UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.200916:12Page1 No 5886 – FévrierJune 2009 2007 Including UEFA FutsalCup win the host cities EURO 2012 in Nyon referees andmentors Seminars for Intervi UEFA FutsalCup win the host cities EURO 2012 in Nyon referees andmentors Seminars for Intervi 6.09 ú ú Madrid 13 12 03 13 12 03 UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 2

Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president A mix of nostalgia and anticipation The run-up to this May's club competition finals was tinged with nostalgia. While Istanbul prepared to host the last UEFA Cup final before the competition's rebirth as the UEFA Europa League, the long tradition of Wednesday evening finals in the champions' competition would come to an end a week later at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. This air of nostalgia brought back a host of memories as we recalled the courage and perceptiveness of those who launched these competitions at a time when travelling around was still a great adventure, the wisdom of the administrators who knew how to develop these competitions and gradually adapt them to new conditions and demands, and, of course, the memorable matches and the exploits of the players who have written the history of these competitions and acquired worldwide renown in the process. However, although football feeds on nostalgia, it does not depend on it: IN THIS ISSUE what makes it move forward and keep on developing is the thrill of new challenges, a sensation that was also felt at the finals in Rome and Istanbul, in anticipation Interviú Madrid win the of the changes that are set to give fresh impetus to our club competitions. UEFA Cup 03 In the Champions League, moving the final from Wednesday to Saturday Looking ahead to the reflects the extraordinary importance of UEFA’s flagship club competition. In its U21 final round in 05 tentative early years, no one would ever have contemplated “stealing” a weekend gets ready to host from the national leagues' calendars for the European Cup. Nowadays, however, the UEFA Regions’ Cup 06 the Champions League plays a huge role in the domestic league season, especially Women’s U17 championship in larger countries, where the fact that several clubs qualify means that the battle returns to Nyon 07 for places often continues right to the last. The Champions League final therefore Commemorative book deserves to be the climax of a week-long festival of football. The decision to open for the centenary of the the competition up to more national champions should also increase its impact, just Romanian FA 10 as the new Europa League should enable a broader range of teams to make their Seminars for referees mark on the European stage. and mentors in Nyon 12 Always striving to do better: what better way of paying tribute to those who News from member left us the valuable legacy of the UEFA club competitions? associations 16

COVER This season’s European youth cham- pionship final rounds got under way in UEFA President May. The Under-17 men’s teams kicked off first ( v Turkey), followed by the Under-17 women and finally the Under-19 men and women. Photo: Radloff/Bongarts/Getty Images

02 uefadirect 6.09 UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 3 UEFA Futsal Cup MadridMadrid triumphtriumph inin EkaterinburgEkaterinburg Sportsfile

WITH A COMFORTABLE VICTORY AGAINST RUSSIAN HOSTS country, proved too much for Ekaterin- MFK VIZ-SINARA EKATERINBURG, INTERVIÚ MADRID WON THE UEFA burg. With this victory, Interviú move a title ahead of the only other repeat FUTSAL CUP FOR A RECORD THIRD TIME. winners, Spanish rivals Castellón. In the The finals took place from after this year’s final, in which Spain’s third-place play-off, outsiders Kairat 24 to 26 April in Ekaterinburg, in the Interviú Madrid beat the hosts and created an upset with a hard-fought foothills of the Ural Mountains, with defending champions 5-1, after hav- 1-0 win over Dinamo Moskva. holders MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg ing reached an unprecedented fourth defending their title on home territo- final by defeating Kairat Almaty of Revamped team ry and their fans turning out in such Kazakhstan 5-0 in their semi-final. Juan Luis Alonso, who took numbers they almost filled the In the other semi, Ekaterinburg went over as Interviú coach at the start of 4,600-capacity Palace of Sport. through after a tense 2-0 win over com- the season, had every reason to be patriots MFK Dinamo Moskva. proud of his team: “It’s always special Four finals and three titles Interviú’s top-class team gave it to win a European title, especially as Only once in the competition’s their all in terms of strength, knowledge we had revamped the team since last eight-year history has a club lifted the and skill to notch up five goals in the year, with six new players and a new trophy at home. It was in 2003, when final (Daniel (2), Jordi Torràs, Schuma- coach. The club had been very brave Playas de Castellón FS also became the cher and Juanra) and ensure that the to make such changes, so we are all only defending champions to retain trophy would go to Spain for the fifth very happy about this victory. It is my their title. time in eight years. happiest day as a futsal coach.” Unfortunately for Ekaterin- The Interviú players’ experience Sergei Skorovich, Ekaterin- burg, Castellón’s records remain intact in big international finals, for club and burg’s coach, was also satisfied with

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Carlos The public turned out in force Montovanelli to watch the final round. (in red, Kairat Almaty) and Aleksandr Rakhimov Jordi Torras (in green, Interviú (Dinamo Madrid), up against Aleksei Moskwa) in Mokhov (MFK Viz-Sinara the third-place Ekaterinburg) in the final. play-off.

At the end, all the teams and officials who attended the finals agreed on one thing: they were happy with the organisation of the tourna- ment and particularly pleased to see that the host city of Ekaterinburg is hugely passionate about futsal. Seeing the performances of his young, home- so many children playing was defini- grown team: “My team tried hard and tely an example to everyone. MFK Viz- that makes me happy. I can say that Sinara Ekaterinburg runs a futsal it is a great feeling to play in the finals academy for some 600 young players! and in the final itself. We reached it through our own hard work. I con- gratulated my players after the match and said they did a good job and Results could be proud of themselves.” 24.04 Semi-finals Kairat Almaty v Interviú Madrid 0-5 Next edition of the UEFA Futsal Cup Ekaterinburg v Dinamo Moskva 2-0 The draw for the preliminary and main qualifying rounds 26.04 Third-place play-off kicks off the 9th UEFA Futsal Cup on 2 July in Nyon. Kairat Almaty v Dinamo Moskva 1-0 The preliminary round will be played in mini-tourna- ments from 15 to 23 August. Final The main qualifying round of mini-tournaments then Interviú Madrid v Ekaterinburg 5-1 runs from 26 September to 4 October, followed by a second draw on 13 October to determine the mini-tournament groups for the elite qualifying round, to be staged from 14 to 22 November. The draw for the Futsal Cup finals will be held at the beginning of March 2010, with the four qualifying teams scheduled to compete for the title from 22 to 25 April. The Juanra cherishes the trophy after Interviú Madrid’s format for the final round stays the same, meaning the semi- third triumph in the UEFA finals, third-place play-off and final will all be contested in Futsal Cup. the same city.

European Futsal Championship ■ The 2009/10 European Futsal Championship also culmi- nates next year. The final round takes place in from 19 to 30 January, when the hosts welcome the national teams of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Spain, , Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine. This will be the first time that the final round of the competition has featured 12 teams. The final round draw is being held in Debrecen, Hungary, on 24 September.

■ Four national associations have expressed an interest in hosting the 2011/12 European Futsal Championship: Belgium, Croatia, FYR Macedonia and Slovenia. They have until 15 Octo- ber to enter their bids. These will be evaluated and submitted to the Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, which will then make a recommendation to the Executive Committee, for a decision in spring 2010. Photos: Sportsfile

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At the … Sweden, final round Italy, Belarus draw: the and Serbia. representatives of , Finland, Germany, Spain…

Getty Images Malmö New Stadium, the venue for the final. Bildbyrån Getty Images European Under-21 Championship Football celebration in Sweden

THIS JUNE, THE FOCUS OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL SHIFTS TO THE SOUTHWEST OF SWEDEN, WHERE THE FINAL ROUND OF THE 2007/09 EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 15 TO 29 JUNE.

The host cities of , one of the most important ports in Europe. While such sectors are still important , Helsingborg and Malmö, as well In football terms, Helsingborg shares a for Gothenburg, tourism is also growing, as the entire local organising committee, healthy rivalry with regional rivals Malmö FF. and – the biggest attraction in have all been putting in an enormous The is one of the oldest football the city – was named one of the top ten amount of work, dedication and enthusi- grounds in Sweden, but has been mod- amusement parks in the world by Forbes asm to make sure the teams and the fans ernised regularly over the years. Magazine in 2005. have an enjoyable fortnight. Main football club: Helsingborgs IF Main football clubs: IFK Göte- borg, GAIS, Örgryte IS, BK Häcken 100,000 tickets already sold The Örjans vall stadium in The eight teams are divided Halmstad was built in 1922 with a capa- Fan zones and midsummer into two groups, with Sweden in Group A city of 7,500 celebrations in Malmö/Helsingborg along with Halmstad’s long and picturesque There will also be plenty of Italy, Serbia and Belarus. Group B, coastline, with the famous Tylösand entertainment for fans off the field. All playing in Gothenburg/Halmstad, beach, have made the city a popular four cities will have special fan zones involves Spain, Germany, England summer destination for Swedish and filled with activities and with giant and Finland. foreign holidaymakers alike. Halm- screens broadcasting matches played in The group matches take stad is also something of a Swedish the other cities. The biggest challenge place from 15 to 23 June, the semi- golf capital. There are 12 courses in and for the organisers will be to attract fans finals on 26 June in Gothenburg, and the around Halmstad, offering the opportunity to the two matches played in Malmö and final on 29 June in Malmö. to play long into the bright summer Helsingborg on 19 June. That day hap- By late April, 100,000 tickets evenings. The Örjans vall football stadium pens to be Midsummer’s Eve, the biggest had already been sold for the 15 matches, is steeped in football tradition and has holiday in the Swedish calendar, when and with many weeks still to go before been renovated many times since it was Swedes traditionally celebrate with family the matches kick off, the scene is set for a first built. and friends in the countryside. Malmö celebration of football during bright June Main football club: Halmstads BK is planning a special midsummer party evenings. for fans of Serbia and Belarus, while The venues Gamla was built in 2008 Helsingborg will welcome ticket-holders The Malmö New Stadium and has a capacity of 16,700 seats. for Sweden v Italy to the city’s traditional was built in 2008 and has a capacity of Industry and finance have been midsummer festivities in the grounds 21,000 seats. the focus for Sweden's second largest city of the Fredriksdal museum. Sweden's third-largest city is a since it was founded in the 17th century. Sujay Dutt model of sustainable urban development and was named the fourth greenest city in the world by Grist Magazine in 2007. Several neighbourhoods have been trans- formed using innovative, eco-friendly design, exemplified by the 190m high Turning Torso, a spectacular twisting skyscraper in the city centre. Main football club: Malmö FF

The Olympia Stadium in Helsingborg was built in 1898 and has a capacity of 12,500. The stadium in Gothenburg hopes Situated at Sweden's closest to see a lot of exciting action.

p point to Denmark, with Elsinore clearly visible 4km away on the other side of

the Öresund Strait, Helsingborg remains Bildbyrån

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Jim Boyce, The team vice-chairman of representatives the Youth and with the Amateur Football organisers. Committee, announces the result of the draw at Mihanoviç Castle.

in well-known Croatian tourist destina- UEFA tions: one group in Tuheljske Toplice, at the Terme Tuhelj hotel, and the other in Stubicke Toplice, at the Matija Gubec hotel. Both destinations are located Regions’ Cup about 50km or a 45-minute drive from Final round heads to Croatia Zagreb international airport. We are confident that our guests will have a for the first time pleasant and comfortable stay. Besides excellent hotel services, CROATIA IS HOSTING THE FINAL ROUND OF THE 6TH UEFA REGIONS' CUP, the teams will be provided with all WHICH TAKES PLACE THERE FROM 15 TO 22 JUNE. the necessary technical facilities. They will have training fields within 15 minu- The participants are the eight the reasons for that success is certainly tes of their respective hotels. The best regional amateur teams of Europe, the fact that football in Croatia is played matches will be played at smaller stadi- which were drawn into the following and loved by everyone, from amateur to ums used by the Croatian first and two groups at the draw held in Tuheljske professional level. I am certain that this second division teams from the Zagreb Toplice on 23 April: competition will prove that amateur region in the towns of Vrbovec, Group A: Football Centre Zagreb football is the foundation and extremely Jastrebarsko, Samobor, Velika Gorica, (Croatia), Bratislava Region FA (Slovakia), important prerequisite for top football Lucko and Zapresic, the latter being Privolzhie (Russia) and Oltenia () achievements and results,” said Vlatko chosen to host the final match on Group B: Podrucni fudbalski Markovic’, president of the Croatian 22 June. Savez Gradiska (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Football Federation, adding that the “The Croatian Football Federa- Kempen (Belgium), Republic of Ireland eight teams in question will have a tion, as the umbrella organisation of Region 1 (Ireland) and Castilla y León chance to confirm that. Croatian football, has taken all neces- (Spain) sary measures in order to stage this It will be the first time that the Sports tradition UEFA tournament at the highest level Croatian Football Federation has hosted a Croatia is a tourist country with and to the great pleasure of all partici- UEFA final round. great cultural and sports traditions. pants. We are taking care of the tiniest “This is a great and prestigious There is no doubt that all those involved details, and as far as the organisational competition in a sport which, both in in the preparation of this sporting event aspect is concerned, the tournament Croatia and in most other European are going to do their utmost to ensure can already start tomorrow,” said countries, is the most popular one. Since that all the participants enjoy their stay Zorislav Srebric from the local organising our country achieved its independence, and that the quality of the organisation committee, also general secretary of the Croatia has missed out on taking part in a is of the highest possible standard. All Croatian Football Federation. major tournament only once (EURO the participants will be accommodated Davor Gavran 2000), which makes us one of the great- est football nations in the world. One of Match Schedule 15.06 Vrbovec Zagreb v Bratislava Velika Gorica Privolzhie v Oltenia Zapresic Region 1 v Castilla y Leon Lucko Gradiska v Kempen 17.06 Samobor Gradiska v Region 1 Velika Gorica Bratislava v Oltenia Jastrebarsko Kempen v Castilla y Leon Lucko Zagreb v Privolzhie 20.06 Vrbovec Bratislava v Privolzhie Samobor Kempen v Region 1 Velika Gorica Oltenia v Zagreb Jastrebarsko Castilla y Leon v Gradiska 22.06 Zapresic Final

The draw was followed by a workshop for the participants. Photos: HNS

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The local organising committee at a...... working meeting at the House of European football in Nyon. Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch Women’s Under-17

Allfinal the action round on the in doorstep Nyon of the House of European Football

LAST YEAR’S FINAL ROUND OF THE INAUGURAL EUROPEAN WOMEN’S UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP, WHICH WAS STAGED IN NYON, WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER THAT THE UEFA ADMINISTRATION HAD HOSTED THE FINAL ROUND OF ONE OF ITS CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The unexpectedly high number of the primary and secondary schools of In addition, invitations have spectators who attended the four matches both cantons (over 300 schools) have been been sent to all football clubs in Vaud (2,900 in all) and the positive feedback invited to attend the matches. and Geneva, as well as to the local from all participants encouraged the Furthermore, tailor-made sport- embassies of the four qualified teams, UEFA administration to strengthen ing and educational activities will be tourist offices in the neighbouring its efforts in all areas in order to provided in cooperation with a sports regions of , private schools, etc. heighten the appeal of this event articles manufacturer, the Swiss Foot- Germany (reigning champi- for everyone, with the ultimate goal ball Association and the Geneva and ons), France (last year’s losing finalists) of attracting more spectators than Vaud regional football associations. and the newcomers Norway and last year. This programme includes football skill Spain will take part in this year’s final Immediately after the final whistle stations, quizzes and a World Wild Fund round. of the last championship, and with the for Nature exhibition on environmental Excitement on and off the new challenges in mind, the UEFA adminis- issues. In addition, school classes will also field is guaranteed and the second tration started preparing for the next edi- have the possibility to visit UEFA’s head- semi-final, featuring last years’ finalists, tion and has already achieved many of its quarters and to take photographs in front will certainly be a highlight of this goals. of the different UEFA trophies. Admission final round. Reto Ziegler, who started his foot- to matches will be free this year again, ball career in the Nyon region, will act as and all spectators will be offered free soft the tournament ambassador. He is current- drinks and receive a souvenir T-shirt. ly playing at Sampdoria in Italy’s , as well as for the Swiss national team. Eight local sponsors In 2002, he took the decisive penalty kick on board that gave the Swiss Under-17 national UEFA is also very pleased that team the European championship crown. eight two-year sponsorship deals with local He has agreed to help to promote the companies have been concluded, includ- tournament and will be available for inter- ing with a well-known radio station and a views and an autograph session on the reputable daily newspaper. These partners final day. will provide considerable financial and material contributions, while the audio Getting schools involved and media partners will ensure an exten- Since the spectator target group sive promotional programme during the is schoolchildren, three of the four matches build-up to the tournament. UEFA’s TV have been scheduled during school time. partner for youth football, Eurosport, will UEFA is very pleased that two important broadcast the final live. institutional partners – the cantons of Vaud Like last year, the towns and and Geneva – have agreed to help us in tourist offices of Morges, Rolle and Nyon The poster our efforts to attract school classes to the will cooperate with UEFA on various pro- for the final matches. By means of an official letter, motional activities. round.

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Since the European Cup Winners’ Cup became part of the UEFA Cup, the winners have played in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco, successfully in the case of Galatasaray, (right) against Real Madrid in 2000, and Valencia, against FC Porto in 2004. Getty Images Empics Sport Evolution of the UEFA Cup The influence of television

CREATED TO REPLACE THE INTER-CITIES FAIRS CUP, THE UEFA CUP QUICKLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A TOP UEFA CLUB COMPETITION, TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT BEGAN TO OVERSHADOW THE CUP WINNERS' CUP AND EVEN THE CHAMPION CLUBS' CUP.

“It is true that we did not expect the UEFA Cup to become so im-

The UEFA Cup has also portant,” says Gerhard Aigner, former UEFA chief executive. “The main reason for its success was the television revenue. The major countries, known finals involving which were able to enter several teams under the competition teams from the same regulations, were also those with lucrative television markets.

country, for example, A club competing in the UEFA Cup was therefore more likely to be drawn against attractive opponents in 1995, between Parma than in the other two competitions in which, and Juventus, when in principle, each association only had one rep- Lorenzo Minotti and his resentative. Also, since there were no fixed kick-off times, in some countries you could Parma team-mates beat watch the UEFA Cup matches involving all the their Italian rivals. country's teams on the same day, which could mean football being broadcast from the early afternoon until the evening. Arranging kick-off times had become very difficult and was often the subject of lengthy haggling between the clubs concerned, who wanted to avoid clashing with other matches. Thanks to these broadcasts and the income they generated, the UEFA Cup gradually became more successful than the other two club competitions.”

Creation and growth of the UEFA Champions League “You could therefore say that it was television that pulled the competitions in a new direction. In order to maintain interest in the champions' competition and to coun- terbalance the growing importance of the UEFA Cup, we began by creating the UEFA Champions League, which ensured that clubs – barring slip-ups – would play several matches and, at the same

Empics Sport time, gave the champions a broader platform

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Lennart Johansson, president of UEFA at the time, presents Gerhard Aigner with his UEFA honorary member’s diploma at the UEFA Congress in 2004. UEFA

thanks to a new television and spon- sorship strategy.” Originally comprising two groups of four teams, the Champions League was expanded to 16 teams in 1994/95 and then, in 1997/98, was opened up to the runners-up from Bongarts the eight best national associations Gerhard Aigner participated in many UEFA Cup draws, including this one in Monaco in 2002, at which he is pictured with Jean-Fournet Fayard. (via a qualifying round). The 24 teams were then split into six groups. the case for clubs eliminated in the phase involving eight groups of five “Then,” explains Gerhard Champions League third qualifying teams. Five years on, the competition Aigner, “in 1998, the threat of a round. “In sporting terms, this measure is about to enter a new era, under 'super league' forced us to increase is certainly open to criticism,” says Ger- a new name – the UEFA Europa the number of teams in the Champ- hard Aigner, “but the result is positive League – with a phase of 12 groups ions League group stage to 32, with because it adds extra interest and of four teams. “It is good that the the best associations each represented the eliminated clubs often offer good financial aspect will be centralised by up to four clubs”. value.” Galatasaray in 2000, Feyenoord and the format is easier to under- in 2002 and CSKA Moscow in 2005 stand. The dates are available, it is Merger of UEFA Cup and all proved the point by winning the right to use them to give the compe- Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup having begun the season in tition a greater impact and offer a The UEFA Cup was therefore the Champions League. large number of clubs more matches deprived of the main challengers to The UEFA Cup, the final of at European level. But we must the national champions. This loss was which had become a single match not forget that the European com- partially offset by the merger of the rather than a two-legged affair in petitions should remain, above all, UEFA Cup and the European Cup 1998, was revamped in the 2004/05 complementary to the national Winners' Cup, which was approved season with the introduction of a championships.” by the Executive Committee at its meeting in on 6 October 1998. “The Cup Winners' Cup had become “Football's situation has less important over the years,” recalls Gerhard Aigner. “Many national changed radically” champions also won their domestic cup competition and it was therefore Having joined the UEFA administration in 1969, Gerhard Aigner the beaten finalists who entered the became general secretary in 1989 and was then chief executive between Cup Winners' Cup. In addition, the December 1999 and his retirement in December 2003. He was appointed national cup competitions were in an honorary member of UEFA at the 2004 UEFA crisis: following the introduction of a Congress in Cyprus. Since then, following the advice league cup in some countries, they of Voltaire's Candide, he has been cultivating his gar- had become less important and less den, although he also enjoys playing golf, a hobby attractive for the clubs. On more he sometimes combines with his love of travelling. He than one occasion, relegated or even has clearly not lost his love of football and is often second division clubs therefore quali- found on the touchline, supporting his sons, who play fied for the Cup Winners' Cup. Since in a youth team for a club on the shores of Lake part of the UEFA Cup had been lost Geneva, not far from UEFA’s headquarters. Drawing to the Champions League, it was therefore compensated by the inte- from this experience, he points out that: “It is getting gration of the Cup Winners' Cup into harder and harder to find volunteers to work for the UEFA Cup.” clubs. Since the Bosman ruling in December 1995, football's situation has changed radically. Players UEFA-pjwoods.ch Transfer from one competition leave at an increasingly young age, lured by the money offered by the to the other big clubs, and the volunteers barely get to see the fruit of their work.” Another new measure was “We cannot turn back the clock,” he continues, “but the sport's governing adopted: clubs finishing third in their bodies should be allowed to impose limits on the materialism that has Champions League groups dropped infiltrated sport.” into the UEFA Cup, as was already

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Mircea Sandu, president of the Romanian Football Federation and a member of the UEFA Executive UEFA-pjwoods.ch Committee, had the idea of producing a commemorative book. Football federation

A Romanian footballcentenary narrative

IT WAS IN NOVEMBER 2003, IN THE OFFICE OF MIRCEA SANDU, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROMANIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION (FRF), THAT THE IDEA FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF ROMANIAN FOOTBALL WAS BORN – TO BE PUBLISHED IN 2009, TO MARK THE FEDERATION’S CENTENARY.

Alongside Mircea Sandu was eral and football in particular. Each author one has five chapters, each of which Mircea Angelescu, former president of was assigned different periods and topics contains a general overview, profiles of the FRF, and Dan Cristea, chairman to study. Great importance was attached the people who marked the period and of the history and statistics committee to meetings with the people who actually competition information – i.e. each of since 1990. created or experienced at first hand the the national team’s matches, complete Straight away it was unani- football history under review, whether as with match factsheet and a brief ré- mous: a book would be produced on players, managers or spectators. Discus- sumé; the national championships, with the history of Romanian football. It was sions were also had with the descendants some background information and, completed in November last year (that of central characters, who shared lots since the introduction of the league is five years later). In two volumes, it of information and photos. system in 1932, synoptic tables; the runs to almost 1,100 pages and is illus- We also benefited from the national cup competition since 1993/94; trated with more than 900 photos. support of FIFA, UEFA and the Interna- and Romanian clubs’ performances in tional Federation of Football History the Cup. There are also some Collecting the information and Statistics (IFFHS). very interesting appendices, including It was obviously not decided We would also like to thank the history of the people and structures there and then how the book would be the Romanian clubs that provided us of the federation. structured and who would pen it. In the with photos (particularly recent ones) Volume two comprises seven end Mircea Angelescu and Dan Cristea and Nicolae Profir, the official FRF photo- chapters plus appendices and, in addi- became the coordinators, working with grapher, who provided colour photos tion to the above information about three sports journalists as co-authors: from the last 20 years as well as photo- the national team, championships and Razvan Toma, Victor Partan and Mihai copies of libraries’ newspapers and cups, presents Romania’s youth football Ciuca. Razvan Toma also happens old magazines. scene, its participation in the Olympic to be vice-chairman of the federation’s Football Tournament and a full account history and statistics committee. A tale of two halves of its clubs’ participation in UEFA com- The first step was to collect Once a clearer picture of the petitions. as much information as possible on the last 100 years of Romanian football had These two volumes provide history of Romanian football, as well been uncovered, we decided to structure an opportunity to better get to know as on the broader history of the country the book in two volumes, one on the the heroes of Romanian football, of over the last 100 years and the evolu- period from 1909 to 1944 and the other which there have been many alongside tion of the game as a whole. from 1944 to 2009. Gheorghe Hagi, Gheorghe Popescu, Extensive library research was We decided to include an ex- Dan Petrescu and Florin Raducioiu, big therefore carried out into everything haustive presentation of each significant names of the 1990s. published in Romania on sport in gen- period in Romanian football. Volume Dan Cristea

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Dan Cristea, one of the masterminds behind the commemorative book. UEFA-pjwoods.ch

A selection of milestones and anecdotes

■ Legend has it that the first football ■ Gebauer was thrown out of the was brought to what was then the king- FSSR and forced to resign as chairman of dom of Romania by Mario Gebauer (pro- the football committee for trying to esta- bably born in 1880), when he was studying blish an independent football association. in Lausanne, . He played for ■ As a FIFA member association, SC Olympia Bucharest, winners of the first Romania was able to participate in the national cup [Romanian athletics associa- 1924 Olympic Football Tournament in tion cup (ASAR)] in 1909/10. , where they were thrashed 6-0 by On 1 December 1914, Gebauer the Netherlands. was elected chairman of the national foot- ■ The Romanian national team’s first ball committee. match was against in Belgrade ■ On 1 December 1912, the Romanian on 8 May 1922, to celebrate the marriage federation of sports associations (FSSR) between Princess Maria of Romania and was founded to represent all existing sports King Alexander I of Yugoslavia. Romania associations, including the ACFR (Romanian won 2-1. Its team was made up entirely football clubs association, as the ASAR was of Transylvanian players (Hungarians, Ger- now known). The FSSR comprised 12 sports mans and Jews, with just one Romanian, the right-winger Aurel Guga – team cap- committees, one of which was dedicated tain and scorer of the winning goal). to football. EMPICS ■ In September 1929, the Romanian Gheorghe Hagi, one of the heroes ■ The main Romanian football com- parliament voted a new law on physical of Romanian football. petition is the national championship. education which completely changed the There have been three distinct periods in status of Romanian football. Previously it or inside-right and older brother of its history: had been a bastion of amateurism, at least Stefan Kovacs, the famous AFC Ajax officially, but it was not respected by the 1) The cup years (1909-21, with a break coach of the 1970s. big clubs, particularly those in the east of from 1916-19 while Romania was involved ■ In May 1931, the FIFA Congress the country. The new law made way for in the first world war). approved a proposal by the general an independent association for each sport, secretary of the FRFA, Octav Luchide, 2) The national championship years, united under the umbrella of the union to extend to three years the period with regional competitions and final tour- of Romanian sports associations (UFSR), for which a player that had changed which succeeded the FSSR. naments played under the knockout system nationality had to wait before playing from 1921 to 1932. The most famous team ■ On 16 February 1930, the national for his new country. The first victims from this period was Chinezul Timisoara, football committee became the Romanian of the new rule were the Romanians who notched up six consecutive champion- Football Federation (FRFA). Aurel Leucutia themselves. In 1933, in a FIFA World ship titles between 1921/22 and 1926/27. and Octav Luchide, chairman and general Cup qualifier against Switzerland secretary of the committee respectively, 3) The period of the league system, in- in Berne (2-2), Romania fielded Iuliu assumed the same functions within the troduced in 1932/33 and still in place today. Baratky, a Romanian citizen of Hun- new FRFA. garian origin who had played for ■ On 20 May 1923, Romania, represen- ■ Romania took part in all three Hungary in May 1933 against Sweden. ted by the FSSR’s football committee, was World Cups in the 1930s, a record matched The Swiss lodged a complaint with accepted as a member of FIFA at the world by only Brazil, Belgium and France. The FIFA, who declared the match to body’s congress in Geneva. The Romanian only Romanian player who took part in all be forfeited and awarded a win to delegate was Mario Gebauer. three was Nicolae Kovacs, a right-winger Switzerland.

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The same Decisions principles are were applied in immediately the classroom analysed as on on screen. the pitch.

TalentsNinth and seminar Mentors in Nyon

A SEMINAR FOR UEFA REFEREE AND ASSISTANT REFEREE TALENTS AND MENTORS Practical sessions WAS HELD FROM 29 APRIL TO 1 MAY IN NYON. IT WAS UEFA’S NINTH TALENTS There were also practical sessions, in which talented young AND MENTORS SEMINAR BUT THE FIRST TO INCLUDE ASSISTANT REFEREES. footballers from the canton simulated contentious match scenes and the The scheme, whereby up- instructions and advice. “The penalty referees had to decide what to do. and-coming referees (talents) are given area is the most important area of the Afterwards, they were given an op- expert guidance by former top referees pitch,” said. Decisions portunity to analyse the action on film (mentors), was introduced in the UEFA here could have a huge impact on the and were given feedback from the referee development programme in 2001. game. The participants were shown mentors. Special attention was paid Since then it has gone from strength video clips of various scenes in which to positioning, body language and to strength. The mentors and talents are the referee made a good or bad call. concentration. The assistants were in constant contact, with the seasoned They then went away in small groups given exercises in areas such as run- referees advising the young hopefuls not to discuss which of the criteria – clear ning technique, use of flags and eye just on their performance on the field, view, concentration, cooperation, contact with the referee. Finally, all participants were given warm-up, running and stretching exercises and tips on avoiding injury.

Strategies to improve teamwork Mattia Piffaretti, a sports scientist, gave an inspiring presenta- tion on the psychological factors that come into play in a refereeing team. He explained how the relationship between the referee and his assistants had evolved. The main referee was no longer the undisputed leader, but rather a manager: he managed the decision-making powers delegated to the different members of the referee- ing team, including the fourth official. Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch This required a lot of mutual trust. but in other areas too. Angel María confidence and courage – were or The referee had to be able to rely fully Villar Llona, chairman of the UEFA Refer- should have been brought to bear in on his assistants, in case of offsides ees Committee, summed up the philos- each decision. for example. Team cohesion could be ophy behind the concept: “The future On the topic of excessively achieved, Piffaretti said, through col- is in young people. But young people physical challenges, Marc Batta sin- lective physical and tactical training, also need good guidance, from good gled out tackles and the use of arms. clear allocation of roles, whereby guides and instructors.” This year’s semi- In each case, he told the referees how the strengths of each member of the nar was attended by 17 referee talents important it was to distinguish be- team were put to best possible use, (13 men and 4 women), 8 assistant tween players who were genuinely in-depth pre-match team talks and referee talents (10 men and 4 women) just trying to get the ball and those a fixed team warm-up procedure. and 9 mentors. who were willing or even intended He said that referee communication to injure their opponent in the was also important. The more coordi- Penalty area situations and process. Once again, the participants nated and well-rehearsed the team, physical challenges were shown various scenes from the more convincing they were as The UEFA Referees Committee UEFA matches, which invited different a unit. This, too, was reflected in their used part of the seminar to impart verdicts. performance.

12 uefadirect 6.09 UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 13

New members Allan Hansen, Abraham Luzon, Liutauras Varanavicius, Theo Zwanziger, Michael van Praag, Frantisek Laurinec and Giancarlo Abete attend their first Executive Committee meeting. News from Meetings and Brussels European elections are being held between 4 and 7 June other activities in the 27 member states of the EU. EURO 2012 host city decisions The time has come for European citizens to select the people they ON 12/13 MAY IN BUCHAREST, THE UEFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE want to represent them in the European Parliament until 2014. HELD ITS FIRST MEETING IN ROMANIA AS THE ROMANIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION This is an exciting occasion for CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY. us all because members of the Under the stewardship of the to meet specific stadium, transport, European Parliament carry consid- UEFA president, Michel Platini, this was airport and accommodation require- erable political weight and have also the Executive Committee’s first ments. Kiev also has until 30 November shown a distinct interest in foot- meeting since the elections in March to demonstrate that it is in a position ball over the last few years. (apart from a brief constitutive meeting to host the final. The Executive Com- following the congress in ). mittee will take a decision on these Representing the people The committee discussed topical Euro- cities in December. of Europe pean football matters and dedicated day two of its meeting to EURO 2012, A firm stand The European Parliament with the designation of the host cities against racism is a representative assembly for the citizens of the EU member states on the agenda. Sharing the UEFA president’s After carefully examining the indignation at racist incidents in and, as such, a vital source of dem- situation, not just in terms of stadiums, various stadiums in Europe, the ocratic legitimacy. Its members but also airports, transport and accom- Executive Committee approved a have been elected by direct univer- modation, the Executive Committee recommendation, based on the sal suffrage since 1979. It has seats Laws of the Game, to allow the confirmed , Gdansk, Poznan and in two cities: 12 plenary sessions a Wroclaw as host cities in Poland. In referee to stop, suspend or ulti- year are held in Strasbourg and all Ukraine, it was decided that Kiev would mately abandon a match. Concrete measures will be defined at the additional sessions and parliamen- host group, quarter-final and semi- next Executive Committee meeting final matches, while Donetsk, Lviv and tary committees meet in Brussels. in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July. Kharkiv were given until 30 November MEPs do not sit in national delegations, but form transnational political groupings. Two of the biggest are the Party of European Socialists and the European Peo- ple’s Party.

Greater powers with each new treaty Due to its democratic legiti- macy, the European Parliament has seen its powers steadily increased with each treaty signed, from the founding Treaty of Rome to the current Treaty of Nice. It now has an active role in regulatory matters by virtue of the codecision proce-

Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch dure, which gives it genuine leg- The first Executive Committee meeting in Bucharest. islative powers. And were the ➜

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Michel Platini The cup presents handover ➜ Treaty of Lisbon to enter into the UEFA Cup ceremony to the mayor in Rome. force, the European Parliament of Istanbul, would become a co-legislator, alongside FC Zenit with the Council of the European St. Petersburg’s Anatoliy Union, in 90% of EU laws. What Tymoshchuk. Kilic/AFP/Getty Images FIGC is more, Article 165 of the Lisbon treaty takes the historic step of introducing sport as an area Workshop for FIFA Women’s of EU competence and names EURO 2016 candidates World Cup – the European Parliament as one Representatives of the four of the decision-makers when it Teams look to Germany candidates to host UEFA EURO 2016 comes to EU action in this field While the 12 qualifiers (France, Italy, Turkey and Norway/ eagerly await the final round of the (see uefadirect No 70). That is a Sweden) were invited to a seminar European Women’s Championship satisfaction guarantee because at the House of European from 23 August to 10 Sep- MEPs are aware of the concerns in Nyon, Switzerland, at the end tember, the other European women’s and expectations of the sports of April. teams are already turning their movement. They are our natural The aim of the meeting was to attention to the 2009–11 qualifying discussion partners at European give the candidates a general overview competition for the next FIFA level, thanks, in particular, to of how a European Football Champi- Women’s World Cup. onship final tournament is organised the Sports Intergroup, a Euro- The draw for the European and to provide them with more detailed pean Parliament working group qualifying competition was held in Nyon information about the bid requirements. on 17 March, resulting in the follow- dedicated exclusively to sports In small groups and plenary ing seven groups of five and one group matters. sessions, the participants considered of six: topics such as security, transport, A substantial contribution accommodation, legal matters and TV Group 1 Group 2 to football broadcasting. France Norway Over the years, UEFA Other meetings will follow Iceland Netherlands has worked hard to establish a to help the associations flesh out their Serbia Belarus relationship of mutual trust with bid dossiers and benefit from the expe- Northern Ireland Slovakia rience UEFA has gathered in previous a hard core of MEPs that meet Croatia FYR Macedonia tournaments. They have until 15 Febru- regularly in the informal Friends Estonia ary 2010 to submit their bid dossiers Group 3 Group 4 of Football working group. They to the UEFA administration. These will Denmark Ukraine communicate UEFA’s position on be examined and the UEFA Executive Scotland Poland the specificity of sport and its Committee will make a final decision Greece Hungary structures to the European Parlia- around the end of May 2010. Bulgaria Romania ment. Their valuable contribution Georgia Bosnia-Herzegovina has materialised in recent years From one UEFA Group 5 Group 6 in the form of three important club competition season England Russia resolutions based on the Belet to the next Spain Republic of Ireland report on the future of profes- The UEFA Champions League Switzerland sional football in Europe (see final between United Turkey Israel Malta Kazakhstan uefadirect No 59), the Mavrom- and in Rome on 27 May matis report on the White Paper marks the end of the 2008/09 UEFA Group 7 Group 8 on Sport (see uefadirect No 75) club competition season. Italy Sweden and the Schaldemose report on There is less than a month, Finland Czech Republic Portugal Belgium the integrity of online gambling however, before the start of the next. Slovenia Wales (see uefadirect No 85). On 22 May, the draws in Nyon for the Armenia Azerbaijan As half of the faces in first two UEFA Champions League and the European Parliament are ex- UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds The group matches start in pected to be new after the bal- kick off the 2009/10 season. What is mid-September this year and will con- more, they signal the start of a new tinue until August next year. Play-offs lots in June, UEFA will have to three-year club competition cycle fea- between the eight group winners resume its efforts to establish a turing a new UEFA Champions League will then be held on 11/12 and 15/16 group of natural allies within the access list and the all-new UEFA Europa September 2010, to decide which institution and identify new dis- League in place of the UEFA Cup, with four qualify for the final tournament, cussion partners that are recep- 12 groups of 4 teams in the group which is being held in Germany, home tive to the idea of good football stage and no more UEFA Intertoto Cup of the current world champions, from governance for the future. feeding into the qualifying stage. 26 June to 17 July 2011.

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Representatives of the bidders with the Henri Delaunay trophy.

Fair play – Final rankings confirmed UEFA-pjwoods.ch Norway, Denmark and Scotland have finished first, second Those defeated in the and third in the UEFA 2008/09 play-offs will contest another series Getty Images fair play table (part of the Respect of two-leg ties for a place in the campaign). Having topped the table President’s Award UEFA-CONCACAF play-off – their last at the end of 2008, they managed chance to enter the 2011 Women’s for Sir Bobby Charlton to maintain their positions to the World Cup. The UEFA President’s Award last, earning the right to enter an was introduced in 1998 to honour additional team in the first qualifying outstanding individuals who have Women’s Under-19 round for the 2009/10 UEFA Europa made a significant contribution to finalists line up League. football in various areas. In April, Sir The six group winners The rankings are based on fair Bobby Charlton, former Manchester (Iceland, Norway, France, Germany, play assessments from all UEFA club and United player and England interna- Switzerland and England) and the national competition matches played tional, became the latest recipient. best runners-up (Sweden) between 1 May 2008 and 30 April 2009, Sir Bobby was presented with in the second qualifying but only associations represented in at his award at Old Trafford on the day round of the 2008/09 Euro- least 30 matches are included in the table. of the UEFA Champions League first pean Women’s Under-19 This threshold was established by dividing leg semi-final between Manchester Championship have the total number of UEFA matches by United and Arsenal. In keeping with made it through to join the hosts, the number of member associations. last year’s choice of Alfredo di Stefano, Belarus, in the finals from 13 to Norway, Denmark and Scotland the UEFA president wanted to pay 25 July. This is the first time Belarus must each allocate their additional UEFA tribute to a former player turned has hosted the final round of a Europa League place to the winner of European football legend, not just UEFA competition. their national fair play competition. If the for the results he had achieved winner has already qualified for a UEFA Last year’s champions, Italy, throughout his brilliant career but competition, the place goes to the will not be defending their title, having also for his impact on the game, his runner-up, and so on. been knocked out in the second round charisma and his exemplary attitude. of qualifying. Germany, however, will be The top five in the final rankings: “Around Europe, [Sir] Bobby Charlton’s doing all they can to win back the trophy 1. Norway 8.372 name means respect. He showed they won in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 2. Denmark 8.189 great respect for his opponents and and 2007. The same goes for Sweden, 3. Scotland 8.169 for the public in his conduct,” said who won the championship in 1999, 4. Sweden 8.155 the UEFA president. and France, who took the title in 2003. 5. France 8.098 Of course, the five other finalists will also be hoping to add their names to Special Olympics in Nyon the European Women’s Under-19 Cham- pionship honours list. Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, a UEFA partner organisation, This final round will also decide held its ninth international football week from 25 April to 3 May. Right across which four countries represent Europe Europe, some 50,000 players with intellectual disabilities got involved. in the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Traditionally, the men and women of the UEFA administration like to Cup alongside Germany, who qualify mark the occasion with a UEFA-Special Olympics unified match, for which mixed automatically as hosts. teams are formed of players with A draw was held in Minsk and without disabilities. on 12 May to determine the final round This year was no excep- groups: tion – the showcase match was held Group A: Belarus, Switzerland, on 27 April at Colovray Stadium, France, Germany opposite UEFA’s headquarters in Group B: Sweden, England, Nyon, Switzerland. Iceland, Norway The hosts then invited the The group matches will be con- visitors back to the House of Euro- pean Football for some post-match Special Olympics players tested from 13 to 19 July, with the semi- and the UEFA administration come together

finals on 22 July and the final on 25 July. refreshments. for a unified match. UEFA

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Windtner was previously ÖFB vice-president A board has also been created, compris- and president of the Upper Austria regional ing six members with voting powers (the association that successfully hosted the ÖFB president, one representative each of 2007 European Under-19 Championship the east, west and central regional associa- AUSTRIA finals. His election in February followed the tions, the Bundesliga president and one surprise resignation last November of other Bundesliga representative). The ÖFB PETER KLINGLMÜLLER • • Friedrich Stickler, now ÖFB honorary presi- chief executive and Bundesliga executive dent. The new president entered office full will also have seats. Leo Windtner elected ÖFB president of ambition and announced to the 100 or The board will be responsible for on- The Austrian so present at the general meeting (including going controlling of budget preparations, Football Association UEFA vice-president Senes Erzik) “an energy the joint ÖFB-Bundesliga agendas and the held an extraordinary boost for Austrian football and renewed appointment of head coaches, sporting general meeting in national passion”. With a majority of more directors and chief executives. It can call in on 28 Febru- than 84%, structural reforms to the ÖFB outside experts in different fields as neces- ary. The main points were also approved, to strengthen the sary. on the agenda were administration. The association’s daily busi- The executive committee will act as a the election of a new ness will no longer be run by the president control and supervisory body and, as such, president and struc- and executive committee. Instead it will be will take sports-political decisions and super- tural reforms within the full responsibility of the general secre- vise the whole administration. Naturally, the the association. Leo tary, or chief executive as he will now be committee will be lead by the ÖFB president, Windtner (58) was known (currently Alfred Ludwig). He will but it was unanimously agreed to dispense unanimously elected then appoint directors in charge of different with the positions of vice-president (currently

by acclamation. ÖFB domains. four) as part of the structural reforms. ■

all the teams with football kits and sponsor’s products. Mingachevir-2 are the fourth team to qualify for the final qualifying round. The AZERBAIJAN other three are the team from Imishli, winners of the qualifying round held within MIKAYIL NARIMANOGHLU • • the central regional football association; Tokhuju, winners of the tournament organ- Qualifying matches completed for ised by the Ganja regional football associa- an international tournament tion; and Pambigchi, winners in the Garabag Qualifying matches for the next Danone region. The next regional qualifying matches Nations Cup have been held in Azerbaijan. are being held on 25/26 April in Aghstafa, The final stage of the competition will take within the west regional football association. place in September in Brazil. The Danone Nations Cup qualifying Ten teams from nine regions within the matches in Azerbaijan involve 11–12 year- northwest regional football association par- olds from all parts of the country. The final ticipated in the latest stage of the qualifying qualifying tournament in Baku will involve competition. The teams were divided into the winners from the regions and premier two groups of five. Gabala and Mingachevir-2 league club youth teams. The winners of qualified for the play-off, which Mingachevir-2 this tournament will be the first team from won 2-0 to enter for the final qualifying Azerbaijan to compete in this international AFFA round. After the matches, the AFFA presented tournament. ■ Fun first.

The visit was very emotional. Player important for the patients would help them Vitaliy Bulyga was very touched and said: to overcome their serious health problems. “I’ve visited so many children’s hospitals, but ■ In other news, two important seminars BELARUS this place is something special. If we win in were organised by the Belarus Football Kazakhstan I’ll dedicate our victory to all Federation (BFF) in April: one dedicated to • YULIA ZENKOVICH • the patients at this rehabilitation centre.” safety and security, with the participation Belarus went on to win their qualifier 5-1, of UEFA experts, and the other a medical Visit to rehabilitation centre and there is no doubt that every patient seminar. Football is not only about kicking the ball who met the national team that day felt that Although Belarus fans are not aggressive, and making big money. On the eve of their they were part of that brilliant victory. When it is always better to prevent a problem 2010 World Cup qualifier against Kazakh- the visit was over, the children’s eyes were before it occurs. Therefore, the BFF organ- stan, four players from the Belarus national shining with happiness and the guests left ised a seminar where European and Belaru- team (Alexandr Hleb, Vitaliy Bulyga, Aleksandr hoping that this little gesture that was so sian experts could share best practices and Yurevich and Igor Shitov), alongside the discuss common issues. national team assistant coach, Harald Irmsher, The medical seminar was attended not paid a visit to a rehabilitation centre for only by football doctors but by other sports children who have problems with their mus- medicine specialists as well. Jens Dehmelt, a culoskeletal system. The visit began with German physiotherapist who works with the an improvised press conference, where the Belarus national team, shared his valuable youngsters proved to very curious and asked experience with his Belarusian colleagues. lots of questions. Then the footballers got a April also marked the start of a new chance to see the centre’s facilities and talk football season. The fans were anxious to to its little patients. The children were, for resume supporting their teams and going to their part, extremely happy to have their the stadiums. The season is going to be very pictures taken with their idols. It seemed interesting. Will BATE Borisov defend their that the line of those wishing to get an title? Will Dinamo Minsk and other clubs be

autograph would never end. Shirts, cards, BFF able to challenge the titleholders? The fans pieces of paper… every single patient got The visit brought a smile to the faces of the are impatient to know the answer and are a cherished autograph. youngsters at this rehabilitation centre. expecting some exciting football. ■

16 uefadirect 6.09 UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 17

A double against Belgium for the national team of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA • FUAD KRVAVAC • Photo News Philippe Vande Walle (left) and Gilles De Bilde

when the announcement of the creation of a Successful football spring Krvavac F. national beach soccer team was made. Football has again become a number one topic in Bosnia-Herzegovina, thanks to It was, however, the national futsal team two wins against Belgium in the 2010 World who made the first appearance on the inter- Cup qualifiers. Head coach Miroslav Blazevic national stage this year. In Ostrava, in the and his squad have restored faith in football Czech Republic, they played in the Group 3 and hope that the autumn will see us in qualifying tournament for the 2010 Euro- BELGIUM second place in the standings and thus qual- pean championship final round. Unfortu- • PIERRE CORNEZ • ified for the play-offs for a place in the nately, they finished in bottom place, after finals in South Africa. a 2-2 draw against the hosts and 3-2 and The Bosnia-Herzegovina national team 2-0 defeats against Croatia and Latvia Beach soccer is a hit in Belgium beat Belgium 4-2 at the Crystal Arena in respectively. A second edition of the Belgacom Beach Genk, and just four days later, at Bilino Polje The amateur team Savez Gradiska AMA Soccer Championship @ Citibank City is in Zenica, the Bosnians were again better have qualified for the final round of the being organised in various towns and villages than Belgium, this time winning 2-1. The 6th UEFA Regions’ Cup in Tuheljske Toplice, in Belgium this summer. The events, which hero of both matches was Edin Dzeko, near Zagreb, the Croatian capital. The run from June to August, are free and beach who scored three of the six goals in both Bosnian representative will play in Group B soccer takes centre stage, but there are lots matches. against Kempen (Belgium), Region I (Repub- of other activities on offer too, with the aim The Under-21 national team have also lic of Ireland) and Castilla y Leon (Spain) in of achieving a clever mix of sport and enter- started preparing for the beginning of their the tournament that starts on 15 June. This tainment. qualifying campaign for the 2011 European is the third time that this Bosnian team will In 2008, all FIFA member associations championship in Denmark. The young Bosnian have taken part in a UEFA Regions’ Cup were given the task of organising a national ‘hopefuls’ are in the same group (Group 3) final round. beach soccer competition and creating their as the favourites, Italy, along with Hungary, The women’s national team will also own national team. This was the launch pad Luxembourg and Wales. The first gathering be starting their qualifying campaign for for the Belgian Beach Soccer League, an offi- of Branimir Tulic's squad has taken place the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Group 4, cial body that has been responsible, since its in Velika Kladusa and their first qualifying where they will meet Hungary, Poland, creation last year, for coordinating and organ- match is scheduled for 4 September, when Romania and Ukraine. Their first match will ising all beach soccer activities in Belgium, they play host to Luxembourg. Before the be against Hungary at home on 19 Septem- with a view to promoting the sport as effec- end of the year they will play three more ber. Before the end of the year, the Bosnian tively as possible. matches, with two away – in Wales and Italy women’s team will play away against The Belgian league enters its second sea- – before welcoming Wales at home. The Romania and Ukraine, and then play host son this year and its summer campaign is the rest of the matches will be played next year. to Poland. ■ perfect way to bring the traditional football season to a close. Beach soccer is considered young, trendy, energetic, dynamic and enter- taining. fact that most prohibited substances are This time around, a division B has been currently detected in urine. It will take some set up to complement the year-old division A. years but we are confident that, in the As the official Belgian championship, division A is supported by the Belgian Football Asso- BULGARIA future, blood will be the major material used ciation. This year, 12 teams compete for the to detect prohibited substances,” Marc PAVEL KOLEV title, won last year by SKDB Braine. • • Vouillamoz said. The main goal of the UEFA Below division A, division B is supported anti-doping programme in 2009 is to con- tinue the testing programme but also to stay by the Belgian Beach Soccer League and is Anti-doping seminar open to anyone who wants to give beach focused on education and prevention by soccer a go. The club that finishes the season For the fourth year in a row, the medical developing a lot of tools, including internet bottom of division A is automatically relegated committee of the platforms. The UEFA representative had the and the winners of division B are promoted. has organised an international seminar on opportunity to meet colleagues from the Meanwhile, the second-to-bottom club in medicine and football. The focus of this Bulgarian national anti-doping committee division A and the runners-up in division B year’s event, held in Sofia, were the latest and to exchange information and ideas with must compete for the last remaining slot in improvements in UEFA’s anti-doping cam- them. “I think the level of the Bulgarian Belgium’s premier beach soccer league. paign. Marc Vouillamoz, head of competi- anti-doping programme is very well estab- On the fringes of this year’s national com- tion administration at UEFA, made a very lished but there are definitely a few steps petition, various events are being organised, useful and educational presentation to the forward that can still be made. We will including a cheerleading competition, stage gathering of more than 80 team doctors cooperate and coordinate the testing pro- shows and activities for children and adults. from Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Azer- gramme with the Bulgarian national anti- At division A matches there will be courses baijan. “The future of testing will definitely doping committee when it comes to testing and introductory sessions for 8 to 14-year- lie in collecting blood material in spite of the Bulgarian football teams,” he said. ■ olds, where the youngsters are invited to par- ticipate in skills training led by professional coaches from the Belgian Football Association and top-level players. Belgium also has a national beach soccer team, which is heading to Castillon (Spain) in June to compete in a qualifying mini-tourna- ment for the 2009 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai from 16 to 22 November. The best players from division A have joined forces with former Red Devils such as Gilles De Bilde, Gert Verheyen and Philippe Vande Walle to form an impressive side that Nadejda Korcheva is aiming for equally impressive results. ■ The seminar on medicine and football.

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Jira Panel, visited our association for a three- day preparatory visit and final discussions for the implementation of our first UEFA Pro diploma. Now we have the pleasure and CYPRUS honour of preparing to host our first ever UEFA Pro licence course (phase A) from 18 • KYRIAKOS GIORGALLIS • to 30 May in . During the course, Jerzy Engel, on behalf of UEFA, will be present as mentor. He is well 20th national title for Apoel Nicosia known and popular in Cyprus from the days Apoel Nicosia FC claimed their 20th divi- when he served as head coach of various local sion A title on Saturday, 25 April, securing clubs. Howard Wilkinson and Jerzy Engel, the point they needed against last year’s representing UEFA, as well as John Bilton and champions, Anorthosis Famagusta FC. Ivan Martin Hunter, will be the main instructors Jovanovic's men have now opened up a for the course.

seven-point gap over second-placed Omonia CFA Meanwhile, the Cyprus FA football devel- Nicosia FC with two matchdays still to go, opment championships are still under way, The youth competitions are still in full swing. giving them the chance to start the celebra- with more than 1,300 children competing in tions without further ado. Apollon Limassol FC face AEL Limassol FC, four age-group divisions, i.e. born after 1997, Apoel, with the title already under their both teams having a lot to do in Limassol after born after 1998, born after 1999 and born belts, can now fully turn their attention to a 1-1 draw in the first leg. between 2000 and 2001. These competitions overturning their 2-0 deficit in the Cypriot March was a significant month for the started regionally and now all the qualified Cup semi-final at home to APOP/Kinyras coach education department of our associa- teams are playing their matches in Nicosia to Peyias FC on 6 May. On the same day, tion as Howard Wilkinson, member of UEFA’s determine the champions. ■

natural, that this also should be reflected in tion in Norway. The conference also produced the number of women in other areas such as many discussions and constructive debates management and political boards, where about how to get more women interested in men still dominate. This will give a better and football, not only as players, but also to influ- DENMARK more healthy balance,” said the president of ence the development of Denmark’s favourite the Danish FA, Allan Hansen, as he opened a sport. ■ • PIA SCHOU NIELSEN • conference aimed at recruiting women in particular for a new training course in politi- cal management. And the president of the More women, please! Danish FA had a very clear personal goal: In Denmark, girls’ and women’s football “When I finish my term as Danish FA presi- is booming, now the biggest sport for girls dent, my hope is that there will be three or under the age of 19. But the growing num- four women on the board of the Danish FA. ber of players is, unfortunately, not reflected That is my clear aim!” He also made it clear in the boardrooms around Denmark. to the 100 or so men and women attending Therefore, the Danish FA has started a the conference that networking is a very, if campaign to also recruit more women to not the most important way to ensure the political posts in Danish football clubs and success of the campaign. the FA. One of the objectives is to train more At the conference, only the second women to be prepared for the challenges woman to have been appointed to the board in a still male-dominated area. of the Danish FA, Mette Bach Kjaer, elected

“Women’s and girls’ football is growing in February 2009, told of her experience as a Per Kjaerbye very fast in Denmark. We have never had so woman in a man’s world, while Hege Leifall A conference to encourage more women many girls playing our sport, and it is only from Norway gave an insight into the situa- into football administration.

based on his experience of taking control of some of the Premiership’s fiercest matches. While in Santiago, the English delegation were able to witness first-hand the difficulties ENGLAND experienced by referees as guests at the FAROE ISLANDS crucial Chile v Uruguay World Cup qualifier. • DERMOT COLLINS • The seminar received a positive response, • INGI SAMUELSEN • with a commitment from the Chilean FA to develop a similar initiative as part of its on- Irishman at the helm Respect course going education programme. The visit con- The FA staged its first ever international cluded with a final presentation to an elite in the Faroe Islands Respect course last week in Santiago, Chile. group of 80 referees. On 6 April, the Faroe Islands FA (FSF) Following a request from the Chilean govern- The Respect seminar is the third course appointed Brian Kerr (56) as the new national ing body and CONMEBOL, the FA sent out to be delivered by The FA in South America coach. The Faroe Islands national A team has Dermot Collins, FA Respect manager; Lucia this year as part of its commitment to CON- been without a head coach since October, Sanchez, international relations; and Lee MEBOL to assist the development of football when Jógvan Martin Olsen decided to stand Mason, referee, to deliver a in South America. ■ down to take up the position of club coach seminar sharing the experience of the first with local team Víkingur instead. year of the Respect programme in England. Brian Kerr is familiar with Faroese foot- Delivering to an audience of referees, ball from his time as national coach of the club captains, coaches and journalists, the FA Republic of Ireland, which he served in this tutors soon discovered that football in Chile capacity from 2003 to 2005. The Republic of faces many of the same behavioural problems Ireland and the Faroe Islands met each other as in England. Based on the English experi- in the qualifying competition for the 2006 ence, the seminar allowed the Chilean dele- FIFA World Cup, in which Kerr’s team won gates the opportunity to design their own both matches. version of the Respect programme. The From 1996 to 2002, Brian Kerr was Chilean referees in particular revelled in the responsible for the Irish national youth teams, practical sessions delivered by Lee Mason including the Under-17 and Under-19 teams The FA 18 uefadirect 6.09 The course run by The FA in Chile. UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 19

which won their respective European cham- Gaétane Thiney, midfielder. “Clearly the an- pionships in 1998 for the first time in the his- swer is yes, because this is what it has come tory of Irish football. As manager of St. Patrick’s to. I hope it isn’t the only thing people remem- Athletic from 1986 to 1996, Brian Kerr twice ber. I wanted to do these photos because they won the domestic championship. are the starting point for a campaign that ISRAEL could do a lot for our sport.” Sarah Bouhaddi, goalkeeper for Les Bleues said: “I was very • NIMROD SUZIN • anxious about posing nude. In the end it was a great experience.” Team-mate Corinne Franco, who also plays for Olympique Lyonnais, Grassroots activity agreed: “We know it will take a lot more than Thirty teams comprising hundreds of photos to get 30,000 people to a stadium but young football enthusiasts aged 10 and 11 it’s a start. We just want to encourage people participated in the annual children's football to take an interest in women’s football, our festival organised by the Israel Football Asso- team and our games.” ciation (IFA) as part of the children’s national Sandrine Soubeyrand, team captain, cup competition. added: “A good performance at the EURO The children’s cup competition attracts a would be the best thing to accompany this large crowd every year, and this festival was media campaign.” no exception, with parents, families and chil- Let’s hope we see Les Bleues on the front dren turning up to watch the matches staged

Ingi Samuelsen, FSF page of a big sports daily soon, fully clothed at the Israeli national team training ground. Høgni i Stórustovu, president of the FSF (left), this time. ■ The seven-a-side football tournament took and Brian Kerr, the new national coach. place in an excellent spirit. Four matches were played concurrently on two football The FSF president, Høgni í Stórustovu, pitches (35 minutes each half), to determine is looking forward to working with the Irish- who would go through to the next round. man: At the end of May, at the Ramat Gan na- “Brian Kerr’s record shows that he can tional stadium, the IFA will for the first time be successful and achieve results as well as hold all the finals – in five age groups – in building foundations for the future. We have GERMANY succession, at a festive event for children no doubt that he will bring his enthusiasm • NIELS BARNHOFER • and families that will be open to the general and passion to the national team and we are public. delighted that he has agreed to become the coach,” he said. ■ New women’s football spectator record There was a celebration of women’s football on 22 April, when the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup final was recreated for 44,825 spectators in Frankfurt’s Commerz- bank Arena. This time the runners-up, Brazil, FRANCE held the world champions, Germany, to a 1-1 draw and the spectators set a European • XAVIER THÉBAULT • record for the women’s game. The previous IFA best was from the opening match of Women’s The children’s football festival was enjoyed by all. EURO 2005, when 29,092 watched England Women’s team uncovered beat Finland at the City of Manchester The IFA is continuing to work with chil- At the beginning of March, the French Stadium. dren and young people to draw them into Football Federation (FFF) kicked off a big The sellout in Frankfurt was a dream the game and thereby increase the number media campaign involving the French women’s come true for the 2011 Women’s World Cup of active players. The IFA also runs a fair play team, who have qualified for the UEFA organising committee in particular. You could competition that ranks individual players and Women’s EURO 2009. Women’s football in already sense the World Cup atmosphere at youth teams, and a sports sociologist lectures France has a woefully low profile and this this first test, 795 days before the opening teams on the relationship between parents, campaign is designed to give it a boost. match. “It was a giant step towards the 2011 players and coaches. ■ The FFF’s head of communication joined World Cup. It was the best possible advert, forces with Hémisphère Droit et Pauce, a pro- not just for the World Cups next year and in fessional photography agency, to organise Germany the year after, but for women’s a special photo shoot: four members of the football as a whole,” said Steffi Jones, who national women’s team agreed to pose for a chairs the FIFA 2011 World Cup Organising series of high-class nude photos. The aim is Committee. to increase media coverage of the women’s Theo Zwanziger, president of the German team, change the public image of women’s FA (DFB), added: “I’m a fan of women’s and KAZAKHSTAN football and, ultimately, get more spectators girls’ football, but I'm also a realist and know in the stands. full well that it’s not easy to get that many • ALEXANDR KEPLIN • The photos are accompanied by the slogan: spectators at a women’s international. It didn’t “Do we have to go to these lengths so you just meet our expectations; it far exceeded come to watch us play?” It challenges and them. I think this match attracted people you Youth talents’ festival criticises a real lack of interest from the media wouldn’t normally see at the stadium for From 25 to 30 April, the second edition and public. “We are asking if we really have to men’s games. This is an interesting, new of the Republic of Kazakhstan president’s cup get naked to attract a bit of attention,” said audience for the DFB.” – an international youth tournament – was The DFB general secretary, Wolfgang held in Almaty, the country’s former capital. Niersbach, who watched the match alongside For five days, talented Under-17 footballers , member of the FIFA from football academies such as Rubin, Executive Committee, said: “The best thing CSKA, Spartak (all Russia), Ole Brazil (Brazil), for me about this brilliant evening was the Ado Den Haag (Netherlands), Abdysh-Ata realisation that we really can look forward to (Kyrgyzstan), Academia (Azerbaijan) and another fairytale summer in two years’ time. Semey-93, the winners of last year’s Kazakh- The children’s enthusiasm, the peaceful, stan Under-17 championship, competed joyful, trouble-free atmosphere, the packed for the trophy. stands and our team’s excellent performance The inaugural tournament was held last – it all reminded me of the fantastic spirit year and was won by Besiktas from Turkey. FFF of summer 2006. We need to keep this up as “The main result of last year’s tournament A charm offensive for women’s football. we count down to the 2011 World Cup!” ■ was that the Kazakhstan Under-17 team ➜

19 UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 20

➜ reached the elite round of their European people who, in other circumstances, would championship for the first time ever. These perhaps never have met. Under the guidance youngsters are our future prospects. First of of former Liechtenstein international Daniel all, this tournament will help to increase the Hasler, Special Olympics athletes and young popularity of football, as well as enabling our talents from Schaan secondary school met for

boys to play against strong competitors and LFF weekly training sessions and joint prepara- giving them more confidence,” said Adilbek Going digital. tions for the tournament in Vorarlberg. Dzhaksybekov, president of Football Federa- Both the training and tournament were tion of Kazakhstan, on the eve of the tour- ment system (FMS), which will electronically such a great experience for the players that nament. store details of all LFF registered players in the excitement is already mounting ahead of A guest of honour at the event was the one database and create their player profiles, next year’s Bodensee Cup. ■ FIFA president, Joseph S Blatter, accompanied which, once generated, will follow them by a FIFA delegation. They arrived in Kazakh- throughout their careers. Clubs, matches, stan on the morning of 29 April. The first cards, different kinds of statistics, fixtures and part of the day was devoted to a meeting disciplinary sanctions – all this information with federation representatives, while in the can be tracked and found if the system is afternoon, the FIFA president met the presi- properly run. The FMS is not only about dent of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, players; it can also hold other databases such who presented the FIFA president with the as referee profiles and appointments, and LUXEMBOURG Dostyk order for the development of football, media modules, while a special part of the • JOËL WOLFF • support of football and active international system can be allocated for club use. activity. This is the highest government award The LFF realises that there are unlimited for foreign citizens. possibilities for using IT effectively in everyday New national football stadium After visiting the head of state’s residence, work and these IT systems are winning over The wait is finally over for Luxembourg Mr Blatter held a press conference, and in more supporters every week. Internal com- football fans, whose dream of a new national the evening he attended the president’s cup munication, an internal calendar for tasks, football stadium is actually going to become match between Semey-93 and Rubin. holidays and business trips, twitter – these a reality. The FIFA president congratulated Kazakh- are just a few applications for which open- Details were unveiled at a joint press con- stan and its football federation on their source programs can be found and used ference given by the ministry of sport and the efforts to develop the game. “Football in effectively in the organisation. Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF): Kazakhstan is on the right track. The federa- Another important IT project is the LFF ■ The new stadium will be in Livange, tion has done a great deal for football devel- online souvenir shop. The LFF has established about 10km from the city of Luxembourg. opment in recent times,” he said. and fully owns the Football Agency limited ■ It will form part of a new business park. The eight participating teams were divided liability company that runs the business. ■ It will have 10,000 covered seats. into two groups. At the end of group stage, Shortly, the LFF will launch its internet ticket- ■ It will be easy to reach by both public the teams’ places were determined in play-offs. sale outlet for national team matches. and private transport. In Group A, there turned out to be no equals “Hopefully we are not running ahead of the ■ Work on the new stadium, which will to CSKA from Russia, while in Group B, it train but preparing the ground for future meet all FIFA and UEFA requirements for in- was Ole Brazil who went through to the final, generations. I am fully in favour of this,” said ternational matches, is expected to begin in in which prize money of USD 10,000 was at the LFF general secretary, Janis Mezeckis. ■ 2011. ■ stake. At the in Almaty, the Brazilian team scored the only goal of the match to lift the trophy. ■

LIECHTENSTEIN • ANTON BANZER • FLF

Bodensee Cup A scale model of the new national stadium. Four teams from Liechtenstein took part

KFF in the first edition of the Bodensee Cup on Semey-93 with the FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter, 14/15 May in Vorarlberg, Austria. The teams and the president of the FFK, Adilbek Dzhaksybekov. comprised Special Olympics athletes and sports students, and the Liechtenstein Foot- ball Association was responsible for their tournament preparations. FYR MACEDONIA The Bodensee Cup is a four-year project involving Germany, Austria, Switzerland and • ZORAN NIKOLOVSKI • Liechtenstein. It was sparked off by the 2008 Special Olympics Football Cup, the idea being LATVIA to bring together people with disabilities and New buildings those without. In September, the Football Federation of • MARTINS HARTMANIS • On 14/15 May, two-day competitions FYR Macedonia, with support from UEFA and in various sports were organised in the four the government of FYR Macedonia, will start countries. One of the sports was football, or building a new training centre and adminis- Computerisation of everyday work rather seven-a- trative building. The Latvian Football Federation (LFF) has side unified After the visit of the UEFA president, been constantly improving its IT database and football. The Michel Platini, to FYR Macedonia and his hardware since moving to new premises. Liechtenstein meeting with the prime minister, Nikola Thanks to financial support from UEFA and Football Associ- Gruevski , the government immediately com- bright minds at the federation, the LFF has ation was, once mitted itself to investing in the project. bought a server, computers for each work- again, delight- “The project is ready and work will begin space and software, and as much as possible ed to have the in a few months’ time,” said a satisfied Nikola uses free, open-source programs for internal opportunity Kostov, general secretary of the Football work. The next step is to make effective use to bring the Federation of FYR Macedonia. of all these possibilities. binding force This project will be completed by the end In cooperation with FirstSports Interna- of football to Daniel Hasler, of 2010. It consists of three grass pitches, tional, the LFF is involved in an enormous bear and help former Liechtenstein one with artificial turf and a mini-stadium rolling project called the federation manage- bring together international, with electricity and 5,000 seats. running a training session. 20 uefadirect 6.09 LFV UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 21

N EWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

In this way young footballers, besides being given the opportunity to express their talents while enjoying themselves, can be spotted at an early age and their qualities developed along proper lines. MONTENEGRO The Maltese association is aware that it is this policy of ‘catching them young’ that • IVAN RADOVIC • lies at the core of a sound and holistic prepa- ■ ration of future footballers. First women’s competition of Montenegro (FSCG) has introduced its first ever women’s competition. It will be a pilot for the creation of a domestic women’s championship. Our association has helped the development of women’s football in our country through

FSM MOLDOVA many friendly football and futsal tournaments, but this is the first to be officially organised • VICTOR DAGHI • by the association. The plan of the new training centre. Four teams are participating in the tourna- ment: Palma from Podgorica, Ekonomist from There will be a kit building, mini-hotel, spa Visit of the FIFA president Niksic, Durmitor from Zabljak and Sport Uno centre, etc. After the visit of the former famous player from Bijelo Polje. The competition will consist “It is very important for us that UEFA has and now president of UEFA, Michel Platini, on of six rounds, one every Sunday until the already approved our project and we can use 5 March, another important person, Joseph S. end of May. money from the HatTrick programme,” said Blatter, the FIFA president, visited Moldova from The women’s teams are among the first – Haralampie Hadzi-Risteski, president of the 30 April to 1 May at the invitation of Pavel besides the national teams – to use the pitches federation. ■ Cebanu, president of the Football Association at the FSCG’s training ground in Podgorica. of Moldova (FAM). All the competition expenses are being cov- It was the second visit to our country by the ered by the FSCG, including transport, food FIFA president, the first being in August 2002, and water, and officials. when he inaugurated an artificial turf pitch laid After the first round, it seems that the at the Vadul-lui-Voda technical centre. title fight will be a two-team race, with During his short stay, the FIFA president, Palma having defeated Sport Uno 8-0 and accompanied by Pavel Cebanu, met Vladimir Ekonomist win- MALTA Voronin, president of Moldova. Their discus- ning 7-0 against sions focused on the football achievements of Durmitor. • ALEX VELLA • recent years, FIFA projects which had been On the sub- implemented in Moldova and possibilities for ject of the FSCG Catching them young the development of Moldovan football. At the training centre, Conscious of the importance of preparing end of their meeting, Vladimir Voronin received we are proud to footballers properly from a tender age, the the FIFA presidential medal in recognition of his announce that Malta FA has been devoting itself fully to the contribution to the development of Moldovan the new flood- development of youngsters on a wide basis football. lights have been for several years, through its grassroots pro- Next stop for the FIFA delegation was the installed around gramme and on the initiative of UEFA. Moldovan Orthodox Church for a meeting with the main pitch The recently set up regions project for Metropolitan Vladimir, head of the metropolis and that they nurseries, which is aimed at coordinating the of Chisinau and all Moldova. The FIFA president will be used for development work of these establishments was awarded with the order of Stefan cel Mare the first time at in various parts of the country, is reaping the si Sfint, the highest distinction of the Moldovan the final of the desired results in that talent is being identi- Orthodox Church. This distinction was con- national Under-

fied and monitored on a national scale. ferred on the FIFA president for his special con- 19 cup in a FSCG tribution to the creation of a world of peace couple of weeks’ Action from the match through football. time. ■ between Palma and Sport Uno. The FIFA president’s visit also included stops at the FAM offices, where he met the staff and FAM executive committee members, and the Vadul-lui-Voda technical centre, now restored after the 2008 summer floods. “It was a pleasant surprise to see how the technical centre looks now! And, believe me, not a lot of associations have such facilities for their NORTHERN IRELAND national teams as you do. You can be proud of it and FIFA is also proud to have invested funds in • SUEANN HARRISON • this centre,” Mr Blatter said at the press confer- ence for Moldovan journalists. ■ D. Aquilina Sammy backs summer schools’ The school futsal festival was a great success. programme Northern Ireland’s Sammy Clingan is call- The footballing skills of youngsters in ing on all budding young footballers to get schools are also being tapped through vari- ready for a summer full of football fun! The ous other initiatives, the most recent being 25-year-old, who has been capped 21 times a futsal festival which attracted the participa- by the senior national team and played for tion of several schools on the island and his country at all levels, has given his backing hence a handsome number of budding foot- to the Irish FA’s Nutty Krust Summer Soccer ballers. Schools Programme which will run during This nationwide five-a-side activity, made July and August. possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Coordinated by the Irish FA’s grassroots technical department of the Malta FA and the development officers and staffed by qualified

parliamentary secretariat for youth and sport Boris Harcenco coaches, the schools are the ideal way to get within the ministry of education, was such an Left to right: Pavel Cebanu, president of children active over the summer months. unqualified success that it is planned to hold the FAM, Vladimir Voronin, president of Moldova, “The Irish FA Nutty Krust Summer Soccer this festival on a bigger scale next year. and Joseph S. Blatter, president of FIFA. Schools provide boys and girls with an excel- ➜

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favour of sport and, in particular, football,” says the Portuguese Football Federation gen- eral secretary, Ângelo Brou, who has been making numerous trips in the last two years to inaugurate these amenities. FAI

IFA “Unfortunately, but understandably, it has not been possible to meet all the requests, Vincent Butler retires after many years spent Two youngsters eager for the football schools coaching Irish youth teams. to start, pictured with Lee Carrol (head of grass- as the number of bids has been five times roots football at the IFA), Ireland international higher than the supply available. Therefore, Sammy Clingan and Michael Murphy (sponsor’s we have been undertaking, in close coopera- ■ Also, last month saw the announcement representative). tion with the government/IDP and the region- of a new pilot Stay Active league initiative for al football associations, a rigorous selection ➜ the unemployed that will be rolled out in Dublin lent opportunity to learn new skills and develop process, taking into particular consideration over the coming weeks. The initiative, the as players,” said Sammy. “The programme is the specific needs of each region and trying first of its kind to be implemented by a sports a vital component in the Irish FA’s grassroots to choose the most deprived ones,” he governing body in Ireland, is aimed at men and strategy and introducing children to the explained. women over the age of 18 who are currently game at an early age and providing them Ângelo Brou has no doubts that Portugal unemployed and would like to stay active and with a fun and positive experience will hope- is now “a country which is more aware of engaged through football. fully in turn generate an interest which will the importance of the role of sport in youth keep them involved in football for life.” The leagues, which will be held in four loca- development and in enhancing physical and tions in Dublin throughout May and June, are Encouraging budding young players from psychological wellbeing. Our commitment across the country to take part in this year’s organised by FAI development officers, who are to implementing this mini-pitch project is not co-funded by Dublin City Council, Fingal County programme, the international midfielder said: only in order to try to find Cristianos Ronaldos. “I would encourage all boys and girls to go Council and South Dublin County Council, and Above all, we want to accomplish our mission will also offer coaching and referee courses to along to their local Summer Soccer School. as an association to make young people The coaches will help you improve all aspects those interested so that they can continue to be aware of the benefits of playing sport and, active within their communities. Depending on of your game like dribbling, control and ultimately, to help future generations to grow shooting. To improve as a player it is impor- the success of the pilot schemes, the initiative up healthier and happier,” he concluded. may be extended throughout the country. ■ tant that you listen to the coaches on schemes Mention should also be made of the sup- like this, as they have the experience and port from our sponsor, BES, which has invested knowledge on what is needed to make you in the construction of 13 mini-pitches and a better player.” intends to continue in 2010, with a new facil- Lee Carroll, Irish FA head of grassroots ity already having been allocated. We hope football, said: “We really encourage all par- that, in the context of social responsibility, ents to get their kids along to one of our other sponsors will join this programme. ■ summer schools. The kids are guaranteed to UKRAINE learn new skills, make new friends and, most importantly, have a great time.” Michael • IVAN DYVAK • Murphy, Irwin's commercial controller, added: “Irwin’s Bakery is proud to enter into the Perfect present for schoolchildren third year of sponsorship with the Irish FA for the Nutty Krust Summer Soccer Schools. Although preparations for EURO 2012 are We are looking forward to a great summer naturally the main focus of its attention at the with more than 5,000 kids expected to have moment, the Football Federation of Ukraine a great time developing their football skills, (FFU) is still running its many social pro- fuelled by Northern Ireland’s favourite gro- grammes, one of the most important of which

cery product.” FPF targets the development of youth football. Thus, within the framework of the national The Summer Soccer Schools, which are Practising on the mini-pitches. for children aged six and above, will run at Our Future programme, a new multipurpose venues across Northern Ireland and will be pitch with artificial turf has been opened in the attended by thousands of boys and girls. ■ town of Borodyanka, near Kiev, and, in keeping with the programme, it was presented to the nearby secondary school. Vitaliy Pylypenko, head of the Ukrainian student football associa- tion and a member of the FFU executive com- REPUBLIC OF IRELAND mittee, was the major investor in the project. “It’s not the first time we’ve started to • FRAN WHEARTY • develop football infrastructure in our town,” he said. “Borodyanka already has the specialised PORTUGAL Retirement of Vincent Butler Borex football complex, for example, which is a potential training base for EURO 2012. In fact, FILIPE FÉLIX The Republic of Ireland’s youth manager, • • the new pitch is a structural part of the com- Vincent Butler, has retired from international plex, even though it belongs to the secondary management after 16 years of service for Embracing sport school, giving more than 200 children the the Irish U15 and U16 sides. Having managed chance to play their favourite game in excellent The second stage of the mini-pitch con- the U16 side for four years in the 1970s and conditions.” struction project in Portugal is proving to be a 1980s, Butler returned to the fold in 1996 and Commenting on the modest 40 x 40m di- huge success, demonstrating that the country had been in charge of the U15s and U16s for mensions of the new pitch, Oleksandr Lekhno, warmly embraces all projects connected with the last 12 years, during which time he has director of the Borex complex, said: “Originally the promotion of sport, physical health and seen 19 players go on to become full interna- we planned to build a pitch 30m wide and social inclusion. tionals while 79 have been capped at U21 60m long, but then we met the wishes of the After the first stage of the project – a part- level. The recent U16 invitational Gradisca tour- school’s PE teachers, who wanted to use the nership between UEFA (through its HatTrick nament in Italy was Butler’s last official assign- pitch for handball as well. In its existing size, it programme), the Portuguese government/IDP ment as Ireland U16 manager before he hand- can easily be divided into two handball courts.” (Portuguese sports institute) and the Por- ed over the reins to the newly appointed U15 The FFU will continue to pay close attention tuguese Football Federation – during which and U16 manager, John Morling, who had al- to the development of the Our Future pro- more than 100 grounds were built, the ready started work managing last season’s U15 gramme (more than 800 pitches in all regions second stage involves the construction of group. John Morling, the current player devel- of the country have been built within its frame- approximately the same number again, opment manager for the Football Association work), as well as to other social projects aimed so that mini-pitches will reach every corner of Ireland (FAI) is an ex-Norwich trainee at promoting children’s/youth and grassroots of the country. who had a long and successful spell with football. It is well known that Ukraine is consid- “The great readiness and interest shown Peterborough United, where he held a number ered one of the world’s leaders in this area. by the municipalities make us very proud and of coaching positions, including first-team Last year UEFA awarded Ukraine five-star status pleased to be part of this promotion chain in coach and reserve manager. within the UEFA Grassroots Charter. ■

22 uefadirect 6.09 UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 23 UEFA-pjwoods.ch

Notice

In April the Turkish Football Association Communications moved to: Istinye Mah. Darüssafaka Cad. No. 45, Birthdays – Calendar Kat 2, 34330 Sariyer Istanbul Turkey Tel.: +90 212 3622222 Fax: +90 212 3234968 [email protected] Birthdays ● Brian Barwick (England, 21.6) ● Michel Platini (France, 21.6) ● Peter Peters (Germany, 21.6) Match agents Referee observer Franz Wöhrer (Austria) ● Zoran Cvrk (Croatia, 21.6) turns 70 on 5 June. On 6 June, security officer ● Keith Stuart Hackett (England, 22.6) Francesco Tagliente (Italy) celebrates his 60th, ● Zvi Rosen (Israel, 23.6) Two new UEFA match agent licences followed the next day by Sandor Berzi (Hungary), ● Vladimir Antonov (Moldova, 23.6) have been granted: a vice-chairman of the Control and Disciplinary ● Leslie Irvine (Northern Ireland, 23.6) Raymond Akakpo Body, and on 11 June by referee observer ● Georg Pangl (Austria, 23.6) ISM – 7, avenue Henri Becquerel, Nathan Bartfeld (Moldova). Jean-Jacques ● Rene J. Temmink (Netherlands, 24.6) Schonckert (Luxembourg), a member of the ● Emanuel Zammit (Malta, 24.6) 93420 Villepinte, France Players’ Status, Transfer and Agents and ● João Rocha (Portugal, 24.6) Mobile: +33 6 11 46 52 84 Match Agents Committee, celebrates his ● Jeannette Saarinen (Finland, 24.6) Fax: +33 1 48 60 15 68 50th birthday on 24 June. ● Reinhard Walser (Liechtenstein, 25.6) [email protected] UEFA also wishes many happy returns to: ● Marcel Lica (Romania, 25.6) Behçet Menkaloglu ● Wilfried Gerhardt (Germany, 1.6) ● Foppe de Haan (Netherlands, 26.6) ● Ivaylo Ivkov (Bulgaria, 3.6) ● Barry W. Bright (England, 27.6) Boheme Travel Agency – Nilgün Sok. 11/2, ● Klara Bjartmarz (Iceland, 3.6) ● Sigurdur Hannesson (Iceland, 27.6) Çankaya, Ankara 06680, Turkey ● George Courtney (England, 4.6) ● Wim Koevermans (Netherlands, 28.6) Tel.: +90 312 427 67 74 ● Rolf Haugen (Norway, 4.6) ● Ivan Borissov Lekov (Bulgaria, 29.6) Fax: +90 312 427 67 76 ● Alastair L. Cox (England, 4.6) ● Joan Laporta i Estruch (Spain, 29.6) [email protected] ● Jean-Samuel Leuba (Switzerland, 4.6) ● Orhan Erdemir (Turkey, 29.6) ● Marie-Claire Maney (Northern Ireland, 4.6) ● Ludovico Micallef (Malta, 5.6) Forthcoming events Publications ● Jaap Uilenberg (Netherlands, 5.6) ● Leon Straessle (Switzerland, 6.6) Meetings ● Michael Joseph Hyland (Republic of Ireland, 6.6) Eat for Goals! ● Theo Zwanziger (Germany, 6.6) 2/3 June, Nassau, Bahamas Produced by UEFA in collaboration ● (Italy, 6.6) Ordinary FIFA Congress with the European Commission and the ● Lars-Åke Bjørck (Sweden, 7.6) 10 June, Nyon World Heart Federation, this cookbook ● Kenneth J. Hope (Scotland, 7.6) Finance Committee for 5 to 11-year-olds ● Michel Sablon (Belgium, 7.6) (see uefadirect No 78) ● Sondre Kåfjord (Norway, 7.6) 12 June, Donetsk ● Draw for the final round of the 2008/09 is extending its reach. Yury Dupanau (Belarus, 7.6) Originally published ● Johannes Scholtz (Netherlands, 8.6) European Under-19 Championship ● Robert Anthony Boggi (Italy, 8.6) 22 June, Nyon in the three official ● Bryan Drew (England, 8.6) Draws for the first and second qualifying UEFA languages ● Jesper Møller Christensen (Denmark, 9.6) rounds of the UEFA Champions League (English, French and ● Hans Bangerter (Switzerland, 10.6) and UEFA Europa League German), it is now ● Alun Evans (Wales, 11.6) also available in ● 24 June, Nyon Leonardo Grosso (Italy, 11.6) Draw for the qualifying round Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Russian. ● Kyros Georgiou (Cyprus, 11.6) of the UEFA Women’s Champions League The aim of the book is to help young ● Thórir Hakonarson (Iceland, 11.6) people better understand the importance ● Alain Courtois (Belgium, 12.6) ● Competitions of exercise and a healthy, balanced diet Jørn West Larsen (Denmark, 12.6) (see .com). ● Sergejus Sliva (Lithuania, 12.6) 14–28 June, South Africa ● Arben Bici (Albania, 12.6) FIFA Confederations Cup ● Roland Coquard (France, 13.6) Górnik Zabrze ● Ante Vucemilovic-Simunovic Jr (Croatia, 13.6) 15–22 June, Croatia As part of their collection on football ● Giulio Campanati (Italy, 15.6) UEFA Regions’ Cup final round clubs, the publishers of the Encyklopedia ● Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia, 15.6) 15–29 June, Sweden Pilkarska FUJI have released a volume ● Pavel Mokry (Czech Republic, 15.6) European Under-21 Championship on the Polish club Górnik Zabrze, which ● Muhittin Bosat (Turkey, 15.6) final round ● celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. Michael Joseph Maessen (Netherlands, 17.6) The book contains the clubs’ results, ● Stephen Thomas (England, 17.6) 22–25 June, Nyon ● Markus Nobs (Switzerland, 17.6) European Women’s Under-17 Championship a list of all first-team players with infor- ● Philippe Piat (France, 18.6) final round mation about their careers, and lots ● Hannelore Ratzeburg (Germany, 18.6) 30 June/1 July of photos, including one of the first team ● Elkhan Mammadov (Azerbaijan, 18.6) UEFA Champions League first qualifying round each season since the late 1950s ● Gaioz Darsadze (Georgia, 19.6) (first legs) ([email protected]).

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL Chief editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Artgraphic Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications Division Editorial deadline: 13 May 2009 source is indicated. UEFAdirect-86•E 15.5.2009 16:12 Page 24

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