WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL No. 154 | December 2015 In this issue

Official publication of the Executive Committee meets in 4 Union of European Football Associations The UEFA Executive Committee met the day before the EURO 2016 final draw for its last meeting of the year.

Chief editor: Emmanuel Deconche UEFA Produced by: GraphicTouch CH-1110 Morges EURO 2016 final draw Printing: 5 Artgraphic Cavin SA Following the EURO 2016 final draw in Paris on 12 December, CH-1422 Grandson all the teams now know which groups they are in. Images Editorial deadline:

14 December 2015 Getty

The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the official views of UEFA. awaiting EURO 2016 7 The reproduction of articles published in UEFA·direct Serbia is all geared up to welcome the 11 teams who will is authorised, provided the be joining its own futsal team from 2 February to compete source is indicated. for the title of European futsal champions. Serbia of FA

Youth competition draws 8 The draws for the elite rounds of the current boys’ and girls’ Under-17 and Under-19 European championships and the 2016/17 qualifying rounds were held at UEFA headquarters in November and December. UEFA

A new course for former players 14 Cover: Zlatan Ibrahimović scored The first module in the new UEFA Executive Master for three goals in his country’s International Players took place in Nyon from 16 to 20 November. EURO 2016 qualifying play-offs against Denmark to take Sweden through UEFA to the first 24-team EURO

Photo: Getty Images News from member associations 17

2 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 Editorial UEFA

France set for a festival of football

The UEFA EURO 2016 final draw at the Palais are being put to the stadiums that will host des Congrès in Paris provided us with an oppor­ the 51 matches, to ensure that they meet UEFA’s tunity to look back as well as forward. requirements and the expectations of 2.5 million spectators. Looking back, the decision to stage a 24-team has been fully vindicated through In a way, the European Football Championship the European Qualifiers competition. Of course, as a competition is also coming home. On 10 July Spain, the defending champions, will be in 1960, the Soviet Union defeated Yugoslavia 2-1 , and they will be joined by fellow three- after extra time in the first-ever European Nations’ time winners Germany, who are making their Cup final at the in Paris. As the 12th consecutive appearance. But who would names of the finalists show, Europe was a different have imagined that three teams from pot five place back then, just as the events of 13 Novem­ in the qualifying draw – , and ber 2015 in the French capital remind us that the Northern – standing in places 38 to 40 in world is a different place today. Yet football will UEFA’s coefficient rankings, would make it to continue to endure as a force for good; a EURO 2016? celebration of entertainment, escape and joie de vivre – and I have no doubt that France will The three teams qualified directly for France, deliver a safe and secure festival of football. with Northern Ireland winning their group, and Albania and Iceland finishing as runners-up in Kicking off on Friday 10 June, when Les Bleus theirs. In addition, (as an independent host Romania, and ending, quite fittingly, on the nation) and will be making their EURO 56th anniversary of that first final, this time at debuts, while former co-hosts Austria (2008) the in Saint-Denis, we are only a and Ukraine (2012) have also qualified for the matter of months away from the biggest and first time. This proves not only the strength in best EURO ever. depth of European national team football – after all, Europe has 24 teams in the top 35 of the FIFA rankings – but also that the expanded tournament has reinvigorated the qualifying competition for many teams, several of which had previously found it impossible to advance to a final tournament. Such an improvement also bodes well for the European Qualifiers for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup. UEFA General Secretary

Looking forward, the final draw also showed how well France is prepared to host next year’s biggest single global sporting event. The ten host cities are ready, and the finishing touches

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 3 Executive Committee

EURO FLAVOUR FOR PARIS MEETING

The UEFA Executive Committee’s year of discussions and decisions in the service of European football came to an end with the final gathering of 2015 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris on 11 December. The meeting took place the day before the eagerly awaited UEFA EURO 2016 final draw – and, appropriately, a good number of the decisions taken concerned next summer’s festival of national team .

An update was given on the final phase and the financial reward for the four teams who of preparations for EURO 2016, and the reach the semi-finals will be €4m. measures that have been taken by UEFA and With respect to the EURO 2016 final, which the French authorities to ensure that participants will take place at the Stade de France in Saint- and fans enjoy a safe tournament inside and Denis on 10 July next year, the winners will outside the ten stadiums that will host the receive €8m and the runners-up €5m. Conse­ 51 matches between 10 June and 10 July 2016 quently, if the team that lifts the Henri Delaunay – in , Lens, , , , , Trophy also wins all three of its group matches, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and . the total prize money for the 2016 European Security is the number-one priority, and only champions will amount to €27m, up from more so in the wake of the recent tragic events €23.5m in 2012. in Paris. For the first time, 24 teams will contest the Other business European title, and a substantial increase in the Two UEFA Congresses were scheduled for money they will receive was approved at the next year: the Executive Committee decided that Paris meeting. The teams will share a total of an Extraordinary UEFA Congress should take €301m, compared with the €196m distributed place in Zurich on 25 February 2016, while the at EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, and the 40th Ordinary UEFA Congress will be held in €184m distributed for the final round in Austria Budapest on 3 May 2016. and Switzerland in 2008. Futsal continues to grow as a discipline, with All of the 24 teams will receive a participation the European club competition, the UEFA Futsal fee of €8m. The group stage will also bring Cup, making great strides forward each year. performance bonuses, with teams rewarded The Executive Committee decided that Spain’s with €1m for a win, and €500,000 for a draw. Inter FS would stage the 2016 UEFA Futsal Cup When EURO 2016 enters its knockout phase, finals, in the Spanish city of Guadalajara. Four there will be no more performance bonuses. teams will contest the title in late April: former Instead, the teams that make it through to the winners Inter FS (Spain) and SL Benfica () round of 16 will receive €1.5m, the eight will be joined by competition debutants Pescara quarter-finalists will receive an additional €2.5m, (Italy) and Ugra Yugorsk (Russia). l UEFA

4 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 EURO 2016

MOUTH-WATERING MATCHES IN PROSPECT

On 12 December the draw was made for the group stage of UEFA EURO 2016. The draw took place at the Palais des Congrès in Paris and was attended by representatives of the 24 participating teams, as well as numerous stars of European football.

The draw ceremony, which was hosted by former players and tournament winners (who was part of the Dutch side that lifted the trophy in 1988) and Bixente Lizarazu (a winner with France in 2000), was broadcast live in a number of countries. It began

with a short video clip showcasing Images the ten cities and stadiums that will be playing host to this festival of the stadiums Getty European football from 10 June to Bordeaux 10 July 2016. That was followed by several Stade de Bordeaux musical performances and the arrival on Group A Group B Capacity: 42,000 stage of French DJ , who will France England be providing the soundtrack to EURO 2016. Lens He revealed that he would be giving a free Romania Russia Stade Bollaert-Delelis concert beneath the on the eve Albania Wales Capacity: 38,000 of the opening match, and announced the Switzerland Slovakia Lille launch of an app allowing fans to contribute Stade Pierre Mauroy to the official tournament song. Group C Group D Capacity: 50,000 Germany Spain Two-stage draw Lyon Ukraine Czech Republic Stade de Lyon The serious part of the proceedings then Poland Turkey Capacity: 59,000 began, with four more previous winners – all Northern Ireland Croatia of whom had scored the decisive goal in their Marseille respective finals – arriving on stage: Antonín Stade Vélodrome Group E Group F Panenka, who won the tournament with Capacity: 67,000 Czechoslovakia in 1976; Oliver Bierhoff, who Belgium Portugal Italy Iceland Nice was part of the victorious German side in Stade de Nice Republic of Ireland Austria 1996; David Trezeguet, a winner with France Capacity: 36,000 in 2000; and Angelos Charisteas, who lifted Sweden the trophy with Greece in 2004. They were Paris accompanied by the UEFA General Secretary, Parc des Princes Gianni Infantino, who oversaw the draw. Capacity: 48,000 First of all, the 24 teams, which had been The group stage matches will take place Saint-Denis placed in four different pots on the basis from 10 to 22 June. The top two teams in Stade de France of their UEFA rankings, were allocated to the each group and the four best third-placed Capacity: 80,000 six groups. A second draw was then made teams will all qualify for the round of 16, Saint-Etienne which will take place from 25 to 27 June. The to determine each team’s position in its Stade Geoffroy Guichard designated group. By the end of the draw, quarter-finals will be played from 30 June to Capacity: 42,000 once all the fixtures had been decided, some 3 July, with the semi-finals being contested head coaches were smiling, while others on 6 and 7 July. The final will take place Toulouse were grimacing slightly, but all of them at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on remained hopeful of at least making it 10 July. The full match schedule is available Capacity: 33,000 through the group stage. at UEFA.com. l

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 5 UEFA Women’s Champions League

SURPRISES AND RECORDS ON the ROAD TO ITALY

A first-round exit for the leaders, a penalty shoot-out scare for the holders and shocks for former finalists – the UEFA Women’s Champions League season has been spectacular so far, and the biggest games are yet to come.

Just over six months on from 1. FFC Frankfurt None of those made the round of 32, but beating Paris Saint-Germain with a last-minute among those that did were FC Twente, who Mandy Islacker winner, a rematch of that final is faced FC Bayern München, the reigning German possible at the Stadio Città del Tricolore, Reggio champions who had begun this season in Emilia, on 26 May. But it is far from predictable similarly formidable style. Twente led the first who will lift the trophy in Italy. leg until the 85th minute, and in the return in None of the 32 teams that played in August’s Germany led twice. Although Bayern twice qualifying round remain. Five teams made their equal­ised, and despite leading 40-12 in total debut: CF Benfica (not to be confused with SL attempts over the two legs, Twente held on to Benfica), Ferencvárosi TC, Wexford Youths WAFC, progress on away goals. This was the first time a ŽFK Dragon 2014 and FC Jeunesse Jonglënster, German team had gone out so early. only the second entrants from Luxembourg, Still, after Frankfurt finished outside the top while Klaksvíkar ĺtrottarfelag kept up their record two in the league, Germany had three entrants, of playing in all 15 editions of the competition and both the holders and VfL Wolfsburg made it (and thanks to another Faroese title, they will be through along with debutants Chelsea LFC – back in 2016/17). who beat 2014/15 quarter-finalists Glasgow City LFC, KIF Örebro DFF and Club Atlético de Madrid, beaten 2-0 at home by FK Zorkiy Krasnogorsk only to win 3-0 in Russia. All the newcomers had their campaigns ended in the last 16, Chelsea falling to Wolfsburg, Atlético beaten by and Örebro falling to Paris on away goals. Anja Mittag’s 71st-minute equaliser for Paris in the first leg in Sweden took her to 49 competition goals, one clear of Inka Grings’s previous record.

Record crowd Twente, the only qualifying round winners to make the last 16, lost 1-0 at home and away to FC Barcelona but in the first game attracted a record for a women’s game in the Netherlands – 15,637 at FC Twente Stadion in Enschede, the venue that will stage the Women’s EURO 2017 final. Two teams have reached their first quarter- final. ACF Brescia Femminile, who are based not far from Reggio Emilia, knocked out Liverpool LFC in the round of 32, then beat 2003 runners-up UEFA via Getty Images UEFA Fortuna Hjørring. SK Slavia Praha also upset the Reigning champions odds, beating last season’s semi-finalists Brøndby 1. FFC Frankfurt are IF, then 2009 runners-up Zvezda-2005 Perm. still in the running, Quarter-final But the game of the round involved Frankfurt, despite a difficult who seemed safe after a 2-0 first-leg win away round of 16 (23/24 and 30/31 March) to Norwegian champions LSK Kvinner FK. Incre­ Wolfsburg (GER) v Brescia (ITA) dibly, though, LSK matched that scoreline in Rosengård (SWE) v FFC Frankfurt (GER, holders) Frankfurt and the holders only progressed 5-4 on Lyon (FRA) v Slavia Praha (CZE) penalties. Barcelona (ESP) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) Frankfurt, who will have a new coach in the quarter-finals after Colin Bell’s departure, are up Semi-final against Swedish champions FC Rosengård, with (23/24 April and 30 April/1 May) the winners to play either Wolfsburg or Brescia. Lyon or Slavia v Barcelona or Paris And just as there could be an all-German semi- Wolfsburg or Brescia v Rosengård or Frankfurt final, so both the French sides could meet should Paris defeat Barcelona and Lyon beat Slavia. l

6 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 European Futsal Championship

FUTSAL FESTIVAL IN

From 2 to 13 February, 11 teams will be competing alongside hosts Serbia for the title of European futsal champions.

UEFA Futsal EURO 2016 kicks off in Belgrade on 2 February, and Roberto Menichelli, coach of reigning champions Italy, is expecting another thrilling tournament as his side bid to reclaim their crown. “We did a great thing two years ago by winning the EURO, but repeating that success is probably even more difficult than achieving it for the first time,” he said. “European futsal is full of big teams like Spain, Russia, Portugal and a few others, and any one of them can go far in the tournament. Hopefully Italy will be there again on the last day of the competition.” Few would have expected that in Antwerp in 2014 after the Azzurri had surprisingly lost to Slovenia in their opening match. It was a FSS result that highlighted the strength in depth of Belgrade Arena, where European futsal, and its growing unpredictability. the chance to impress in front of their own fans. Futsal EURO 2016 will Spain were aiming for a fifth successive title, but For coach Aca Kovačević the aim on the court is be taking place came up short in a gripping semi-final against to go beyond the quarter-finals for the first time. Russia who, drained both physically and mentally Off it, the objective is to expand the sport’s reach after knocking out the champions, then fell to still further in his homeland. Italy in the final. “Futsal is advancing in a major way in Serbia,” It was compelling stuff; you could not take he said. “Players like Miodrag Aksentijević, Mladen your eyes off the action, and Serbia 2016 Kocić, Marko Pršić and others are heroes for promises more of the same. Already fans have youngsters playing football or futsal all over the been treated to one of the most dramatic games country. Futsal will be much better known and in the competition’s history, Hungary qualifying more popular after this EURO. This is the bonus thanks to a goal in the final second of their play- for us, but also a big responsibility for my team off against Romania – a header by Zoltán Dróth – and myself in front of our home crowd.” to advance 6-5 on aggregate. Matches will take place at the 10,832-capacity Belgrade Arena, and Futsal EURO ambassador A first for Kazakhstan Dejan Stanković is promising a tournament to A record 46 nations took part in the qualifying remember in his native city. “I’m expecting a competition, with Scotland fielding a team for huge number of supporters at Belgrade Arena, the first time, and it took a record 86 matches which is a superb and modern venue that both to determine which 11 sides would join hosts players and fans will enjoy,” he said. “Organising Serbia in the final tournament. Kazakhstan over- this tournament means a lot for the image of our came Bosnia and Herzegovina 9-0 on aggregate country and our city, and I expect that all our in the play-offs to reach their first finals, and are guests will have a great time. Welcome – and the only new face in a powerful line-up that enjoy!” l includes 11 of the 12 top-ranked sides in Europe – Romania the one big hitter to miss out. All 12 will believe in their chances of lifting Final tournament the trophy. So far, after eight editions, only three have done so: Spain, the continent’s traditional Group A Serbia, Portugal, Slovenia powerhouse, who are targeting a sixth title in Group B Spain, Ukraine, Hungary Group C Russia, Croatia, Kazakhstan Belgrade; Italy, two-time winners and defending Group D Italy, Czech Republic, Azerbaijan champions; and Russia, who won the inaugural title in 1999 but have lost three finals since, including the last two. Schedule For Serbia this moment has been a long time Group matches: 2–7 February coming. They were selected as hosts in 2012, Quarter-finals: 8 and 9 February but had to watch on from the sidelines after Semi-finals: 11 February failing to qualify for Futsal EURO 2014, and a Final: 13 February talented generation of players are now eager for

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 7 Women’s youth competitions

FOUR WOMEN’S YOUTH COMPETITION DRAWS

Draws for the European Women’s Under-17 and Under-19 Championships were held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on 13 November.

Group 1: Switzerland, Denmark, Slovakia, Israel Group 2: Sweden, Greece, Montenegro, Malta Group 3: Poland, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Estonia Group 4: Norway, Netherlands, , Moldova Group 5: Italy, Finland, Portugal, Georgia Group 6: France, Scotland, Croatia, Kazakhstan Group 7: Germany, Turkey, Wales, Latvia Group 8: England, Russia, Slovenia, Lithuania Group 9: Belgium, Serbia, Romania, Ukraine Group 10: Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Belarus, Faroe Islands Group 11: Austria, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia The top two in each group and the best third-placed team will join Spain in the elite round.

Under-19 elite round 2015/16 The third draw of the day was for the elite round of the current European Women’s Under-19 Champion-­ UEFA ship, for which Karen Espelund was joined on stage Karen Espelund and Naomi Mégros by Marie-Charlotte Léger, captain of the French team that won the 2015 fair play trophy in the women’s Under-19 category. The draw produced the following groups (mini-tournament hosts shown in bold and matches UEFA Executive Committee member Karen Espelund, who scheduled for spring 2016): is also chairwoman of the Women’s Football Committee, Group 1: Germany, Azerbaijan, Republic of Ireland, Poland conducted the Under-17 draws with the assistance of Naomi Group 2: England, Sweden, Austria, Belgium Mégros, captain of the Swiss women’s Under-17 team, who Group 3: Finland, Netherlands, Belarus, Czech Republic was there to receive the Respect fair play trophy on behalf of Group 4: Spain, Denmark, Italy, Northern Ireland her team for their conduct in this year’s final tournament. Group 5: France, Scotland, Portugal, Greece Group 6: Switzerland, Russia, Norway, Hungary Under-17 elite round 2015/16 The six group winners and the best runner-up will join the The first draw was for the elite round in the 2015/16 hosts, Slovakia, for the final tournament from 19 to 31 July European Women’s Under-17 Championship, to 2016. be played in March 2016. The 24 teams still in contention were drawn into the following six groups Under-19 qualifying round 2016/17 (mini-tournament hosts shown in bold): The final draw was for the qualifying round of the 2016/17 Group 1: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Russia European Women’s Under-19 Championship. It produced­ the Group 2: Spain, Denmark, Ukraine, Northern Ireland following 11 groups (mini-tournament hosts shown in bold Group 3: France, Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, Hungary and matches to take place in autumn 2016): Group 4: Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Greece Group 1: Norway, Romania, Poland, Armenia Group 5: Sweden, Norway, Poland, Scotland Group 2: Republic of Ireland, Italy, Wales, FYR Macedonia Group 6: Belgium, England, Iceland, Serbia Group 3: Belgium, Austria, Belarus, Lithuania The six group winners and the best runner-up will qualify Group 4: Scotland, Serbia, Cyprus, Albania for the final round, which will take place in Belarus from Group 5: Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Israel 4 to 16 May 2016 and will also determine Europe’s three Group 6: Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan participants in the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan from Group 7: Sweden, Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 30 September to 21 October 2016. Georgia Group 8: Spain, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Latvia Under-17 qualifying round 2016/17 Group 9: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia The second draw was for the qualifying round of the Group 10: Netherlands, Turkey, Moldova, Bulgaria 2016/17 European Women’s Under-17 Championship, which Group 11: Denmark, Hungary, Slovakia, Montenegro will take place in autumn 2016. The 44 teams concerned (the England, France and Germany have byes through to the Czech Republic qualify automatically as the host nation, while elite round, where they will be joined by the winners of each Spain do not have to contest the qualifying round) were drawn qualifying group and the ten best runners-up. As the host into the following groups (mini-tournament hosts shown in nation, Northern Ireland qualify automatically for the final bold): tournament. l

8 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 Boys’ youth competitions

TWO SEASONS IN ONE

Boys’ youth football was in the spotlight on 3 December, when the traditional end-of-year draws were made for the elite rounds of the current European championships and next season’s qualifying rounds.

For the Under-17 draws, Executive Committee member Group 1: Spain, England, Greece, Georgia Sándor Csányi, who is also chairman of the Youth and Amateur Group 2: Switzerland, Israel, Turkey, Italy Football Committee, was assisted by Kino Delorge from the Group 3: Czech Republic, Austria, Romania, Slovakia Belgium Under-17 team that won the 2015 Respect fair play Group 4: Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Northern Ireland prize for last season. Group 5: Belgium, Croatia, Scotland, Bulgaria Group 6: Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Russia Under-17 elite round 2015/16 Group 7: France, Serbia, Montenegro, Denmark For this season’s Under-17 elite round, the draw The seven group winners will join hosts Germany in the produced the following groups. The corresponding final round from 11 to 24 July 2016. mini- (hosts shown in bold) will take place between 11 March and 3 April 2016: Under-19 qualifying round 2016/17 The draw for the qualifying round of the 2016/17 Group 1: Czech Republic, Denmark, Switzerland, Scotland competition produced the following 13 mini-tournament Group 2: England, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland groups. The matches will be played in October/November Group 3: Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Georgia 2016 in the countries shown in bold: Group 4: Germany, Netherlands, Slovakia, Bulgaria Group 1: Russia, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Finland Group 5: Portugal, Croatia, Sweden, Wales Group 2: Netherlands, Norway, , Romania Group 6: France, Austria, Greece, Iceland Group 3: Israel, Scotland, Liechtenstein, Andorra Group 7: Republic of Ireland, Poland, Serbia, Montenegro Group 4: Germany, Republic of Ireland, Albania, Group 8: Spain, Belgium, Israel, Slovenia Group 5: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, The eight group winners and the seven best runners-up will Azerbaijan go through to the final round in Azerbaijan from 5 to 21 May. Group 6: England, Greece, Wales, Luxembourg Group 7: Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, Armenia Under-17 qualifying round 2016/17 Group 8: Denmark, Portugal, Bulgaria, Belarus The 52 teams that will be competing in the qualifying round Group 9: France, Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovenia of the 2016/17 European Under-17 Championship (Germany Group 10: Sweden, Serbia, Moldova, Malta have a bye and Croatia qualify automatically as hosts of Group 11: FYR Macedonia, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Poland the final round) were drawn into the following groups. The Group 12: Croatia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Cyprus corresponding mini-tournaments, to be played in autumn Group 13: Ukraine, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland 2016, will be hosted by the countries shown in bold: The top two in each group plus the best third-place team Group 1: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Moldova, Latvia will join Spain, who have a bye for the qualifying round, in the Group 2: Republic of Ireland, Greece, Kazakhstan, Andorra elite round. From there, seven teams will head to Georgia to Group 3: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Faroe Islands, join the hosts for the final round in 2017. l Luxembourg Group 4: Serbia, Italy, Albania, FYR Macedonia Group 5: Slovenia, France, Montenegro, Estonia Group 6: England, Austria, Romania, Azerbaijan Group 7: Hungary, Netherlands, Denmark, Liechtenstein Group 8: Georgia, Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria Group 9: Spain, Slovakia, San Marino, Northern Ireland Group 10: Scotland, Portugal, Wales, Malta Group 11: Belarus, Belgium, Gibraltar, Cyprus Group 12: Poland, Israel, Iceland, Armenia Group 13: Ukraine, Norway, Turkey, Lithuania The top two in each group plus the five best third-place teams will join Germany in the elite round in spring 2017.

Under-19 elite round 2015/16 For the Under-19 draws, Sándor Csányi was assisted by Pavlo Lukyanchuk, captain of the Ukrainian Under-19 team, who was present at the draws to receive the fair play trophy won by his team last season. The elite round matches in the current competition will UEFA be played in March 2016 in the following groups (mini- tournament hosts shown in bold): Pavlo Lukyanchuk and Sándor Csányi

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 9 Education

UEFA AND LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY EXAMINE COACH EDUCATION PROVISION ACROSS EUROPE

Through its Coaching Convention, UEFA aims to improve the quality of European football, promote and foster coach education and development, protect players and assist coaches.

The Coaching Convention is a centralised Results European framework that provides good practice The final report was produced in October guidance – a common set of principles and tools 2015 and the results were very positive. The con­ – to inform the development of national asso­ vention was seen to provide the good practice ciation coach education systems. The convention framework required by national associations to provides the structure for a diploma and licensing improve their coach education systems, and this, system (Pro, A, B, Elite Youth A, Goalkeeper A they suggested, was having an impact on the and Futsal B) and knowledge exchange (study quality of coach education, coaching and players. groups and student exchanges) activated to This positive feedback was substantiated by the varying degrees across all 54 UEFA member statistics on convention implementation – there associations. was almost universal take-up of the core diplomas (Pro, A and B) and significant, growing interest in Research the new diplomas, in particular Goalkeeper A In late 2014, UEFA commissioned Leeds and Elite Youth A. At the time of the research, Beckett University to undertake a review of the over 215,000 coaches had successfully completed implementation and application of the convention UEFA-endorsed diploma courses under the con­ across Europe, to make a basic assessment of vention, with the numbers increasing year on its impact, and to make recommendations about year as more courses get under way. The its future development. The research process convention requirement that qualified coaches involved interviews with 27 coaching experts, as undertake further education (typically around well as interviews with and data collection from five hours a year) to maintain their licences was coach education and technical directors from also seen as very beneficial. This establishes a all 54 national associations. In total, 138 data process of continuous improvement in the collection exercises were under­taken between coaching system and among coaches. November 2014 and July 2015, in many different languages, involving hundreds of hours of dis­ Recommendations Julian North presents cus­sion and resulting in one of the most com­ No programme is perfect and the aim of the the results of the study prehensive international evaluations of coach research project was also to identify areas for at the coach education education ever performed. improvement. The research team found that there workshop in were misunderstandings among the national associations about some important underlying principles, notably ‘reality-based learning’. In addi­tion, improvements could be made to national systems concerning further education and licensing, the quality of which varied from country to country, and more robust and well- informed systems of educating coach educators could be put in place. It was also suggested that UEFA consider taking a more ‘segmented’ or targeted approach to the different national asso­ ciations, providing support and quality assurance based on the different levels of development and needs identified. UEFA has signalled its intention to use the research and its findings to fine-tune the convention over the coming years. l Julian North

Julian North is a senior research fellow at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. His research team included colleagues David Piggott, John Lyle, Sergio Lara-Bercial, Bob Muir, Ladislav Petrovic, Leanne Norman, Andrew Abraham and William Shaw. l Sportsfile

10 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 SCHAAF’S WORDS OF WISDOM FOR COACHING STUDENTS

The words of an experienced coach who has been there and done that can be inspirational for other coaches setting out at the start of what they hope will be long and fulfilling careers. The respected German coach Thomas Schaaf recently came to Nyon to give participants in the latest UEFA coach education student exchange course the benefit of his long years of experience on the touchline.

UEFA’s student exchange programme was launched in 2011, and some 1,600 student coaches from Europe’s 54 national associations have since attended courses. The programme is an invaluable experience for the students – many of whom are moving into coaching at the end of professional playing careers – and opens the way for the exchange of coaching experience and know-how between national associations. It offers UEFA Pro licence students the chance to talk to their international counterparts, as well as giving them access to UEFA, its tutors and its educational materials. Thomas Schaaf spent 17 years with SV Werder Bremen as a player, from 1978 to 1995. For the last seven of those years, he also did some coaching as part of Bremen’s youth set-up. He then coached the club’s amateur team from 1995 to 1999, when he was invited to take charge of the first team. Over the next 14 years, Schaaf’s charges were regularly a force to be reckoned with, winning the German league and cup double in 2004, as well as winning the DFB Cup in 1999 and 2009. Bremen qualified for UEFA competitions on a number of occasions UEFA during that period, reaching the final of the UEFA The presentations Cup in 2008/09. A recent spell with Eintracht Schaaf was joined by members of UEFA’s Jira all attracted Frankfurt added to Schaaf’s coaching CV. Panel and UEFA technical instructors for four keen attention days of fascinating and intensive theoretical and Coaching do’s and don’ts practical work. The agenda spanned the entire The student coaches in Nyon were given a game, including the identification of trends in thorough insight into how to set out a career top-level football, successful team-building, deal-­ path, how to build teams and prepare them for ing with players, specific training for goalkeepers, matches, the particular characteristics that a and the need to be able to handle journalists coach must have to survive in this high-pressure, from the very first day. Tactical studies involved high-stakes vocation, and the do’s and don’ts of analysis of the various facets of a game from the dealing with the media. third UEFA Champions League matchday. “A coach needs to be well-prepared and has Feedback about the programme and its to know what he is talking about,” Schaaf said. educational value has been positive, with partici­ ­ “He has to be authentic and be himself, develop pants all benefiting personally from the intensive his own philosophy and have a clear approach. course. “It’s great to be here with people from He must have a strong personality as well.” all these countries and get to learn how their Schaaf also subscribes to the view that coaches development and education systems work, and must study on a long-term basis to learn the job, understanding the viewpoints of the more rather than seeking short-term educational fixes, expe­rienced coaches is always interesting,” said and he emphasised that the job is not just Yvonne Ekroth, a successful Swedish women’s confined to the training ground or the next youth coach. “Football keeps changing so much, match. “Coaches nowadays do not just focus on players keep changing, and there are noticeable the team,” he reflected. “They are like senior influences from many different parts of the managers and have to work together with the world. It forces me to stay inquisitive and active, rest of the club’s management.” and to participate in things like this.” l

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 11 Social responsibility

TOTAL FOOTBALL, TOTAL ACCESS

Supported by UEFA, the Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE) held its second international conference at the Stade de France at the end of October. Here is an insight into what the experts had to say about the importance of access to football.

The Centre for Access to Football in Europe, a Some 50% of disabled people have never long-time social responsibility partner of UEFA, participated in leisure or sports activities because hosted its second international conference in of inaccessible venues and services. In many Saint-Denis. CAFE’s mission is to improve access regions, disabled people are still isolated, socially to football stadiums by working with UEFA and economically excluded, and often limited by member associations, leagues, clubs, disabled inaccessible surroundings and transport, negative fans and fans groups. attitudes and stereotyping. Speakers at the conference covered a wide range of topics such as services for visible and hidden disabilities and infra­struc­ ture. On this latter topic, Kevin Owens, head of design on the London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympics and a guest panellist at the conference, explained: “My firm’s objectives are: we need to create buildings, venues, for everybody. It’s an integral part of the visitor’s expe­ rience. It is about making a broader demographic, and looking beyond the singular pieces of the jigsaw, to the big picture. For us, it’s about creating buildings, spaces, stadiums that just feel right and that have accessibility at their core.” Focusing on the next mega- event, EURO 2016, Jacques Lam­ bert, President of EURO 2016 SAS, opened the conference and UEFA underlined his two priorities: Jacques Lambert “We want to leave a durable addresses the The objective of the conference was to inform, legacy in two areas: firstly, the audio-description participants exchange and promote access for disabled that we will implement in all EURO stadiums, people in European football. The main message because that is something which does not exist was ‘Total access to football makes total sense’. in France at the moment. Joyce Cook, CAFE’s managing director and “The second durable legacy that we will leave campaigner for better access for disabled sports is about signage, because the current signage fans, captured the core of the issue very well system in stadiums was not conceived to meet again, when she was interviewed on UEFA the needs of disabled people. We will achieve Champions League Matchday Live a couple of this for the EURO, and it will remain in these days later. stadiums afterwards.” “Disabled people are the largest minority, From panellists to attendees, all agreed that with more than 80 million disabled people living changing mindsets remains the biggest challenge. in the European Union alone,” she said. “Yet if Steps that could help remove the barriers we are to take our rightful places, as football include, first, understanding that disabled people fans, players, coaches, employees and decision- are not a distinct community, as a large share of makers across the game, then the barriers that people become disabled later in life; and second, exclude us must be removed. realising that disabled people have different “Together with UEFA, we are creating a fairer needs depending on their story. Based on this, and more inclusive game across Europe – one more inclusive decision-making and political that respects access for all.” choices will then be able to flourish. l

12 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 field, theCentre forAccesstoFootballinEurope corporate socialresponsibility partnerinthis this casecooperatedontheproject withUEFA’s backgrounds. them upatalllevelstoawiderrangeofdifferent football organisationsandtoprogressively open reflecting UEFA’s wishtoinfluencetheculture of environment for European footballmanagement, gramme workingtowards amore inclusive inspiration fortheirfuture challenges Dynamo Kyiv took on Chelsea FC, providing guests toNSKOlympiyskyion20Octo­ when lookingforwork.Theywere invitedas disabled peopleinsport,whooftenfacebarriers project, whichisfacilitatingtheemploymentof participants from Ukraine’s CaptainsofChange emphasising thelinkbetween foundations anditshighestlevels. I thinkthatfootballisthenumber-one sportin organisation, theFootballFederationofUkraine. mind thiskindofjobandin moment itisnotatalleasytofindajob,never Serhey said. people, aswellpeoplewithdisabilities,” removed. related barriersandstereotypes thathefaces result oftheinitiative,withusualwork- asa scoliosis, wastakenonasanFFUintern (CAFE). SerheyMoskaliuk,whohassevere The project UEFA ChampionsLeagueshouldhaveremovedallofthat. on socialinclusivity,thenswitchingthetelevisionaround matchday threeofthe If anyonewasinanydoubtasto thepoweroffootballanditspotentialinfluence FULL ACCESS TO WORKINKYIV The FootballFederationofUkraine(FFU)in Captains ofChangeisaninnovativepro­ Channels worldwidebroadcast footageof “This programme is very importantforall “This programmeisvery “In our country at the present “In our country while also ber asFC football’s Ukraine andaround theworld. syndicated toothermediaplatforms,bothin the competition,andvideomaterialwasalso shared witheveryrights-holdingbroadcaster of screened onUEFA ChampionsLeagueWeekly, Captains of Changebanner. Afeature was amplified theworkcarriedoutunder mediacoveragethat national andinternational UEFA ChampionsLeaguematchattracted also theperceptionoftheirabilities,”concludes remove thesegregationofdisabledpeopleand help create a better society, that it will help Local andworldwidecoverage disabled peopleandtounderstandtheirbarriers.” that oneofourmainprioritiesistosupport because intoday’s society, it’s importanttoshow probably moreimportantthaneverinUkraine featured onUEFA.org. attracted localmediaattentionandare also other initiativesfrom thefirsteditionhave been limitedtothisproject inUkraine.Many inspire peopleandtoshowwhatispossible.” a chancetointegrateintosociety. Iamhopingto beyond disabilityandactuallygivedisabledpeople director ofCAFE.“Ihopethatpeoplecansee the project leader, atrusteeand IrinaBernstein, added theFFUpresident, AndriyPavelko.“They’re and inallotherareas.” disabilities to integrate into society, in sports the worldanditcanreallyhelppeoplewith The visitoftheprogramme participantstothe “I am hoping that the magic of football will “I amhopingthatthemagicoffootballwill “These projects are necessary in every country,” in every “These projects are necessary Coverage ofCaptainsChangehasnot l

UEFA

UEFA Chelsea Dynamo Kievand League matchbetween of theUEFA Champions pitch beforethestart Irina Bernsteinbythe Serhey Moskaliukand • direct |12.15 13 14 for InternationalPlayers (UEFA MIP). 16 to 20Novemberto oftheinaugural session deliverthefirst UEFA Executive Master Top stakeholdersgatheredin Nyon from andkeysporting speakers,academicpartners S UEFA ExecutiveMasterforInternationalPlayers |UEFA UEFA MIPparticipants TART OFANEWJOUREY The firstintakeof • direct |12.15 i They their experiencesandeducationaljourneys. from theworldofsportwere present toshare enrolled on theUEFA MIP withtheaimof Saint-Germain. and Jean-ClaudeBlanc,generalmanagerofParis Saint-Germain andBrazilmidfielderRaí.“Istopped enhance myownactivities,”saidformerParis trative, economicandfinancialskillsinorderto future contributionstofootball. commitment toeducationisinvaluablefortheir in theirrespective CVs, but all agree that a players canpointtoplentyofon-fieldsuccess presenters andeducators,theparticipating Player endorsement steps.” inordertotakethenext ment intermsoftheory approach butIrealisedthatneedsomedevelop­ various socialprojects.Ihaveagoodpractical playing football15yearsagoandgotinvolvedin the European ClubAssociation(ECA)andFIFPro. opening sessionon16NovemberinNyon,aswere of London, whowere both represented at the Sport (CDES)inLimogesandBirkbeck,University with the Centre of the Law and Economics of sport. TheUEFA MIPisorganisedincooperation career intheadministrativemanagementof pitch andtrainingtoputitgooduseforafuture expanding ontheirknowledgeoffootballthe Jean-Marc Lhermet, TVconsultantEricCarrière ncluded former France international rugbyplayer ncluded formerFranceinternational As wellashavingadecoratedteamof CDES graduatesandvalued stakeholders A group playershave offormer international “My objectivesaretoimprovemyadminis­

CEO ofStrandCosmeticsEurope) brought their Bouvier (memberoftheboard ofdirectors and different industries. from othersportingsectorsandevenfrom up UEFA’s beliefthatmanylessonscanbetaken football, the organisation of the sessions backed skills forfuture roles intheadministrationof business perspective,ChristopheDeKepper Open-minded education longer thantheoneonpitch.” because thisconcernsacareerthatwilllast career pathasaplayerbutevenmoreimportant for thefuture.Itissimilartohaveyouplanyour important to learnthebasics,whichwillbevery participating herewillgivemetheopportunity professionals atUEFA andallofthepeople will keepondeveloping.Beingguidedby concurred: and theirlifeafterwards.” make atransitionbetweentheiractivecareer MIP simplysuitsmebecauseithelpsplayersto Odebrecht.pions LeaguewinnerViola “TheUEFA improve,” addedmultipleUEFA Women’s Cham­ on footballadministration. (general secretary, ECA)offered different angles Football Federation) and Michele Centenaro Brigitte Henriques(generalsecretary, French in presenting theviewsfrom othersports,while (former player, coachandNBAgeneralmanager) (director general,IOC)joinedMikeDunleavySr UEFA ChampionsLeaguewinnerEricAbidal Frank Riboud, (chairmanofDanone) and Eric Whilst equippingtheparticipantswith “After yourcareeryouwanttodevelopand “Football hasdevelopedalotand l

UEFA Miscellaneous

Football Law Programme kicks off

The UEFA Football Law Programme’s inaugural session took place at the Kadir Has University in from 26 to 30 October, and was attended by 24 participants. The programme is designed to ensure that UEFA member associations and other football stakeholders are aware of the legal stakes involved in the modern game and are fully equipped to handle them appropriately. Topics on the agenda included an introduction to UEFA and FIFA structures, rules and regulations; the work of football stakeholders such as the European Club Association (ECA) and the players’ union FIFPro; the relationship between football law and state law; and European Union law and sport. UEFA’s new law programme comprises four week-long sessions over a 12-month period. The four sessions cover an introduction to football UEFA law, FIFA transfer regulations, other football The first session rules and regulations, and the Court of Participants in the programme must work in a in Istanbul Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The programme has UEFA member association’s legal department, been developed and is run by UEFA, in close hold a legal position in a football club, players’ collaboration with inter­nationally renowned union or league, or work in a law firm that deals academic experts and practitioners. with football cases. l

New UEFA Foundation Women’s workshop for Children projects in London The board of trustees of the UEFA Foundation for Children, which met in Nyon on 9 November, has selected eight new The impact of the recent Women’s World Cup in projects for support and investment through the coming years. Canada on the development of women’s football in A total of €1.1m will be invested in projects to be Europe was a central item on the agenda at a UEFA implemented on three continents. workshop at in London on 9 and 10 November. • Establishment of a media library for street children in The women’s football club and league development Ziguinchor (Senegal) workshop was hosted by the English Football • Health and social integration through sport (Republic Association (The FA) and held under the auspices of of Ireland) UEFA’s Knowledge and Information Sharing Scenario • Improvement of living conditions of street children in (KISS). Delegates looked at how club licensing tools Luanda (Angola) can be used to take women’s football forward within • Programme tackling social exclusion (Burkina Faso) Europe’s national associations. • Raising awareness of the dangers of mines, and awareness Representatives from UEFA, FIFA and national of football (Iraq) associations, leagues and clubs across Europe – senior • Inclusive education for the children of East Jerusalem women’s football officials, as well as competition, • One Goal for Education (European Football for player development and marketing specialists – Development Network) reflected on how women’s flagship competitions • Play for Change programme (Nepal) are developing. The workshop also examined how cooperation “We are satisfied at being able to work on new projects of between national associations and domestic clubs quality with trusted partners, and in very diverse regions,” said and leagues can be further improved in terms of the board of trustees’ chairman, former European Commission technical development, match calendars and release president José Manuel Barroso. “Together and from today, periods. Trends in women’s football financing and we are going to work to defend the rights of the poorest knowledge exchanges across borders between children, and support them – through education, health associations, leagues and clubs were also part of initiatives, social inclusion and access to sport – to enable the discussions. l them to envisage a better future.” l

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 15 Miscellaneous

Maurice Burlaz Trophy goes to Germany Futsal Cup Germany has been awarded the 2015 Maurice Burlaz Trophy as the finalists known national association that achieved the best results in UEFA’s men’s youth Current holders Kairat Almaty of competitions over the previous two seasons (2013/14 and 2014/15). Kazakhstan were knocked out in the Germany has received the award twice before, in 1992 and 2009. elite round of the UEFA Futsal Cup The trophy was presented to Joti Chatzialexiou, youth teams manager at by Russian club Ugra Yugorsk. Having the German , at the youth competition draws held at won all three of their mini-tournament UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on 3 December. matches, which were played in Hungary, Germany topped the rankings with 18 points, ahead of France (14 points), Ugra will participate in the final phase Portugal and Russia (joint third with 13 points). of the competition for the first time. Since the trophy was first awarded in 1990, Spain has won it seven times They will be joined in the last four by outright (in 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2011) and shared it another newcomer to this stage of the once (with Portugal and Turkey in 1994). Along with Germany, Portugal is competition, after Italian club Pescara also a three-time winner of the trophy (in 1990, 1994 and 2000). France won a mini-tournament played on home (2013) and Turkey (1994) were the winners in the two remaining years to soil. They also booked their semi-final date. l place without a hitch by winning all three matches. The third team to qualify for the semi-finals are no strangers to the competition’s latter stages and, in fact, have won it more times than any other club. After lifting the trophy in 2004 and 2006 under the name Interviu Boomerang, they did so again in 2009, this time as Interviu Madrid. The Spanish club, currently known as Inter FS, also made it through the elite round with a 100% record in front of their home crowd. The journey was a little less straightforward for the fourth semi-finalists. The Group D mini-tournament, played in Slovakia, was much tighter than the others and the winner did not become clear until the final whistle had been blown in the last round of matches. Portuguese club SL Benfica qualified at the expense of Ukrainians Lokomotiv Kharkiv and Slov-Matic Bratislava of Slovakia. The final tournament will be played at the end of April 2016 in the country of UEFA one of the four semi-finalists.l Joti Chatzialexiou and Sándor Csányi

Belgium win bronze at the Under-17 World Cup

Chile hosted the Under-17 World Cup from 17 October to goalless draw against Costa Rica. In the quarter-finals, Croatia 8 November, with six European teams (Belgium, Croatia, lost 1-0 to Mali, who went on to reach the final. England, France, Germany and Russia) competing for the En route to the semi-finals, Belgium saw off the Republic of world title. Korea (2-0) in the round of 16 and Costa Rica (1-0) in the Only England failed to navigate their way through the quarter-finals, before Mali killed off their hopes of reaching group stage. France and Russia won their respective groups, the final with a 3-1 semi-final victory. In the match for third while Germany and Croatia finished runners-up in theirs and place against Mexico, the Red Devils, despite ending the game Belgium qualified as one of the four best third-placed teams. with only ten men, battled their way to a 3-2 win in order to The round of 16 was the end of the road for Germany, who secure the bronze medal. were beaten 2-0 by Croatia, Russia, who lost 4-1 to Ecuador, The Under-17 World Cup was won for the fifth time by and France, who suffered a 5-3 defeat on penalties after a Nigeria, who beat Mali 2-0 in an all-African final. l

16 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 member associations

Andorra www.faf.ad

A new training centre to promote football The Andorran Football Federation (FAF) opened its new training centre in October, an infrastructure made for the promotion and practice of football in Andorra, built thanks to the indispensable help of UEFA’s HatTrick programme. The centre includes two football fields, four dressing rooms Inaugurating the for teams and one for the referee team, stands new training centre for supporters and a storage room for material. The two fields are surfaced with the latest generation of artificial turf and are of the right FAF dimensions for holding national and international matches. is to develop and promote football among the In the last eight years, thanks to the support The infrastructure is designed to be adaptable younger generations, as well as to promote of UEFA’s HatTrick programme, the FAF has to all Andorran national league games and sporting values among young Andorran players. increased its structures and facilities, providing particularly to grassroots football competitions, In a second planned phase, the centre will be Andorran footballers with better conditions for as the two fields can be split into up to six expanded with more football fields of different playing football. fields for seven-a-side football. One of the sizes, as well as more dressing rooms and major objectives of the new training centre a parking area. l Luis Davó Jimenez

Austria www.oefb.at

Integration initiative On 18 November, Austria’s minister for foreign affairs and integration, Sebastian Kurz, the president of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), Leo Windtner, the president of the Austrian Bundesliga, Hans Rinner, the ÖFB’s sports Left to right: director, Willi Ruttensteiner, and the managing Franz Wolf, Willi director of the Austrian Integration Fund, Franz Ruttensteiner, Wolf, launched the new ‘Teamplay ohne Denis Bosnjak, Abseits’ (Team play with no offside) campaign, Hans Rinner, which aims to improve the mutual enjoyment Irene Fuhrmann, of sport, with integration the key focus. Peter Hlinka, At a series of workshops that it has put Sebastian Kurz together, the Zusammen: Österreich association, and Leo Windtner set up in 2011 at Sebastian Kurz’s initiative, will bring alive the topic of integration in football clubs and youth academies throughout Austria, present fascinating stories of integration, GEPA/Picture propose practical team games and lead open discussions with the participants. As part of the Around 50 professional footballers with Wien, will visit schools and football clubs initiative, coaches will have the opportunity to a migration background from Bundesliga and throughout Austria as integration ambassadors, present interesting examples from the world regional league clubs, including Alexander explaining how they themselves have successfully of sport and integration to their teams, and Gorgon of FK Austria Wien, Valentino Lazaro travelled the path of integration. strengthen team spirit among their players. of FC Salzburg and Mario Pavelić of SK Rapid l Carmen Redl

Azerbaijan www.affa.az

Live Your Goals festival to get more girls involved in football, to create in Gabala the conditions for them to play football whenever they want, and to raise interest in women’s A Live Your Goals festival was organised football in general, at regional level especially. at Gabala city stadium by the Association of Live Your Goals festivals have been held Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) at the in Azerbaijan since 2012, when events were end of October. A total of 109 girls took part organised at Dalga Arena and in the cities in the festival, at which international referee of Zagatala, Guba, Shaki, Masalli and Baku. inspector Asim Khudiyev, the head coach of Representatives of international football the Azerbaijan U21 women’s team, Patricia organisations and famous former women Gonzalez, and women’s U21 team players footballers Shirley Cruz and Steffi Jones took Aysun Aliyeva, Nigar Jalilli and Aytaj Sharifova part in the festivals. gave interviews at a press conference. In 2014, festivals were held in the cities of Live Your Goals festivals first took place in Mingachevir and Sumgayit, while the Olympic Germany in 2011 during the Women’s World sport complex in Khachmaz was the venue for AFFA Cup. The main aims of the festivals are to an earlier festival in 2015. increase the popularity of women’s football, More than 100 girls took part in the Gabala festival l Nubar Aghazada

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 17 Member associations

Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina www.bff.by www.nfsbih.ba

Briefings for the mass media Dragons lose out on a trip to France After the re-election of Sergei Roumas as its president at the beginning of the year, the In their second consecutive play-offs to Football Federation of Belarus (BFF) published qualify for a final and began implementing a new development round, this time EURO 2016 in France, the strategy. Entitled Vision 2020, it sets out national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina failed detailed plans and goals in a variety of areas in their two matches against the Republic of ABFF for the next five years, one of which concerns Ireland. The first leg in Zenica finished in a 1-1 media relations. It is no secret that the media Sergei Safaryan briefs the media draw, while the hosts ran out 2-0 winners in play a huge role in the life of a great number the second leg in . of organisations, which means that the two briefings have been dedicated specifically In the play-offs for EURO 2012 in Poland establishment of respectful working relations to refereeing and football infrastructure. and Ukraine, our national team lost out to and proper communication is vital. Having analysed the results after the first Portugal (0-0, 2-6). The Dragons also lost their Starting in April 2015, the BFF introduced six months, we can say that the fulfilment first play-offs to Portugal (0-1, 0-1), for a place monthly media briefings. As a rule, the of one of the points outlined in the strategy in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. association’s general secretary, Sergei Safaryan, has already proved to be quite a success. Despite these three failed play-offs, the acts as the main speaker at such events and This new practice helps the media to receive Dragons managed to qualify directly for the delivers information about the most interesting up-to-date information and be in regular direct 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and the last few and outstanding events in Belarusian football contact with the top managers of the national years can be assessed as very successful. during the previous month. After his report, all football association. At the same time, the Meanwhile, 30 November marked the 20th media representatives are free to ask questions number of critics has fallen substantially, as anniversary of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first and even to make proposals. In advance, the has the number of exclusive interview inquiries, official friendly match, played in Tirana against journalists can also ask for other representatives which are never easy to fit into the tight Albania (0-2). Since then, Bosnia and Herzegovina of the association to attend the briefings and working schedule. have competed in five World Cup and five for specific topics to be addressed. For example, l Aleksandr Aleinik European Championship qualifying competitions and one World Cup tournament, in 2014 in Brazil, where they played three group matches. Since 30 November 1995, the team have Belgium played 185 matches against 67 opponents and www.belgianfootball.be played on all continents except Australia. They have won 74, drawn 38 and lost 73, with a Under-17s rewrite history “I am so proud of the team. This medal gives goal difference of 270:248. The first head coach us a magical feeling,” said their captain, Wout was Fuad Muzurović, the team’s first captain “A fantastic tournament we’ll never forget,” Faes. Bob Browaeys was equally proud and also was Muhamed Konjić, and the team’s first was the unanimous reaction of all of Belgium’s paid credit to the whole Belgian football family: goal was scored by Hasan Salihamidžić in their Under-17 players after a magnificent 2015 “We benefit from the hard and good work of fourth match, against Croatia in Bologna (1-4). U-17 World Cup in Chile. It was a milestone in our clubs’ youth academies. I would like to To date, the player with the most appearances Belgian football history, with the young talents thank all the clubs, including the regional clubs is Emir Spahić (87) and the top scorer is Edin finishing in bronze medal position and thus at a lower level. It’s there that the story of all Džeko, with 45 goals to his name. surpassing the senior team’s 1986 World Cup my 21 Under-17 players began.” Next up for the Dragons is the qualifying fourth-place record. In Belgium, clubs and competition for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Bob Browaeys’ team had earned their ticket also work closely with several ‘Topsport’ for which they have been drawn into Group H to Chile at the European Under-17 Champion- schools. “They are doing a great job. I must with Belgium, Greece, Cyprus and Estonia. ship final tournament in Bulgaria in May. Their also praise the mentality of my players. Their First up is a home match against Estonia on penalty shoot-out defeat in the semi-final behaviour during the European Championship 6 September 2016. against France may have ended their fantastic and the World Cup was exemplary,” Browaeys At youth level, our Under-21 team have earned European Championship, but it was enough to added. their first point in four qualifying matches in take them to the U-17 World Cup. The young Red Devils received a warm Group 9 of the qualifying competition for the In Chile, the young Red Devils finished the welcome home after a brilliant month in Chile. 2017 European Under-21 Championship final group matches with four points from their three They were given rapturous applause in the round in Poland. Darko Nestorović’s team came games and qualified for the round of 16 as one national stadium in Brussels at half-time during away with one point from a goalless draw in of the four best third-placed teams. The team the friendly between Italy and Belgium on their match against England at Asim Ferhatović went from strength to strength and did not 13 November, where the crowd of 40,000 Hase Stadium in Sarajevo. come unstuck until the semi-finals, when Mali inside the King Baudouin Stadium made their Our Under-19s finished bottom of Group 5 halted their run. In a thrilling match for third achievement even more unforgettable. of their European Championship qualifiers. They place, Belgium beat Mexico 3-2 to take bronze. l Brecht Schelstraete beat Turkey (2-1), then lost to Ukraine (1-3) and mini-tournament hosts Azerbaijan (0-1). Turkey and Ukraine took the top two places with six points, ahead of Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, both with three points. Next up, our Under-17s qualified for the elite round of their European Championship, finishing their qualifying group in second spot with six points. At the mini-tournament in Moldova, Sakib Malkočević’s players beat Estonia (2-1) and Moldova (5-0) and lost against Ukraine (0-3), who finished top of the table on seven points, leaving Estonia in third place and Moldova last with one point. Last but not least, our women’s national team have been involved in the qualifiers for Women’s EURO 2017, losing 5-0 against Belgium in Zenica, URBSFA beating Serbia 1-0 in Stara Pazova, and losing Belgium’s players celebrate winning bronze at the U-17 World Cup 1-0 against England in Bristol. l Fuad Krvavac

18 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 Bulgaria www.bfunion.bg

Month of grassroots football with their families and friends looking on. The festival was held in Sofia. Ten schools took girls’ Under-12 league is the fastest growing part and more than 200 children played football The month of November was full of activity aspect of grassroots football in Bulgaria. in mixed teams. The participating schools are from a grassroots point of view, so much so Two more regional girls’ Under-12 league all members of the Bulgarian Football Union’s that it could even be referred to as grassroots mini-tournaments were held in November – (BFU) grassroots programme. month. On 1 November a regional girls’ one in Sofia and one in Veliko Tarnovo, both The long-term strategy of the BFU is based Under-12 mini-tournament was held in Sofia, on 22 November. More than 250 girls took part on the further development of its grassroots in which six teams took part and more than in both tournaments. Meanwhile, on 5 and unit. In December, various festivals are planned 120 girls experienced the joy of playing football 6 November a big schools five-a-side football all over Bulgaria for the Under-6 to Under-9 age groups. The main goal of the association is to popularise football at grassroots level, especially among girls. l Yordan Grozdanov

England www.thefa.com

Several girls’ Launch of mass participation tournaments cup tournament were organised in November The FA has opened applications for the 2016 People’s Cup following its rip-roaring success in 2015. The competition is run in partnership between The FA and the BBC, with the country’s BFUnion.bg leading small-sided football providers serving as delivery partners. It is designed to get more people playing recreational football. More than 30,000 people Croatia competed in the inaugural competition and it www.hns-cff.hr is hoped that this number will rise yet further in 2016. Dreams come true in football do come true. I would like to thank all the people in my county association for their support. The match between Lokomotiva and Osijek They believed in me from the start. I would also on 31 October was not just another game like to thank the Croatian Football Federation in the Croatian top division – it marked the for putting their trust in me,” Sanja said. first time that a female assistant referee had In other news, Croatia welcomed back its officiated at that level. Under-17 team that reached quarter-finals in Sanja Rođak Karšić thus became the first the U-17 World Cup in Chile, which is the best female assistant referee in the Croatian top result achieved by a Croatian youth team on the division, just three days after she became the world stage. first female assistant referee in a Croatian Cup “We are a small country but we managed to match. Earlier this year, Sanja was selected for reach this stage and have a good tournament. the Women’s World Cup in Canada, after But I’m still really sad, because I sincerely think The FA successful performances at the Women’s U-17 that we missed out on a big opportunity. My and U-20 World Cups. feeling, especially after beating Nigeria and The People’s Cup was a huge success in its first year “I am very proud and happy to have been Germany, was that we could go the whole way; given this opportunity. It was a long and maybe not winning, but staying until the end,” The competition is completely free to enter demanding road, but everything is easier with said head coach Dario Bašić. and welcomes male, female and disability effort and support. If anybody had asked me Finally, the senior national team had an participants ranging from under-14s through ten years ago, I would have said that it was a enjoyable week before heading to Rostov to veterans (over-35s). It also features the dream of mine, but now I can say that dreams and beating Russia 3-1 in a friendly match. increasingly popular walking football for In addition to their daily over-50s, which caters to those who enjoy training sessions, they had playing the beautiful game at a slightly more an opportunity to meet with sedate, but no less competitive pace. fans in Zagreb and to pay a People of all abilities are invited to take part – visit to the Croatian Football from grassroots regulars to players who have Federation’s multimedia centre, not laced up their boots in years. which celebrates the rich The FA chairman, Greg Dyke, said: “As we history of Croatian football. discovered in the first year of The FA People’s Mario Mandžukić, , Cup, the tournament contains all the ingredients Danijel Subašić and others that make cup competition so seductive – the also participated in filming for thrills, the spills, near misses and the glory. This #MyTribune, the federation’s year, we want to build on this and increase the campaign against racism, number of individuals as well as teams that sign discrimination and violence up to participate.” at football stadiums. The format for The FA People’s Cup in 2016 l Tomislav Pacak will mirror rounds of The FA Cup, the oldest cup competition in the world. Teams that progress beyond round one in January will qualify for Sanja Rođak Karšić in action regional semi-finals on 27/28 February, with the during the match between grand finals to follow in mid-March. Drago Sopta/HNS Lokomotiva and Osijek l Tony Snow

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 19 Member associations

Estonia Faroe Islands www.jalgpall.ee www.football.fo

Dream Band take centre stage Looking for fewer protests much. Especially coming from the technical at gala ceremony from players and the bench area in some games. This is something that we want to improve, so that next season we The Estonian Football Association (EJL) ended Recently top Faroese referees had a meeting can avoid unnecessary situations where, for the season with a gala ceremony which was where they evaluated the season that ended in example, coaches and other technical staff are attended by more than 500 guests and where October. All in all, the referees were pleased, sent to the stands,” Isaksen explains. the best teams and players were awarded in but they also acknowledged that there is room The referees also concluded during the several categories. for improvement. meeting that a number of the yellow cards Lassin Isaksen, for many years a top-flight given for stopping clear goalscoring opportu­ referee in the Faroe Islands as well as in nities should have been of another colour, and international football, is the refereeing director that the referees must do better in this area at the Faroese FA, and he is satisfied with last next season. season: “The season of 2015 had its challenges, l Terji Nielsen but all in all it went well. Here in the Faroe Islands the weather is always an issue, and there might have been a few matches that never should have been played due to the weather conditions,” he says. During the evaluation meeting, many subjects were discussed, one in particular: “It was especially the number of bookings given in the top division this year, and that some should maybe have had a different colour,” Isaksen Jana Pipar says. A music group was put together especially Altogether, 558 bookings were given in for the gala ceremony the Faroese top division, Effodeildin, in 2015 – 82 of them for arguing, group protests, FC Flora celebrated as Estonian champions, showing disapproval of the referee’s decision collecting their tenth title in the club’s 25-year and timewasting. history. They were followed by two other “That the players want to protest against FSF sides: FC Levadia and Nõmme Kalju. Viljandi decisions by the referee is part of the game. Tulevik were relegated, and taking their place But we think that there is more and more Lassin Isaksen is satisfied with the referees’ in the top division for the first time are Rakvere protesting in games, and sometimes it is too performances last season Tarvas. The best player in the top division was Ingemar Teever from FC Levadia, who was also the top goalscorer. The women’s championship ended with a France www.fff.fr comfortable triumph for Pärnu JK, having won all their games. The best player was Anastassia Morkovkina from Pärnu, who was the league’s French universities’ women’s target of 100,000 registered players will be top goalscorer with 34 goals. team staff visit headquarters met by the end of this season. 2015 has been Ragnar Klavan, one of the key players behind a magnificent year for the women’s game, with the success of FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga Gold medallists at this year’s 28th Summer the 2019 Women’s World Cup awarded to last season, was voted the best player of the Universiade in South Korea, the staff of the France in March, the French national team year. Striker Signy Aarna was named the best French universities’ women’s team, most of doing well in Canada in the summer, the female player. Aarna currently plays club whom also look after the French women’s B excellent performances of our youth teams and football for Kuopio Pallokissat in Finland. The team, were welcomed to the French Football now this university title, the first in our history! best young player award went to 19-year-old Federation (FFF) headquarters by Brigitte The FFF is doing more than ever for women’s Rauno Sappinen (FC Flora), while the best Henriques, FFF general secretary, on football.” young female player was Ketlin Saar from 23 November. The 28th Summer Universiade, the second Pärnu JK, who won the award for the second Led by coach Jean-François Niemezcki and largest multi-sport event in the world after the time in a row. Rando Rand was named the his staff, the group of players born in or after Olympic Games (with 8,000 athletes, 3,000 coach of the year, winning the award named 1991 sealed a convincing 2-0 victory over Russia officials, 160 countries and 21 sports), was after Albert Vollrat. Rand led the Estonian beach in the final on 12 July. held in Gwangju from 3 to 14 July. The French soccer team into the Euro Beach Soccer League The reception gave Brigitte Henriques the team, comprising 228 athletes, won 30 medals Promotion Final. The best beach soccer player opportunity to confirm “the healthy state of (13 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze). was goalkeeper Markus Lukk. women’s football in France, where we hope the l Jean-Baptiste Schmidt Musical entertainment was provided by the Estonian Football Dream Band, a group that was put together especially for the event, consisting of musicians who are connected to football in one way or another. The lead singers were Juss Haasma, who is an Estonian actor, and young Estonian singing talent Mikk Mäe – both of whom played football when they were younger. Top division referee Tomi Rahula played the keyboard, while drums and guitar were played by brothers Siim and Mikk Valtna, The universities’ who are both footballers at JK Welco, a club women’s team that will play in the third strongest league next staff at the FFF year. Behind the bass guitar was Arto Saar, who headquarters also plays football for a lower league team. EJL vice-president Andri Hõbemägi joined them on the second guitar. FFF l Mihkel Uiboleht

20 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 Gibraltar www.gibraltarfa.com

Integrity programme – were required to complete an online interactive certificates presented to tutorial. compliant clubs With the increased exposure that the game on the Rock has seen, local football has subse­- In conjunction with the Gibraltar FA’s integrity quently become a target for potential fixers. partner, Sportradar, certificates have been Referees and match officials are not immune presented to the eight clubs that made up GFA either, and all members of the Gibraltar referee Gibraltar’s in 2014/15, all of The general secretary of the Gibraltar FA, association have also completed the tutorial. whom successfully completed the integrity Dennis Beiso (left), and integrity officer Louis Wink The tutorial is the second stage of the programme – Lincoln Red Imps FC, Europa FC, integrity programme and follows bespoke Glacis Utd FC, Lions Gibraltar FC, St Joseph’s FC, football and to prevent mistakes that could seminars that were delivered towards the end Lynx FC, Manchester 62 FC and FC Britannia XI. prove career-threatening and damaging to the of last season. The Gibraltar FA is committed This initiative was organised to raise player sport as a whole. All registered players and at all times to ‘Guarding Gibraltar’s Game’. awareness of the global risks of match-fixing in officials from each of the participating clubs l Steven Gonzalez

Greece Hungary www.epo.gr www.mlsz.hu

Michael Skibbe takes over Celebrations after qualification Gábor Király as head coach receives his UEFA A new era is dawning in Hungary: while award from is the new head coach of the the futsal team secured their place at next mlsz.hu Sándor Csányi Greek national team. The German coach signed February’s UEFA Futsal EURO in Belgrade by his contract with the Hellenic Football Federation beating Romania in September, the national team. Qualification for EURO 2016 in France (HFF) on 30 October. It runs until the end of the football team – now led by German Bernd was rapturously received by a delighted capacity 2018 World Cup qualifiers and will be extended Storck on a permanent contract – had to wait crowd at the superb Groupama Aréna, a fitting automatically if Greece qualify for the finals in until mid-November to book their ticket to venue for such a sign of regeneration within Russia. EURO 2016 in France. In their qualifying play-off, Hungarian football, having only been opened Hungary beat Norway 3-1 on aggregate, winning on the site of Hungarian club Ferencvárosi TC’s both legs of the tie, thanks, in part, to superb former Albert Stadion last year. goals by László Kleinheisler in Oslo and Tamás UEFA’s award for 100 national team caps Priskin in Budapest. Hungary will be making was handed to the former Bundesliga and their first European Football Championship final Premier League goalkeeper by Sándor Csányi, round appearance in 44 years, the last time president of Hungarian Football Federation on being in 1972, when one of their great teams the Day of Hungarian Football on 25 November. of former times finished third overall. This day remembers Nándor Hidegkuti, Ferenc Another milestone was reached during the Puskás, József Bozsik and all of the Magical play-offs, when Szombathelyi Haladás’s veteran Magyars who took part in beating England 3-6 goalkeeper Gábor Király, in fine form over both at Wembley in 1953. legs, made his 100th appearance for the national l Márton Dinnyés HFF

Georgios Gkirtzikis and Michael Skibbe Italy “This is the start of a new era for the Greek www.figc.it national team. We struggled in our quest for a new head coach, as the responsibility to make the best possible choice laid heavily upon our Football as a model shoulders. At this moment, I am happy to say The CEO of the for integration FIGC, Michele that we made the best possible choice. Michael Uva, and the “The young generation has a challenge that Skibbe is an experienced coach and I am more FRF president, FIGC than confident that, along with the players and has to be achieved today: to erase words such Razvan staff, he will manage to put our national team as difference, minority and racism from their Burleanu back on the track of success and lead us to vocabulary.” This was the message given by the the position we deserve on the international CEO of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), a place for expressing the freedom to live football scene. On behalf of the HFF, I wish him Michele Uva, to the 100 students who gathered and share a passion for millions of fans. all the best,” said Georgios Gkirtzikis, president at the Luigi Galvani high school in Bologna on “Football can be a solid tool for integration, of the federation. 17 November for a special event promoting and that’s its true magic,” said Razvan Burleanu, In return, Michael Skibbe said: “I am really tolerance and inclusion. highlighting how key football is for Italy’s happy to be here. At the same time, I feel Organised by the FIGC in cooperation with Romanian population, who represent the extremely proud to be the leader of a national the Romanian FA (FRF), the talk on football and largest immigrant community in Italy, with team, and of the Greek national team in integration, which was also attended by the FRF a population of 1.13 million (22.6% in 2014). particular. This is the greatest honour for a president, Razvan Burleanu, Fiona May, the FIGC’s “The FIGC places great importance on coach, and I want to thank Georgios Gkirtzikis anti-racism coordinator, and the consul general cultural and sporting values, which it promotes and the HFF executive board for placing their of Romania in Bologna, Eugen Serbanescu, through its anti-racism, integration and social trust in me. I really want to pay back this among others, was part of the Bologna Città inclusion programmes, such as the Progetto Rete honour with a lot of good results and, of Azzurra programme linked to the international project for young refugees,” said Michele Uva. course, by qualifying for the 2018 World Cup friendly match between Italy and Romania. “Youngsters today are far more enthusiastic,” in Russia.” A shared cultural and sporting heritage led said Fiona May. “When the FIGC’s integration Michael Skibbe was already in charge of the the two national football associations to use the commission started its work, our aim was to get Greek national team for November’s away programme as an opportunity to discuss the through to them by using modern language friendly matches against Luxembourg (0-1) and role football should play in society in Europe. and talking to them very clearly. We have the Turkey (0-0). Integration has taken on a particular meaning ambition to change the future through education l Giota Kaisari now, after the Paris attacks targeted a stadium, and culture.” l Diego Antenozio

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 21 win inaEuropeancompetition Liechtenstein’s Under-17s celebratetheirfirst-ever 22 from grassroots footballto11-a-sidefootball, a chancetofindwaymakethetransition camps forthem.Thisapproach givestheplayers several timesayearandarrangingspecial 13 to15-year-olds from allregions ofLatvia for fouryears,gatheringthemostpromising of professional footballplayers. Latvian footballaninsightintothedailylives tour thatgavethepossiblefuture starsof academy’s seasonbytakingpartinaEuropean Football Federation(LFF),markedtheendof the flagoffootballacademyLatvian between theagesof13and14,unitedunder Michael Koller, performedwellinfront oftheir Liechtenstein team,coachedbytheLFV’s Republic andCroatia respectively, the minnows from Gibraltarintheirlast match. could andthen,ifpossible,beattheirfellow of thesepowerfulopponentsforaslongthey Under-17 teamwastherefore tofrustrateboth to qualify. ThemainobjectiveforLiechtenstein’s and theCzechRepublicwouldbefavourites began thatthetwomajornationsofCroatia Gibraltar foraplaceintheeliteround. it outwithCroatia, theCzechRepublic and Balzers andEschen,thehometeambattled from 26to31October. Inmatchesplayedin Championship qualifying-round mini-tournament Under-17s First winforLiechtenstein of seasonwithEuropean tour Football academymarksend Member associations Liechtenstein. who worksdayin,outforfootballin Michael Kollerdedicatedthevictorytoeveryone but theentire nationalassociation.Coach match, delightingnotonlytheteamitself, Under-17 teamhadeverwonacompetitive up toexpectationswithamerited3-0victory. previous matches(4-1and9-1),theylived had beenbeatenmore heavilyintheirtwo against Gibraltar, especiallyastheiropponents were therefore slightfavouritesintheirmatch than three different yeargroups, Liechtenstein home supporters.Fieldingplayersfrom nofewer Liechtenstein hostedaEuropean Under-17 The LFFfootballacademyhasbeenactive The brightestfootballtalentsofLatvia Despite losing4-0and2-0totheCzech It wasclearbefore themini-tournament This wasthefirsttimeaLiechtenstein |UEFA www.lff.lv Latvia www.lfv.li Liechtenstein • direct |12.15

l AntonBanzer

LFV teams. Attheendofacademy’s season, organised bytheFootballAgainstRacismin action weeks.Thisisanannualcampaign and UEFA inmarkingtheFARE FootballPeople joined otherfootballassociationsinEurope in thefestival Girls fromtheJurbarkasKlausuciaischooltookpart tour Some oftheplayerswhotookpartinEuropean Special Olympicsathletes,foroneof Malta’s different groups, including asylumseekersand again thisyear, withplayerescortspickedfrom matches playedduringthatperiod. Champions LeagueandUEFA Europa League throughout Europe, includingatallUEFA in unitingpeople.Activitiesare organised time, todemonstratethepoweroffootball other formsofdiscriminationand,atthesame concerted effort toridthegameofracismand clubs, ethnicgroups andcommunitiesina and celebratediversityinfootball. Europe (FARE) networktocombatdiscrimination Football Peopleactionweeks of information and alsoprovides localcoacheswitharange assessing candidates course. of girls’footballfestivalsandamanagement Football Federation(LFF)hostedanumber spotlight inNovemberastheLithuanian and women Inspiration forgirls The MaltaFootballAssociationrecently The MaltaFootballAssociationgot involved The actionweeksbringtogethersupporters, Women’s footballwasverymuchinthe www.lff.lt Lithuania www.mfa.com.mt Malta about youngtalentspriorto

for theyouthnational

V. Knyzelis/LFF LFF conditions. a chancetoincrease theirskillsincompetitive development oflocalplayers,givingthem of thefederation’s primaryplatformsforthe gathered playersfrom sixclubs. Latvian clubs,whiletheUnder-14 team team consistedofrepresentatives from eight from localfootballacademies.TheUnder-13 (Austria)againstpeers (Slovakia) andVienna six-day tourtookinmatchesBratislava them tocontinuetheirdevelopment.The LFF hopesthatthiswillserveasaboostfor travelled asprofessional footballers,andthe tour. Duringthetourplayerslivedand Under-13 andUnder-14 teamsfortheEuropean a totalof37playerswere chosentoformits in theassociation’s mottoof‘FootballForLife’. offer, shouldbeopentoeveryone,asexpressed endless benefitsandopportunities ithasto the MaltaFA’s beliefthatfootball,withthe discrimination inoursociety. Italsodemonstrated teams forthenationalanthems The playerescortslineupwiththeMaltaandCroatia the messageacross thatthere shouldbeno matches.The actionsoughttoget international in2018. final tournament the European Women’s Under-17 Championship project forwomen’s footballwillbehosting communications, marketingandotherareas. experience inmanagement,strategicplanning, Turkish clubGalatasaray, Koksalshared her Abru Koksal.Amemberoftheboard at football activitieshadtheopportunitytomeet where 23femaleparticipantsinvolvedinvarious women’s footballadministrationcourses, in attendance. the project inLithuania–were amongthose Vestina Neverdauskaitė –anambassadorof čius anddefender coach RimantasViktoravi key ingettingtheminvolved.Nationalteam introductory courses,withfunandtogetherness Girls attendedbothsportingactivitiesand part oftheFIFA LiveYour Goalscampaign. country participatedinfestivalsorganisedas The LFFfootballacademyisregarded asone The crowning gloryoftheLFF’s long-term Also ontheagendainNovemberwere FIFA Schools invariousdistrictsaround the l Vaidotas Januska l Toms Ārmanis l AlexVella

D. Aquilina Moldova www.fmf.md

Viitorul youth tournament The Football Association of Moldova (FMF) recently organised the ninth edition of its Viitorul (‘the future’) tournament for talented young players aged 14 and 15, selected from all regions of Moldova. In the semi-finals, the southern team beat the northern team 6-1, while the team from the central region beat their counterparts from the east 3-0. In the FMF third-place play-off, the northerners imposed themselves on the easterners to win 2-1. The The Viitorul youth tournament final proved to be a one-way affair, with the central region demolishing the south by an The winners were presented with their trophy tournament is to discover talented young incredible score of 8-0. The goalscorers were by Pavel Cebanu, FMF president. The tournament players, and it has very much become a regular Andrei Stratan (3), Sergiu Gatmaniuc (2), attracted great interest from the public and from competition on our fixture list. Vlad Blănuță (2) and Radislav Baranov (1). youth team coaches. The aim of the Viitorul l Press office

Northern Ireland www.irishfa.com

Women are becoming Ireland women’s masters’ team and thereby masters at the game replicate recent developments at the level of the Northern Ireland men’s masters’ team. The Women’s Masters’ Programme of the The Irish FA plans to roll out a regional Irish Football Association (IFA) continues to go masters’ programme for women in four regions, from strength to strength. Targeted at former which will give participants the opportunity to players and those wishing to take up the game play locally and then come together on festival for the first time, the programme is aimed days. at women aged 35 and above. The weekly The Irish FA’s director of football development, sessions take place each Friday at the Shankill Michael Boyd, said: “Our commitment to IFA Leisure Centre in and players of all promote and foster participation in football Some of the Women’s Masters’ Programme participants abilities are welcome to go along. at all levels brings this fantastic opportunity for As part of the IFA Girls’ and Women’s former players and those who wish to re-engage proved that together we can support an older Football Plan (2013–17), the association is with sport together. element of our community to share a social and encouraging more participation at this level “Lifelong participation in sport is strongly sporting occasion with health benefits.” and ultimately wants to create a Northern encouraged by the Irish FA and this event has l Nigel Tilson

Republic of Ireland www.fai.ie

Qualification as highlight partnership with Three, in a deal that will see us its previous records, with more clubs involved extend our involvement with each other to a and more tickets sold than ever before. In 2015 The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) ten-year relationship. This extension of Three’s more than 112,000 tickets were sold by 427 enjoyed a stellar month in November, with the sponsorship of the Republic of Ireland national participating clubs, resulting in a windfall of highlight obviously being qualification for EURO football team will bring us through qualifying almost €1m for clubs and leagues across 2016 in France after a play-off victory over for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and up to Ireland which will be used to fund the fantastic Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ireland’s football the historic UEFA EURO 2020 finals, which will work being done in communities all over the community was in jubilant mood after Jonathan come to Ireland for the very first time.” country by those involved in grassroots football. Walters scored twice to secure a 2-0 second-leg Meanwhile, the FAI’s popular Irish Football The national draw is organised each year victory at following a 1-1 draw National Draw was another major boost for the by the FAI in association with its partners, and at Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica in the first leg Irish game, as the fundraising exercise broke all this year prizes worth more than €200,000 thanks to a goal in the fog. were distributed. The FAI Another major boost for the association was organises the prizes, the the renewal of its primary sponsorship with licences, the promotional telecommunications company Three in a deal materials and the tickets, which will run until 2020 and is worth €8.9m. making it a straight- This sponsorship will help the Irish national forward and risk-free football team continue to compete at the fundraising option for any highest level as well as support the FAI in its club. continued development of the game at l Stephen Finn grassroots level in Ireland. As primary sponsor of the Irish national football team, Three will continue to have exclusive branding rights, to include training and playing gear and kit, ticket branding, high-visibility pitchside advertising at the Aviva Stadium and other experiences which will be Left to right: Martin O’Neill, exclusive for Three customers. Welcoming the , John Delaney, announcement, the FAI’s chief executive, John Robert Finnegan and Delaney said: “I am delighted to continue our FAI Roy Keane

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 23 Member associations

Romania www.frf.ro

Football management scheme The workshops will continue until autumn first workshop, at which the FRF president, gets under way 2016. Răzvan Burleanu, said: “This programme Dedicated to the managers of the affiliated was elaborated as an answer to Romanian For the Romanian FA (FRF), football is much clubs, the scheme aims to provide the affiliated football clubs’ needs to improve their resource more than a game. Football means working on clubs with a high level of know-how and good management capacity. Today’s professional different and various areas, but the most practices at international level in various areas, football does not exist without proper important thing is that all of them are closely such as strategic and operational management, management. We at the Romanian Football related to the game. And more than that, all marketing, ticketing, communications and Federation wish to continue supporting the of them individually and together have as their media relations, finance, general organisation, development of Romanian clubs.” only aim and ultimate target to serve and event organisation, and safety and security. The Romanian clubs have understood this develop football. In order to ensure the best possible knowledge and are keen to become more professional in Social responsibility and management and good practices, the FRF and the LPF will the way they are run. As proof, all top division are two of the main pillars on which the FRF cooperate with well-known and experienced­ managers and club presidents were present is extremely focused. The beginning of lecturers from UEFA and from European top clubs at the first workshop and announced their November was reserved for the launch of the who have already succeeded in transforming intention to take part in the future workshops, first-ever network of courses designed to football into a professionally managed business. together with their colleagues from the lower improve the country’s football management. The main goal of the FRF and of the LPF is to league clubs. With UEFA’s support, the joint football raise the standard of management of Romanian This all goes to show that the FRF, the LPF management initiative in Romania, developed football as quickly as possible, thus creating the and the clubs recognise the needs of modern- by the FRF and the Romanian professional right conditions for obtaining better sporting day football and that they have to work football league (LPF), held the first of a total results as well. together in this respect, for the benefit of of four or five two-day workshops which UEFA vice-president Michael van Praag was Romanian football. form the football management scheme. Romania’s special guest on the occasion of the l Paul Zaharia

Scotland www.scottishfa.co.uk

A new entry into the Hall His successor as Scotland team doctor – of Fame Dr John MacLean – presented the award to Professor Hillis’ wife Anne and sons Andrew The late Professor William Stewart Hillis OBE and Alisdair in a ceremony at Scotland’s has been inducted into the Scottish Football national stadium. His name will now be Hall of Fame at Hampden Park. immortalised alongside the great players and Professor Hillis passed away in July 2014 but managers he once worked with. left a lasting legacy for the game in Scotland. Dr MacLean said: “Professor Stewart Hillis He was Scotland national team doctor for was a sports medicine doctor before the nearly four decades and was instrumental in FA practice of sports medicine existed. During the creation of the sports medicine centre at his 37 years working for the Scottish Football

Hampden Park, one of the first of its kind in Scottish Association he was a trailblazer in the the world. development of the care received by footballers Outside of his national team duties, Professor Anne Hillis and Dr John MacLean and other athletes and has been an integral Hillis was as an advisor at Rangers during the figure in the development of sports medicine. 1990s and spent 27 years as official doctor at Professor Hillis was also invited onto UEFA’s Quite simply, he was a colossus in sports and Clydebank FC, where his payment was a turkey Medical Committee, where he held the post of football medicine.” each Christmas. vice-chairman. l David Childs

Slovakia www.futbalsfz.sk

250th match celebrated team was the one against Germany (2-0) with a win on 27 August 1939 in Bratislava. The Slovak national team played 16 matches during the The Slovak national football team has time of the First Slovak Republic. Between played 250 matches in two separate eras: 1945 and 1993, under the Czechoslovak between 1939 and 1944, and from 1994 to Republic, the national football team was made the present day. The team with a double cross up of both Slovaks and Czechs. After the final on their chests played the jubilee match on separation of the countries, and with it, the 17 November in Žilina against Iceland, winning separation of the football associations, the the friendly match 3-1. Slovak national team returned, playing their , under the auspices of first match against the UAE (1-0) in Sharjah the Slovak Football Association, started writing on 2 February 1994. its history in 1938. However, due to social and In 250 official matches, the Slovak national political circumstances, the date of establishment team have won 99, lost 92 and drawn 59. SFZ of the Slovak Football Association was only The player with the most appearances is finally confirmed in 1994 in Chicago, after Miroslav Karhan (107 caps), the top scorer The Slovakian national team of 1939 the verification of all relevant documents. At is Róbert Vittek (23 goals), and the coach with the 49th FIFA Congress, the Slovak Football the longest ‘bench history’ is Vladimír Weiss 17 coaches and played 72 opponents, with Association was officially declared to have been (40 matches). Croatia being their most frequent opponents established in 1938. Therefore, the first official The Slovak national team has been (13 matches). international match of the Slovak national represented by 270 football players, led by l Peter Surin

24 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 Switzerland Turkey www.football.ch www.tff.org

Award for world champion Turkish national team promote Prematurity Day for raising awareness about coach Dany Ryser World Prematurity Day premature birth. In other news, the Turkish Football Federation Former Swiss Football Association national The senior Turkish national team, coached by (TFF) has launched a national team fan club to youth team coach Dany Ryser has been , gave a meaningful social responsibility bring together fans of the Turkish national team presented with the Swiss Olympic Lifetime message before their friendly against Greece at and offer them some advantages. Fan club Coach Award in recognition of his successful the Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium in Istanbul members will, for example, be given priority for coaching career, the highlight of which was on 17 November, wearing purple T-shirts for tickets for Turkey’s EURO 2016 matches, benefit winning the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria their warm-up and holding up a banner to draw from a 10% discount at the TFF’s online store in 2009. attention to the fact that it was World and be given the opportunity to attend national Three members of his World Cup winning Prematurity Day. Fatih Terim, the Turkish team training sessions. team, Ricardo Rodriguez, Haris Seferović and Football Federation’s director of football, also Anyone who wants to join the fan club can , are now part of the Swiss senior highlighted the importance of World apply at taraftarkulubu.tff.org l Aydın Güvenir national team. Peter Gilliéron, Swiss FA president, paid tribute to the former Under-17 world champion at the 2015 Swiss Olympic Coach Awards. “Dany Ryser coached FC Biel for a long time and took them into the third division in 1994. We then managed to recruit him to work for the Swiss FA, where he made a lasting impression as head of the coach education programme from 1997 until 2008. During his tenure, for example, Marcel Koller was one of many who obtained the UEFA Pro licence. In 2008, Dany Ryser took charge of the national teams department. Working with young players was always extremely important to him and gave him great satisfaction. He looked after all our youth teams and, as well as winning the Under-17 World Cup, reached the European Championship semi-finals,” said Gilliéron. TFF “I worked with Dany at the Swiss FA for 18 years. I got to know him as a straightforward, The Turkish players pulled on purple T-shirts in support of World Prematurity Day single-minded person who always spoke his mind and stuck to his guns. However, that doesn’t mean he didn’t accept other people’s Ukraine opinions. Not only was it great fun to debate www.ffu.org.ua things with him, but he often ended up convincing people that he was right,” Gilliéron added. Ukraine break play-off jinx having secured a first-leg triumph in Lviv. Slovenia’s early goal in the second leg gave Ukraine have qualified for EURO 2016. It is the home side hope, but Ukraine managed the first time that the blue and yellows have to withstand the pressure and Yarmolenko’s reached a EURO through the qualifying round injury-time equaliser confirmed their progress (they qualified automatically in 2012 as one of to their second EURO finals. the host nations). Mykhailo Fomenko’s players “I would like to thank all the players from have also broken the team’s disastrous losing the heart for their ceaseless work. For a battle streak, having never before got beyond the like that out there, you have to be really well play-offs since the Football Federation of prepared both physically and mentally. It was Ukraine (FFU) was founded in 1992. difficult, but I am convinced that we deserved Ukraine have failed to qualify for the World our ticket for the EURO,” said the head coach Cup four times (1998, against Croatia; 2002, after the second leg in Maribor. against Germany; 2010, against Greece; and l Yuri Maznychenko 2014, against France) and fell to Slovenia in their only previous EURO play-off in Sportsfile 2000. Dany Ryser Fomenko’s side went into the second The Swiss Olympic Coach Awards are distinct leg with a two- from the annual Coach of the Year accolade, goal lead, Andriy which is presented as part of the Swiss Sports Yarmolenko and Awards. They enable Swiss Olympic to Yevhen Seleznyov acknowledge the commitment of coaches who contribute to the success of Swiss athletes. “After 18 years working for the Swiss SFZ Football Association and winning the Under-17 World Cup in 2009, Dany Ryser fully deserves

this award. Swiss football owes him a huge Rasner debt of thanks,” said Ralph Stöckli, jury member and head of Swiss Olympic’s competitive sport Yarmolenko celebrates department. victory in the play-offs Volodymyr l Pierre Benoit for EURO 2016

UEFA •direct | 12.15 | 25 Birthdays, calendar, notices

BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS IN JANUARY IN february

Davor Šuker (Croatia, 1 January) Aristeidis Stavropoulos (Greece, Volker Roth (Germany, 1 February) Joël Muller (France, 2 January) 17 January) Karen Espelund (Norway, 1 February) Monica Ortigueira (Switzerland, Blaženka Logarušić (Croatia, 17 January) Kyros Vassaras (Greece, 1 February) 50th 2 January) Tibor Nyilasi (Hungary, 18 January) Leonardus van der Kroft (Netherlands, Gerhard Sager (Sweden, 3 January) Fabrizio Tonelli (Italy, 18 January) 2 February) George Pirtskhalava (Georgia, 3 January) Mark Boetekees (Netherlands, Trygve Bornø (Norway, 2 February) Andreas Demetriou (Cyprus, 3 January) 18 January) Barbara Moschini (Italy, 2 February) Victoriano Melero (France, 4 January) Bujar Kasmi (Albania, 19 January) Steen Dahrup (Denmark, 3 February) David George Collins (Wales, 5 January) Artur Azaryan (Armenia, 19 January) Mark Blackbourne (England, 3 February) Mette Christiansen (Norway, 5 January) Lars-Åke Lagrell (Sweden, 20 January) Renata Tomášová (Slovakia, 3 February) Mariano Moreno (Spain, 6 January) Aurel Ticleanu (Romania, 20 January) Sergiy Lysenchuk (Ukraine, 6 January) Michael Zoratti (Austria, 6 January) Pedro Ángel Galán Nieto (Spain, Jelena Oblaković-Babić (Serbia, 3 February) Sergei Safaryan (Belarus, 6 January) 20 January) Václav Krondl (Czech Republic, 5 February) Rudolf Marxer (Liechtenstein, 6 January) Ilir Shulku (Albania, 20 January) Peter Rudbaek (Denmark, 5 February) 50th Maciej Sawicki (Poland, 20 January) Gabriel Weiss (Slovakia, 6 February) Sergiy Lysenchuk (Ukraine, 6 January) Bjorn Vassallo (Malta, 20 January) Josep Maria Bartomeu (Spain, 6 February) Andrejs Sipailo (Latvia, 7 January) Ángel María Villar Llona (Spain, Leonid Kaloshin (Russia, 6 February) Emil Aliev (Russia, 7 January) 21 January) Duško Grabovac (Croatia, 7 February) 60th Nelly Viennot (France, 8 January) Maria Teresa Andreu Grau (Spain, Johan van Kouterik (Netherlands, Alf Hansen (Norway, 8 January) 21 January) 2 February) Igor Janković (Serbia, 8 January) Vladimir Iveta (Croatia, 21 January) Michael Appleby (England, 8 February) Bernhard Neuhold (Austria, 8 January) Are Habicht (Estonia, 22 January) Fino Fini (Italy, 9 February) 40th Alan Freeland (Scotland, 22 January) Donald McVicar (Scotland, 9 February) Franco Ferrari (Italy, 9 January) 70th Lassin Isaksen (Faroe Islands, 22 January) Danilo Filacchione (Italy, 9 February) Velid Imamović (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Krzystof Malinowski (Poland, 22 January) Zoran Laković (Serbia, 9 February) 9 January) Harry Been (Netherlands, 23 January) Luc Rabat (France, 10 February) Duygu Yasar (Turkey, 9 January) Pat Quigley (Republic of Ireland, Götz Bender (Germany, 10 February) Herbert Hübel (Austria, 10 January) 24 January) Stewart Regan (Scotland, 10 February) Emil Bozhinovski (FYR Macedonia, Patrick Wattebled (France, 24 January) William McDougall (Scotland, 11 February) 10 January) Ofer Eini (Israel, 24 January) Annelie Larsson (Sweden, 11 February) Hans-Dieter Drewitz (Germany, Anneli Gustafsson (Sweden, 24 January) 60th 11 January) Nikolai Ivanov (Russia, 24 January) Fritz Stuchlik (Austria, 11 February) 50th Olivier Brochart (France, 11 January) Edi Šunjić (Croatia, 24 January) Madeline Ekvall (Sweden, 11 February) Juan N. García-Nieto Portabella (Spain, Minke Booij (Netherlands, 24 January) Borislav Mihaylov (Bulgaria, 12 February) 12 January) Gevorg Hovhannisyan (Armenia, David McDowell (Slovenia, 12 February) Sarah O’Shea (Republic of Ireland, 25 January) Oleksandr Bandurko (Ukraine, 13 February) 12 January) Pascal Fritz (France, 25 January) Pierluigi Collina (Italy, 13 February) Drago Kos (Slovenia, 13 January) Metin Kazancıoğlu (Turkey, 26 January) Christian Mutschler (Switzerland, Sofoklis Pilavios (Greece, 13 January) 50th Miroslaw Ryszka (Poland, 26 January) 13 February) Aušra Kancė (Lithuania, 13 January) Daniel Lorenz (Portugal, 26 January) Roman Babaev (Russia, 13 February) Siarhei Ilyich (Belarus, 13 January) Cyril Zimmermann (Switzerland, Marinus den Engelsman (Netherlands, Martin Iseli (Switzerland, 14 January) 26 January) 40th 14 February) 70th Igor Satkii (Moldova, 14 January) Krister Malmsten (Sweden, 27 January) Manuel López Fernández (Spain, Nodar Akhalkatsi (Georgia, 14 January) Gilles Leclair (France, 30 January) 14 February) 40th Nikolai Tolstykh (Russia, 30 January) 60th Thomas Weyhing (Germany, 14 February) Radu Traian Visan (Romania, 14 January) Cosimo Bolognino (Italy, 30 January) Livio Bazzoli (Italy, 14 February) 60th Alessandro Lulli (Italy, 15 January) Brian Lawlor (Wales, 31 January) Peter Bonde (Denmark, 14 February) Phivos Vakis (Cyprus, 15 January) Juan Carlos Miralles (Andorra, 14 February) Atanas Furnadzhiev (Bulgaria, 15 January) John McBeth (Scotland, 15 February) Mitja Lainščak (Slovenia, 15 January) Susanne Erlandsson (Sweden, 15 February) Kleomenis Bontiotis (Greece, 16 January) (Sweden, 15 February) Kenneth Reeh (Denmark, 16 January) Katriina Elovirta (Finland, 15 February) Sune Hellströmer (Sweden, 17 January) Svitlana Shkil (Ukraine, 15 February) Stephen Bennett (England, 17 January) Orkhan Huseynzade (Azerbaijan, Jan W. Wegereef (Netherlands, 15 February) 40th 17 January) Roman Sowinski (Poland, 16 February)

26 | UEFA •direct | 12.15 Róbert Barczi (Hungary, 17 February) Gudrun Inga Sivertsen (Iceland, Dear readers, 17 February) 40th Jozef Vengloš (Slovakia, 18 February) 80th The next issue of UEFA•direct, which you will receive at the end of Borislav Alexandrov (Bulgaria, 18 February) February, will have a whole new look and feel. While remaining Georgios Gkirtzikis (Greece, 18 February) faithful to the spirit of its creator, André Vieli, the new format Patrick Kelly (Republic of Ireland, will delve even deeper into the richness of European football, 18 February) particularly through the lives of the UEFA member associations. Pertti Alaja (Finland, 18 February) Vasily Melnychuk (Ukraine, 18 February) To give us the room to report more widely on the diversity and vitality Jordi Pascual (Andorra, 18 February) of European football, UEFA•direct will also double in size, from 24 to Petro Ivanov (Ukraine, 18 February) 52 pages. It will continue to be published ten times a year, with the Jānis Mežeckis (Latvia, 19 February) ever popular supplements – UEFA•technician, UEFA•medicine matters Louis Peila (Switzerland, 25 January) and UEFA•grassroots newsletter – forming an integral part. Lars Arnesson (Sweden, 20 February) 80th Eggert Magnusson (Iceland, 20 February) We hope you will enjoy the new-look Edward Potok (Poland, 20 February) UEFA•direct. In the meantime, we thank you João F. De Magalhães Marques (Portugal, for your loyal readership and wish you a very 20 February) merry Christmas and a happy new year. Patricia Moyersoen (France, 20 February) Ralph Zloczower (Switzerland, 21 February) Emmanuel Deconche Fernando Gomes (Portugal, 21 February) Chief editor Jarmo Matikainen (Finland, 21 February) Eugène Westerink (Netherlands, 21 February) Igor Ischenko (Ukraine, 21 February) Asim Khudiyev (Azerbaijan, 22 February) Vladimir Šajn (Slovenia, 22 February) Ana Caetano (Portugal, 22 February) 40th Peter Jones (England, 24 February) Forthcoming events Oleg Harlamov (Estonia, 24 February) 50th Xavier Palacin (England, 24 February) 50th Meetings Competitions Miroslav Radoman (Serbia, 25 February) Josep Garcia (Andorra, 26 February) 26/28 January, Cyprus 2–13 February, Belgrade Ghenadie Scurtul (Moldova, 26 February) Assistant referees’ course Futsal EURO 2016: final round Egidius Braun (Germany, 27 February) 1–5 February, Cyprus 9/10 February Allan Hansen (Denmark, 27 February) Annual referees’ winter course UEFA Youth League: play-offs Peter Lundström (Finland, 27 February) John Beattie (England, 28 February) 11 February, Nyon 16/17 and 23/24 February Markus Stenger (Germany, 28 February) Media Committee UEFA Champions League: 40th Anti-Doping Panel round of 16 (first legs) 12 February, Belgrade 18 February 2016 Futsal World Cup: UEFA Europa League: European play-off draw round of 32 (first legs) notice 15 February, Nyon 23/24 February UEFA Youth League: draw for the round UEFA Youth League: round of 16 l The new contact details of the of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals 25 February Football Association of Slovenia are Women’s Football Committee as follows: UEFA Europa League: Predoslje 40 a, p.p. 130 25 February, Zurich round of 32 (return legs) SI-4000 Kranj Extraordinary UEFA Congress Phone: +386 4 27 59 400 26 February, Nyon +386 4 27 59 401 UEFA Europa League: round of 16 draw Fax: +386 4 27 59 456 [email protected] 26 February, Zurich Extraordinary FIFA Congress

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