY

SILVERWARE WITH A STORY The USSR were the first team to lift the now iconic trophy in 1960, in what was then the European Nations’ Cup. Since then, the Henri Delaunay Cup has been through a couple of transformations but retained every ounce of its prestige.

he Soviet national team’s journey was but they succeeded at the UEFA two matches shorter than it should have Congress in Stockholm in June 1958 Tbeen, the political context prompting and the competition was launched Spain to forfeit both legs of their quarter-final that same year. tie. The USSR therefore went straight from the UEFA decided, quite rightly, to pay first round (the round of 16) to the final phase homage to Henri Delaunay by naming in France, where they beat Czechoslovakia and the trophy after him and the FFF then Yugoslavia to lift the first European trophy volunteered to pay for it, entrusting at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Pierre Delaunay with the design. That was then, this is now. The 17 teams “Europe is a word of Greek origin,” that entered the inaugural competition would he said. “Europe originated in the not even be enough to fill the current final Mediterranean Basin, and Greece tournament, with a record 24 teams in the invented the Olympic Games, so starting blocks for EURO 2016. The mass I thought it would be a good appeal was instantaneous, with 100,572 idea to find an ancient Greek spectators turning out for the USSR’s round artefact, depicting a ball if of 16 match against Hungary in Moscow, but possible – something which was in all other areas today’s competition bears not particularly common – and little resemblance. If nothing else, its creators reproduce this in the form of a could never have conceived the dizzying array trophy.” By chance perhaps, but of communication channels and marketing also thanks to a journalist with platforms at our disposal, first through TV, then refined tastes and connections the internet and now the mighty social media. with then UEFA Executive Committee member Constantin Same trophy ... Constantaras, Pierre Delaunay’s Everything has changed since 1960, or so it dream came true. would seem: the name of the competition The national archaeological (it was rebranded the European Football museum in Athens was displaying a Championship in 1968), the number of teams sculpture of an athlete balancing a ball and matches, and the broader political, social on his knee. The work was reproduced and technological context. One thing has, on the Henri Delaunay Cup by Parisian however, remained the same: the name of silversmith Chobillon. the coveted trophy, the Henri Delaunay Cup. General secretary of both the French Football ... different dimensions Federation (FFF) and, with the establishment This historic, cultural element was lost in of UEFA in 1954, the governing body of 2006 when UEFA decided it was time for European football, Henri Delaunay was one of something bigger and better. In light of the the great advocates of organising a Europe- competition’s growth over the years, its wide competition for national teams, but ill commercial success, its global standing and health and his untimely death prevented him its marketing, it was decided that the trophy from seeing his project come to fruition. His was too small for such a big competition. It son, Pierre, succeeded him in the role of UEFA was therefore given an extra 18cm. As for UEFA General Secretary and, along with several the artistic representation of a player in broad-minded leaders, took over where his the nude on the back, few people, and father had left off in convincing the European none who were consulted, grasped its national associations, some of whom remained significance. London-based silversmith reticent, to give the competition the green Asprey was therefore instructed light. It was far from a foregone conclusion, to replace the bas-relief with the

16 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 HISTORY Presse Sports

The USSR’s Igor Netto, the names of the previous winners. The marble first captain to lift the Henri base was also removed (bringing the enlarged Delaunay Cup, salutes the crowd with legendary Soviet trophy’s weight down to 8kg) and, in another goalkeeper Lev Yashin and the concession to modern times, the name of the rest of the team. Bottom right: competition was written in English, instead of The original bas-relief from the original French. the national archaeological museum in Athens. Thankfully, the transformations did not stop there, and as the players who prevail in France this summer will see when they lift the Henri Delaunay Cup at the Stade de France on 10 July, our Greek friend and his football have been returned to their rightful place, a true testament to the place of football in Europe’s sporting and cultural heritage. National archaeological museum of Athens

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 17 INTERVIEW

“We took a gamble, because there was no way we or the clubs could organise such a big competition.” Presse Sports INTERVIEW

JACQUES FERRAN

‘LAUNCHING THE EUROPEAN CUP WAS A GAMBLE’ More than 60 years ago, a group of journalists from L’Équipe had the idea of creating a cup competition for Europe’s clubs. Jacques Ferran, now aged 96, still remembers the fantastic adventure that led to the creation of the world’s greatest club competition as if it were yesterday.

Back in the 1950s, most of UEFA’s What triggered that idea? founding members were focusing From time to time, Gabriel Hanot went abroad on national teams. How did you and during the week to pick up information for Gabriel Hanot, journalists working the newspaper. In December 1954 he went to for L’Équipe, come up with the watch the English champions, Wolverhampton idea of creating a European club Wanderers, who were playing a couple of competition? friendlies at Molineux against clubs from The starting point for Gabriel Hanot’s big idea Eastern Europe. Wolves beat Puskás and was his feeling that the clubs deserved more Kocsis’s Budapest Honvéd, as well as Spartak than they were getting. In terms of seniority at Moscow. That was enough for an English the newspaper, Jacques de Ryswick was head journalist to describe Wolves as the “world club of department at the time, then there was champions”. Gabriel Hanot, with his wisdom, Gabriel Hanot, and I was the most junior. But calmness and legendary humour, wrote a long it was Gabriel Hanot who first said that the article in the next day’s edition saying: “Before clubs did not have the standing or status they we can say that Wolves are the world club Jacques Ferran in his office at deserved. champions, they have to play Real Madrid or L’Équipe in 1957, and at home AC Milan – and play them over two legs.” in Paris in 2015. What state was club football in at that time? The big European clubs were making a considerable effort to attract crowds to their stadiums, and that was happening on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Don’t forget that the USSR, Yugoslavia and Hungary, who were dominating world football at the time, also had big clubs. De Ryswick and Hanot thought that a club competition would be easier to organise and was more warranted than a competition for Europe’s national teams. The national teams had their national associations to take care of them, but we didn’t know who was going to take care of a European club competition. The clubs themselves were not in a position to organise it, so we came to the conclusion that it was up to us at L’Équipe to do it. Presse Sports

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 19 INTERVIEW Presse Sports

It all came together very quickly … Otherwise, it would not have the necessary This business of ‘creating the European status. Cup’ happened very quickly, because we, as journalists, were not like those administrators How did the international and politicians with time on their hands. federations react to this proposal We thought that if a competition needed for a European Cup? to be established, it should be established We weren’t proposing it. We were inventing it immediately. So, the very day that Hanot’s – creating it. Why? First of all, because the FIFA article was published, Jacques de Ryswick, President, Rodolphe Seeldrayers, had told us the head of the football department, wrote a that FIFA was favourable to the idea, but could remarkable article in which he sketched out not organise a club competition – especially the future competition – including the role of not a European one. We thought that the only television. That was in 1954. Can you imagine? possible organiser was UEFA, which had just He actually designed the European Cup and been established [in June 1954]. By a historic said, “Why don’t we set this competition stroke of luck, UEFA and the European Cup up?” The very next day, we got to work. were being created at the same time. Without We consulted the big European clubs to see UEFA, I don’t think it would have been possible whether they would buy into our idea and to launch the European Cup. Who would have would be interested in taking part in the organised it? Gabriel Hanot and I attended competition. Nine times out of ten we got a the first UEFA Congress in Vienna, Austria, response, either via the special reporters that on 2 March 1955, just two months after that Presse Sports we dispatched to foreign capitals and major famous article. We were welcomed by the UEFA With 38,000 spectators cities or through the post or over the phone, Executive Committee, which had just been assembled for the inaugural and we published the responses as we established. It was chaired by a Dane called final at Parc des Princes in received them. Ebbe Schwartz. We told them why we wanted Paris, Jacques Ferran shares this competition, explaining that it needed a quiet word with Stade de Reims star turn and soon-to-be How did the clubs react? to exist and that we were convinced that it Real Madrid player They were very amenable to the idea, with would be a fabulous success ... but that nobody Raymond Kopa. the exception of a few clubs. Barcelona were wanted to organise it and it was obvious that reluctant. But Real Madrid, led by Santiago UEFA should do it. They said no, because they Bernabéu and Raimundo Saporta, sent us a couldn’t see why federations should organise letter saying that they would open up their club competitions. That seems incredible now. stadium – which was still called Estadio de These days, if the clubs wanted to organise it, Chamartín at the time – to all the big clubs that UEFA would be up in arms. But no – back in came to contest the European Cup, including early 1955, UEFA said no. those from Eastern Europe. They could see, right from the outset, that this competition had So, you returned from Vienna to reach beyond the Iron Curtain and involve empty-handed. What did you clubs from both Eastern and Western Europe. do then?

20 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 INTERVIEW

Gabriel Hanot and I returned from Vienna the ‘Coupe d’Europe des clubs’ [European “No sooner had we thinking that it was up to us – i.e. L’Équipe Clubs’ Cup], because the [French] noun entered the second – to organise it. We wanted to help, but in ‘Europe’ could only be used for the ‘Coupe round than the fact it was the clubs themselves that wanted d’Europe des nations’ [European Nations’ completion of the to organise it. We drew up a list of 16 clubs Cup]. So, the competition was called the and invited them to Paris – all expenses paid. ‘Coupe des clubs champions européens’ or competition was in Jacques Goddet, the owner of L’Équipe, never European Champion Clubs’ Cup – until it was doubt, because their forgot that, as it cost him a fair amount. They later renamed the UEFA Champions League. respective countries weren’t all domestic champions, as we couldn’t But I don’t like using the English name; I prefer – Franco’s Spain and possibly know who would win their leagues in ‘Ligue des champions’. Given that we French Tito’s Yugoslavia – three or four months’ time. invented it, it annoys me that it has an would have nothing English name! How did you pick them, then? to do with each We picked them based on how good they Was there a lot of discussion other.” looked … Real Madrid from Spain, of course, about the competition format and Milan from Italy, Chelsea from England … We regulations? sent them a letter of invitation – all expenses No, not really. We went through each of my paid, travel, rooms at the Ambassador Hotel points, one by one, discussed them a bit, and on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, close to then they were approved. The regulations were L’Équipe, the Lido cabaret club, restaurants, unanimously approved in their entirety. We had etc., and two days of meetings chaired by another meeting the next day to discuss the Jacques Goddet at the Ambassador Hotel. first round.

Other than the clubs and L’Équipe, And to organise a draw? Robert Jonquet and Miguel who else attended those meetings? No, we decided not to have a draw because we Munoz shake hands in the We wanted to have someone running the didn’t want to end up with the two favourites presence of English referee competition who was not from a club. We playing each other in the first round. I think Arthur Ellis. Madrid claimed didn’t ask the French Football Federation, it was the only round of a European Cup that the cup that night, and found it a permanent place in their which was run by Henri Delaunay and his didn’t involve domestic champions or a draw. trophy cabinet after their fifth son Pierre at the time and wasn’t too keen But, of course, as soon as we turned our backs, consecutive win in 1960. on the creation of the European Cup. The UEFA – at the behest of FIFA – decided to take federation wanted to set up a cup competition over after all, and since that day it has done for Europe’s national teams instead. So, we a pretty good job of organising it. We took a turned to the association of French clubs that gamble, because there was no way we or the would later become the French Professional clubs could organise such a big competition. Presse Sports Football League, which was chaired by Paul How would we appoint referees? How would Nicolas at the time. Its deputy chairman, we punish players or the clubs themselves? It Ernest Bedrignan, chaired the meeting that simply wasn’t possible. We would have had to established the European Cup, adopting establish a committee, and so on. It was much regulations that I had written. The regulations better for UEFA to take care of it. were approved by an organising committee chaired by Bedrignan, with Santiago Bernabéu Was the competition an and Gusztáv Sebes – a giant of Hungarian overnight success? football – acting as deputy chairmen. All of the Yes. There was great excitement from the start, five or six members of that committee were with average crowds of almost 30,000 during club administrators, such as the chairman of the first season. That’s quite something for Chelsea. They took it all very seriously, and arranged a meeting in order to organise and contest the European Cup.

Without any FIFA or UEFA Presse Sports involvement, then? No – but very quickly, FIFA and UEFA started to think: “What’s happening here? Here’s a competition that has the potential to be the biggest of them all, and it’s going to be organised by the clubs and a newspaper? We can’t be having that.” FIFA said that, in its opinion, UEFA should organise it. But on one condition: the competition could not be called INTERVIEW

a new competition, especially as we had no English club, because Chelsea – under pressure from their national association – had decided to wait and see how the first edition worked out.

And so the first draw was held ahead of the second round? Presse Sports After the first round there were eight teams left. UEFA had the nice idea of inviting me to way Di Stefano did. He was Real Madrid. When “When people tell Brussels to perform the first European Cup people tell me nowadays that the Neymar- me nowadays that draw. I’m rather proud of that. It was UEFA’s Messi-Suárez forward line is unparalleled the Neymar-Messi- way of paying tribute to us. I conducted the worldwide, I say that I saw Di Stefano, Puskás, Suárez forward draw and the first two names I pulled from Gento and Kopa play together, which wasn’t line is unparalleled the hat were Real Madrid and Partizan. No bad either. sooner had we entered the second round worldwide, I say than the completion of the competition was Who presented the trophy to the that I saw Di Stefáno, in doubt, because their respective countries – winners? Puskás, Gento and Franco’s Spain and Tito’s Yugoslavia – would At the end of the match, we were ready with Kopa play together, have nothing to do with each other. And the trophy, which we had had made at a which wasn’t bad yet football was strong enough to bring the silversmith’s on Rue de la Paix in Paris. Jacques either.” two teams together nonetheless. Bernabéu’s Goddet handed it to Santiago Bernabéu, assistant, Saporta, was an extremely intelligent, saying: “I’m giving you this trophy because it well-connected man, and rather than getting is the child of love.” It was beautiful. That day visas for the players who would be travelling was the crowning moment of our magnum between Madrid and Belgrade, he managed opus: the creation of the European Cup. to secure them free passage through obscure border posts without visas. Did you ever imagine, back in 1955, that the competition would achieve What do you remember of that first- the size and status that it has ever final? today? It was played in Paris, at Parc des Princes, on Yes. I thought it would have a strong start 13 June 1956. There was a joyful atmosphere and keep on growing. How would it evolve, – no acrimony, just celebration. It was good. and in what circumstances? That, we didn’t We were hoping that Reims would win, but know. And would it end up a victim of its own nobody was disappointed to see Madrid success? That was our concern. Would UEFA come out on top. It was a beautiful summer’s organise it with equanimity, doing everything evening, with the perfect line-up: Real Madrid, it could for the competition and keeping it who had been the main proponents of the on a tight rein from a sporting perspective in competition, and Stade de Reims, the big team terms of the appointment of referees and the of the moment, with Raymond Kopa. Reims fight against doping? Would UEFA be up to put up a really good fight and took the lead the task? Would the clubs one day try to take Alfredo Di Stefano and twice, but then Madrid took the upper hand control, as happens with competitions in the Santiago Bernabéu and dominated the game with their liegeman USA? That has indeed happened, but UEFA keep a firm hold on the and champion all-rounder, Alfredo Di Stefano. resisted it well. celebrated cup.

Was Di Stefano as special as they say? How was he different from the other players at the time? There’s a lot of debate nowadays about whether Messi and Ronaldo are the best players of all time. When I think of Pelé and Di Stefano, I rank them one and two without hesitation, well above Messi. Pelé won three World Cups and was the only player capable of winning a match single-handedly. Di Stefano was second to Pelé but still greater than Messi because he had the whole team looking to him. He was a real leader, which Messi is not. Messi is a great solo artist, dribbler, goalscorer,

the lot, but he doesn’t control his team the Presse Sports

22 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 A approval if we wanted to invent a competition, to invent wanted acompetition, we if approval boss’s the Year to get the We award. needed of Footballer Cup European European the and the created who journalists was it No, boss. the or owner, wasn’t the director It the that. stress Cup, European paper.the must the not Ireally to life. to bring tried we that many ideas We so had nowadays. does everyone which (i.e. them),to rate stars players give to first the were We, Football, France of things. at sorts all with up goalscorer. We came Europe’s best for award Boot Golden the established also We Cup. something. quite European the That’s creating after year one for example, award, Year of the Footballer European the invented We ideas. new with up to come important was it today, than so believed we more Secondly, thing. first the generally. That’s more play to apart had also we –but infact of things, sorts all Tourthe organised –we France de We organised awhole. as insport stakeholders to play, were we that apart had we felt we that, from see can you As go. didn’t we So leave.” on released been have already players the and decision their have made clubs “The chance: no was no, there said he –but before met had –we it about nice very was He said. decision,” your I reconsider might you chance L’Équipe like there’s if would you a to ask at “We game. French inthe man powerful most the and Federation Football French the of secretary Delaunay, general Henri the see to Iwent and years, two for just journalist down.” it turning are we and Cup World the to at play opportunity the given be? this can “How We have to been say: was like – Hanot of people reaction –the Football L’Équipe at France reaction and Our to decline. federation the pushed clubs the and time that at shape poor in pretty were team The part. to France take invited Brazilians the teams, have didn’t 16 they because tournament, the before afew months to qualify, but failed in1950. had in Brazil team French The Cup World the held was when for example, Iremember, stakeholders. as ourselves saw for theEuropean Champion Clubs’Cup.JacquesFerranremembers itwell. It wasagroupatL’Équipe ofjournalists whofirstcameupwiththeidea JOURNALISTS WRITE HISTORY It was the journalists at L’Équipe at created who journalists the was It in1950. was a as That working I’d been wanted to play a part in sport. We insport. to apart play wanted really today, than so journalists we t L’Équipe more much then, back man, which is true. is man, which rich avery have been would he ideas, our and of us aresult as match played for every dollar asked UEFA had for a he if that autobiography in his wrote Goddet Jacques fact, In godsend. a was week the during Cup contested to be of aEuropean creation the so about, to write wasn’t enough There news. no reporting, no Sunday. was following there But the up coming was what possible as early as announcing and Sunday previous the happened had what Thursdays. or Wednesdays Tuesdays, on about to write football no was –there week the during few copies very sold we and daily L’Équipe asports was terms. ineconomic primarily thought he because arms, open with us welcomed he Goddet Jacques to went see we when but

Presse Sports on back looking news, old We rehashed

UEFA DIRECT •May L’Équipe in 1984, led by by led 1984, in L’Équipe An editorial meeting at at meeting editorial An Jacques Ferran shortly shortly Ferran Jacques before his retirement. his before

INTERVIEW 2016–23 THE GRASSROOTS NEWSLETTER

24 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 THE GRASSROOTS NEWSLETTER

FOOTBALL FOR LIFE From 11 to 14 April in Slovenia, the 11th UEFA Grassroots Workshop brought together grassroots managers from UEFA’s 54 member associations, as well as representatives from FIFA, Africa, Asia, CONCACAF and Oceania, to explore developments across Europe, share examples of best practice and discuss new ideas and activities. Sportsfile

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 25 THE GRASSROOTS NEWSLETTER

ootball for Life, the slogan adopted for the 11th UEFA Grassroots Workshop, encapsulates the social and lifestyle benefits of football and, at the same time underlines the value of Fencouraging boys, girls, men and women to stay in the game and tread a long, healthy pathway from child to veteran. The workshop, successfully staged in the vicinity of the Slovenian FA’s national training centre just outside Ljubljana, assembled two practical sessions, five round-table discussions, a chorus of 42 different voices on stage and more than 20 presentations into an impressive picture of best-practice grassroots projects currently being implemented across the length and breadth of European football. The meeting in Ljubljana showcased the progress made during the three years that had elapsed between the UEFA Grassroots Workshops in Norway and Slovenia. A downloadable app gave participants all sorts of information and allowed them to take part in polls. It also highlighted the growing relevance of digital technology in the running and development of grassroots football, with Carl Darlington, for example, stepping on stage to reveal how online access has simplified the logistics of coaching courses in Wales and made them infinitely more user-friendly. Much the ‘Opening facilities same could be said for the newly erected UEFA to the community’ Play digital platform, which offers a portfolio Merthyr Town FC does just that. Elliott Evans, of best-practice case histories from all over the representing the Welsh club, stepped on stage continent. to receive UEFA’s Best Grassroots Club award from Omdal in recognition of the work done A new Grassroots Charter in, as Evans put it, “opening the club and its The programme in Slovenia was built on facilities to the community”. “It is important to the five pillars of one of the other major show appreciation of such work and projects,” novelties – the new UEFA Grassroots Charter: said Omdal, “and I strongly recommend all Growth, Retention, Education, Always Fair national associations to do this.” Omdal also Play and Terms. The latter prompted debate presented the Best Grassroots Project award to on the urgent need for reliable data on which Otakar Mestek and Michal Blažej of the Czech partnerships between grassroots football and Republic for their My First Goal programme, potential sponsors can be built. This interlocked while Lithuania’s Martynas Karpavicius with a presentation of UEFA’s new GROW 2020 choked up with emotion on receiving the Best project, based on helping national associations Grassroots Leader award. “What impressed to adopt a holistic approach to the growth However, the most striking feature of the me most was that of the grassroots game, integrating football event in Slovenia was the sheer diversity of a this was not only and marketing concepts into tailor-made programme which ranged, for example, from about football on the development programmes. 2 v 2 football for the Under-6 age-group in pitch. It was a whole The issues of growth and retention prompted Belgium to images of 90-year-olds keeping concept for a healthy reflections on best-practice responses to a themselves in trim by taking part in small-sided, society where fitness centres are a growth small-pitch ‘football for fitness’ sessions. It and rewarding industry, yet fun football can offer a route to all added up to a powerful endorsement of lifestyle. It certainly fitness that is more enjoyable than pounding Football for Life. set benchmarks for us treadmills or pumping weights. “I am in Africa to look at.” convinced,” said UEFA’s grassroots ambassador Slovenia’s double pyramid Per Omdal, “that the way forward is to Football is traditionally depicted as a vast Edgar Watson Member of the African encourage the grassroots clubs to offer the pyramid with grassroots activities forming the confederation’s Technical public what they want.” solid, substantial base. However, the Slovenian and Development Committee

26 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 THE GRASSROOTS NEWSLETTER

that more and more young talents are coming into coaching. On the other hand, we are like some other countries where the growth of our sport has overtaken our infrastructure and we need to work on upgrading pitches and training facilities so that we can cope with the increasing demand for grassroots activities.” Hosting the UEFA Grassroots Workshop therefore has a relevance. “We are keen to learn from more experienced national associations as well as from UEFA,” Zavrl said. “It is very important for our development that we absorb new ideas and best practices. This is very helpful indeed, because we can look at other projects and adapt them to Slovenia’s requirements. At the workshop, it was very important that the grassroots coordinators from all our regions were also present, as they are the ones who do the day-to-day work at grassroots levels. It also helps us to address the issue of bringing the clubs’ youth academies closer to the grassroots game, so that each party understands its role and the work that needs to be done.” The explosive growth of women’s football was one of the topics that permeated the entire workshop programme, with Zavrl admitting: Sportsfile Sportsfile “There is room for improvement in this area because a very low number of our clubs run Elliott Evans of Merthyr Town FC hosts, maybe inspired by the mountain-range women’s teams and, in one region, there in Wales (right) receives the award logo that appears on the country’s national are none. Part of the national association’s for Best Grassroots Club 2015 from Per Ravn Omdal. team shirts, prefer to illustrate their football strategic plan is therefore to persuade clubs strategy as a double pyramid, with a small elite to establish women’s teams. Our first step has development pyramid slotting in alongside the been to organise festivals – using our national towering structure of football-for-all grassroots women’s teams – to attract girls into the game programmes. As Matjaž Jaklič, head of the and to show them that they can play and enjoy national association’s technical department, football.” told the audience in Ljubljana: “Until Under-13 level, all players have equal opportunities. Seeing the sound Then we start to trace different pathways Support for the International Blind Sports for the potential elite players. The double Association has featured prominently in UEFA’s pyramid makes it easier to explain to external Football For All portfolio since 2006 and, at the stakeholders and convince them that grassroots workshop in Slovenia, the grassroots manager football is about parameters that are different of the national association of Turkey (TFF), from elite youth development.” Sertan Kırağası, outlined how UEFA’s initiative General Secretary Aleš Zavrl explained: in this field has contributed to the development “All our clubs are essentially grassroots clubs of football for the visually impaired in his and we are working on establishing good country. “In the past,” he explained, “our connections between them and the schools. disability programmes focused mainly on one- This is part of a four-year grassroots project day events. But, more recently, we have made which we started in 2014 and also part of a efforts to make the public aware that football is wider strategic plan which we call Vision 2020. for everybody.” Our football has changed a lot in recent years The TFF’s readiness to fund disability projects as, before independence in 1991, skiing was raised an immediate response from the Visually the country’s number one sport. Qualifying for Impaired Sports Federation – with the result the World Cup changed the environment in that a national league with eight teams was football and its place in our society as a whole. set up in the space of four months. One of the Figures show that football is now number one. first moves was to baptise the new competition There is satisfaction, such as seeing that coach ‘Those Who See The Sound Football League’ – a Sportsfile education programmes are well-structured and name which had an immediate public appeal.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 27 THE GRASSROOTSNEWSLETTER 28 –UEFA DIRECT •May and referees coaches, players, grassroots among skills inlife-saving education promote to sport and of health ministries from support enlisting time, same the at And, of football. joys to the share sufferers epilepsy allowing and door the opening of advocate afirm now he’s pitch.But training the on fit epileptic an with confronted been had he when alarmed and startled being admitted He in Ljubljana. to colleagues his explained Federation, Football French the at director technical deputy and manager grassroots Pion, answer, Patrick as winning the not is it of course, But, alone. “panic!” answer you not If definitely are you convulsions? having started and ground to the plummeted suddenly players of the one and pitch the on out were if do you would What play Fit to in Rio. Games Paralympic the at aplace to gain team national for the foundations to lay the and football some to enjoy chance agreat given been had who players blind the with along sound’ the Turkish of the to ‘see more and public more allowed which –something seasons two last inthe games league of adozen coverage TV live did as boost, afurther project the gave company telecommunications aleading from kick-off.Sponsorship ahigh-profile competition the gave which Turkish players, team national current match involving apromotional did So 2016 be opened elsewhere inEurope. elsewhere opened be will doors similar that hoped is it France. And in opened been has door The them. with to deal how on advice simple providing and alarming less seem seizures or any fits making of interms sufferers, epilepsy the around to those provided information the upgrading entailed This sport. the to enjoy not them for reason no is there that sufferers epilepsy persuading and football playing of benefits the about awareness raising about set and ambassador, as Landreau Mickaël goalkeeper international enrolled in2009, game all-star apromotional played in2008, committee epilepsy national the with apartnership up set initially population, the of slice a significant responsibility. taking about edgy were coaches and parents some certificates; health appropriate the issuing about wary were doctors Some parties’. ‘third among to reluctance due –mainly easy not was door the Opening game. the playing of benefits lifestyle and to health inaddition conditions, associated to combat helps hand, other the on and, worse make not epilepsy does football playing that assuring specialists medical from evidence solid was project FFF for the pad launching for health’. football of ‘fun promotion inthe element integral an as leaders But the FFF, conscious that epilepsy affects affects FFF, the epilepsy But that conscious the of epilepsy, question to the back Going confederation Asian the at officer development Grassroots Sugiyama Masahiro event.” the for up set was which app the or platform Play UEFA online the as such eye-openers presentations, and excellent many so were “There

Sportsfile Sportsfile THE GRASSROOTS NEWSLETTER

FOOTBALL Sportsfile FOR (A HEALTHY) LIFE

“The message is that football has a great A further study looked at homeless men potential for the prevention and treatment of and women aged 25–45 – a community five lifestyle diseases and to be an important tool times more likely to require hospitalisation in rehabilitation programmes.” Those were due to sudden trauma, frequently as a result the final words from Professor Peter Krustrup of falls traceable to low postural balance. from Copenhagen University, a master in Three months of ‘football therapy’ worked sports sciences and exercise physiology, wonders for balance, aerobic fitness, specialising in the domain of team sport and cholesterol and muscle strength – and, in health. Compressing the wealth of compelling consequence, healthcare costs. In Denmark, information that preceded his closing remark he reported, a project involving six hospitals in Ljubljana into a few lines is a nigh- and nearby football clubs has demonstrated impossible mission requiring the use of the the value of combining football with written equivalents of sound bites. But, solid treatment for prostate cancer. At the same medical evidence aside, the links he forged time, the government and local authorities between football and health issues interlocked are supporting schemes to allow veterans beautifully with UEFA’s social responsibility in the 70–90 age bracket to enjoy some beliefs and the healthcare issues, such as football, on the basis of research which obesity, which are currently of great concern confirms substantial health and healthcare to governing bodies across the continent, not benefits to the community as a whole. The least the European Commission. evidence is so overwhelming that, in an age Sportsfile Prof. Krustrup’s findings are based on when more and more people are conscious research conducted over the last 13 years and of the need to work on fitness, the Danish medical evidence presented in more than a national association, in conjunction with the hundred scientific publications. On stage in University of Copenhagen, is working hard on Slovenia, he quoted: “Physical activity is a implementing the concept of Football Fitness cornerstone in the prevention and treatment as a valuable and enjoyable tool in the pursuit of lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular of greater social well-being. diseases and type 2 diabetes.” (Scandinavian At the same time, Prof. Krustrup was keen Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports); to refine his definition of ‘football’. “We’re “Sport seems to contribute to the health of talking about non-competitive football, nations.” (The Lancet); and, in comparing more like training than match play. This way, the value of football against other sports: there is minimal injury risk and the optimal “The best evidence was found for football formula is based on a warm-up focusing on and running, especially regarding positive balance and strength followed by small-sided cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.” games on small pitches.” He regards two (British Journal of Sports Medicine). one-hour sessions per week as the ideal but The beauty of Prof. Krustrup’s studies is concedes: “Small-volume training also helps. that they embrace men and women of all For example, we ran research on female age groups and include studies related to the hospital employees based on 2x15-minute benefits of football among people obliged to sessions in their lunch breaks. And the deal with diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis effects were very positive on aerobic fitness or prostate cancer, to name but a few. and fat loss.” Tests on women aged 30–50 with high He also stressed that the ‘perceived blood pressure revealed that three one-hour exertion’ was lower than in other forms sessions of football over 15 weeks yielded a of exercise. In other words, the enjoyment reduction of 12/6 mmHg in their readings; of football lessened the psychological for a group of men aged 30–55, the same impression of ‘hard work’. Reviewing other programme led to a reduction of 13/8 mmHg. positive effects, such as heart function, fat “This is similar to the results achieved via loss or bone mineralisation, he commented: medication,” he commented, “but medication “Football provides an effective combination does nothing more than lower the blood of cardiovascular, endurance and strength pressure, whereas football also gives you a lot training, using all energy systems and muscle of side benefits.” fibres, and it is fun too.”

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 29 FOR THE RECORD

INJURY STUDY DELIVERS BENEFITS National associations, clubs and the wider scientific community all derive benefit from the information provided in UEFA’s Elite Club Injury Study.

his comprehensive report, which first injuries, ligament injuries, re-injuries, and appeared in 2001, is compiled on behalf squad attendance, availability and absences. T of the UEFA Medical Committee by the UEFA’s report represents an unparalleled committee’s first vice-chairman, Professor historical archive of injury data specific to Jan Ekstrand. It provides vital football-specific football, offering crucial information to data to help in the daily work of treating and clubs, associations and the wider scientific preventing injuries. community about injury patterns and risks, The latest report focuses on the period the likely prevalence of certain injury types between July 2014 and May 2015, and and expected ‘return to play’ times. includes data provided by 23 clubs that The study has also created a unique qualified for the 2014/15 UEFA Champions community of doctors, who meet once a League group stage. The data covers year to discuss injury trends and share their The UEFA Elite Club exposure, general injury patterns, training experiences in an open forum of a kind that Injury Study 2014/15 injuries, match injuries, severe injuries, muscle is rare among rivals in elite sport. is available on UEFA.org.

INJURY MECHANISM

14.5% – Overuse

Sliding – 3.1% 0.6% – Hit by ball

Stretching – 2.0% 5.0% – Collision 0.3% – Heading Falling/diving – 1.8%

Jumping/landing – 5.9%

Dribbling – 0.5% 13.0% – Tackled

Passing/crossing – 3.9%

2.4% – Tackling

Shooting – 8.4% 5.3% – Kicked

1.0% – Blocked Twisting/turning – 6.6% 1.0% – Use of arm/elbow 1.6% – Other acute mechanism Running/sprinting – 23.1%

30 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 FOR THE RECORD

Injury location

Head/face – 2.1% Neck/cervical spine – 0.1%

Shoulder/clavicula – 2.5% 1.1% – Sternum/ribs/upper back

0.5% – Abdomen 5.8% – Lower back/pelvis/sacrum Elbow – 0.2%

Forearm – 0.1%

Hand/finger/thumb – 1.1% 13.7% – Hip/groin

29.8% – Thigh Lower leg/Achilles tendon – 12.0% 13.4% – Knee Ankle – 12.2%

Foot/toe – 5.2%

Total injury rate (14 seasons)

10%

9%

8%

7%

6%

5%

Total injury incidence Total 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15

Squad availability rates for matches (14 seasons)

90%

88%

86%

84%

82%

80%

Match availability 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 31 SPECIAL FEATURE 32 32 football. Swiss of heart the at multiculturalism the of picture aperfect paint Rodriguez Ricardo Hispano-Swiss the and Albania), from originating (also Behrami Valon Coast), Ivory Abidjan, in (born Djourou Johan St Gallen), of canton Swiss the (from Schär Fabian descent), Albanian (of Xhaka Granit origin), Turkish (of Inler Gökhan 16, of round Cup World 2014 the in Argentina Against – UEFA DIRECT •May 2016

Getty Images UNITED COLOURS OF SWITZERLAND On 11 June, Switzerland will play Albania in Lens in the second match at UEFA EURO 2016. It will be a symbolic encounter for the two sides, both of which have a number of players with dual nationality.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 33 SPECIAL FEATURE Getty Images

n 11 October, the districts the Balkans is also having a highly beneficial of Oerlikon in Zurich and impact on the Swiss national side, which has Bourdonnette in Lausanne and managed to secure the services of the cream the small town of Olten in the of Switzerland’s Albanian-speaking contingent. EURO 2016 canton of Solothurn erupted in Indeed, those players will form the core of SWITZERLAND’S QUALIFYING Ocelebration when the final whistle was blown the team that takes to the field at EURO 2016 CAMPAIGN at the end of Albania’s 3-0 victory in Armenia. – notably up front. Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit The joyous scenes in those characteristically Xhaka, Valon Behrami, Admir Mehmedi, Blerim Switzerland 0-2 England peaceful Swiss suburbs mirrored those observed Dzemaili and Pajtim Kasami have established Slovenia 1-0 Switzerland on Tirana’s long thoroughfares, the streets themselves as linchpins of the 12th best team in suddenly filled with flags featuring Albania’s the FIFA rankings (March 2016). Switzerland is San Marino 0-4 Switzerland black double-headed eagle. Albania, a country increasingly drawing on its second-generation Switzerland 4-0 Lithuania of 3 million people, had qualified for its first immigrants, primarily members of the Kosovan Switzerland 3-0 Estonia ever EURO. The car horns in the suburbs diaspora, of whom there are 170,000 in its Lithuania 1-2 Switzerland rang out long into the night with unrelenting population of more than 8 million. enthusiasm. And on 11 June the level of “The match against Albania at EURO 2016 Switzerland 3-2 Slovenia excitement in Lens promises to be even higher. will be a bit like Switzerland v Switzerland,” England 2-0 Switzerland The day after France and Romania get the ball says Pierluigi Tami, the 54-year-old coach of Switzerland 7-0 San Marino rolling in the tournament’s opening match, Grasshopper Club Zürich, and many of his Estonia 0-1 Switzerland Albania take on Switzerland at Stade Bollaert- compatriots agree. Former assistant to Köbi Delelis in what could be seen as a family affair Kuhn and then Ottmar Hitzfeld, and coach of for which tickets sold out in no time. the national Under-21 side from 2009 to 2015, The two teams have mixed blood and in Tami has watched these dual-nationality players some instances mixed loyalties, with both sides flourish, before facing the dilemma of having relying heavily on Albanian/Kosovan immigrants to decide definitively which senior side to play who have come to Switzerland since the 1990s for. “All of these players have played for all the – particularly following the wars that tore the different national youth teams in Switzerland, Balkans apart at the end of the last century. from the Under-15s right up to the Under-21s,” In Albania’s starting line-up for that historic says Tami, who also coached the Swiss team at qualifying match against Armenia were five the 2012 Olympics. “Switzerland has benefited players who had been brought up and trained greatly from these young players. Their dual in Switzerland, namely Naser Aliji, Berat Djimsiti, culture contributes to the richness of our Taulant Xhaka, Shkëlzen Gashi and Migjen football. It has fed into it and caused a change At the 2006 World Basha. Against Portugal in September 2015, of mentality. These waves of immigration, like Cup in Germany there no fewer than seven of the players in red and those from Italy, Portugal, Spain or Turkey in were eight players black shirts had dual nationality. Ermir Lenjani, the past, have contributed to the reinvigoration with foreign roots in Burim Kukeli, Arlind Ajeti and Amir Abrashi and rise of Swiss football. Everyone has were all born between Zurich and Berne or benefited from these pools of talent, which the Swiss squad, and trained at FC Lausanne-Sport, FC Baden or FC have been further refined by the excellent that had increased to Winterthur. That rich stream of talent from player development and coach education 15 by 2014.

34 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 schemes that Switzerland has established since the mid-1990s.”

The most multicultural team at the 2014 World Cup Indeed, it was after the 1994 World Cup in the United States – Switzerland’s first since their appearance in England in 1966, 28 years earlier – that Swiss football began to recover. Since the turn of the century, they have qualified for three World Cups (in 2006, 2010 and 2014), and they are about to contest their third EURO (having also taken part in 2004 and 2008). Getty Images This dramatic improvement is due to their large-scale investment in player development Petrić and Ivan Rakitić, who played for us Pajtim Kasami, whose parents and infrastructure, as well as the various waves until Under-21 level before opting to play for are Albanian, has his eyes on the prize for Switzerland against of immigration (notably from the Balkans, with Croatia, or Zdravko Kuzmanović, who chose to San Marino in October 2015. players of Albanian and Kosovan origin being play for Serbia,” explains Bernard Challandes, joined by Macedonians, Croats, Serbs and the 64-year-old coach who was in charge of Bosnians). At the 2006 World Cup in Germany Switzerland’s youth teams in the 1990s and there were eight players with foreign roots in oversaw the national Under-21 team from the Swiss squad, and that had increased to 2001 to 2007. 15 by 2014. That made the Swiss the most “Back then, I had to fight to persuade multicultural team in Brazil on the basis of the certain players to choose Switzerland over birthplaces of the 23 players in their squad Albania at senior level. And in the mid-2000s (which had, of course, been selected by Hitzfeld, playing for Albania was not as attractive as it a German). In fact, all seven of the Swiss team’s is today. It’s a different story now that Albania goals at the 2014 World Cup (where they were are more competitive and qualifying for major knocked out in the round of 16, losing 1-0 international competitions. But the situation to Argentina after extra time) were scored by has to be regarded as beneficial for players with foreign roots, with six scored by Switzerland. The contribution made by all ethnic Albanians (Mehmedi, Dzemaili, Xhaka these players has been wholly positive. Not and Shaqiri) and the seventh scored by Haris only are they really good footballers, with great Seferovic, who is of Bosnian origin. technical skills, but they have helped change “What is more, we have lost lots of excellent our mentality. They have shaken us out of our players along the way – such as Mladen typically Swiss comfort zone and got our

RAISING THE BAR SWITZERLAND AND ALBANIA’S FIFA RANKINGS

SWITZERLAND ALBANIA

7 8 12 12 12 12 12 17 17 18 18 22 24

35 35 38

44 44 44 47 47 51 58 57 58 62 63 63 65

72 74 80 81 83 83 82 87 92 91 89 93 96 86 96 100 106

116 116 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 35

SPECIAL FEATURE Presse Sports young players to take risks with their football, first start being selected for national teams at Ermir Lenjani, one of a number of Albania players who grew up develop their characters and become much senior level, Switzerland is almost always their in Switzerland. stronger mentally. The players with immigrant first choice. But after a few months – or a few roots have also helped to strengthen our clubs, years in some cases – those who have not been and with them our domestic championship, picked and are getting impatient turn to their before going to play abroad. That dual impact parents’ country of birth. When Switzerland has boosted both our national teams and and Albania last played each other, in qualifying our club sides. It has benefited the whole of matches for the 2014 World Cup in 2012 Switzerland’s football pyramid.” and 2013 (with Switzerland winning on both occasions – 2-0 in Lucerne and 2-1 in Tirana), When the ‘segundos’ face more than half of the players on the pitch could each other have played for either side. In the second match The 52-year-old head coach of the Swiss in Tirana, where Switzerland booked their ticket national team, Vladimir Petković, is acutely to Brazil, six members of the Swiss team fell aware of these sensibilities. He came to into that category – Granit Xhaka, Behrami, Switzerland as an immigrant in 1987, and since Mehmedi, Dzemaili, Kasami and Shaqiri. 2000 he has held three passports – Bosnian, Shaqiri, the former FC Bayern München Croatian and Swiss. In addition to his technical forward, had a special pair of boots made skills, the former S.S. Lazio coach – who for the occasion (which he still wears today) worked as a social worker in Ticino until 2008, featuring the flags of Switzerland, Albania and combining it with his managerial duties at FC Kosovo. Behrami, who was born in Mitrovica Lugano and AC Bellinzona – is said to have and is now 30, was just five years old when been appointed head coach of the national his parents fled Kosovo and sought refuge in side on account of his ability to manage such Ticino. He has the Albanian eagle tattooed on a multicultural team, which he believes is its his right calf and the Swiss and Kosovan flags EURO 2016 strength, “as the team has always had a kind of tattooed on his left arm. “These emblems ALBANIA’S QUALIFYING sacred unity”. remind me where I have come from and who I CAMPAIGN With around two-thirds of the players in its am,” the Watford FC midfielder said recently. various national sides – from Under-15s right up “There is part of me in each of these countries, Portugal 0-1 Albania to the senior team – holding dual nationality, and I do not want to forsake any of them. I Albania 1-1 Denmark Switzerland has enjoyed more than a decade am of Albanian origin, but I owe Switzerland of success on the pitch. The Swiss Under-17s everything. If I had to sum it up, I would say Serbia 0-3 (f) Albania were world champions in 2009 and European that my heart is half Swiss and half Albanian/ Albania 2-1 Armenia champions in 2002, while in the European Kosovan, but my legs, my arms and the rest of Denmark 0-0 Albania Under-21 Championship Switzerland made it to my body always give everything for Switzerland Albania 0-1 Portugal the semi-finals in 2002 and the final in 2011. out on the pitch. Switzerland has done a Those age group sides benefited from the wonderful job of integrating people, and I am Albania 0-2 Serbia presence of a number of segundos – second- a symbol of that. I benefited from that process, Armenia 0-3 Albania generation immigrants born in Switzerland. which surpassed all of my expectations. The When the segundos in those youth teams decision to play for Switzerland was ultimately (f): Match forfeited

36 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016

XHAKA V XHAKA Brothers Granit and Taulant Xhaka, who play for two different national teams (Switzerland and Albania), will go head to head this summer at EURO 2016.

When Switzerland take on Albania in Lens on Under-21 Championship in 2011. That same 11 June, the Swiss will be supporting Granit, year, Hitzfeld awarded him his first cap at while the Albanians will be rooting for Taulant. senior level in a 2-2 draw with England. Also a And their parents, Eli and Ragip Xhaka, will Swiss international from Under-17 to Under-21 be torn in two, doubtless hoping for a draw. level, Taulant’s upward trajectory was less While Jérôme and Kevin-Prince Boateng have linear and came to a halt just short of the met twice at a World Cup (in 2010 and 2014), Swiss senior side. playing for Germany and Ghana respectively, this will be the first time that two siblings have The artist and the warrior played against each other at a EURO. And yet, The Basel player, who was loaned to Getty Images the Xhaka brothers could easily have ended up Grasshoppers in 2012/13, had a decision to wearing the same shirt. make if he was to take that final step and Originally from Kosovo, their father, Ragip, play international football at senior level. fled to Switzerland as a political refugee in Facing strong competition from the likes of the early 1990s, having spent three years in Gökhan Inler and Valon Behrami, he opted a Yugoslav prison on account of his ‘beliefs’. to play for Albania instead, making his debut Together with his wife, Eli, and little Taulant, in the red and black shirt in Albania’s historic who was born in Basel in March 1991, Ragip 1-0 win away against Portugal. “Their two found work as a gardener in Basel, and careers are typical of what happens with Granit was born there in September 1992. dual-nationality players who have grown The two brothers quickly developed into up in Switzerland,” explains Challandes, talented footballers, initially at FC Concordia now a scout for Basel. “But they are two Basel and later at FC Basel 1893, where fairly different players. Granit [40 caps; 6 they represented Switzerland in the various goals] is the more talented of the two, with youth teams without ever questioning their exceptional technical, tactical and physical sporting nationality. But Granit, who was ability. He also has a strong character. He’s considered a precocious talent, quickly a linchpin of the national side, and I can began to outperform his older brother. see him having a real impact at EURO 2016. At the age of 20, the attacking midfielder Taulant [10 caps] is a warrior, a ‘midfield moved to VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach on terrier’. He, too, has character and charisma. a €9m transfer, a record at the time for the And he’s constantly improving. I can see him German club. moving abroad soon, probably following his Granit is regarded as the second jewel of brother to the Bundesliga.” But before that, Swiss football, alongside Xherdan Shaqiri. their paths will cross in Lens, where they will He was part of the Swiss team that won the face each other, brother against brother, as U-17 World Cup in 2009, before playing in the they did as children playing in the corridor of side that reached the final of the European their Basel apartment. Getty Images an easy and logical one. Switzerland changed might have had a chance – didn’t have the Granit (above) and Taulant my life and that of my entire family.” patience to wait. Most of the others would will go head to head in Lens on 11 June. Players like Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit have been unlikely to make the cut in the long Xhaka, who have signed with clubs in England term. That said, the progress made by Albania and Germany respectively, are heroes to at international level is now giving those players young people in Switzerland, where the Stoke opportunities to show what they can do. City forward is used to market football video “The example of Ermir Lenjani, who learnt games and advertise the national team’s main to play here in Switzerland [at FC Winterthur], sponsors alongside the Mönchengladbach speaks volumes. A strong performance with midfielder. “The players who have a choice Albania against France [in a 1-1 draw in still tend to opt for Switzerland,” says Walter November 2014] brought him to the attention Fernandez, a former Swiss international who of a number of clubs in France’s Ligue 1, and now works as an agent. “It might not be what he signed for Stade Rennais FC a few weeks the parents would choose, but it’s what the later, before moving to FC Nantes [on loan].” players are choosing. Those who are playing The gap between Switzerland and Albania is for Albania either didn’t have the option of definitely shrinking as the two teams both raise playing for Switzerland or – like Gashi, who the bar.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 37 PROJEKT12 TIME GOES INTO EXTRA EURO 2016 KITS REVEALED BY TRITAN KOKONA KOKONA TRITAN BY MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS BY CARMEN REDL CARMEN BY ALBANIA 38 –UEFA DIRECT •May AUSTRIA priorities as regards training methods, methods, training regards as priorities programme’s the discussed panel expert elite An policy. of sporting matters to address partners of programme behalf on there were Pruschak Leodegar director marketing Raiffeisen and Ebenbauer Christian director executive Windtner, Bundesliga Leo president ÖFB years. three next the over objectives its to ahead looking to and date achievements its on back looking programme, of the extension the to mark organised recently was event 2018. least at until Ahigh-level continue now will programme successful The time. for asecond extended being is Bundesliga Austrian the and sport and of defence ministry federal the with in partnership (ÖFB) Association Football Austrian by the in2009 launched was that footballers young talented Austria’s most called ‘Triumph’ and features an image ‘Triumph’ image an features and called is design winning figures. The renowned other and journalists stylists, specialists, of composed by apanel selected was Creative, Pik which company Albanian the by designed were kits The Bala. Bekim and Mavraj Cikalleshi, Mërgim Sokol Shkelzen TaulantAgolli, Gashi, Xhaka, Ansi (goalkeeper), (captain), Berisha Etrit Cana Lorik players team by national modelled were kit) third-choice all-black an and kit away all-white an kit, home the as socks red and shorts black shirt, (red kits official three The coaches. team football national and footballers former culture, and of art worlds the from names big involving inTirana, of Arts University the at occasion for the organised was 2016EURO show inFrance. Afashion Sports minister Hans Peter Doskozil, Doskozil, Peter Hans minister Sports its national team will wear at at wear will team national its that kits the presented has (FSHF) Federation Football Albanian The development programme for for programme development Projekt12, player individual an 2016 Wien), reported on the benefits of Projekt12 of benefits the on Wien), reported Austria (FK Muhr Ralf and Wien) (SK Rapid Schuldes Willi directors, academy two and Wien, SK at Rapid director Müller, sporting Andreas football? inmodern nowadays that is ‘individualisation’, relevant how and of concept the approach clubs do How academies? and of clubs regimes training everyday inthe implemented programme of the substance the is exactly how But psychology. sports and medicine sports signed has FSHF the which with Macron, company Italian by the manufactured being are kits show. fashion The the at by all received well was It neck. of the back the across honour’) me give Albania, (‘You, nder’ jep më Shqipëri, ‘Ti motto the and shirts of the front the on eagle, two-headed the emblem, Albanian of the GEPA-Pictures.com FSHF Cup qualifiers. 2018 for the produced be will World 2016. for EURO only used design Anew be will it that decided has FSHF the tournament, inamajor appearance federation’s first-ever of the in honour deserves, it value historical the jersey To deal. Albanian the a six-year give players and other stars of the future. of the stars other and players Wien’s Projekt12 SK Rapid with place taking was session training individual an where to Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Busreisen) by K&K (provided coach team’s national official the in travelling participants with ended event The demonstration. by apractical followed players. young talented most country’s the with work day-to-day their into insight participants gave and for clubs Those theoretical discussions were then then were discussions theoretical Those www.fshf.org www.oefb.at IN PRESIDENT’S THE SEAT FOR ROVNAGTHIRD TERM ABDULLAYEV BY FUAD KRVAVAC FUAD BY FINALS UNDER-17 FIRST BY MIKAYIL NARIMANOGLU by the wayside, is a huge achievement. achievement. ahuge is wayside, by the Russians the like to leave and group this, line. ina tough place To second in finish finishing to the close really were we Italy, against win superb our after and lucky. time third was it time Championship, this and Under-17 European of the round elite the to Herzegovina and Bosnia taken had Malkočević that inarow time third the was It ticket to Azerbaijan. their them secured place, which insecond Russia, of ahead group round elite their finished Bosnians young match, the last in their 2-1 losing Despite totournament. Russia final the at of aplace grasp within team his and Malkočević Sakib Italy, taking against win a1-0 with up followed they which team, a 2-1 host the against win was feat first their in Georgia, tournament mini- round elite their In Azerbaijan. Baku, in tournament final Championship football indeveloping association the of work the acknowledged sport and of youth minister Azerbaijani the report, annual his Abdullayev, delivered had guests. other and representatives Rahimov, media Azad sport, and youth of minister the with together meeting the attended interim, ad Secretary General UEFA Theodoridis, Theodore March. AZERBAIJAN BOSNIA ANDHERZEGOVINA “We wanted to qualify so very much, much, very so to qualify wanted “We Rovnag president, AFFA the After (AFFA) was held in Baku on 11 on inBaku held was (AFFA) of Azerbaijan Federations Football of Association AGM of the The this year’s European Under-17 year’s European this for qualifying by first a historic Bosnia’s Under-17s have achieved

UEFA General Secretary ad interim. ad Secretary UEFA General the and president AFFA the with held was Azerbaijan. in football develop to further work their in best the all committee executive and president AFFA the wished and meeting the addressed interim ad Secretary General UEFA The re-elected. or elected committee executive AFFA of the members other and term, for athird president AFFA the as re-elected Abdullayev Rovnag with held, then were Elections in Azerbaijan. decisive elite round goals against both both against goals round elite decisive the scored he Herzegovina, and Bosnia in league youth premier in the scorer top – hero biggest Dragons’ young the been has Hadžić promise. particular showing Sarajevo) (FK Hadžić Nedim forward and zvezda) Stefan Crvena (FK Kovač zvezda), midfielder Crvena (FK Perić Saša defender Zagreb), Lokomotiva Vasilj (NK Filip goalkeeper with tournament, final to all make to it their the have given team whole The to Ukraine. 3-0 losing before 2-1 5-0, Estonia hosts the and beat they inMoldova, mini-tournament that In adefeat. and wins two with also and place in second also group qualifying their finished Bosnians young the round, elite to way the their On said. possible,” result Malkočević best the to get to Azerbaijan We heading are

F. Krvavac conference apress meeting, the After place in their group. in their place fifth in and matches five from points two with team Darko Nestorović’s leaving of March, end the at in Astana Kazakstan Under-21s with the 0-0 qualifiers, drew toaway Switzerland. 2-0 won and home at 3-0 Luxembourg beat team Baždarević’s Mehmed campaign. Cup World their qualifying for inpreparation matches friendly two have played team national the meanwhile, level, senior said.At Hadžić success,” for our reasons of the one year. We’re that’s and ateam as united past the during work our for all rewarded We’ve for us. been achievement huge a that’s and tournament for abig Russia. and Italy

Finally, in their European Championship Championship Finally, European intheir we’ve qualified time first the is “This AFFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS UEFA DIRECT •May 2016 –39

www.nfsbih.ba www.affa.az MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

BULGARIA www.bfunion.bg PROMISING PREPARATIONS FOR WORLD CUP

QUALIFIERS BFU

BY YORDAN GROZDANOV

2016 started well enough for the Bulgarian national team, with Ivaylo Petev’s squad achieving two victories away from home in friendly matches within the space of five days. The games against Portugal and FYR Macedonia were part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Bulgarian team showed excellent after Marcelinho, in his national team penalty, only to be denied by a save from collective spirit and attacking creativity, debut, had given them the lead in the Stoyanov. and the players were organised and 19th minute. The striker wriggled free of Three days later, Bulgaria’s winning disciplined, all of which sends out a Pepe and squeezed the ball home past streak continued against FYR Macedonia. positive signal to the fans. Portugal’s goalkeeper Anthony Lopes after Dimitar Rangelov (in the 65th minute) and In the first of those friendly matches, a superb pass from Ivelin Popov. Aleksandar Tonev (87th minute) scored against Portugal on 25 March at Estádio In the 66th minute, Portugal were the only goals of the match in Skopje. Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, goalkeeper awarded a spot kick by referee Carlos Clos Showing great efficiency in attack and Vladislav Stoyanov had a great game Gomez, who adjudged Nikolay Bodurov not conceding a goal in either match, and produced a string of excellent saves to have handled Pepe’s cross, and captain the Bulgarian national team is definitely that helped secure Bulgaria’s 1-0 win Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take the heading in the right direction.

CROATIA www.hns-cff.hr

gave everything in every single match IVICA OLIĆ RETIRES FROM and had a magnificent career he truly deserved. Meanwhile, his former team- NATIONAL TEAM DUTY mates have played two friendly matches against Israel and Hungary in their new kit BY TOMISLAV PACAK launched for UEFA EURO 2016. Instantly recognisable and widely praised, the new Long-time international striker Ivica chequered shirt and socks were voted

Olić decided to retire from national HNS best EURO 2016 kit by FourFourTwo team football at the beginning of magazine, with the away kit also in the March. “Saying goodbye to the Croatian top six. In other news, the Croatian fan jersey is a very emotional moment for me. club ‘Uvijek vjerni’ presented its annual Croatia has always been above everything awards at a ceremony in Osijek. Ivan else. That will not change, and I wish my Rakitić was named the best national team national team every success in France this player in 2015, while the Under-17 team summer. I will be Croatia’s biggest fan,” received the youth award, and Ivica Grnja Olić wrote in an open letter published on was given a lifetime achievement award the Croatian Football Federation’s official for his contribution to Croatian football as website. a player and a coach. Olić retires with 104 caps and 20 goals Last but definitely not least, the for his country, including World Cup Croatian Under-19 team booked their strikes against Italy in 2002 and then place at this year’s European Under-19 against Cameroon in 2014, which put him Championship final round by winning all in the record books as Croatia’s oldest three of their elite round matches. It is scorer at a World Cup. The tireless striker the 20th major tournament that Croatia’s remains a symbol of relentless effort in youth teams have reached since the the national team jersey, a player who country gained independence.

40 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 TO INTERNATIONAL REFEREE IMMIGRANT FROM BRAZILIAN EXCELLENCE REFEREEING OF CENTRE NEW BY CONSTANTINOS SHIAMBOULLIS CONSTANTINOS BY BY TERJINIELSEN CYPRUS FAROE ISLANDS says that never in his wildest dreams could could dreams wildest inhis never that says He football,” playing on than explains. he refereeing on more focusing Istarted there from and qualification my refereeing got I in2007 Then islands. the on league top the Ijoined in 2004 and football, playing Istarted But work. for the just was it Islands, Faroe to the Icame “When electrician. an as works he where islands, into the life on settled has He Brazilian. as Faroese much as feels now he says 35-year-old The referee. international of FIFA now,and, status the house own his children, wife, two Faroese a with citizen aFaroese is, he here yet And referee. international an as country adopted his represent would he day one that have imagined never could he Islands, also sessions on psychology and nutrition, nutrition, and psychology on sessions also were There Yo-Yothe assessment. fitness to introduction an and exercises practical outdoor sessions, training daily undertook also group the presentations, technical the to addition In Kapitanis. Kostas instructor by CFA referee supported was He Greek. in presentations his all to deliver able of being advantage the having instructor, technical main the as invited was Vassaras Kyros member Committee UEFA Referees afterwards. indepth analysed and cameras different two by filmed was which game, a refereed each of match officials four trios The 3to 6March. from coaching intensive of infour days part took women, three including match officials, young talented 12 (CYCORE) where course, Excellence native Brazil to work in the Faroe Faroe in the to Brazil work native his from way long the all travelled Troleis Alex when ago, years Fifteen Cyprus Centre of Refereeing first-ever for the venue the was inPaphos Hotel St George The officials. It’s like a dream come true.” likeIt’s come dream a officials. top former were instructors our all where in Cyprus referees, UEFA FIFA course for new the was as exciting, very “It’s appointment. next his about FIFA UEFA or from to hear wait cannot he Now unbelievable,” says. he just was my body. It over all goosebumps Ihad feeling. amazing an was it Slovenia, and Spain between match first the referee to pitch Iwalked onto the When in March. Under-17 in Belgium tournament qualifying aEuropean at “I refereed assignment. hope this can become an annual event.” annual an become can this hope I inrefereeing. developments new these all Cyprus with and pace keep must approach CORE this adopting now are countries other Many support. maximum them give and match officials young promising find to effort in Cyprus make we that every of refereeing future for the important is “It Cyprus the at said: FA, of refereeing head Snoddy, Alan CORE programme. successful of UEFA’s version amini is course very The progress. their monitor closely and skills their develop to further by acoach supported be will of 2016. member every then, Until end the towards again meet will group The of refereeing. elements important both FSF CFA his first international international first his completed already He has match official. rank of FIFA to the rise him see would that career of arefereeing start the be would it that have imagined he www.football.fo www.cfa.com.cy TOCHILDREN CLOSER FOOTBALL BRINGING ESTONIA schools at least twice. least at schools all to 2020 is until visit run plan the and to expected is Hellenic, by Coca-Cola supported project, The part. taken having already year, 70 second schools the with are likely for figures similar and project inthe 7,600than participated children more alone, year first the In benefited. have country the over all schools cones. and bibs footballs, with schools the provides also project the classes, education in physical football to use how on tips and advice teachers offering as well As exercises. and games football fun to enjoy opportunity the schoolchildren offer they together and clubs football local from players and coaches with Estonia across schools visit coaches EJL infootball. involved parents and children teachers, more get help and schoolchildren among lifestyle healthy a to is promote project of the aim The to schools!’ ‘Football as translates which BY MAARJA SAULEP MAARJA BY Since the project began, over 150 over began, project the Since a project called ‘Jalgpall kooli!’, called a project started (EJL) Association Football 2014 autumn In Estonian the MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS UEFA DIRECT •May

www.jalgpall.ee 2016–41

EJL INTEGRATION AWARD FOR WILLI LEMKE A HOPEFUL STARTA HOPEFUL TO 2016 BY KAKHA SHALAMBERIDZE BY THOMAS HACKBARTH THOMAS BY (Champions without borders) from Berlin Berlin from borders) (Champions without Grenzen ohne Champions category), (clubs Drögeheide Vorwärts FC were 2015 other The March. winners award 14 on inDortmund museum football German the at aceremony at award prestigious his with Lemke presented AG, of Jakobs Daimler Dirk with together treasurer, and Grindel, Rauball, Reinhard Reinhard vice-president, DFB’s first The category). award Award (special Integration Mercedes-Benz and a DFB awarded been has Lemke society, and to sport contribution of his recognition In peace. and for development sport on Secretary-General Nations United to the adviser special as served has 2008 since and Bremen Werder club Bundesliga of years golden the shaped manager they reached the knockout stage at stage knockout the reached they 2010 to the took Cup, World where he whom team, national Slovakian the with continued success coaching His League. UEFA Champions of the stage group to club the Bratislava-based small the taking Petržalka, Artmedia with name his made and footballers history. 26-year football’s Georgian in lacked before has that something experience, coaching team national of alot with to Georgia comes Slovak The Weiss. Vladimir coach head new of appointment the following hopes magazine. new of a publication sponsor, the and new of a acquisition the coach, head new of a appointment the including (GFF), MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS 42 42 GERMANY GEORGIA Weiss comes from a dynasty of adynasty from comes Weiss fans have high football Georgian – UEFA DIRECT •May Lemke. The 69-year-old former former 69-year-old Lemke. The Willi name the knows age certain a fan above football Every Georgian Football Federation Federation Football Georgian the for events significant 2016 some with began 2016 Georgian football community. football Georgian the from enthusiasm with met has which pieces, analytical contain also will It (Football). Pekhburti called magazine quarterly inanew GFF by the published side. national the backing in VTB to join wishing companies other with by contracts followed be hopefully will deal unprecedented This Bank. VTB with contract two-year alucrative signed recently having GFF sponsor, the general anew acquired also has team national Georgian the break. asix-year after coaching team national to returned and Federation Football Georgian the from offer the got he until Almaty, Kairat at Kazakhstan Italy. champions world reigning of the expense the (schools category). (schools Offenbach Bachschule and category) organisations community and (voluntary

DFB be also will news future and This coach, head anew from Apart in recently, worked Weiss Most €56,000. over worth Vito a Mercedes-Benz 2015of the received winners award each and in2007 established Award was Integration Mercedes-Benz and DFB The museum. football German the at inattendance also were Aydan Özoguz, commissioner, integration and refugees migration, government’s German the and Hartwig, Jimmy ambassador, DFB’s integration the Célia Šašić, scorer 2015 Gündogan, Ilkay Cup World top shelters.” life inrefugee everyday of monotony the to combat helps Sport to play. refugees inviting and doors their opening clubs to see fantastic “It’s ceremony. awards the at said Lemke CV,” your on education or wallet your have in you money much how cares there one together. No society our

Oliver Bierhoff, German international international German Bierhoff, Oliver “Clubs holds that like are glue the GFF www.dfb.de www.gff.ge MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

GREECE www.epo.gr SKIBBE MEETS WITH SUPER LEAGUE COACHES

BY GIOTA KAISARI

In preparation for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Greece’s head coach, Michael Skibbe, and team doctor George Gkodolias have met with all the coaches and doctors of the Greek Super League clubs. The president of the Greek Football Federation (HFF), George Gkirtzikis, was there to welcome everyone to the meeting. He thanked the club representatives for their cooperation and EPO expressed his confidence that their joining forces with the national team coach we identified the team’s strengths and agree that the national team and club and the HFF would have positive and weaknesses. Afterwards, we discussed coaches are jointly responsible for the useful repercussions for Greek football the level of Greek football from a tactical growth of Greek football. We shall as a whole. “It was a good idea to meet and technical perspective. From my point continue to meet in the future in order to together,” Skibbe said. “We analysed of view, sharing views and experiences develop the potential of Greek footballers our friendly match against Iceland and can only have positive results. We all as much as possible.”

HUNGARY www.mlsz.hu / en.mlsz.hu FOOTBALL FEVER MOUNTS AHEAD OF EURO 2016 MLSZ BY MÁRTON DINNYÉS

Late last year the Hungarian national team achieved its greatest success for several decades. After 30 years the team qualified for a major international tournament and ended a 44-year wait to once again participate in a European Championship final tournament. That success has elicited real football fever among sports fans in the country, the national football team rediscovering its long-lost popularity, as exemplified recently when captain Balázs Dzsudzsák and his players took to the pitch against Croatia for a friendly match in front of a capacity crowd at Groupama Aréna in Budapest. The popularity of the national team coached by Bernd Storck, or rather that of the players who make up the squad, is increasing more and more as EURO 2016 The Hungarian Football Federation The cartoon drawings had their first approaches, with more and more people (MLSZ) is tapping into this surge in outing before the match against Croatia, showing an interest in the team, even popularity and hoping to turn the players since when they have started to appear in those who have never really followed into household names by depicting them many more places, including at stadiums football before. as likeable cartoon characters. across the country and at MLSZ events.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 43 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ITALY www.figc.it LATVIA www.lff.lv A TRIUMPHANT MONTH FOR FIRST UEFA A THE NATIONAL YOUTH TEAMS GOALKEEPER BY DIEGO ANTENOZIO COURSE IN THE BALTICS

BY TOMS ĀRMANIS

Latvia has become the first Baltic state to organise and host a UEFA Goalkeeper A licence coaching course. The first session took place in January and the second in March. The whole course will last for about a year and a half, and preparations began in earnest back in April last year, FIGC when Latvia hosted a UEFA Goalkeeper A licence workshop for its instructors, March turned out to be a glorious team secured qualification in front of a which was a major step towards getting month for Italy’s national youth passionate home crowd. By that stage, the the green light to organise the new teams. Eleven victories, three women’s Under-17 team, coached by Rita course. The coaching instructors are draws and just a single defeat saw the Guarino, had already secured their return advised by former Estonian national team women’s Under-17 and men’s Under-19 to their final tournament after an absence goalkeeper Mart Poom, who now works and Under-17 teams each qualify for of four years, as had the men’s Under-17s, as a UEFA goalkeeping expert. He says their European Championship finals. And who won their group in the elite round in that Latvia is a shining example of how there was further success for the men’s Tbilisi, Georgia. to work towards educating goalkeeper Under-20 and Under-16 teams, who both Alberico Evani, head coach of the men’s coaches. ran out winners in their respective editions Under-20s, summed up the situation This first UEFA Goalkeeper A licence of the Four Nations tournament played perfectly: “These victories are the reward course in the Baltics brings together between Germany, Italy, Austria and for the work we’ve put in over the last six of the best goalkeeper coaches in Switzerland. Such a string of successes few years and are proof of the standards Latvia (Aleksandrs Koliņko, Vjačeslavs is understandably a source of pride for we’ve been able to set throughout the Dusmanovs, Sergejs Diguļovs, Viktors all those involved in nurturing the young national youth team set-up, from the Spole, Jevgēņijs Belovs and Dmitrijs players, not least the head coach of the Under-15s upwards.” It was a sentiment Petrenko), as well as two coaches from senior men’s team, Antonio Conte, whose echoed by Vanoli following his Under-19 Lithuania (Audrius Paškevičius and responsibilities extend to overseeing the team’s decisive match against Turkey: “We Audrius Ramonas). Their instructors are national youth team set-up. On the eve knew we would have our work cut out Artūrs Biezais, Aleksandrs Proskurņins of the senior national team’s friendly against these teams, particularly in terms and Andrejs Piedels. with Germany, Conte made a point of of experience. A lot of their players are highlighting the progress made over the already playing top-flight football.” last four years, praising the work done Meanwhile, Guarino praised her to build on the excellent foundations laid Under-17 team’s technical and emotional by Arrigo Sacchi, who served as national maturity. “It was both a mental and youth team coordinator until July 2014. a physical challenge. The girls gave “It’s a fantastic outcome that leaves us everything and never doubted themselves. feeling very optimistic,” enthused Carlo They deserve their place at the finals. Tavecchio, president of the Italian Football When you play well, you can push yourself Federation. “We want to see growth that little bit harder.” Huge credit should from the ground up. My compliments also go to the organisers of the Under-19 go to our young men and women, who and women’s Under-17 elite round encapsulate our pride as Italians and matches, in the Veneto and the Romagna give us genuine hope for the future.” regions respectively, and the exceptional It is six years since the men’s Under-19 promotional activities, logistical support, team last participated in a European and hospitality provided by the local final tournament, and Paolo Vanoli’s authorities in the two regions. LFF

44 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

LITHUANIA www.lff.lt MALTA www.mfa.com.mt PROMISING IMPROVING THE IMAGE DEBUT FOR OF THE GAME GIRLS’ FUTSAL BY ALEX VELLA

BY VAIDOTAS JANUŠKA Following the lead given by UEFA, the Malta Football The Lithuanian Football Federation’s Association (MFA) is engaged grassroots department recently in a three-year educational football D. Aquillina organised its first-ever girls’ futsal programme for boys and girls aimed at tournaments for schools. The initiative enhancing the image of the game. The surpassed all expectations, with a total programme, launched in collaboration with the Maltese Youth FA and with the support of McDonald’s (Malta), is named ‘The McDonald’s Football Plus for Kids’. The MFA is one of six pilot associations selected by UEFA to take LFF part in its GROW 2020 marketing of 347 teams taking part. Girls across the project, which aims to put football country – many trying the sport for the first on a higher standing across Europe time – took part in regional Under-13 and and increase participation, while also Under-15 tournaments, with the winners boosting fan support and revenues. facing off at national finals in April. The Football is the top participation sport initiative is called LadyGolas and is a girls- on the Maltese islands, achieving 55% only indoor version of the mixed Golas in the popularity stakes. Surveys have tournaments, which take place outdoors in shown that 15% of adults have played the spring. “LadyGolas has surprised many the game at one time or another, a people, at least in the sense that people figure that is higher than for other much popularity in Malta. The extensive were sceptical as to whether futsal was sports. Participation by youngsters was programme which has been launched appropriate for girls. The Lithuanian Football higher still, with 39% saying they played to do just that targets the youth sector Federation has made futsal and women’s football. first and foremost, to instil a greater love football two of its top priorities, so we had By contrast, the image of football in for the game through education. This is the idea of combining the two and getting Malta ranked below that of other sports, part of the MFA’s vision for the coming girls involved during the winter period,” said so there is a clear need to improve years, the basic pillars of which are growth project manager Vilma Zurzė. perceptions of a sport that enjoys so and quality.

MOLDOVA www.fmf.md CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

BY SVETLANA CEBAN

On 8 March, International (FMF) together with CCPA/OFFS Moldova Boris Kharchenko Women’s Day, a football match (Cross Cultures Project Association/ between former Moldovan Open Fun Football Schools). The head team) and Svetlana Patraș (captain of women’s and men’s internationals, was of women’s football at the FMF, Natalia the women’s team), both of whom are held at the CSCT Buiucani ground for Ceban, as well as national women’s assistant coordinators with CCPA/OFFS the fourth year in a row. Before the team coaches Alina Stețenco, Eugenia Moldova, as well as Diana Bobuțac, Olga match, the men presented flowers to Miron and Elena Subbotina, played an Isac and Iana Pogarevici, instructors for each of the women. The game was fast important role in the team’s remarkable CCPA/OFFS Moldova. The match was and ended in a convincing 11-9 win for win. Representatives of CCPA/OFFS well attended and received good media the women. The match was organised Moldova also took to the field, including coverage as well, with match reports on by the Football Association of Moldova Lurie Conusevici (captain of the men’s the FMF’s official website and on TV.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 45 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

NORTHERN IRELAND www.irishfa.com BOOSTING DISABILITY FOOTBALL

BY NIGEL TILSON

The Irish Football Association

(IFA) is developing a new disability IFA football plan so that more young disabled people can enjoy the game. The plan, which will cover the period from 2016 to 2020, aims to provide more strategic support to clubs and organisations that are already involved in disability football or would like to get involved. IFA disability manager Alan Crooks, a UEFA Pro licence coach with vast experience at international level in terms of disability coach education and inclusivity, explains: “Our new plan supports the development of inclusive clubs, which is a key target of the IFA’s Let Them Play youth football strategy. Basically, this means encouraging clubs disability football programmes across supports the development of powerchair that don’t traditionally cater for people Northern Ireland, and the aim is to double football, deaf football, visual impairment with disabilities to get involved and that number over the next ten years as football, cerebral palsy football, frame work with clubs that do to enhance the part of Let Them Play. As well as providing football and learning disability football. service they provide.” More than 5,000 support to special schools and clubs that Alan Crooks also runs disability-specific young people are already involved in IFA cater for people with disabilities, the IFA coach education courses for the IFA.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND www.fai.ie BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATIONS IN PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

BY STEPHEN FINN

High-performance director Ruud me to say that in the two and a half years FAI-Sportslife Dokter has signed a five-year I’ve been here I feel that so much has been contract extension with the accomplished, and I didn’t hesitate for a Football Association of Ireland (FAI), second to renew my contract with the FAI. allowing the Dutchman to continue his work “There are many challenges ahead of with Irish football until the end of 2020. His us and we are focused on continuing to role in leading the FAI player development make improvements in the development and emerging talent programmes is vital to of players in Ireland. We’ve achieved further develop the foundations that have much already, including rolling out the “We’ve made great strides with our been laid to achieve long-term success from first two recommendations of the FAI underage international teams, with our our most promising players. player development plan, improving the boys’ Under-17 team reaching the European “First of all I have to say that the FAI has emerging talent programme structures, and Championship finals in Bulgaria last year. been a great organisation to work with completing the FAI women’s strategic plan Similarly, our women’s Under-19 and because it is an organisation working on for 2015–18. We’ve also made continued Under-17 teams have both reached European the development of football for the future,” improvements in coach education. Championship final tournaments in the last Dokter said. “It is great working with the The Under-19 and Under-17 leagues two years. We are working to build on those clubs, all of our affiliates and everybody in have proven to be successful and we will successes. I see many opportunities for Irish the football community. This is an exciting introduce a national Under-15 league in football and I’m looking forward to the time for Irish football. It’s important for the coming years. coming years with the FAI.”

46 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ROMANIA www.frf.ro BE ACTIVE, LOVE YOUR HEART!

BY PAUL ZAHARIA

A recent survey revealed that as project ambassador. The project’s fewer than 25% of Romanian slogan is ‘Be active, love your heart!’ and children aged 7 to 12 living in the aim is to teach children about the low-income urban neighbourhoods do 60 importance of regular exercise. Teachers minutes or more of daily physical activity and coaches have been provided with – the benchmark recommended by the lots of resources to help them organise World Health Organization. In response, fun, stimulating activities, and materials the Romanian Football Association (FRF) are also being produced for parents, to has launched ‘Through movement, the show them how to help their children heart smiles’ in six schools located in overcome barriers such as a lack of time low-income neighbourhoods in Romania’s and poor infrastructure. Football is one of biggest cities: Bucharest, Cluj and the best ways to be active, and arguably Timisoara. the most fun, but walking can be and is

For this latest addition to the FRF’s FRF also encouraged as a means of achieving social responsibility portfolio, the a healthier lifestyle. That is why the association has teamed up with the several years to develop initiatives to project also includes a walking contest Romanian Heart Foundation, a national encourage people to get more active in the six schools. It is not designed to member of the World Heart Federation and play football. Former Romanian be competitive but to stimulate physical (WHF), a global organisation dedicated to international, seasoned coach and current activity and encourage the children to the fight against cardiovascular disease, manager of the FRF scouting department, explore other ways in which they can which has been working with UEFA for Aurel Țicleanu, has been appointed enjoy being active.

SAN MARINO www.fsgc.sm REFEREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME BY STEFANO PODESCHI

The San Marino Football was particularly beneficial. The practical Federation (FSGC) and the San sessions held at the refurbished San FSGC Marino referees association Marino Stadium complex were equally were honoured to be asked by FIFA and well received. They provided fitness UEFA to organise a tuition programme instructors with the chance to try out new combining the 8th Course for National methods for improving and monitoring Referee Instructors and the 7th Course the fitness levels of match officials, for National Referee Fitness Instructors in while the referee instructors ran through Europe as part of the governing bodies’ exercises designed to improve movement joint Referee Assistance Programme around the pitch and in-game decision- (RAP). The combined course, which making. A group of young players aims to raise refereeing standards across selected from San Marino’s national Europe, took place in San Marino from youth teams and referees from the San 26 February to 6 March. It was attended Marino referees association were on hand by the head of refereeing, a referee to assist and worked closely with the 54 instructor and a fitness coach from each instructors attending the course. of the 54 UEFA member associations, Like similar initiatives in the past, the also expressed the opinion that FIFA with sessions led by senior referee course proved a real success. All of the and UEFA were working together instructors from both UEFA and FIFA. participants reported that they found more effectively than ever in their The classroom sessions included video the issues covered both relevant and efforts to make the understanding and analysis using clips from the FIFA and interesting, and they returned to their interpretation of the Laws of the Game UEFA archives. The participants agreed respective national associations with new and the evaluation of referees’ decisions that the opportunity to study footage knowledge and skills to pass on to match more consistent throughout Europe and from different leagues around Europe officials back home. Many participants the rest of the world.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 47 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SCOTLAND www.scottishfa.co.uk NICOLA STURGEON BECOMES OFFICIAL PATRON OF THE SCOTLAND WOMEN’S TEAM

BY DAVID CHILDS

The first minister of Scotland, qualifying campaign.” Nicola Sturgeon, will promote The first minister herself said: “I’m and champion the women’s delighted and honoured to accept the national team and work with the football role of patron of the Scotland women’s authorities to encourage more and national football team, and I enjoyed more girls and women to get involved meeting Anna and the squad to hear in and follow the game. As a keen Scottish FA about the encouraging progress they supporter of Scottish sport, and under are making in the current qualification the first minister’s leadership, the Scottish women’s programme has enjoyed great campaign for next year’s European government is committed to gender support from the Scottish government, Championships. It’s an exciting time equality and includes a cabinet with an sportscotland and the sportscotland for women’s football, which is one of equal split of men and women. Institute of Sport over the years, and this the fastest growing sports in the world, Women’s national team coach Anna underlines just how much the women’s and I hope to use this role to promote Signeul and her squad were invited to game has grown in Scotland. We have the women’s game at all levels across Bute House, the first minister’s official some crucial games ahead of us this year, Scotland. I would like to see more women residence, to meet their new patron and with the ultimate aim of reaching the participating in the sport, and more discuss how they can work together UEFA Women’s EURO in the Netherlands people watching the sport, and will to develop awareness and involvement next summer, and we really appreciate work with the Scottish FA and others to in the national game among girls and the support that we receive from fans achieve this. I look forward to hearing women. “We are absolutely delighted across the country. Adding the support of about how I can support and help to receive this official backing from the first minister is a fantastic boost for increase awareness of the game – and the first minister,” Signeul said. “Our the squad as we prepare to resume the getting along to games when I can.”

SLOVAKIA www.futbalsfz.sk HALL OF FAME OPENS ITS DOORS

BY PETER SURIN

The day for which Slovak football the Hall of Fame are: Slovak player of is awarded. It is made of bronze and fans had been waiting so long the century Ján Popluhár; coach of the represents the corner of a football goal finally arrived on 27 March, when century Jozef Vengloš; 1976 European with the ball hitting the net. It is the work the Slovak Football Hall of Fame officially Championship winners Jozef Čapkovič, of sculptor Jozef Hobor. opened its doors. Karol Dobiaš and Anton Ondruš; “The players, coaches, referees, illustrious striker Jozef Adamec; 1969 stakeholders, journalists and everyone European Cup Winners’ Cup winner else to whom we pay our respect and Karol Jokl; 1962 World Cup runners-up gratitude are worthy of their place here. Adolf Scherer, Viliam Schrojf and the It is they who created the famous Slovak aforementioned Adamec; 1966 World footballing past, and without memories Cup linesman Karol Galba, also member or knowledge of the past, there is no of the first UEFA Referees Committee; present,” said Ján Kováčik, president of and pioneering coach Leopold Šťastný – the Slovak Football Association. making eight players, two coaches and The Slovak Football Hall of Fame is a one referee in all. Five of them – Galba, tribute to all those who have raised the Jokl, Popluhár, Schrojf and Šťastný nation’s awareness and love of the game – were inducted to the Hall of Fame through their footballing skills or life, to posthumously and were represented by all those who have given Slovak football their families at the opening ceremony. fame, respect and a good name. The symbol of the Hall of Fame is a The first 11 legends honoured in unique artefact with which every inductee SFZ

48 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SWEDEN www.svenskfotboll.se DIVERSITY ON THE BOARD AND THE PITCH

BY JONAS NYSTEDT

On 19 March the Swedish FA held its 112th annual meeting and re-elected Karl-Erik Nilsson as its president for a fifth one-year term. Meanwhile, the Swedish FA continues to pursue its objective of achieving a situation where men and women each account for at least 40% of the membership of all of the association’s bodies and committees in the near SvFF future. It already has a term limit in place, precluding elected members from serving clubs. At the AGM, the Swedish FA also Ramin Kiani presented his life story. more than 12 years. presented a CSR initiative to encourage He described football as having been At present, three of the seven members diversity and integration. the key factor in helping him integrate of the board of the Swedish FA are The association has raised funds to into Swedish society when he arrived women. Vice-president Rose-Marie enable football clubs in Sweden to run from a war-stricken Iran 30 years ago. Frebran and member Annelie Larsson their own CSR projects at grassroots level, “Hopefully, 20 or 30 years from now, were both re-elected at the latest AGM, for example football activities for newly we will be listening to those arriving in and are joined by newly elected member arrived migrants, or to do with racial Sweden today telling new stories about Annica Grälls, chairperson of the Swedish discrimination or LGBTQ matters. In a very how football helped them cope with life association of women’s elite football well-received speech, coach instructor in a totally new environment,” he said.

SWITZERLAND www.football.ch 150,000 PLAYERS IN 6,000 TEAMS

BY PIERRE BENOIT

For more than 30 years, the annual Credit Suisse Cup has been the biggest youth sports event in Switzerland, with more than 150,000 girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 16 taking part. Every year, more than 6,000 teams from across Switzerland and Liechtenstein battle it out for a place at the summer finals day, which this year will again take place in Basel. In nearly all Swiss cantons, as well as in Liechtenstein, the qualifying tournaments take place between April and the beginning of June. The sole exception is the canton of Grisons, where those qualifying SFV matches are played in the autumn of the previous year. This year’s finals day will matches, schoolchildren will also have organised by the association’s partners, once again be held at Basel’s St. Jakob the opportunity to pit themselves Credit Suisse and Puma. sports complex, where 290 teams will go against the professionals in the ‘Beat the This year’s finals day will take place on looking for goals, points and victories in Pro Parcours’ (a competition involving 15 June. Meanwhile, the ‘Beat the Pro simultaneous matches spread across more dribbling, sprinting, shooting and a Parcours’ will again be visiting various than 20 pitches, with trophies up for football quiz), have their photo taken with schools around the country, and it is not grabs in a total of 14 different categories. a prominent representative of the Swiss too late for children to sign up and take In addition to those exciting tournament Football Association and play in the tents part.

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 49 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

TURKEY www.tff.org UKRAINE www.ffu.org.ua VISUALLY EUROPEAN UNDER-17 FINALS, IMPAIRED HERE WE COME! FOOTBALL BY YURI MAZNYCHENKO TAKES OFF

BY AYDIN GÜVENIR

The fourth season of the Turkish league for visually impaired footballers, sponsored by Turkcell, one of the county’s biggest telecommunication firms, got under Pavlo Kubanov way last month within the framework of the Turkey Plays Football project, which Oleksandr Petrakov’s Under-17 fifth time that Ukraine have reached is supported by the Turkish Football team returned to Kyiv in jubilant a European Under-17 Championship Federation (TFF). The TFF is keen to make mood after topping their group final tournament. The last time was in football accessible to disabled participants in the 2015/16 European Under-17 2012/13, when Oleksandr Holovko was and does as much as it can in that direction. Championship elite round and earning at the helm and his team cruised past Last summer, with its support, the Turkish a place in the final tournament in Germany in qualifying. visually impaired team won the IBSA Blind Azerbaijan in May. “I’m a really happy man! This first Football European Championships and they They put six goals away in the first place and ticket to the final tournament now have their sights set on the Rio 2016 two matches in their elite round mini- are thanks to the hard work of the Paralympic Games. tournament, beating both Finland and coaching staff and every player. We have Turkey 3-0. Only hosts England managed no individual stars in our team but we to spoil the Ukrainian goalkeeper’s clean showed ourselves to be a star team. And sheet, putting a goal past him in the we don’t plan to stop there. Our aim is first half of their last match. However, to come back with medals from the final Ukraine pulled a goal back in the second round,” Petrakov said on his team’s return TFF half to come away with a draw. It is the to Kyiv.

WALES www.faw.cymru WALES TEAM PROMOTE LANGUAGE LEARNING

BY ROB DOWLING

Players from the Wales national capitalise on their pupils’ excitement in The packs have been produced in six football team are doing their bit to the run-up to the tournament and use languages – French, German, Italian, encourage schoolchildren to learn the packs to promote the importance and Portuguese, Spanish and Welsh. foreign languages by launching a new relevance of modern foreign languages. learning resource pack. The Wales manager, Chris Coleman, The educational resources have said: “I am delighted that we are involved been produced as part of the Welsh in this programme. From experience I government’s Global Futures plan, which know how important it is to be able to aims to improve and promote modern communicate in different languages, foreign languages in Wales and to having spent time in Spain and in Greece. increase the number of schoolchildren As a squad, if we can help and encourage choosing to study foreign languages at youngsters in any way to learn another GCSE and A level. language on the back of our success, The resources, which draw on this then we will be delighted to offer all summer’s EURO 2016, have been our support. Sport, especially football, published on a digital learning platform can play a huge part in promoting such for schools, allowing teachers to initiatives.” FAW

50 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS

Campbell Ogilvie (Scotland, 1 May) Milovan Djukanović (Montenegro, 19 May) Peter Mikkelsen (Denmark, 1 May) Rune Pedersen (Norway, 19 May) Vasko Dojčinovski (FYR Macedonia, 1 May) Raimondas Statkevicius (Lithuania, 19 May) NOTICES Alexey Smertin (Russia, 5 May) Greg Dyke (England, 20 May) Anton Fagan (Scotland, 2 May) Michał Listkiewicz (Poland, 20 May) • Yuriy Zapisotskiy has replaced Chris Bonett (Malta, 2 May) Sandra Renon (France, 20 May) Vladimir Geninson as general Vladimir Medved (Slovakia, 3 May) Neli Lozeva (Bulgaria, 20 May) secretary of the Football Olivier Chovaux (France, 3 May) Ewa Gajewska (Poland, 21 May) Federation of Ukraine. Haim Jakov (Israel, 3 May) Nicolai Cebotari (Moldova, 21 May) Volodymyr Chorno-Ivanov (Ukraine, 3 May) Costas Kapitanis (Cyprus, 21 May) • Rovnag Abdullayev Ronen Hershco (Israel, 3 May) Theo van Seggelen (Netherlands, 22 May) was re-elected on 11 March Anghel Iordanescu (Romania, 4 May) Karl Dhont (Belgium, 22 May) for a third term as president Peter Gilliéron (Switzerland, 5 May) Packie Bonner (Republic of Ireland, 24 May) of the Association of Football Christian Welander (Sweden, 5 May) Ainar Leppänen (Estonia, 24 May) Federations of Azerbaijan. Costakis Koutsokoumnis Teresa Romao (Portugal, 24 May) (Cyprus, 5 May) 60th Andrzej Zareba (Poland, 24 May) • Karl-Erik Nilsson was Goran Mihaljević (Montenegro, 5 May) Semen Andreev (Russia, 25 May) re-elected on 19 March Ken Ridden (England, 6 May) Hans Cooman (Belgium, 25 May) for another one-year term Gudmundur Petursson (Iceland, 6 May) 70th Ivančica Sudac (Croatia, 25 May) as president of the Swedish Karl-Erik Nilsson (Sweden, 6 May) Marco Tura (San Marino, 26 May) 60th Football Association. Charles Flint (England, 7 May) Evgeni Giner (Russia, 26 May) Pekka Luhtanen (Finland, 8 May) Peter Lawwell (Scotland, 27 May) Michel Pralong (Switzerland, 8 May) Jim Stjerne Hansen (Denmark, 28 May) Marc Dobbeleir (Belgium, 8 May) Jean-Pierre Escalettes (France, 29 May) Miroslav Tulinger (Czech Republic, 8 May) Jacques Antenen (Switzerland, 29 May) 60th Dan Vo Quang (France, 8 May) Jozef Kliment (Slovakia, 29 May) Stuart Turner (England, 9 May) Donel Conway (Republic of Ireland, 31 May) Magnus Forssblad (Sweden, 10 May) István Huszár (Hungary, 31 May) Yuri Baskakov (Russia, 10 May) Arnaldo Cunha (Portugal, 31 May) Jean-Marie Gantenbein Mad Øland (Denmark, 31 May) (Luxembourg, 11 May) Timo Huttunen (Finland, 11 May) Volodymyr Geninson (Ukraine, 12 May) 40th FORTHCOMING EVENTS Gaston Schreurs (Belgium, 13 May) Henrik Ravnild (Denmark, 13 May) Meetings Carlos Manuel Ferreira Matos (Portugal, 14 May) 2 May, Budapest 9–13 May, Nyon Maria Luisa Villa Gútierrez (Spain, 14 May) Executive Committee Women’s Football Leadership Programme Hans-Jörg Eissmann (Germany, 15 May) Piotr Maranda (Poland, 15 May) 3 May, Budapest 12 May, Mexico Nikolay Levnikov (Russia, 15 May) 60th 40th Ordinary UEFA Congress FIFA Congress Evzen Amler (Czech Republic, 15 May) Sotirios Sinnis (Greece, 15 May) Luis Cuervas Del Real (Spain, 15 May) Azamat Aitkhozhin Competitions (Kazakhstan, 15 May) 40th Egon Franck (Germany, 16 May) 4–16 May, Belarus 18 May, Basel Denys Lutiuk (Ukraine, 16 May) European Women’s Under-17 Championship: UEFA Europa League: final Svein Johannessen (Norway, 17 May) final tournament Kadri Jägel (Estonia, 17 May) 26 May, Reggio Emilia www.uefafoundation.org Lars Appelqvist (Sweden, 18 May) 5–21 May, Azerbaijan UEFA Women’s Champions League: final Tamara Chichinadze (Georgia, 18 May) European Under-17 Championship: final Andreas Morisbak (Norway, 19 May) tournament 28 May, Milan Jozef Marko (Slovakia, 19 May) 70th UEFA Champions League: final Gaetano De Gabriele (Malta, 19 May)

UEFA DIRECT • May 2016 – 51 No. 157

MAY 2016 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNION OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS

NO TO RACISM

FOOTBALL FOR LIFE UEFA Grassroots Workshop in Slovenia No.157 2016 • May CHAMPIONS JACQUES SWITZERLAND LEAGUE FERRAN UNITED Milan and San Siro The business of creating Many cultures, roll out the red carpet the European Cup one team