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Home , 2007 UEFA Super Cup, 2008 UEFA Super Cup, Club Brugge KV (women), Doris Fitschen, Enzo Scifo, Football in Croatia

UEFAdirect-79-Nov.•E 17.10.200815:19Page1 No 5879 – FévrierNovember 2007 2008 to 24teams EURO expands youth training payments for Solidarity UEFA Cup replaces UEFA Europa League UEFA Cupgroups to 24teams EURO expands youth training payments for Solidarity UEFA Cup replaces UEFA Europa League UEFA Cupgroups 11. 0 8 Including 03 12 07 06 03 12 07 06 UEFAdirect-79-Nov.•E 17.10.2008 15:19 Page 2

Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president The EURO assumes new dimensions When, at the 2007 UEFA Congress in Düsseldorf, a few national associations raised the idea of expanding the European Football Championship final round from 16 to 24 participants, I was rather sceptical, I have to say. However, EURO 2008 convinced me that it was a good idea. Once again, the tournament illustrated the extraordinary passion generated by national team football and gave rise to such a fantastic party atmosphere that I felt it was only right for the tournament to be extended to more countries, to let even more supporters take part and to spread the excitement and party atmosphere far and wide across the continent. I also felt that the emotion of the tournament should be heightened by adding a direct knockout round for the last 16 in the competition and by ensuring that all the group matches, or the vast majority of them at least, would be crucial, by allowing the best third-placed teams through to the next round. The quality of the matches we saw during EURO 2008 also confirmed the high technical level of European football, and teams like England, Scotland and IN THIS ISSUE , or even and Ukraine – to name but a few – would certainly not UEFA Cup groups 03 have reduced the quality of the tournament. In addition, by increasing the chances of qualifying for the direct knockout stages, the teams could play under less pressure UEFA Europa League than the current system allows, where losing the first match often virtually amounts replaces UEFA Cup 06 to elimination from the tournament. Solidarity payments Nor is there any reason to fear that the qualifying matches will become for youth training 07 less interesting and valuable. Quite the opposite. The prospect of play-offs for the Conference for European third-placed teams makes the qualifiers even more competitive, maintains interest in national coaches 08 them, and, for many, keeps the dream of reaching the final round alive for longer. Women’s football In and Switzerland, I also appreciated the amount of work put in by in Germany sets example 10 the host cities, and I shared the disappointment of those for whom all that hard work bore fruit for only one week and the duration of three matches, whereas the return EURO expands to 24 teams from 2016 12 on their investments would have been greater if they had hosted more matches. Of course, these additional matches also mean more work and a longer News from member associations 16 tournament, but for such an amazing festival that takes in the whole of Europe, it is well worth the effort.

COVER Robinho, Manchester City’s Braziian international, feels the force of Anton Zlogar, but City still got the better of UEFA President Omonia in the first round of the UEFA Cup to qualify for the group stage. Photo: Manchester City FC/PA Photos

02 uefadirect 11.08 UEFAdirect-79-Nov.•E 17.10.2008 15:19 Page 3 Presenting the UEFA Cup groups HowHow thethe 4040 teamsteams lineline upup

Schalke 04 striker Kevin Kuranyi, pictured here against Apoel, does its best to cause trouble to defences. Stuart/AFP/Getty Images

AS THE UEFA CUP PREPARES TO ENTER ITS GROUP STAGE, WHICH RUNS FROM who are doing reasonably well 23 OCTOBER TO 18 DECEMBER, 40 TEAMS ARE IN CONTENTION FOR A PLACE IN in the and who were knocked out of European competition THE LAST 32. THREE TEAMS FROM EACH GROUP WILL GO THROUGH FROM THE last season by no less than FC GROUP STAGE TO THE NEXT ROUND, WHICH WILL BE PLAYED IN FEBRUARY. Barcelona, in the UEFA Champions IN THE MEANTIME, SOME EXCITING ENCOUNTERS ARE IN THE OFFING IN THE COM- League. However, the English and German favourites will have to be PETITION THIS SEASON, THE LAST TO BE PLAYED UNDER THE UEFA CUP BANNER. seriously wary of FC Twente, who eliminated Rennes quite convincingly, Each team involved in the Group A: Manchester City and as well as of Saint-Germain FC, group stage plays two matches at home Schalke favourites even though ’s team and two away. The top three in each In this group, Manchester struggled to put from group go through to the last 32, where City FC are still favourites, even though out of the competition and they are joined by the eight clubs that Mark Hughes’s team did not shine their performance in their domestic finish their UEFA Champions League in their elimination of AC Omonia championship is still not out of this groups in third spot. From then on, the from Cyprus in the previous round and world. As for Real Racing Club, their competition changes to a two-leg direct have got off to a disappointing start intrinsic qualities are undeniable, knockout format until the final, which in the English Premier League, despite but they will have to perform better takes place on 20 May at the Sükrü the arrival of Brazilian Robinho from than they have in the Spanish champ- Saracoglu stadium in , home to Real CF. Their toughest oppo- ionship so far if they want to go Fenerbahçe. nents will certainly be FC Schalke 04, through to the last 32.

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Galatasaray’s Simone Pepe Fernando Meira hopes that Udinese (in orange) challenges will also fly high for the ball in the and make it through air against Ikechukwu to the last 32. Kalu, who plays for Swiss club Bellinzona, who were making their European

Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images Coffrini/AFP/Getty competition debut. Meyer/AFP/Getty Images

Group B: Benfica and Galatasaray , will also make their pres- the UEFA Cup, have done their credi- at the front of the field ence felt, with a striker like Voronin able bility no harm at all in their European It is difficult to single anyone to score a decisive goal at any moment. campaign so far this season. out in Group B, although SL Benfica and Last but not least, FC Metalist Karkhiv Galatasaray AS, the latter under the from Ukraine have already caused Group D: wide open helm of German , will something of a sensation by eliminating A prize for anyone who can have the odds in their favour. With Besiktas and forcing their coach, Ertugrul name a real favourite in this group. Aimar and Nuno Gomes, Benfica, who Saglam, to resign. Tottenham Hotspur FC could have the put four goals past SSC Napoli in the honour, but they are having a disastrous previous round, have some serious Group C: Sevilla in pole position start to the English Premier League. assets to put to good use. However, Winners of the UEFA Cup Udinese Calcio, who are sitting high in Galatasaray, winners of the UEFA Cup in two years in a row, in 2006 and 2007, it , would therefore be a safer bet. 1999/2000, are always a force to be makes sense that Sevilla FC are in pole They have a strong card to play, while reckoned with in European competition, position in the competition, all the more FC Spartak Moskwa certainly have and no one looks forward to playing so since Manuel Jimenez’s team have got the means to play an interesting role, in the impassioned atmosphere of the off to a very good start in the Liga and, despite their current position in the stadium. Olympiacos CFP to boot, made short work of Salzburg in Russian championship being nothing to will no doubt be keen to challenge the first round of the UEFA Cup. write home about. The same can be the ambitions of their rivals, and the However, VfB Stuttgart said of NK Dinamo , who have trip to will be no holiday. have also got some good no close opponents on home soil, but Hertha BSC , coached by Swiss cards up their sleeves, with who have yet to make their mark on in goal and the European stage, having eliminated Mario Gomez up front. The Sparta Prague thanks to the away goals German team are familiar with rule. For their part, NEC Nijmegen will their toughest opponents, probably have to make do with the role but they should not under- of potential mischief-makers. estimate UC Sampdoria, even though the Group E: AC and the rest Genoese club is strug- Notably missing from the UEFA gling in Serie A. Champions League, AC Milan will be FK Partizan from Bel- trying to console themselves by seizing grade are nostalgic their last opportunity to win the UEFA for their glorious past Cup. The assets that Silvio Berlusconi’s and will not have an club can put into play are well known, easy ride, even though but things do not always go to plan they are totally domi- on the field. That said, Kaká, Pato, nating the Serbian championship at the , Shevchenko, Pirlo and the moment. Meanwhile, R. Standard de likes should not have too much trouble Liège, who lost by a hair’s breadth getting through to the next round. against in the UEFA For the two other places at stake, Harry Champions League qualifiers Redknapp’s Portsmouth FC, with players before seeing Everton out of like Crouch, Defoe and Utaka, would seem to be well equipped to make it into the last 32, as should VfL Wolfsburg who, under the leadership of , are not losing many matches. Arthur Boka, Braga have not been particularly con- VfB Stuttgart’s attacking spicuous in their domestic championship left back. so far this season, but their presence at this stage of the UEFA Cup is none- theless proof of their potential. For all Stollarz/Bongarts/Getty Images that, they remain outsiders, as do SC Heerenveen from the Netherlands, who, it is worth remembering, trounced Vitoria Setubal in the previous round.

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Peter Crouch (9), Manuel Fernandes Despite losing a formidable breaks through his balance, asset up front the Maritimo defence Mark-Antoine for Portsmouth. for Valencia in Fortune still their UEFA Cup first manages to put round tie. the ball into the net for Nancy-Lorraine against

Getty Images Images Tuson/AFP/Getty Stuart/AFP/Getty Images Motherwell.

Group A Group B representative, MSK Zilina, must be Group H: CSKA Moskva and wishing that they had been luckier in Deportivo La Coruña well placed FC Schalke 04 SL Benfica the draw. PFC CSKA Moskva, winners of Paris St-Germain FC Olympiacos CFP the UEFA Cup in 2005, who are sitting Manchester City FC Galatasaray AS Group G: Valencia tower right behind Rubin Kazan at the top of Real Racing Club Hertha BSC Berlin above the rest the Russian championship, will be the FC Twente FC Metalist Kharkiv Bolstered by their European favourites in this group. Valeryi Gazzaev’s honours, as well as by their huge poten- team has some superb cards to put on Group C Group D tial, which has put them at the top of the table, in particular, in the form of the Sevilla FC Tottenham Hotspur FC the Spanish championship, Valencia CF Russian championship’s leading scorer, VfB Stuttgart FC Spartak Moskva do not seem to have any serious chal- the Brazilian Vagner Love. Despite aver- lengers. Unai Emery’s team did not lose a age results in the Spanish championship, UC Sampdoria Udinese Calcio single match in Spain in September and RC Deportivo La Coruña should make it FK Partizan NK Dinamo Zagreb are perceived as the bogeymen. The con- through this group, in which R. Standard de Liège NEC Nijmegen test for second place should, however, will certainly also be wanting a slice of be a very open affair. Although they do the cake. However, they will have to play Group E Group F not have the same resources, AS Saint- better than they have at the start of the AC Milan Hamburger SV Etienne will be dreaming of reviving their Dutch championship. The same applies SC Heerenveen AFC Ajax glorious past, while Norway’s represen- to AS Nancy-Lorraine, who are not really SC Braga SK Slavia Praha tatives, Rosenborg BK, can boast of a outstanding in the French championship Portsmouth FC Aston Villa FC wealth of experience in European compe- and will have to raise their game if they tition, even though they are not domi- are to make it through to the next round VfL Wolfsburg MSK Zilina nating the Norwegian football scene at of the UEFA Cup. Last but not least, Group G Group H the moment. Club Brugge KV remain up KKS Lech Poznan should take their among the best in , and the same chances daringly in the contest for third Valencia CF PFC CSKA Moskva could be said of FC København, coached place, which would appear to be a Club Brugge KV RC Deportivo La Coruña by Stale Solbakken, who managed to very open race. Rosenborg BK Feyenoord knock out FC Moskva. André Winckler FC København AS Nancy-Lorraine AS Saint-Etienne KKS Lech Poznan

Group F: a Jarolim family affair You need to be psychic to know who from among Hamburger SV, AFC Ajax and Aston Villa FC will top this group. However, one thing is for sure and that is that these three teams are clearly above the rest in this group. Hamburg have been riding high since the start of the season. From their position at the top of the Bundesliga, they are setting their sights even higher. Ajax, now coached by , are not hiding their ambitions, but their results in the Ere- divisie do not yet match those aspirations. For their part, Aston Villa and their charismatic coach, Martin O’Neill, have achieved some very good results in the English Premier League. That will proba- bly leave SK Slavia Praha to sweep up the crumbs. Their coach, Karel Jarolim, has his nephew Marek playing for him, while his son David wears the captain’s arm- Miralem Sulejmani

band for SV Hamburg. Finally, Slovakia’s makes his presence felt Isakovic/AFP/Getty Images in Ajax’s match against Borac in . 05 UEFAdirect-79-Nov.•E 17.10.200815:19Page6 subsequent knockoutstage. rights willbesoldcentrallyfrom the an official matchball.Thecommercial there willbeapresenting sponsorand rights willbemarketedcentrallyand stage ofthecompetition.Thebroadcast 48 teamscompetingin12groups atthis home andawaybasis.There willbe matches canbeplayedonatraditional groups offourinsteadfivesothat the group stagewillbefine-tuned,with stage fouryearsago.From 2009/10, began withtheintroduction ofagroup tion byitsrecent transformation,which the fresh impetusgiventothecompeti- September inBordeaux. Executive Committeeatitsmeetingin for thisnamechange,approved bythe 06 EUROPA LEAGUEFROMTHE2009/10SEASON. TO THEINTER-CITIESFAIRS CUP, THEUEFA CUPWILLBEKNOWNASTHEUEFA ORGANISED BYUEFA SINCETHE1971/72SEASONASASUCCESSOR uefadirect 11.08 UEFA EuropaLeague A brand-new UEFA Cupin1972. won thefirst Tottenham Hotspur The mainaimistoreinforce There are variousreasons Introducing the club competitionseason.Italsolooked and matchcalendarforthe2009/10 Committee approved thedrawsystem Coefficient calculations ions League. distinguish itclearlyfrom theChamp- competition trophy andincoloursthat nied byanewlogoinspired bythe League. a parallelwiththeUEFA Champions accentuates thegroup stageanddraws calling italeagueratherthancup all UEFA’s memberassociations,while the competitionisopentoclubsfrom intended toemphasisethefactthat forthenewnameis word “Europa”

Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images In addition,theExecutive The newnameisaccompa- The choiceoftheGreek a club’s coefficient. of theUEFA Cup)willcounttowards in thefirstqualifyinground (here, HerthaBerlinvNistruOtaci Qualifying matches look

PA Archive/PA Photos lower-ranked nationalassociations. UEFA competitionsbutcomefrom regularly achievegoodresults inthe This systemwillbenefitclubsthat coefficient calculationfrom 33to20%. association’s coefficient intheclub reduced theweightingof national coefficients, theExecutive Committee qualify forthefirstknockoutround. awarding fourpointstothe clubsthat group stagefrom three tofourandby points awarded foraplace inthe to 38byincreasing thenumber of the ceilinginChampionsLeague has been33.Thenewsystemraises Champions LeagueandUEFA Cup ber ofpointspossibleinboththeUEFA tions. Untilnow, themaximumnum- awarded ineachoftheclubcompeti- has alsoadjustedthenumberofpoints national associations. cients oftheclubsaswell points willcounttowards thecoeffi- for aplaceinthegroup stage).These League qualifyinground to2points for awininthefirstUEFA Europa per qualifyinground (from 0.25points a systemofnon-cumulativepoints Competitions Committee,optingfor group andsupportedbytheClub proposal submittedbyaworking Committee therefore adoptedthe association’s coefficient. TheExecutive for thecalculationofnational in thequalifyingrounds countonly coefficient ofzero. Anypointsearned the qualifyingrounds are leftwitha the factthatthoseknockedoutin the European ClubForum,torectify request from theclubs,backedby to thewaytheseare calculated. seeds anddecidedonafewchanges at thecoefficients whichdeterminethe Finally onthesubjectof The ExecutiveCommittee First ofall,itactedona UEFAdirect-79-Nov.•E 17.10.2008 15:19 Page 7

Solidarity forms a solid link between youth football and the UEFA Champions League. UEFA-pjwoods.ch UEFA-pjwoods.ch

The 38 other leagues shared UEFA Champions in just over EUR 7.5 million, again distributed according to their market values, but with each league guaran- League teed a minimum of EUR 166,700. Denmark 402 300 Proceeds go towards youth Austria 323 100 Poland 298 000 player development Switzerland 283 100 271 000 SOLIDARITY IS ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE DISTRIBUTION Israel 235 200 OF UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVENUE. Belgium 228 500 Republic of Ireland 223 200 Iceland 219 200 Logically, the clubs biggest share, EUR 36.1 million, is Hungary 213 000 taking part in the UEFA reserved for those that were repre- Cyprus 194 300 Champions League are sented and is divided up according to 190 000 the main beneficiaries of the market values of the countries Serbia 185 000 the income derived from concerned. Albania 182 700 the competition, but they For the 2007/08 season, Finland 180 000 are not the only ones to receive a share 15 leagues fell into this category and Slovenia 179 300 of the takings. The other beneficiaries received the following amounts: 177 400 include the top leagues of UEFA’s member Georgia 174 000 associations, which enjoyed a EUR Italy 6 609 000 Malta 173 500 43.6 million slice of the pie between England 6 562 000 Bosnia-Herzegovina 172 000 them for the 2007/08 season. Germany 4 205 000 Slovakia 171 300 The money they receive is Spain 3 946 000 Kazakhstan 170 100 intended only for clubs which did not 3 545 000 Armenia 169 900 take part in the UEFA Champions Netherlands 2 763 000 Lithuania 169 800 League (from the group stage), since 1 507 000 Latvia 169 800 the participating clubs already receive Turkey 1 411 000 Estonia 169 800 FYR Macedonia 169 700 shares related to their performance Scotland 1 209 000 Montenegro 169 000 in the competition and to the value of Norway 917 000 Belarus 168 500 their TV markets (see uefadirect No 75). Portugal 901 000 Azerbaijan 168 000 Romania 722 000 Moldova 167 200 Two categories 639 000 Northern Ireland 166 700 For the distribution to the top Ukraine 594 000 Wales 166 700 leagues, a distinction is made between Czech Republic 570 000 Faroe Islands 166 700 those that were represented in the UEFA Total EUR 36 100 000 166 700 Champions League and the rest. The Liechtenstein 166 700 Andorra 166 700 San Marino 166 700 Training programme TOTAL EUR 7 534 800

The payments are made through the It is up to the leagues whether all their clubs receive national associations, which transfer the whole a share or only those in the top division, and whether they all amount to their top leagues which, in turn, receive the same amount or whether quality-related criteria distribute the money according to UEFA’s require- come into play. It is also up to the leagues to decide whether ments, the main objective being that the money to draw up special rules to ensure that this money is used be spent on youth football. Consequently, for the purpose stipulated by UEFA. only clubs which run a youth training programme National associations which do not have a league in accordance with their UEFA-approved that is recognised by UEFA are responsible for distributing the national club licensing manual can expect to money themselves, according to the same requirements as

receive a share. Getty Images imposed on the leagues.

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Per Ravn Group Omdal discussions presents allow topics Luis Aragonés to be with a replica discussed in European more detail. Championship trophy. Conference for European National

A review ofCoaches EURO 2008

FOR ONCE, LUÍS ARAGONÉS DIDN’T READ THE GAME 100% CORRECTLY. AS CHAMPION OF EUROPE, HE WAS INVITED TO RETURN TO AS GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE 8TH UEFA CONFERENCE FOR EUROPEAN NATIONAL COACHES, HELD FROM 22 TO 24 SEPTEMBER.

He needed some persuading. have a bearing on player and team devel- lated to the 125 matches played during With his usual humility and pragmatism, opment. Debating points were triggered the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League. he pointed out that he was no longer by UEFA’s technical report, which was One of the tendencies to emerge was at the helm of the Spanish champions and launched at a conference where the start- a fall in the number of goals stemming that, in any case, the credit should go ing point was a review conducted by from set plays (the success rate from to the players. He needed yet more per- UEFA’s technical director, Andy Roxburgh. corners, for example, was 1 in 64), which suasion to take the stage. As a 31-match final tournament is prone could be attributable to better zonal Yet, although he admits that to statistical ‘accidents’, data were corre- defending and/or today’s high levels of he is not very good at showing emotions, he was visibly touched when Executive Committee member Per Ravn Omdal – who opened and closed the event with rousing speeches – presented him with a replica of the Henri Delaunay trophy. And he was equally emotional when it came to saying goodbye to his colleagues and heading back to his club duties at Fenerbahçe SK. It had been that sort of event – highly enriching from profes- sional and human perspectives.

Perfect scene It has to be said that the Austrian national association set the perfect scene for an event involving coaches and tech- nical directors from all 53 UEFA members. The fact that Slaven Bilic, , , Jerzy Engel, Josef Hickersberger, , Gérard Houllier, Köbi Kuhn, Morten Olsen, and Jozef Venglos were among those who appeared on stage speaks vol- umes for the quality of the gathering. The objective was to review EURO 2008 from a technical perspective

and to discuss any trends which might Photos: Sportsfile

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Carlos Alberto The delegations of the Parreira. finalist associations and representatives of the local organising committee at the draw in St Petersburg on 17 September. Fedev Kislyakov

‘espionage’ which all but eliminate the surprise factor. In the tactical sphere, the need News of current to master the art of counter-attacking and to make structural variations during the course of a game was among the salient competitions features to emerge from the EURO 2008 WHILE THE NATIONAL A TEAMS ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR 2010 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING review. However, the coaches underlined CAMPAIGNS, AND AS THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND UEFA CUP GET INTO THEIR the importance of mental strength in GROUP STAGES, COMPETITIONS ARE ALSO IN FULL SWING IN OTHER CATEGORIES. such a high-intensity competition – and this is where Andy Roxburgh’s session on In , the Group C: MFK Dinamo the last morning on “The Leadership Role first European Moskva, Araz Naxçivan (Azerbaijan), of the Top Coach” had great relevance. Under-21 Futsal MNK Nacional Zagreb (Croatia), “Training, management and leadership Tournament is nearing its final round. ACS Odorheiu Secuiesc (Romania) are three different things,” Andy Roxburgh After several months of patient waiting, Group D: Interviú Madrid, commented, “and at the top level, the the seven teams which qualified in April, SL Benfica (Portugal), Hapoel Ironi coach’s leadership qualities often make along with the host country, Russia, now Rishon Lezion (Israel), KMF Ekonomac the difference. Leaders inspire and influ- know who their final round opponents Kragujevac (Serbia) ence others and they are ready to take will be. The draw made in St Petersburg Mini-tournament hosts shown in bold. big decisions.” on 17 September placed the teams into The elite round matches take the two following groups: place between 8 and 16 November, Importance of the past Group A: Russia (hosts), Italy, with the four group winners going Another thought-provoking Croatia and Slovenia through to the final round in April presentation was made by Carlos Alberto Group B: Ukraine, Spain, next year. Parreira, who led Brazil to World Cup Netherlands and Kazakhstan ■ The FIFA U-20 Women’s victory in 1994 – their first title for 24 The group matches take place World Cup takes place from 19 Novem- years. His theme was preparing a team from 8 to 12 December, the semi-finals ber to 7 December at four venues in capable of winning it. “It is easy to forget on 13 December, and the final the next Chile (Santiago, Coquimbo, Chillán and how things have changed,” he remarked. day. The venue for all the matches is the Temuco). The draw made in Chile on “When Brazil won it in 1970, there were Yubileiny Palace of Sport in St Petersburg. 13 September placed the finalists into no players abroad and the national ■ In the UEFA Futsal Cup, the following groups: league stopped in February to give the the main round concluded Group A: Chile, England, national team five months to prepare.” in mid-September, with 12 New Zealand, Nigeria These days, that is unthinkable – and clubs (the six group winners Group B: China PR, Argentina, teams need to be prepared in a very limited and runners-up) going France, USA time. He also stressed the importance through to the elite round, where they Group C: Canada, Japan, of a country’s footballing culture and tra- are joined by the four clubs that qualified Congo DR, Germany ditions (something which Guus Hiddink automatically for this stage of the Group D: Mexico, Norway, said he treated as a priority when he competition (Russia’s two representa- Brazil, Korea DPR moved to Russia). “If you don’t know tives, MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg and The top two from each group the nation’s past,” commented Carlos MFK Dinamo Moskva, Spanish club qualify for the quarter-finals. Alberto, “it’s very difficult to have a Interviú Madrid and Kairat Almaty from vision of the future.” Kazakhstan). Austria’s Czech national team The draw for the elite round, coach, Karel Brückner, summarised the which was conducted at UEFA’s conference nicely. “There was a great headquarters in Nyon on 19 September, input of ideas, an atmosphere of dyna- divided the 16 teams into the four mism and motivation. You share experi- following groups: ences with your colleagues and, after- Group A: MFK Viz-Sinara wards, you benefit from them. But the Ekaterinburg (titleholders), FC Shakhtar important thing is to put the ideas into Donetsk (Ukraine), Luparense Calcio A5 practice. You can be given a recipe, but (Italy), Slov-Matic Fofo Bratislava (Slovakia) you have to cook the meal yourself.” Group B: Kairat Almaty, FK Era-Pack Sportsfile In Vienna, a rich menu was Chrudim (Czech Republic), Action 21 Norway are thrilled to have qualified

Photos: Sportsfile presented. Charleroi (Belgium), KMN Gorica (Slovenia) for the U20 World Cup.

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Germany A German v Brazil team on the in the podium is 2007 World also a familiar Cup final. sight in the UEFA Women’s Cup, which FFC Frankfurt won this year. Brandt/DDP/AFP Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images Niedermüller/Bongarts/Getty Images

Women’sThe Bundesliga football model

SIX EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, TWO WORLD CUPS, ONE WORLD CUP RUNNERS-UP SLOT, AND THREE OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALS: PLEXIGLAS PLAQUES LINE THE LOBBY OF THE GERMAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (DFB) IN FRANKFURT. ALL THE NATIONAL TEAMS’ SUCCESSES ARE RECORDED AND, DESPITE THEIR SHORT HISTORY, THE WOMEN’S LIST OF HONOURS IS IMPRESSIVE.

It has become customary for Women’s World Cups, won by Ger- “Heaven helps those who help them- the DFB to invite a female player to per- many, attracted audiences of up to selves.” The DFB spares no effort in its form the men’s cup competition draws, 12 million in a country of around 82 promotion of women’s football but the which are shown live on TV. It is a million. Cameras follow the women women’s game commands admiration tradition that the viewers seem to like. behind the scenes, at the hotel, get- on its own strength. It has become an The women’s cup final, which is played ting off the bus, etc. integral part of Germany’s sports out just before the men’s kicks off, Germans stopped scoffing scene. also attracts a good TV audience. ARD at women’s football a long time ago. and ZDF regularly broadcast women’s It is well established and popular; A proper Bundesliga matches. The 2003 and 2007 the women have earned their The federation gave women’s spurs; they are athletes who football the green light in 1970 and play attractive football. In front by 1990 had introduced a women’s of the microphone, they are Bundesliga. The teams were divided refreshing and intelligent. into two groups, from which the win- As amateurs, they work ners and the runners-up would go or study alongside their through to the semi-finals, ahead of football activities. the final. Seven years later, in 1997, “They deserve all the women’s Bundesliga was trans- the more credit formed into a single 12-team league, for that. Some comprising 22 matches and mirroring women players the men’s league. The women’s second can make a living from foot- division is still played in two 12-club ball but they don’t earn the leagues, north and south. kind of money that would Despite their day jobs or , let them retire when their academic commitments, the women a leading figure in playing days are over,” in the Bundesliga train once a day, women’s football DFB spokesman Niels or twice when they have time. 1. FFC in Germany, Barnhofer explains. Frankfurt – no relation to Eintracht beats Jessika Fishlock The women’s – have won the UEFA Women’s Cup of Wales to national team is par- three times. the ball. ticularly successful. According to the latest figures, the DFB has 1,002,605 women on the books. “For the last five years we have registered a 20% increase in membership each season. Girls enjoy playing. They tell their friends about it, who then join up themselves,” Niels Barnhofer says. “The national team is a real driving force. We want to take full advantage of hosting the 2011

Vogel/Bongarts/Getty Images Vogel/Bongarts/Getty Women’s World Cup to attract even

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A women’s -Meyer Renate Bundesliga and Lingor is match between are congratulated now on the Bayern by the DFB president, organising and FCR 2001 Theo Zwanziger, committee Duisburg. after Germany’s for the 2011 victory in the Women’s European Women’s World Cup. Championship in 2005. Heiniger/Bongarts/Getty Images Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images Baron/Bongarts/Getty Niedermüller/Bongarts/Getty Images

tant, Silvia Neid, who was called up to play for Germany 111 times. Other female ex-players coach the youth teams. The DFB employs two other female players. is on the 2011 Women’s World Cup organising committee, where she is responsible for marketing. She has just been joined by , who ended her playing career in Beijing. The famous Sportschau on ARD is also presented Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images by a woman, Monica Lierhaus. She more girls,” adds Hannelore Razteburg, The final of the German women’s cup between FC Sarrbrücken and FFC Frankfurt may never have played but her expert- vice-chairman of the UEFA and DFB played in Berlin in April this year. ise is undisputed. women’s football committees. “The Pascale Pierard year before we will be hosting the world Under-20 tournament. We want to ride the wave of the 2006 World Cup. Germany is centrally located. Hannelore Ratzeburg: We hope to welcome spectators from all over Europe, whether their national 37 years in football teams qualify or not.” If there is no women’s club in Having started in 1971, Hannelore Ratzeburg played through the the area, girls can train and play with the difficult early years of women’s football, but her faith and vision saw her boys until they reach 16. Clubs do not through. “When I became a referee I was jeered by children and their mind taking on girls, even though they parents, who wondered what a woman could possibly know about foot- know they will lose them to a women’s ball. I trained as a coach and then team at some stage. “A club that strug- moved into management roles. gles to offer good coaching in different I started by organising local football, age groups is under no obligation to in Hamburg. I’ve been on the DFB’s accept girls but I’ve never heard of girls board of directors since 1995. Since being turned away,” adds Barnhofer 2006 we have had a president who The DFB is not slackening its takes a close interest in women’s efforts. “We are trying to make the football.” Bundesliga as a whole more attractive. – What can be done to further The standard is high but the title improve the Bundesliga? contest is always between three or four – Tina Theune-Meyer invites the

clubs that are way out in front. Closer coaches to refresher courses twice a Stollarz/Bongarts/Getty Images competition would have a positive year. We also get together with the clubs every six months to discuss effect on the development of the how to improve communications, upgrade infrastructure, attract sponsors, players and on the suspense,” says Niels and so on. From the 2009/10 season, Bundesliga clubs will have to employ Barnhofer. a full-time coach responsible for all sporting aspects and an administrative director to look after the rest. You can’t contact sponsors at 8pm, after The key players they have finished work. Like the other DFB vice- – Do you look to any models abroad? presidents, Hannelore Ratzeburg has a – Outside Europe there aren’t any clubs. Football is part of the school specific area of activity – in her case, system in America. China prepares by playing friendlies all over the world. women’s football – as well as having a Lots of women in Brazil play football, but indoors. Scandinavia has always hand in all decisions regarding German been a model. football. The national women’s team – How are the various German national teams organised? has been coached by a woman since – The coaches work together. The players maintain the same style of 1996. On 1 August 2005, Tina Theune- play in all the age categories, which makes their integration easier. Meyer handed the reins to her assis- P.P.

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The Executive While he was still Committee chief executive of the meeting Scottish FA, David Taylor, in Bordeaux. now UEFA’s general secretary, presented the proposal to increase the number of EURO participants to the UEFA Congress in Düsseldorf. UEFA-pjwoods.ch UEFA-pjwoods.ch

From 4 to 24 Meetings and Launched in 1958 as the European Nations’ Cup, the first two editions of what is now known as the European Football other activities Championship ended in a four- team final round of semi-finals, EURO to be expanded to 24 teams third place play-off and final. In 1966, the cup became a THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING ON 25/26 SEPTEMBER WAS THE FIRST IN FRANCE championship with the introduc- tion of qualifying group matches. SINCE 2000 AND THE FIRST EVER IN BORDEAUX. The group stage was followed by quarter-finals, played home and The agenda for the meeting the Executive Committee to enlarge away. The final round remained chaired by the president, Michel Platini, the field to 24 participants. The chosen unchanged, with semi-finals, a was particularly full and several impor- format consists in a group stage with third place play-off and a final. tant decisions were taken over the two six groups, followed by a round of 16, All four matches (five in 1968, days. Among them was the decision quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final, when the final was replayed to extend the number of European generating a total of 51 games (com- following a draw) were held in the same country. Championship final round participants pared with 31 in 2008). This format has from 16 to 24 from EURO 2016 on- already been applied by FIFA for the wards. This decision marks the end of a 1986 to 1994 World Cups. Matches will process initiated at the UEFA Congress be played over 29 to 31 days, in eight in Düsseldorf in January 2007, when the to ten stadiums. Scottish Football Association, backed by the Republic of Ireland, Latvia and Play-offs Sweden, asked for a feasibility study There was no desire to sepa- into a 24-team final round. Since then, rate the qualifying round from the final the possibility of an increased intake tournament, bearing in mind the finan- has been looked at by an Executive cial significance of the qualifiers for the

Committee working group and the teams that fail to make it to the finals. Picturepoint/PA Photos Topham National Team Competitions Committee The value of these preliminary matches The 1968 final had to be played twice before Italy’s captain, , and discussed again at this year’s con- will be maintained, or even enhanced, was able to lift the trophy. gress before being fully endorsed at the as the traditional system of groups of meeting of presidents and general five or six teams (at least eight matches The format was not changed secretaries in Vienna in June. per team) will stand and the play-offs again until 1978-80, but finals The step was finally taken in between third-placed teams will create were not to be replayed, giving Bordeaux, with a unanimous decision by and sustain interest. rise to the famous penalty shootout between Czechoslovakia and West Germany in in 1976. In 1978-80, teams entered the final round straight from the qualifying groups. The eight teams were divided into two groups; the winners met in the final and the runners-up in the play-off for third place. In 1984, the final round was refined by reintroducing semi- finals after the group matches and getting rid of the third place play-off, which was of relatively little interest. The next transformation came

Action Images/Alex Morton in 1996, with a final round of 16 The widespread success of and group matches followed by EURO 2008 was not irrelevant quarter-finals, semi-finals and the in the decision to increase the number of final round final. This was the format still in participants from 2016. use for EURO 2008.

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In Bordeaux, UEFA Michel Platini is keeping and the UEFA a close eye delegation on the were received development by the of beach city’s mayor, soccer. Alain Juppé. UEFA-pjwoods.ch AFFA News from Protecting the integrity of football UEFA, the European Commis- Disciplinary sector to be reinforced sion and the World Heart Feder- ation got together at the British THE PHENOMENON OF BETS LINKED TO BRIBERY AND MATCH FIXING POSES school in Brussels on Monday, AN ALL TOO REAL THREAT TO FOOTBALL. 29 September to launch their jointly produced Eat for Goals! In response to this risk, UEFA UEFA’s member associations for 2007 has already set up an early warning revealed that 35 European countries cookery book. system for the matches in its compe- had beach soccer activities at the time, titions, but the increase in live betting though not necessarily organised and in the Asian betting market officially. In addition, 17 national asso- (including illegal betting) requires addi- ciations had incorporated beach tional measures to be taken. soccer into their programmes, although Consequently, the UEFA only 7 actually organised beach Executive Committee decided at its soccer events. meeting in Bordeaux to reinforce On this basis, the Executive UEFA’s disciplinary services by creating Committee decided that UEFA would

a special investigation unit and re- not organise any official beach soccer Lode Saidane cruiting two specialists and four addi- competition for the time being but tional disciplinary inspectors with would continue to monitor its develop- The event received wide media coverage. specific experience in criminal investi- ment and also examine the possibility gation and good police contacts. of recognising – under certain condi- At the launch, Androulla “We have not had an explosion of tions – the competitions currently Vassiliou, European Commissioner cases,” the UEFA general secretary, organised by Pro Beach Soccer, who for Health, Professor Pekka David Taylor, told .com, “but already manage various competitions Puska, president-elect of the World ➜

Topham Picturepoint/PA Photos Topham there have been instances recently in Europe. with new forms of betting which have Heart Federation, and William led us to a position where we don’t Gaillard, UEFA’s communications really have the resources to undertake director, helped a dozen pupils these investigations in an in-depth from the school make some of the manner.” The new unit will be capable of doing just that, benefitting also recipes featured in the book. from an improved early warning sys- Eat for Goals! is full of healthy, tem, particularly through establishing balanced recipes presented by 13 contacts with the Asian market. professional footballers, including Other measures are still under consideration, as is the possibility of , Steven Gerrard, extending the early warning system to Fabio Cannavaro and Birgit Prinz. all of UEFA’s member associations The book’s message is that a so as to be able to monitor betting on healthy lifestyle is also based on the domestic championships as well. healthy food. It contains detailed lists of the ingredients for each Beach soccer soars in popularity At its meeting in September, dish, as well as step-by-step the Futsal and Beach Soccer Com- cooking instructions, so that even mittee reviewed the development of the most inexperienced children beach soccer in Europe in order to can prepare balanced meals. present its conclusions and recom- The book also gives the nutritional mendations to the Executive Commit- Bozzani tee. A survey conducted among Respect is a key word in all UEFA’s activities. values of each recipe to help ➜

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The Women’s U17 final round will be staged ➜ reinforce the link between in Nyon in 2010, as well as in 2009. healthy food and good perfor- mance on the pitch. One of the book’s contri-

butors, Real Madrid striker Ruud UEFA-pjwoods.ch van Nistelrooy, believes that it is “vital that children have a ➜ ■ The UEFA club licensing ■ The Executive Committee healthy lifestyle based on manual has been converted into a set decided that the final round of the healthy food and exercise.” of regulations which came into force European Women’s Under-17 Champ- At the Eat for Goals! launch, on 1 October. The content is more or ionship in 2010, involving four less the same, although one important teams, will be organised by the UEFA Professor Pekka Puska drew difference is that the criterion “Racial administration in Nyon, Switzerland, attention to the fact that 20% Equality Practice” is no longer a recom- as it was at the end of its inaugural of all European children were mendation but an obligation and season this year and will be next currently overweight and subject to disciplinary measures if not year too. complied with. ■ Losing domestic cup stressed the importance of initia- ■ Since the FIFA Strategic finalists will still be able to play in the tives such as Eat for Goals! which Committee is now chaired by the FIFA UEFA Cup (UEFA Europa League) if “encourage healthy nutrition president and no longer by the UEFA the winners qualify for the UEFA and active lifestyles among child- president, the Executive Committee Champions League. In taking this ren and their parents in a fun amended UEFA’s Organisational Regula- decision, the Executive Committee tions to the effect that the Professional was anxious to stress the importance and inspirational way.” Football Strategy Council is now chaired of the domestic cup competitions The European Commissioner by the UEFA president. and to preserve their appeal. for Health, Androulla Vassiliou, understandably shared this sense of satisfaction. Surrounded by EUR 600,000 contribution to Moldova children and clearly enjoying At its meeting in Bordeaux, the Executive Committee approved a herself, Ms Vassiliou said she had request for aid from of Moldova and agreed to “no doubt” that this book make a contribution of EUR 600,000 towards the repair of the Vadul- lui-Voda training centre, which was severely damaged by floods in the would “score goals with young summer. The centre was built only recently, with the help of money Europeans.” from UEFA’s HatTrick programme. “The world of football has Following the recommendation of the Fair Play and Social long inspired people of all ages Responsibility Committee, the Executive Committee also decided to make a contribution towards offsetting carbon and both sexes to exercise. It has emissions produced by flights used by UEFA (committee now set out to inspire them members, staff, referees, delegates, etc.) during the 2009/10 to eat well too,” said William season. This contribution will support renewable energy projects. Gaillard. For 2007, this would have amounted to a contribution of EUR 280,000. In another eco-friendly decision, the Executive Committee granted Eat for Goals! is designed additional funds for the construction of UEFA’s new office building in to encourage Europeans to keep Nyon, so that it can meet strict standards in terms of energy consumption fit and healthy by alerting and environmental impact. children and their families to the Finally, the Executive Committee noted that the Score for the Red importance of exercise and Cross campaign conducted during EURO 2008 collected more than EUR 500,000 for the victims of landmines in Afghanistan. German sup- healthy eating. porters were the most generous in the contest launched on the internet The book is available in to designate Europe’s humanitarian champions. French, German and English and costs EUR 12.90. It can For each goal scored be ordered online from during EURO 2008, the publisher’s website, UEFA contributed www.falkemedia-shop.de. For EUR 4,000 each book sold, EUR 1 will be to the Score for the donated to World Heart Federa- Red Cross campaign. tion programmes encouraging UEFA-pjwoods.ch children to be physically active.

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Poland’s representatives, Poland and Dolnoslaski, won the Ukraine confirmed UEFA Regions' Cup in 2007. as EURO 2012 hosts At its meeting in Bordeaux, the Executive Committee re- Sportsfile confirmed UEFA’s commitment to organising EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, as decided at its meeting in Cardiff in 2007. UEFA Regions’ Cup – Preliminary round concludes It did so after having carefully The first phase of the 2008/09 UEFA Regions’ Cup concluded at the end examined a report on the state of of September with three teams qualifying for the intermediate round. preparations in the two countries, Of the three teams which hosted mini-tournaments in the preliminary round, only to which the UEFA president had San Marino’s representatives managed to play the home advantage and, led a delegation at the beginning by the same stroke, achieved the first triumph of a team from San Marino of July. in a UEFA mini-tournament.The other two mini-tournament winners were Malta AMA and Marmara Region AMA (Turkey), who therefore also go through to the intermediate round. The competition schedule is designed to be flexible in order to make it as easy as possible for the amateur teams involved to programme their matches. This explains why the intermediate round began even before the preliminary round was over, with four of eight intermediate round groups already over and done with at the end of September/beginning of October. Consequently, Zagreb AMA (Croatia), Privolzhie AMA (Russia), Oltenia AMA (Romania) and Bratislava AMA (Slovakia) are already through to the final round, which will be hosted by of one of the finalists. UEFA-pjwoods.ch Michal Listkiewicz and Grigoriy Surkis, presidents of the FAs of Poland and Ukraine respectively, on the day their associations were designated as hosts of EURO 2012.

The Executive Committee took note of the progress achieved, as well as of what remained to be done, and issued a news release at the end of the meeting which stated that: ■ “Both host countries must continue to make the necessary efforts as any slackening could put in doubt the organisation of this tournament in these countries. ■ “UEFA will decide how many and which stadiums (and therefore cities) will be used as venues for the competition, with Sportsfile a minimum of six and maximum A flexible schedule to allow amateur footballers to organise their matches as conveniently as possible. of eight, taking into account that contracts have been signed with eight stadiums, cities and Blind-futsal seminar coaching and refereeing skills required airports. held in Moscow for blind futsal. ■ “There will not necessarily At the beginning of be the same number of venues October, 75 blind-futsal coaches Obituary (cities) per country. and referees gathered in Moscow On 17 September, while on ■ “The completion of the Kiev and Warsaw stadiums for a seminar organised as part duty in Madrid as match delegate remains an essential element of the International Blind Sports for the UEFA Champions League tie of the whole project. Federation’s Futsal Development between Real Madrid CF and FC BATE ■ “The governments of Project Europe, which UEFA is Borisov, Heinz Fahnler (Austria) died both countries must support sponsoring. suddenly. He was 66. A former inter- their national associations and Other seminars of this kind national referee, he was a member of fulfil the commitments they will take place in Turkey and Croatia. UEFA’s Security Officers Panel from gave to UEFA in the scope of the The participants, who came 2000 to 2004. As a match delegate, project, notably concerning from Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia he represented UEFA at more than accommodation and transport and Ukraine, received training in the 200 European competition matches. infrastructures.”

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N EWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

These went to the state secretary for sports, coach of SV Ried), Walter Weiss (manager of Reinhold Lopatka, on behalf of the federal the stadium) and Manfred Pock government; the Austrian tournament director, (CEO of Sportpark Klagenfurt GmbH). Christian Schmölzer, for Euro 2008 SA; the In addition, the ÖFB entertained numerous USTRIA deputy mayor of Vienna, Grete Laska, for the sponsors and partners, as well as media repre- A host cities; and the general secretary of the sentatives from TV, radio and print, at the suc- • PETER KLINGLMÜLLER • Swiss Football Association, Peter Gilliéron, for cessful final gala at the Kursalon. Austria’s co-hosts for the European Champ- The eighth UEFA Conference for European ionship finals in June. National Coaches also took place in Vienna. Final EURO fling in Vienna Just some of the other people who were It coincided with the gala and was supported On 22 September, the Austrian Football honoured, or who honoured the ÖFB with their organisationally by the ÖFB. Hence, for one last Association (ÖFB) opened the doors to its foot- presence, at the European Championship final time, EURO 2008 took centre stage in the ball embassy in Vienna’s Kursalon concert hall in gala were Beppo Mauhart (ÖFB honorary presi- Austrian capital, which was again transformed the city park for one last time. Over 150 guests dent and co-founder of 2008 – Österreich am into a hub for the world of football. ■ took up the invitation to the European Champ- Ball), Heinz Palme (CEO of 2008 – Österreich ionship final gala, which offered culinary treats am Ball), Elmar Oberhauser (ORF information from Switzerland and Austria, plus an excellent director), Hans Peter Trost (managing director programme of entertainment. of sports productions at ORF), Günter Marek, The event was an opportunity for the ÖFB Major General Karl Mahrer and Colonel Josef to thank once again the many people who had Binder (all as representatives of the executive), made a decisive contribution to the success of Georg Springer (CEO of Bundestheater-Holding Austria’s EURO 2008 bid, preparation and reali- and dedicated EURO ambassador), Wolfgang sation. In the presence of the general secretary, Gramann (former general secretary of the ÖFB Alfred Ludwig, and many high-ranking ÖFB and former EURO tournament director), Hans officials, as well as the coaching staff of the Rinner (chairman of SK Sturm ), Peter national A team (Karel Brückner, Andreas Herzog, Michael Reichel (chairman of LASK Linz), Werner

Jan Kocian, Klaus Lindenberger), Under-21s Kuhn (general manager of SK Rapid Wien), GEPA-Pictures (Manfred Zsak) and Under-20s (Andreas Heraf), Oliver Kreuzer (future sporting director of SK One last outing for the EURO 2008 mascots, the association president, Friedrich Stickler, Sturm Graz), Paul Gludovatz (long-serving, Trix and Flix, here with some of the gala singled out a selection for special honours. successful ÖFB youth coach and current head participants.

and the Pro Beach Soccer general manager, the passion of Red Devils’ supporters. Their role Gabino Renales, all participated in the awards is crucial, as we are reminded by Leo Van der ceremony. Spanish goalkeeper Roberto Valeiro Elst, former Red Devil and co-founder of the “We Mato snatched the individual goalkeeper Believe” campaign: “I know how important it is AZERBAIJAN trophy, Dejan Stankovic from Switzerland was to have the support of the 12th man. Without named top scorer for his eight goals, and a doubt the highlight for me at the 1986 World • FIRUZ ABDULLA • Nikolas Alvarado was rewarded for his efforts Cup was my penalty shootout goal in the quarter- with the award for most valuable player at final against Spain, but I will never forget the Euro Beach Soccer Cup in Baku the Euro Beach Soccer Cup. The AFFA vice- reception we got from the tens of thousands of The Association of Football Federations of president, Elshad Nasirov, presented the champ- fans on the Grand-Place in Brussels when we Azerbaijan (AFFA), together with the Azerbaijan ions’ cup to Spain. ■ got back to Belgium either.” Beach Soccer Federation, selected Baku to host Roland Louf, director of marketing and com- the 2008 Euro Beach Soccer Cup. munication at the Belgian FA, is conducting the The general secretary of the AFFA, Elkhan initiative together with Christian Reniers, who for Mammadov, entered into negotiations with several years has been at the helm of the Belgian Pro Beach Soccer in Barcelona, Spain, and Business Club at PSV Eindhoven, among other after talks they made the decision to hold the things. “The launch of the campaign for the Euro Beach Soccer Cup in Baku from 18 to 2010 World Cup is an opportunity for everybody 21 September. BELGIUM to confirm their support in the Red Devils. Powerful media tools (TV spots, adverts in news- • PIERRE CORNEZ • papers and magazines, poster campaign, etc) have been implemented with our media partners “We Believe” to make sure this project is a success, while the 28 August marked the start of a new cam- www.webelieve.be website and other activities paign by the Belgian Football Association, entitled are also in the pipeline,” said Louf. “We Believe”. The launch came a few days before A few weeks after the campaign launch, the Red Devils kicked off their qualifying cam- the Red Devils’ good results in their first two paign for the 2010 World Cup and was destined qualifying matches added to the new, positive to reunite all the Belgian supporters behind the impetus behind . Seeing the national team by appealing to the Legends Foun- national A team with four out of a possible six dation, a group of renowned Belgian ex-interna- points, and having also witnessed the achieve- tionals who vigorously support the We Believe ini- ments of the country’s young players at the tiative. Better than anyone, these luminaries know Olympic Games in Beijing, Belgian supporters

AFFA how important it is to be able to rely on the have more confidence than ever in their foot- The trophy is presented. unconditional support of the 12th man, especially ballers. Looking to the future, it is safe to say, at a time when the national team, and Belgian “We Believe!”. ■ Azerbaijan, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, England football in general, are having trouble reproducing and Norway met at this year’s Euro Beach Soccer the success they once enjoyed. Cup, which was held at the Dalgha stadium Twelve famous former Red Devils have agreed built by the AFFA in Mardakan, just outside to be the faces of the campaign: , Baku. The Spaniards scored two goals and con- Eric Deflandre, , Georges Grün, Luc ceded none in the final against Switzerland, Nilis, , , Erwin Vanden- meaning they could lift the Euro Beach Soccer bergh, , , Paul Cup for the second time. Azerbaijan clinched Van Himst and . Other former third place. players may soon follow suit. In addition, top The awards ceremony took place after the Belgian referees such as Frank De Bleeckere and final between Spain and Switzerland. The com- Jérôme Efong Nzolo, and even Belgium’s leg- petitions department of Pro Beach Soccer endary harmonica player, Toots Thielemans, are selected the best goalkeeper, player and scorer backing the initiative. They too may be joined by of the tournament. The AFFA vice-president, other famous faces in the coming months. Elshad Nasirov, the AFFA general secretary, By getting involved in this project, these big Elkhan Mammadov, the president of the Azer- names want to show that they believe in the The campaign poster featuring the 12 former baijan Beach Soccer Federation, Farid Novruzi, future of Belgian football and want to rekindle Red Devils who are supporting “We Believe”.

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The Under-21 national team, under Branimir coverage of football Tulic’s leadership, have completed their quali- to bring multiple fiers in Group 10 with matches against Roma- benefits. nia and France. They drew 1-1 with Romania in This year we celebrate OSNIA ERZEGOVINA Zenica, but lost 1-0 against France in the Bos- the 70th anniversary of B -H nian capital. Tulic has led the team through their the first international • FUAD KRVAVAC • last three matches – against Wales, Romania women’s football and France – and brought in players in readi- match played in 1938 National team achieve remarkable win ness for the next qualifying round who stood in Zagreb between up well in those three matches. The Under-21s teams from Zagreb Despite losing against Spain by a narrow finished fourth in the group, with four points. and Brno. The only margin of 1-0 away in Murcia, the Bosnia-Herze- The Football Federation of Bosnia and HNS surviving player of the govina national team have nonetheless made a Herzegovina has hosted two qualifying tour- Blanka Ziger, home team, 86-year- successful start to the 2010 World Cup qualifiers naments in , at the Grbavica and the last survivor of old Blanka Ziger, joined in Group 5. Just four days after the match in SC Slavija stadiums. For the first, for the UEFA the 1938 match. in the celebrations. Spain, Miroslav Blazevic’s team beat Estonia with Women’s Cup, SFK 2000 Sarajevo, Bosnian Women’s football in Croatia has a long tra- a record 7-0 win, the highest score ever since the champions, welcomed Universitet Vitebsk dition but has never reached the standard we Bosnia-Herzegovina national team came into (Belarus), FC Zurich Frauen (Switzerland) and would wish for. This anniversary is an opportu- being. Zvjezdan Misimovic scored a hat-trick, his Galway LFC (Republic of Ireland). FC Zurich nity to define a programme for increasing the second for the national team, having performed Frauen won the tournament with seven points, development of women’s football. the same feat in the national team’s 5-3 defeat ahead of Galway LFC and Universitet Vitebsk, We recently hosted an intermediate round in a friendly against Croatia in Sarajevo last year. each on four points, while the hosts managed mini-tournament in the 6th UEFA Regions’ Cup. The only other player to score a hat-trick so far only one point, to finish bottom of the group. This season our representatives are the region has been Elvir Bolic, who also did so against Esto- The women’s national Under-19 team then of Zagreb, who won all three of their matches nia, in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s 4-1 win in Tallinn played host to Russia, Hungary and Moldova. and have therefore – as winners of Group 3 – during the EURO 2000 qualifying campaign. They lost their first match 9-3 against Hungary, qualified for the final round in 2009. Apart from this record-breaking latest win against and then lost 4-0 against Russia. However, in Our Under-21 national futsal team have Estonia, it is equally pleasing that the fans are the match against Moldova for third place, they qualified for the final round of their European really behind the national team again. won 10-0. Lidija Kulis scored seven times against competition, scheduled to be played in St Moldova, as well as notching up a hat-trick Petersburg, Russia, for which they have been against Hungary. Hungary won the group with drawn into the same group as Russia, Italy nine points, ahead of Russia (six points), Bosnia- and Slovenia. Futsal club MNK Nacional from Herzegovina (three points) and Moldova. Zagreb have celebrated their first successes and The Bosnian Under-17 team have been com- will host an elite round mini-tournament in peting too, taking part in a European qualifying the UEFA Futsal Cup. tournament in Hungary with the hosts, the Improved youth work in clubs is clearly Czech Republic and Georgia. Velimir Stojnic’s reaping benefits, as the quality of the youth squad, who have managed to reach the elite leagues can be seen to be improving. round in each of the past two seasons, lost all During the 2008 UEFA Summer of Grass- three of their matches this time, against the roots event in Croatia, improvements were Czech Republic (2-1), Hungary (1-0), and Georgia seen in all areas of activity. The number of par- (1-0). The Czech Republic (seven points) and ticipants is increasing, as is the diversity of Hungary (five) go through to the elite round, the events organised. F.Krvavac while Georgia finished on four points and Bosnia- The Romany population in Croatia is Another hat-trick for Zvjezdan Misimovic! Herzegovina did not earn a single point at all. ■ successfully developing football activities. They have organised a second European futsal championship, which was won by Bosnia- Herzegovina, who defeated Slovenia in the finals. The Croatian Football Federation sup- a date for a BFU general meeting. Given the ports these activities. ■ scandals that have rocked Bulgarian football recently, he felt that he needed a vote of confidence from BFU member clubs in order ULGARIA to continue his work as a leader of Bulgarian B football. • BORISLAV KONSTANTINOV • The date and agenda for the BFU general meeting will be decided at the next BFU exec- Bulgarian referees utive committee meeting, scheduled to take elect new chairman place at the beginning of November. ■ ENGLAND The recent protests and investigations • ED COAN • regarding Bulgarian football referees resulted in an important move by the executive com- The house The FA built mittee of the (BFU), which responded to these events by deciding is now a home to disband the current referees committee The FA recently attended the official open- and empowering the referees to elect a new ing of an SOS Children’s Village in Rustenburg, referees committee chairman themselves. Over South Africa – one of the ‘Six Villages for 180 referees who officiate in the professional CROATIA 2006’ legacy programme from the 2006 FIFA A and B divisions participated in the meeting • ANTE PAVLOVIC • World Cup. to elect a new chairman and after a nearly SOS Children’s Villages operate in 135 coun- two-hour discussion they nominated Dimo tries around the world, and give abandoned, Momirov, a former referee with a lot of “I love football” project launched orphaned or vulnerable children a new family, domestic and international experience. Varna- The new first division season began with a permanent home and a sound basis for an born Momirov refereed 217 games in the the launch of a project called “I love football”. independent adult life. Bulgarian first and second divisions and 34 League matches are being played on Sun- Within the Rustenburg Village, The FA has international matches during his career as a days, with the most interesting match kicking off funded the building of a complete house, now professional referee. Following his appoint- in the evening and receiving live TV coverage. home to the mother of the household, Kedibone ment, Momirov presented his candidates for All the other matches are played in the afternoon Molehabangwe, her assistant, Bitsang Nkwe, membership of the referees committee, and kick off simultaneously. Croatian Radiotelevi- and the six children in their care. which the BFU’s executive committee quickly sion follows all of these matches and shows the The village – and The FA house – were offi- approved, thereby appeasing the football goals live, as well as all the other crucial pieces cially opened at a ceremony on Wednesday, 24 community and resolving the scandal. of action. The fans have accepted this kind of September, fittingly South Africa’s Heritage Day, During the same executive committee match broadcasting and are showing a great when the country celebrates its multifaceted meeting, Borislav Mihailov, president of the BFU, interest in this kind of production. The main cultural heritage. vice-chairman of UEFA’s Referees Committee commentators are assisted in the commentary The opening of the SOS Children’s Village and a member of FIFA’s Referees Committee, box by famous former players, which adds to the in Rustenburg was attended by the FA’s ambas- requested that the executive committee set overall positive impression. We expect this wide sador, Gary Mabbutt, who also spoke at the ➜

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FINLAND • MIKAEL ERÄVUORI • Möller Nielsen honoured by Finnish FA The former head coach of the national teams of Denmark, Finland and Israel, Richard

Möller Nielsen, is still warmly remembered in SPL Finland. Möller Nielsen, who was in charge Richard Möller Nielsen with Juhani Peltonen (left) of the Finnish national team from 1996 to and Ari Hjelm. 1999, has now received a rare honour from the Finnish FA by being given the title of Finnish FA started the practise of naming “Gladiator” in August. This is an honorary Gladiators in connection with every national title granted to notable Finnish players team home match. Möller Nielsen was given or other people who have done exceptional the title alongside two legendary Finnish work for the benefit of Finnish football. players, Juhani Peltonen and Ari Hjelm, before The Gladiator tradition dates back to the Finland v Israel game in August. The FA 2000, when Mixu Paatelainen was named So far, 22 Gladiators have been named Gary Mabbutt with the family who live Honorary Gladiator after retiring from inter- and Möller Nielsen is the only foreigner to in the house provided by The FA. national football. A few years later, the have received the title. ■ ➜ opening ceremony: “The village here in Rusten- burg is testament to the efforts of many diverse groups working together to create a stable and loving family environment for the children who live here. “The FA is proud to have played its part in created here. I am the head coach of the the construction of one of the family homes Georgia national A team, I live in Georgia and which is now up and running. This project really I want there to be peace here. I hope that the does highlight the power of football to give hope to people around the world and to bring situation will be improved with the involvement people together to achieve a common goal.” GEORGIA of the international community,” said Héctor Raúl Cúper. ■ Gary’s former club, Tottenham Hotspur FC, LASHA GODUADZE has also funded a house in the Rustenburg SOS • • Children’s Village. ■ Charity fair in Gori The president of the Georgian Football Federation (GFF), Nodar Akhalkatsi, member of the GFF Executive Committee Koba Subeliani, and the head coach of the Georgian national A team, Héctor Raúl Cúper, visited the refugee camp in Gori on 22 September. Nodar Akhalkatsi, Koba Subeliani and Héctor Raúl Cúper gave the refugees GFF scarves, FAROE ISLANDS T-shirts, balls and playing kits. “The Georgian Football Federation has • INGI SAMUELSEN • carried out several projects for the refugees and will continue to help in this way. We will Faroe Islands looking try our best to provide assistance to the for a new coach refugees and give them an opportunity to The Faroe Islands’ national coach, Jógvan attend Georgia national team home matches Martin Olsen, 47, has resigned. He made this in October 2008,” said Nodar Akhalkatsi.

announcement at a press conference on 29 Sep- “It is very important for children to feel GFF tember, when the squad for the World Cup quali- safe. In spite of the fact that I am not a citizen Nodar Akhalkatsi and Hector Raul Cuper fiers against Austria of Georgia, I worry about the tense situation during their visit to the Gori camp. and Lithuania in Octo- ber was announced. Olsen left the job after the matches in Octo- ber had been played. “I see the task of introducing a new on German TV and via the live stream on generation of foot- www.dfb.de, the German Football Associa-

ballers into the team FSF tion’s official website. as almost complete, The association has already significantly and I think that the Mission accomplished for Jogvan Martin Olsen. GERMANY increased its coverage of the national women’s team needs another team, women’s Bundesliga and World Cup coach now. Personally, I want to find new chal- • THOMAS HACKBARTH • preparations. Every day, previews and match lenges. Therefore, I have accepted an offer to reports from the Bundesliga, as well as back- join the pro licence training of the Danish FA, Even more women’s football ground articles and profiles of the players on which starts in December,” Olsen announced When it came to announcing the nine the national women’s team, are published on at the press conference. cities selected as 2011 Women’s World Cup www.dfb.de. It is the leading German website Jógvan Martin Olsen has been part of the Faroese national teams since 1994, when he venues, the German chancellor, Dr Angela for the latest news on women’s football. The became coach of the Under-17 team. Before Merkel, was quick to step forward as host. women’s national team will be competing on taking on the role of head coach, he was assistant At the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, on 30 home turf for their third consecutive World coach to the national team, together with both September, Augsburg, Bochum, Dresden, Cup win – an incredible feat. Highlights of Allan Simonsen and Henrik Larsen. Frankfurt, Leverkusen, Mönchengladbach, international games are available worldwide The Faroese Football Assosiation wishes to Sinsheim, Wolfsburg and the capital, Berlin, on the website’s DFB TV, as are video reports thank Jógvan Martin Olsen for his cooperation were presented as the host cities. Millions from the women’s Bundesliga, which are also and wishes him all the best for the future. ■ watched the afternoon’s announcement live provided in English. ■

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N EWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

HUNGARY LITHUANIA • MARTON DINNYÉS • • VAIVA ZIZAITE • 80,000 children to join football A big football spirit family For all of last month, Lithuanian streets were The future of Hungarian youth football alive with a big football fiesta known as the was in the spotlight as the Hungarian FA (HFF) Streets Football Tournament Nike 3x3. The main LFF founded the Hungarian Children’s Football Fed- prize for the winners was the chance to travel A delegation learns more about the with the Lithuanian national team to their eration (HCFF), which is constitutionally linked Norwegian model. to the HFF but has independent legal status. World Cup qualifying match against Serbia. The tournament was played each weekend At the HCFF’s first congress, in September, During their stay the participating delega- in various cities around Lithuania. The final István Kisteleki, president of the HFF and one stage was held in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, of the founders of the new federation, said that tions also attended training sessions for boys and the winners were a team from Klaipeda. it would take a lot of responsibility for primary and girls at Valerenga IF and Skeid Fotball, as Four players from Klaipeda‘s squad therefore and secondary school football. well as visiting the Norwegian FA’s headquarters had the great opportunity to see how the Serbia at the Ullevaall stadium in Oslo. ■ v Lithuania match was organised and to watch the game in the , flying the Lithuanian flag.

LIECHTENSTEIN • JUDITH FROMMELT •

LFV hosts Under-17 qualifying round mlsz.hu From 18 to 23 September, the Liechtenstein LFF The general meeting of the new children’s Football Association (LFV) played host to Group The tournament winners. football association. 1 in the European Under-17 Championship qualifying round. As well as neighbours Austria, In total there were over 1,000 participants During the general meeting it was an- the group included Belgium and Northern from over 200 teams in the tournament. nounced that OMV, the leading integrated oil Ireland. “We can be sure, and we can say out loud, and gas company in central Europe, would Austria emerged from their three matches that football is arriving on all the streets of Lithuan- finance children’s football through the OLLÉ as the outright group winners, earning them ian cities. Amateur football is not only making a OMV programme and in future would be the a place in the elite qualifying round, together comeback; it is reaching the highest levels. It‘s naming sponsor of the tournament. About with runners-up Belgium. The matches were really nice to know that lots of young people 30,000 children from 500 schools are expected played in Eschen and Vaduz. Facing strong are connected by one big football spirit,” the manager of the project, Vaidotas Rastenis, said. to take part in the children’s football tourna- European opponents was, as ever, a great chal- lenge and an amazing opportunity for the Mykolas Sevcenka, chief of Nike’s marketing ment this year; the goal is to get 80,000 chil- department, said, “the Streets Football Tourna- dren involved in football by 2010. Liechtenstein team. Competing against their peers is a valuable and unforgettable experi- ment Nike 3x3 proved once again that there The delegates elected the Hungarian Chil- are lots of young people from small cities who dren’s Football Federation members, supervisory ence for every young player. The tournament was expertly supervised really like football. Football is starting to grow committee and honorary chairman. Dr János and assisted by delegates Gaetano Degabriele not only in the biggest cities of the country. We ■ Lendvai will be the president of the HCFF. (Malta) and Jozef Marko (Slovakia). The referees hope that this tournament will become a nice from Andorra, Moldova, the Czech Republic tradition in the future. The passion for football and Switzerland also gained valuable experi- must stimulate young people to aim for the ence that will benefit them in their careers. highest levels in sport, not only in football,” For the association it was also interesting Mykolas Sevcenka said. ■ to realise everything that still has to be organ- ised, planned and taken into account for the Under-17 Championship final round in two years’ time. We are already looking forward to the tournament and to welcoming all the teams, delegates, referees and spectators to LATVIA Liechtenstein. ■ • VIKTORS SOPIRINS • Grassroots study group in Oslo LUXEMBOURG Delegations from the Latvian, Lithuanian • JOËL WOLFF • and Belarussian football associations participated in a UEFA grassroots study group in Oslo Football academy and HQ undergo organised by the Norwegian Football Association. expansion During the four-day programme, the associa- Luxembourg’s 2-1 win against Switzerland tions discussed important ideas for promoting in their 2010 World Cup qualifying match in grassroots football in these countries and the Zurich on 10 September caused quite a sensa- whole of Europe. tion in international football. Norway has had a lot of success in building The result marks a new high point in the football infrastructure all over the country, so continuous youth development that the Luxem- their experience could be useful in implementing bourg Football Federation (FLF) has engaged in grassroots programmes in Latvia, for example for a number of years. It is interesting to note building mini-pitches, organising voluntary LFV that five of the starting 11 for the Zurich match work in clubs, and much more. Liechtenstein v Austria. are still eligible for the Under-21 team. ➜

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N EWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

UEFA Referees Committee, was the main speaker. His excellent presentation on different aspects of the Laws of the Game focused particularly on situations during the EURO 2008 tourna- ALTA ment in Austria and Switzerland. M During the three days of lectures, backed • ALEX VELLA • by filmed clips, interesting discussions ensued, with the numerous participants making a useful Updating referees contribution.

FLF Workshops followed, with groups dealing The Malta FA Referees Board, in collabora- with aspects of the offside law, the advantage The Luxembourg U17 team. tion with UEFA, recently held a seminar at rule and the essential cooperation between Centenary Hall, the association’s main centre ➜ referees and their assistants in the light of the With the founding of its football academy for meetings. This is a regular activity on the modern communication systems now being almost ten years ago, the association took on board’s annual calendar intended to update used. a role that, for obvious reasons, the country’s referees and assistant referees on the latest The seminar, under the direction of Tom amateur clubs are unable to perform – namely interpretation of certain Laws of the Game and A. Restall, chief instructor and secretary of the the systematic training, by qualified experts, of how to deal with certain episodes when con- Malta FA’s Referees Board, also included a Luxembourg’s most talented young players. trolling a match. lecture by Adele Muscat on sports psychology Since the start of the current season, the Jaap Uilenberg from the Netherlands, a for- for referees, a theme which sparked a lot of football school’s activities have been expanded. mer FIFA referee and currently a member of the interest. The best players between the ages of 14 and The president of the Malta FA, Joseph 21 now train and play from Monday to Thurs- Mifsud, stressed the importance of such UEFA- day every week, in four teams (Under-15, assisted seminars, saying that these activities Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21) overseen are bound to help towards having more compe- by the association. At weekends they can then tent people in charge of matches. ■ join their clubs. In addition, a significant number of them are enrolled in a new state school specialising in sport, where they also have the possibility of two training sessions a day. The recent qualification of the Under-17s for the elite round of the 2008/09 European U17 Championship (win against Andorra and draws with Greece and the Republic of Ireland) is another indication that the FLF is on the right track. NETHERLANDS In a parallel move, the association is plan- ning to expand its premises, which also house • ROB DE LEEDE • the football academy. A steady increase in tech- nical and organisational activities has made Regional training for Under-11s expansion unavoidable. The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) Within the framework of the UEFA assis- started a range of regional training sessions tance programme, the FLF has already prepared for talented Under-11 players throughout the a financial and technical expansion plan. It country on 1 October. The official kick-off in expects the multifunctional, modern building the small village of Vollenhove was supervised to be completed by the end of 2010. by the successful Dutch Under-21 coach Foppe The association is confident that these de Haan, who led his team to the European measures will help Luxembourg football continue D.Aquilina title in 2006 and 2007. to raise its game and achieve the recognition it Joe Attard, an international referee from deserves, at home and abroad. ■ the Malta FA.

These good performances secured them second place in the group and allow them to go into the second round with great hopes. All of these tournaments took place in Stru- ACEDONIA mica and Turnovo. FYR M October is the month when the national • ZORAN NIKOLOVSKI • team of FYR Macedonia played their first inter-

national match, which took place 15 years ago, Soenar Chamid/KNVB A busy month on 13 October, when they defeated Slovenia Expert advice for aspiring young footballers 4-1 in a match played in Kranj. The first scorer for from Foppe de Haan. September was a very busy time for the the new national team was Zoran Boshkovski- Football Association of FYR Macedonia (FFM). Coko. This is a nice anniversary to mark as the The regional training setup consists of The national team had a very tough start national team prepare for their World Cup 12 additional sessions of 75 minutes each for to its 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, qualifier against Iceland in Reykjavik, which will boys and girls who have been judged as gifted with matches against Scotland and the Nether- be the national team’s 133rd match. ■ by their respective club coaches. The new set- lands. Although the results were satisfactory up provides additional training and coaching (one win and one defeat), the FFM experienced with the best players of the same age from the some organisational difficulties, especially for same area. At the same time, these children the match against the Netherlands. Because remain full members of their local clubs where the stadium is still undergoing reconstruction, they train regularly with their local team-mates the match was played with rented floodlights and play league matches as well. brought in from Germany in coordination with All non-professional clubs have been asked FIFA and Sportfive. to pass the names of one or two of their most The FFM has also hosted three women’s promising young players to the KNVB’s regional tournaments, in the UEFA Women’s Cup and in coaches. After an initial session a dozen are the Women’s European U17 and U19 Champ- dropped to end up with a more manageable ionships. number of players. At 50 locations the regional At Under-17 level, our women’s team did coaches cooperate with the youth development remarkably well, notching up two victories, officers of the professional clubs in the area. In beating Poland 3-2 and Latvia 3-0. Their only FSM turn, the professional clubs share their knowl- defeat was against the Czech Republic (2-1). The women’s U17 team of FYR Macedonia. edge and experience with the youth coaches

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of non-professional clubs during exhibition training sessions and workshops. Thus, the football association, the profes- sional clubs and the non-professional clubs have combined forces to secure a better edu- REPUBLIC OF IRELAND cation of young players under the supervision of all parties involved. The main aim of the • FRAN WHEARTY • regional training set-up is to make the scouting and development system more transparent for Four-associations tournament the boys and girls involved, as well as for their announced for Dublin in 2011 parents, their club coaches and the professional The football associations of Northern Ireland, clubs. Boys and girls become better players the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales simply by doing what they like best: playing have unveiled details of a celebration four- football. associations tournament to take place in Dublin The KNVB is looking to eventually have in spring 2011. FAI a maximum of 14 regional football education Thousands of supporters from all over The new stadium in Dublin is taking shape. centres. ■ Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are expected to descend on bragging rights at stake, this tournament will Dublin for a truly special football tournament be sure to grab the attention of fans all across in which the neighbouring teams will compete the UK and Ireland. for the Four Associations Cup. The building of the new stadium in Dublin The opening two matches are scheduled for is progressing fast and is on schedule to be February 2011, with four further matches to completed in 2010. Parts of the stadium have be played in May. The tournament will be oper- already reached the final tier. Irish fans can look ated on a league basis and will be the ideal op- forward to an iconic, world-class stadium when portunity for all four teams to test themselves the Republic of Ireland line up for the first inter- against their nearest neighbours. With so many national football match there in just under two NORTHERN IRELAND connections between the four countries, and years from now. ■ • SUEANN HARRISON • A new partnership Northern Ireland’s manager, Nigel Worthing- ton, met Poul Woodall, route director of Norfolk- line Irish Sea, at the IFA’s historic Windsor Avenue Israel and Montenegro are former winners, premises recently, to seal the deal on the new as are Serbia. The tournament is very strong partnership between the ferry operator and the and the head coaches rightly use it as final Irish FA. preparation for their qualifying matches for the ERBIA European Championship. Hungary won last S year and Israel twice before that, but this time • ALEKSANDAR BOSKOVIC • Serbia was the best team and won the trophy for the eighth time. Serbia beat Montenegro 4-1, Hungary 2-0 and, in its third match, Israel Hard-fought tournament 1-0. Israel finished in second position, with the From 14 to 18 September, the northern Ser- Hungarians third and Montenegrins fourth. bian cities of , Palic and Backa Palanka The majority of individual trophies also fin- hosted the national Under-19 teams of Hun- ished in Serbian hands. Adem Ljajic was named gary, Israel, Montenegro and Serbia for the best player, Nemanja Milic best scorer and 15th international Under-19 Stevan Cele Vilotic Aleksandar Stanojevic most promising head memorial tournament. Vilotic, who passed coach. Israel’s Boris Kleyman was named best away 15 years ago, was the most famous and goalkeeper. the most important Serbian coach to have The competition was the priority, but the worked with youth teams. He discovered all hosts also prepared other activities. Friendship IFA the country’s stars, including Dragan Stojkovic, was and will remain one of the focal points and Left to right: Nigel Best, Poul Woodall Dejan Stankovic, Nemanja Vidic and other top- new connections will be useful for the future. and Nigel Worthington. quality national team players. In his honour, “I know that everybody enjoyed the last few the FA of Serbia organises this tournament each days. Young generations deserve a tournament Norfolkline is partnering the IFA in its delivery autumn, always in the Under-19 category. like this one, the Stevan Cele Vilotic, with which of the Norfolkline excellence programme at we remember his long, hard work to discover each of the six county excellence centres. The and build up players with the talent to be true passenger ferry company, which operates routes stars,” said the FA of Serbia’s president, Tomis- between Belfast and Dublin to Liverpool, is sup- lav Karadzic. ■ porting the grassroots programme designed by the IFA to develop the best young football talent in Northern Ireland. Poul Woodall said: “Norfolkline is delighted to be working with the IFA in this venture to develop young local talent. Norfolkline, as part of the A.P. Moller Maersk Group, strives to nurture young talent within the company. It therefore seems pertinent that we support it at grassroots level too. The IFA is an emerging dynamic brand and we are excited about the opportunities that this partnership can bring to Norfolkline.” SLOVENIA The IFA’s performance manager, Nigel Best, • MATJAZ KRAJNIK • added: “I am delighted that Norfolkline has agreed to sponsor the excellence programme. Volunteers for national A-team This is the third year of the IFA’s excellence programme for the best of the province’s young matches players. It is vital that we continue to invest in The Football Association of Slovenia (FAS) the development of our young talent, but in has introduced a concept previously unheard order to sustain such a commitment the IFA is of in Slovenian sport. Having gathered positive reliant on partnerships such as this with a presti- experiences from UEFA’s big competitions, mostly gious company like Norfolkline.” through the active participation of an FAS The Norfolkline excellence centres will operate employee among the EURO 2008 volunteers, and from September to December and February to May. with the increasing human resources involved More than 780 boys and girls from the Under-11 FAS in organising A-team matches, the next logical to the Under-15 age groups will benefit. ■ The young Serbs erupt with joy after their win. step was for the FAS to incorporate the concept ➜

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The participants in the inaugural course title makes us more duty-bound than ever to included Sweden’s most-capped player, Kristin play fair in the future,” said Schwarz in the Elgg Bengtsson (157 caps between 1991 and 2005), village newspaper. as well as Hanna Marklund (118 caps) and Situated east of Winterthur, on the border Linda Fagerström (97 caps). Several of Sweden’s with the canton of Thurgau, the village has a current internationals also took part, such as population of just 3,700 and, with 350 regis- , Frida Östberg and Caroline tered members, FC Elgg is its largest club. The Jönsson. high point of the season is the Elgg “every- Leadership, personal development and man” competition, which has developed into mentorship are a few of the topics covered by the biggest event of its kind in the region, as the course. The first course is to be followed demonstrated by the record 175 teams that by another next year, with 18 new recruits. entered this year. ■ Sweden’s top division, Allsvenskan, was increased from 14 to 16 teams this season. With less than a quarter of the season remain- ing, average attendances have fallen from

NZS 10,258 to 8,298. “It was expected that two more teams in the The association’s first volunteers. league would have an adverse effect on aver- ➜ of volunteers into its own events. It was decided age attendances, but the increase from 182 to that a friendly match against Croatia in Maribor 240 games means that total Allsvenskan atten- at the end of August would be the start of the dance will probably come close to two million UKRAINE FAS volunteer’s project and a group of 20 young spectators for this season – the highest figure IVAN DYVAK enthusiasts (referees from Maribor and a few ever,” says Sune Hellströmer, general secretary • • young women from all over Slovenia) would of the Swedish FA. pave the way for other volunteers to come. They Despite this season’s drop, average atten- New home for Dnipropetrovsk helped in various areas of match organisation, dances in Allsvenskan have doubled in the last football looking after VIP guests, accreditations and decade, and the football association will discuss The beginning of autumn brought great media, merchandise sales, etc. further action with the clubs to keep attracting news for football fans in Dnipropetrovsk, one of After seeing how valuable the volunteers new spectators to the stadiums. ■ were at this one match, the FAS posted an the potential EURO 2012 host cities. A new application form on the internet. They received covered, 30,000-seater stadium has been opened around 100 applications in one week. The and will become the new home of local club match against Slovakia in September saw 35 FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. volunteers help out, all of whom had been pre- viously familiarised with the duties of an FAS volunteer and had signed a volunteer contract. With the growing number of volunteers, their help extended to some new areas (namely stewarding and parking organisation). The posi- tive atmosphere at the stadium and a home win SWITZERLAND made this a special moment in the lives of the PIERRE BENOIT young men and women, and the opportunity to • • have their picture taken with Slovenian players and be a part of one of the biggest sports FC Elgg crowned Swiss fair play events in Slovenia was, to them, worth more champions than a few euros. Their contribution to the event was great and volunteering will continue FC Elgg of the Zurich regional football asso- for the match against Northern Ireland. ■ ciation have been named the most sporting club in Switzerland and have, therefore, been awarded the Swiss Football Association and

SuvaLiv club fair play trophy. FFU At a special ceremony in Berne on 3 Octo- The brand-new stadium in Dnipropetrovsk. ber, the president of the Swiss FA, Ralph Zloc- zower, presented FC Elgg with a winner’s The event drew the attention of the presi- cheque for CHF 10,000. The runners-up and dent of Ukraine, Victor Yuschenko, who spoke third-placed club were FC La Sionge and FC at the opening ceremony: “I’m sure that this SWEDEN Bühler respectively. lovely stadium is a gift to all Dnipropetrovsk FC Elgg date back to 1922 and currently citizens. At the same time it is a gift from ANDREAS NILSSON • • field 13 teams in league competitions: besides Dnipropetrovsk to all of Ukraine.” More one first, one reserve, one veterans’ and one “It is a great step towards EURO 2012 both women’s team, FC Elgg boasts a total of nine for Ukraine and Poland and for UEFA,” added women take youth teams, including one for girls. the Football Federation of Ukraine’s president, up coaching In an article published in the local paper, the Grigoriy Surkis. “I want to thank everyone who The Swedish FA club chairman, Peter Schwarz, said how delighted worked on this project. Today you can see wants to increase he was that his club had won Switzerland’s fair what a great joy they have given us.” the number of play title. “We are very proud of having won The arena has two colour video screens, women in coaching this competition, but we also know that this each measuring 5.5m2. The lighting is pro- and management duced by projectors installed on the roof and positions. To this can function in different modes. The turf com- end, a project prises several layers thus enabling damaged called “24 carat” sections to be replaced quickly. Of course, the SvFF was launched in pitch (105 x 68m) is also equipped with a heat- Lilie Persson December, and 18 ing system and automatic watering. The stands selected women are right by the pitch and the folding seats – players and former players have just finished a brought from Germany – are covered with a year-long course. transparent awning. Good conditions were also “We want to reach out to players who are secured for disabled fans. thinking about quitting the game and make The arena contains dressing rooms, halls them interested in coaching. We really must put for training sessions, a gym, rooms for coaching their experience to use; it is needed in foot- staff, a press box, referee rooms, a VIP stand ball,” says Lilie Persson, who is in charge of for 296 guests, and a 550-capacity restaurant. “24 carat” alongside her work as assistant SFV Overall, the new Dnipro stadium cost EUR coach of the Swedish women’s national team. FC Elgg receive the fair play certificate. 50 million. ■

22 uefadirect 11.08 UEFAdirect-79-Nov.•E 17.10.200815:19Page23 Communications ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Birthdays WE CAREABOUTFOOTBALL November to: 50on10November.turns (Netherlands), oneofUEFA’s securityofficers, Panel, willbe60on21November. FrankPaauw (Netherlands), memberoftheArtificialTurf November, whileJoekedeJong birthday on6 UEFA’s referee observers,celebrateshis70th uoéne efootball de européennes associations des Union Official publicationofthe Communications Division Zbigniew Przesmycki(Poland,26.11) Jonas Braga(Lithuania,25.11) Jyrki Filppu(Finland,22.11) Serghiy Storozhenko (Ukraine,21.11) Jonathan Hill(England,20.11) Jean-Louis Piette(France,20.11) (Scotland,20.11) David H.Will Katrin Riechert(Switzerland,19.11) Petr Fousek(CzechRepublic,19.11) Paolo Zeppilli(Italy, 19.11) Horst R.Schmidt(Germany, 19.11) Jacques Liénard (France,19.11) Knarik Abelyan(Armenia,18.11) Dumitru Mihalache(Romania,18.11) Jan Fasung(Slovakia,17.11) Pablo PortaBussoms(Spain,17.11) Susan AnnHough(England,16.11) (Germany,Wolf-Günter Wiesel 16.11) Otto Demuth(Austria,16.11) Jean Lemmer(Luxembourg,15.11) Peter Rees(Wales, 15.11) (England,13.11) Howard Wilkinson Antonio SilvaPereira (Portugal,12.11) Uno Tutk (Estonia,11.11) Gerhard Kapl(Austria,11.11) Emilio Garcia Silvero (Spain,10.11) Marc Van Geersom(Belgium,10.11) Rolf Hediger(Switzerland,10.11) Sandor Barcs (Hungary, 10.11) Hink(Germany,Willi 9.11) Theodore Giannikos(Greece, 9.11) Jorge Perez Arias(Spain,9.11) Rudolf Zavrl(Slovenia,9.11) Sergio DiCesare (Italy, 8.11) Vladimir Badura(Slovakia,7.11) Peter Gardiner (Scotland,7.11) Evgenyi Kalakoutski(Russia,6.11) Mircea Pascu(Romania,6.11) Meese(Belgium,5.11) Fernand Lennart Johansson(Sweden,5.11) Micky Zager(Israel,4.11) Istvan Kisteleki(Hungary, 3.11) (Germany, 3.11) Igor Sramka(Slovakia,2.11) Francesco Bianchi(Switzerland,2.11) György Szilágyi(Hungary, 2.11) Josef Krula(CzechRepublic,1.11) Marc Batta(France,1.11) UEFA alsoextendsbirthdaygreetings for Jean-Claude Jourquin (Belgium),oneof Birthdays –Calendar Women’s Championship Draw forthefinalround oftheEuropean Elite ClubDoctorsForum UEFA Cup:group matches(matchday3) (matchday 5) UEFA ChampionsLeague:group matches FIFA U-20Women’s World Cup UEFA Cup:group matches(matchday2) (matchday 4) UEFA ChampionsLeague:group matches FIFA U-17Women’s World Cup Development andTechnical AssistanceCommittee National AssociationsCommittee HatTrick Committee National Team Competitions Committee Legal Committee Stadium andSecurityCommittee Medical Committee (Under-19/Under-17) of the2009/10women’s youth competitions Draws forthesecondqualifyingrounds (Under-19/Under-17) of the2009/10women’s youth competitions Draws forthefirstqualifyingrounds Forthcoming events ● ● ● ● ● ● Editorial deadline: Printed byCavinSA,CH-1422Grandson Produced by Editor Wolfgang Niersbach(Germany, 30.11) Marko Ilesic(Slovenia,29.11) Ante Vucemilovic-Simunoviv (Croatia, 28.11) Marios N.Lefkaritis(Cyprus,28.11) Marcos DelCuadro (Switzerland,26.11) Oskarsson(Finland,26.11) Styrbjörn 19.11.2008, Nyon 18.11.2008, Nyon 18.11.2008, Helsinki 17.11.2008, Nyon Meetings 27.11.2008 25/26.11.2008 19.11-7.12.2008, Chile 6.11.2008 4/5.11.2008 28.10-16.11.2008, NewZealand Competitions 28.11.2008, Nyon 27.11.2008, Nyon 26.11.2008, Nyon 25.11.2008, Nyon 24.11.2008, Nyon André Vieli Atema CommunicationSA,CH-1196 Gland 10 October2008 had hislicencewithdrawn. while Jacques-OlivierAuguste licence renewedforanothereightyears, ProtsenkoViacheslav [email protected] Tel.: +447747442039–Fax:8456885996 England 111 HoptonRoad,SW162EL,, Proglobal SportsMgmtConsultancyLtd Andrew Augustus [email protected] Mobile: +306982117383 Tel.: +302292025043–Fax: Gerasimidou 55,19500,Lavrio,Greece Fotios Maragkos [email protected] Tel.: +495105585855–Fax:856 Germany Wemelstrasse 6c,30890Barsinghausen, Wolfgang Zapfe organise matches: UEFA haslicensedthreematchagentsto Match agents ■ ■ Notices GP25,www.carltonbooks.co.uk). (GBP clubs, nationalteamsandcompetitionmatches reference workonthe53nationalassociations’ provides footballfanswithanimpressive and, atmorethan1,000pages,itonceagain been producedinconjunctionwithUEFA This isthesecondconsecutiveeditiontohave football yearbookeveryyearsince1988. Mike HammondhaspublishedaEuropean The European FootballYearbook 2008/09 49,www.universite.deboeck.com) (EUR interested inphysicalconditionfootball at anyone,professionaloramateur, whois methodology. Preciseandthorough,itisaimed accurately andformulateorfleshouttraining is intendedtohelpplantrainingloadsmore on thebasisofscientificresearch,thisbook Alexandre DellalandpublishedbyDeBoeck cope withareallyintensematch.Editedby most highlyskilledplayerwillstruggleto without acertainleveloffitness,eventhe condition infootballbutonethingissure: relative importanceoftechniqueandphysical There havebeenlotsofdebatesaboutthe en football De l’entraînementàlaperformance New publications chairman oftheClubLicensingCommittee. Storustovu (FaroeIslands)issecondvice- Responsibility Committee,andHøgniI vice-chairman oftheFairPlayandSocial Elkhan Mammadov(Azerbaijan)issecond vice-chairman oftheLegalCommittee, Ceko (Bosnia-Herzegovina)isnowthird membership ofUEFA committees:Bogdan on 1September. secretary oftheCyprusFootballAssociation There havebeenthreechangestothe Phivos Vakis becamethenewgeneral source isindicated. is authorised,providedthe published inuefadirect or extractsofanyinformation The reproductionofarticles official viewsofUEFA. articles arenotnecessarilythe The viewsexpressedinsigned (Russia) hashadhis (France) has .

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