o. 166 N Kessler and Stanković Kessler and Stanković on advisorytake roles TWO EX-PLAYERSJOIN UEFA

The finals return to Nyon to return finals The SOCIAL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY donates €100,000 UEFA to landmine victims UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE YOUTH UEFA THE TECHNICIAN Interview Chelsea’s with Viveash Adi coach youth

No.166 • April 2017 www.uefafoundation.org EDITORIAL

FORMER PLAYERS HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FOOTBALL

ew have greater authority to talk about These two players have accumulated a football development than those who colossal amount of knowledge and valuable F have played the game at the highest experience not only in their professional possible level. Former professional players careers, but also when they were learning the have experienced at first hand policies that game as youngsters. I am pleased that they have influenced their careers and they are see it as a natural progression in their careers therefore in the best position to say what to join UEFA and to try to pass on their wisdom should and should not be done in regard to to future generations. football development. Investing in the next generation of footballers This is why I believe that it is crucial for UEFA is an absolute necessity in order to develop to have former players involved in the decision- players for the future. It is crucial that top-class making process and I am delighted that Nadine football education is provided at a very early Kessler and Dejan Stanković have both joined stage as this will enhance the technical level our organisation as football advisors. and abilities of those future professionals. Both players reached great heights during There is a possibility that in the future, more their playing careers. Nadine was a three-time former players could join UEFA to lend their UEFA Women’s Champions League winner and expertise. Their understanding of football as was named FIFA Women’s World Player of the a whole is crucial for the development of the Year and UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe game across all levels and I look forward to in 2014. Her main roles will include helping to developing a fruitful relationship with oversee the development of women’s football them over the coming years. and the growth of women’s competitions. Nadine’s appointment shows UEFA’s commitment to developing the women’s game. This is one of my key objectives as UEFA president and as long as there is room for improvement, we will continue to raise the level and the profile of women’s football. Dejan, who won a UEFA Champions League title with FC Internazionale Milano and amassed over 100 caps for Serbia, will be responsible for working on dedicated UEFA projects as well as assisting UEFA national associations to develop Aleksander Čeferin talented youth players. UEFA President

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 03 CONTENTS

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UEFA 14 FFF CONTENTS

6 The shirt in all its guises 18 UEFA Youth League A practical, commercial and sentimental At the end of April, Nyon plays host item, the football shirt is already many to the final round of the fourth UEFA things and is fast becoming a high-tech Youth League, featuring newcomers piece of kit. Salzburg in the last four. Official publication of the Union of European 12 41st Ordinary 20 The Technician Football Associations Adi Viveash, who coached Chelsea UEFA Congress Chief editor: Delegates from UEFA’s member to two UEFA Youth League titles, Emmanuel Deconche associations are meeting in Helsinki on talks to UEFA Direct about youth team management. Deputy chief editor: 5 April to elect members of the UEFA Dominique Maurer Executive Committee and FIFA Council, among other Congress business. External contributors: 30 Coupe de France Simon Hart (page 6) The French Cup is 100 years old Julien Hernandez (page 30) 14 Social responsibility and as popular as ever, thanks in Production: Touchline On behalf of UEFA, Sergio Ramos no small measure to the exploits of presented a cheque for €100,000 to amateur clubs. Printing: the International Committee of the Artgraphic Cavin Red Cross to help landmine victims CH-1422 Grandson in Afghanistan. 36 News from member Editorial deadline: associations 17 March 2017

Cover photos: 16 U EFA Futsal Cup FC Barcelona, SL Benfica, Ugra Yugorsk, Sporting CP, Inter FS Gepa Pictures, Real Madrid CF and Kairat Almaty are through to the final four in Kazakhstan.

04 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 THE TECHNICIANCONTENTS

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Inter FS 16 UEFA 20

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 05 THE GAME

THE LONG AND THE SHIRT OF IT

Once a simple heavyweight jersey, the modern football shirt can be seen as a winning fusion of design, technology and commerce, but just where might the high-tech factor take the shirt in years to come?

How times have changed: the plain shirts worn by René Vignal and Ian McPherson in a friendly between Racing Club Paris and Arsenal in 1950. Getty Images icture the scene. It is the UEFA Champions League final in 2037. On the pitch a defender is caught out by the opposition winger, falling to the turf as his Prival sprints away. A moment later the same defender loses another duel. It is the 65th minute. In the technical area, the coach glances at his team analyst as he scans the defender’s readings for the last five minutes: heart rate, perspiration, temperature, adrenaline and cortisol levels. This information, flashing up on the screen, arrives direct from a sensor embedded into the fabric of the player’s shirt. Another sensor in the same shirt tells the media high up in the stand behind that he has covered less ground Getty Images in the last five minutes than at any point in Until the 1950s, goalkeepers like Watford’s the preceding hour of the contest. Jim McLaren, ‘playing’ here in 1938, wore If this sounds far-fetched to you, woollen turtleneck sweaters. think again. The football shirt has been many things over the long stretch or spectator experience during a game of time since the first organised games via real-time sensor data.” in Victorian England in the 1870s – from Stammel goes on to speculate: “The simple, heavyweight jersey to sometimes shirt will be used for health-related garish fashion garment; from symbol information for the coach, for spectator of supporter devotion to source of enhancement during the match and for commercial revenue. additional promotions or fan enhancement A football shirt today, according to via display applications.” the manufacturers’ promises, can help keep a player cool. It can support muscles Two shirts a season and stimulate blood flow. It is lighter and Whatever the future brings, we have drier than ever before. And, in the view of already travelled far from the days when Christian Stammel, CEO of Munich-based a player had two shirts a season – one Wearable Technologies, it may not be too for cold winter afternoons and another long before it becomes even ‘smarter’. He for the warmer months of spring and foresees a future when football shirts can summer. This is how Sandro Mazzola, feed the wearer information via connected the great Italy and FC Internazionale fabrics incorporating digital technology. Milano forward, remembers it. Just two “Shirts with integrated bio-vital sensors shirts to wear all season – and neither are already available on the market,” especially comfortable. he explains. “The real-time tracking of “When I played, our shirts were made athletes during a game is actually more of very thick wool during winter and when a permission issue – the technology is it rained they really became a dead weight available and has to be implemented to carry,” he recounts. “In the summer we in a proper way. We could see in the wore lighter shirts instead but they usually future a big chance to enhance the visitor stuck to the body when you sweated.” Mazzola is talking about the 1960s, the “In the future, the shirt will decade before the evolution of the football be used for health-related shirt began to accelerate. Even at the 1970 information for the coach, FIFA World Cup in Mexico, he and his for spectator enhancement Azzurri team-mates ventured all the way to the final wearing shirts unmodified for during the match and for the different demands of high altitude, additional promotions or heat and humidity. “The texture of our fan enhancement via display shirt was the same,” Mazzola recalls. applications.” “Our shirts got very wet because of Christian Stammel the sweat and just wouldn’t dry, which CEO of Wearable Technologies obviously made them heavier.”

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 07 in a European Champion Clubs’ Champion Cupin aEuropean final any of team shirt the adorn to first the as history made Coq Le Sportif manufacturer of French logo cockerel famous future. The intothe step big first its took shirt football the when 1970sThe decade the was Transformation begins match officials”. the and players other the from distinguishable are that colours wear “must they that stating introduced was law the in 1909 when back same the much worn had all, goalkeepers After slowly. happening was it suggest winter European northern of the cold the combat to sweaters roll-neck woollen wearing 1950s inthe of goalkeepers photographs FC. Honvéd Budapest great the against friendly time night- famous for their lights the under glowed which jerseys satin wore England, of champions FC, then Wanderers in1954– for instance, Wolverhampton shirts of manufacture the in time first the for 1950s used were the shiny materials shorter. In became Shorts to V-necks. on and necks to polo necks crew laced –from slightly altered had fashions years, intervening the century. During 20th the of beginning the at worn those from different hugely not were time that at today, shirts with the comparison By THE GAME

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UEFA DIRECT •

April 2017 THE GAME –

09 “You feel ten feet tall putting on our shirt.” Gareth Bale

Nanofabrics are smart fabrics, such as the fabric used for adidas Climachill T-shirts, which have embedded titanium and aluminium particles to reduce body temperature. These become activated by the wearer’s body heat. “You can get your players to be as cool as you want them to be or as hot as you want them to be,” Dr Robertson says. Connected fabrics, meanwhile, have embedded sensors and a core that collects information from the sensors and transmits it to a separate device. In 2016, US sportswear company Under Armour foresaw an increased focus in the coming years on “smart clothing with embedded tracking functions”.* Dr Robertson adds: “Connected material means you can get a lot of biometric material. It will be interesting to see not how easy it is to get that data but how easy it is to control that. Future audiences could be looking at players and seeing what is their heartbeat, how much they are sweating. And in professional sports, the challenge for managers and individual athletes will be containing the information.” It is a vision of the future which Lizarazu, for one, views with a degree of unease. “We should be wary of any technological intervention,” he says. “It is interesting but it doesn’t tell you everything. I can imagine the football coach of 2050 with a computer which will know everything Getty Images about his players up to the last second – how a certain player feels, if he’s tiring footballer, though, each new jersey can white of Real Madrid, but the red of Wales because he has too much lactic acid in serve as a milestone along the career road. has a special resonance for Bale, who said: his body. The coach can then replace And it is the national shirt which holds “You feel ten feet tall putting on our shirt.” him, which is just strange to me. the greatest mystique for most. Lizarazu, a world and European “We know quite well that the mental After all, with Juventus Zambrotta might champion with France, has his own way side can help a player go beyond himself have played for the club with the biggest of describing wearing his national shirt – – he can have a brilliant last ten minutes fan base in the Serie A, but wearing the a feeling of “being at home”, of because of his mental strength and that blue of Italy was something else because belonging. “You want to achieve motivation to push himself on.” – as he puts it – “there’s an entire nation something big,” he continues. “You have “Scientific parameters tell us part of watching you and following you”. to know it’s an international match, but the story,” he adds. “We should use them Zambrotta’s team-mate from Italy’s equally you can’t be overwhelmed by the but not act solely within these parameters. 2006 World Cup-winning team, Andrea emotion, by the weight of responsibility.” If you take the example of American Pirlo, captures that special feeling in his football, it’s ultra-tactical like chess and autobiography, I think therefore I play. What next? you get the impression the players are simply “Such overwhelming emotions come These footballers are talking about the pawns for the coach to play with. Rugby is from wearing the Italy shirt,” he writes, emotional power of the shirt. But what becoming like that too. But football is still describing how “that second skin, with about the technological advances which a sport where you get the feeling if Messi its Smurf-like blue, gives you a whole could give it new and different powers? decides to change the course of a match, new image across the world. It makes According to Dr Martin Robertson, an he can do it all on his own.” you better, takes you to a higher level.” analyst of the future of big events from And a sport where, still, the shirt Gareth Bale evoked the power of the Bournemouth University in the United can have its own inspiring effect … shirt with similar words during Wales’s Kingdom, there are two specific areas of historic run to the semi-finals of EURO innovation worth following: nanofabrics * Fung Global Retail & Technology’s Smart Fabrics 2016 last summer. He may wear the fabled and connected fabrics. report, 21 November 2016

10 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 THE GAME

THROUGH THE EYES Jürgen Rank OF A KIT DESIGNER adidas adidas

I had the honour of designing the times lighter. When you give a new shirt Germany shirt for the 2014 World to the old players, they’re amazed by the Cup. We had many people involved fact the shirts are so light, breathable and from various departments and many dry so quickly. discussions. Beforehand we went around Adidas has always been about Germany speaking to young players and innovation. Around a decade ago we had young supporters. We asked them what inserts on the front and then the back of Germany meant to them. With players shirts to make sure fresh air goes in and like Mesut Özil and Lukas Podolski coming transports the hot air from the body out of from different backgrounds, they said the jersey – this was called Flow Mapping/ they were proud of their country and the Formotion. We then had the TechFit, achievements of integration. As a symbol really tight jerseys which we offered of this confidence, we had the chevron players for the 2010 World Cup and the on the front of the shirt and little lines to next club season. We gave players the symbolise the different backgrounds of choice of the TechFit or a loose fitting one. the players. Some players liked the TechFit – Arjen We decided not to have black, red and Robben loved it and Podolski too. In the gold but tones of red to make it full of France team almost everyone was wearing energy, the energy of this new German a TechFit jersey. Other players chose to

generation. We also had white shorts Getty Images wear it in a larger size so they felt more for the first time as the official colour comfortable. Players like Robben liked it in the home kit. I’m quite familiar with as it was harder for defenders to grab his football history and we checked that jersey. And Spain won the World Cup in it. Germany had never lost a World Cup When you look at the history of shirt game when having to wear white shorts, design, the crazy stuff from the 90s rather than the traditional black, with their with the loud prints is less possible to white home shirts. It was a good omen. produce today due to many new kit Because of the weather conditions in rules and regulations. They don’t allow Brazil – rain, heat and high humidity – the crazy stuff. We still innovate, though, we had the idea of producing the lightest and sustainability is an increasingly jersey ever. This was the Adizero. There big thing for us. Recently, we did the were times during the testing where adidas/Parley jerseys for Real Madrid we’d take it too far – it was too light and Bayern around Christmas. We have and too fragile, so we had to strengthen a great partnership with Parley, which is certain elements of the jersey again as it a company getting plastic waste out of should still be durable and should not rip. the oceans. Many of our shirts are from In the history of football kits, you had recycled polyester anyway but this was cotton shirts, which were quite heavy. something different – these were shirts Then in the 70s and 80s they started with Mesut Özil during Germany’s 2014 World Cup made from bottles from the oceans, a mixture of fabrics. Now the shirts are ten quarter-final against France. in this case from the Maldives.

A WHITES CYCLE NUMBERS GAME

Real Madrid CF were inspired in the choice Both Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC experimented of their famous all-white colours by the with numbered shirts in their league fixtures Getty Images Shutterstock famous English touring side of the late 19th against non-numbered opponents one and early 20th century, Corinthian FC – still weekend in August 1928, though the first playing today on a low rung of the non-league recorded instance of both sides both wearing ladder as Corinthian-Casuals. Six decades later, Madrid’s fame them in the same match came in the 1933 FA Cup final and allure was such that in 1961 Leeds United AFC manager between Everton FC and Manchester City FC, with Everton’s Don Revie switched their colours from blue and yellow to all players wearing 1 to 11 and City’s 12 to 22. They were formally white in a bid to emulate the European club champions. introduced in the English Football League in 1939.

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 11 ORDINARY CONGRESS

REFORMS AND ELECTIONS ON THE HELSINKI AGENDA The vibrant capital of Finland will welcome UEFA UEFA Executive and its 55 member associations for the 41st Ordinary Committee candidates (8 four-year terms; candidates UEFA Congress on 5 April. listed in alphabetical order)

ey items on the agenda include a vote on • Zbigniew Boniek a series of good governance reforms, as Poland K well as elections to the UEFA Executive • Kairat Boranbayev Committee and FIFA Council. Kazakhstan Helsinki hosted an Extraordinary UEFA • John Delaney Congress in 1997. This time around, the Fair Republic of Ireland Centre Messukeskus will be the setting for • Armand Duka the European national associations to decide Albania whether to accept proposed reforms aimed • David Gill* at making UEFA a stronger and more England transparent body in the future. The UEFA • Reinhard Grindel Executive Committee endorsed the proposals Germany at its meeting in Nyon in February. The proposals, which would be incorporated • Elkhan Mammadov into the UEFA Statutes if approved, include Azerbaijan the introduction of term limits for the UEFA • Karl-Erik Nilsson president and members of the Executive Messukeskus Sweden Committee, with the possibility for them to • Kieran O’Connor serve for a maximum of three four-year terms. the FIFA Council, three will now be standing Wales In addition, candidates for election or re- for three seats. The FIFA Review Committee • Michele Uva election to the UEFA Executive Committee considered that the candidature of Vitaly Mutko Italy would have to hold an active office (president, (Russia) did not fulfil the eligibility requirements, • Michael van Praag* vice-president, general secretary or CEO) within due to a potential conflict of interest with his Netherlands their respective national associations. position of deputy prime minister in the Russian • Servet Yardımcı Two full positions on the Executive government. Meanwhile UEFA was notified that Turkey Committee would be granted to representatives Geir Thorsteinsson (Iceland) successfully passed of the European Club Association (ECA), while the FIFA eligibility checks to become a candidate * standing for re-election UEFA’s Governance and Compliance Committee for the FIFA Council elections. UEFA was, would be strengthened with the appointment however, also informed of Mr Thorsteinsson’s of two additional, independent members decision to withdraw his candidature for the FIFA to the current three-member body. Council, as he is no longer the active president Another reform proposal up for approval of the Icelandic Football Association. As a would see the inclusion of two new provisions consequence of Mr Thorsteinsson’s withdrawal, in the UEFA Statutes – one to ensure that UEFA will need to hold an additional election to FIFA Council candidates venues for all UEFA competitions, including designate a fourth European representative for (3 four-year terms and 1 two-year competition finals, are selected in a fully a four-year term on the FIFA Council, and an term; candidates listed in objective manner through a transparent Extraordinary UEFA Congress will therefore be alphabetical order) bidding process, and another to make ethics organised later this year, on a date to be decided and good governance a statutory objective in due course. Meanwhile in Helsinki, one • Sándor Csányi of UEFA. Finally, it is proposed that experts candidate will also be standing for a two-year Hungary from national associations should be allowed term on the FIFA Council. • Reinhard Grindel** to chair UEFA committees. Finally, the Helsinki Congress will be asked Germany As far as the elections are concerned, 12 to approve UEFA’s consolidated and stand-alone • Costakis Koutsokoumnis candidates are standing for 8 seats on the financial statements for 2015/16 and the budget Cyprus UEFA Executive Committee, each of them for the 2017/18 financial year, as well as the • Dejan Savićević four-year terms (from 2017 to 2021). In addition, report of the UEFA president and Executive Montenegro while five candidates were initially confirmed as Committee for 2015/16, and the UEFA standing for four seats with four-year terms on administration report for the same period. ** standing for the two-year term

12 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 ADMINISTRATION

FAMOUS NAMES JOIN UEFA’S STAFF

UEFA is welcoming some famous footballing names onto its staff at the House of European Football in Nyon – fully in line with its belief that they add special experience and bring new ideas to the promotion and development of the game.

wo former players who have enjoyed “It is an honour for me to work for UEFA, outstanding success and won a host and to be given the chance to give T of honours are now setting out on something back to football. I’m very new careers with UEFA – former Germany proud to be here.” international Nadine Kessler and ex-Serbian “I have been part of a team all my life, national team captain Dejan Stanković. and now I will be part of an even bigger team Kessler, FIFA Women’s World Player of comprising UEFA’s 55 national associations, the Year and UEFA Best Women’s Player to help them with the development of in Europe in 2014, a UEFA Women’s EURO academy football and young players,” champion in 2013, and three-time UEFA Stanković added. Women’s Champions League winner, has The UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, joined UEFA as a women’s football advisor. welcomed the arrival of Nadine Kessler and The role will see her make vast use of her Dejan Stanković to the UEFA fold. “I feel it is knowledge in helping to oversee the important to bring the knowledge of former development of women’s football, as footballers into the administration of the well as giving input on the growth of Nadine Kessler and Dejan Stanković at game,” he said. “They can offer a new women’s competitions. the House of European Football in Nyon. perspective, and I value that.” “I think when you’re looking for a new challenge after your football career, or your professional football career,” said Kessler, who retired through injury in 2016, “it just has to be another challenge which fulfils you in a similar way, or makes you as happy every day as when you were a football player – because being a footballer is simply the best job in the world. Getting the opportunity to work for UEFA and looking at the times we have ahead of us in terms of how women’s football is developing, I didn’t think twice, and I’m more than happy about this decision.” Meanwhile, Stanković, who played 103 times for Serbia between 1998 and 2013, and won the UEFA Champions League with FC Internazionale Milano in 2010, has moved to Nyon to take up a role as a football development advisor. He will work on projects assisting UEFA member associations to develop their best talents in the U14 and U15 age groups, as well as ensuring that top-class football education provided at that very early stage in their growth enhances the technical level of the professional footballers of tomorrow. “I played football for 20 years and I received a lot from it. Now it is time to open a new chapter in my life,” he said. UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 13 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

UEFA SUPPORTS LANDMINE VICTIMS

For the tenth consecutive year, UEFA has set aside €100,000 for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

EFA supports the ICRC’s physical rehabilitation programme for landmine victims and other Upeople with disabilities in Afghanistan – providing artificial limbs, physiotherapy, vocational training and access to the centre’s football team. Each year, the donation is handed over by a player voted onto UEFA.com users’ Team of the Year. Last year’s cheque was presented by Paul Pogba. This year, Sergio Ramos presented the €100,000 donation to the ICRC’s regional director for Asia, Boris Michel, in the presence of UEFA Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee chairman Peter Gilliéron, ahead of Madrid’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 encounter with Napoli at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on 15 February. The Spanish international was given the honour after receiving the most votes from fans in the UEFA.com users’ 2016 Team of the Year poll. “I think it’s a real privilege for us and it takes advantage of the global reach that football has to help [landmine victims] in every aspect of their daily lives,” said the Real Madrid captain. “As key figures in this sport, we have to do that, we have to be united and help them, so that we can be a source of motivation in their day-to-day lives. Landmine victims are an inspiration for us of how to have a positive approach to life despite the problems they have. They don’t stop dreaming and they fight to make their dreams come true.” The UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, paid tribute to the ICRC: “They have been working relentlessly to help landmine victims, many of whom are children. The ICRC programme in Afghanistan shows that football can offer real hope in challenging times. I am glad UEFA can help this cause, and that the sport we love can have a positive impact on the rehabilitation process of so many people in this troubled region.”

“Landmine victims are an inspiration for us of how to have a positive approach to life despite the problems they have. They don’t stop dreaming and they fight to make their dreams come true.”

UEFA Sergio Ramos

14 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

UEFA SUPPORTS SERGIO RAMOS TALKS LANDMINE VICTIMS TO DISABLED FOOTBALLERS IN KABUL UEFA gave landmine victims playing for the ICRC rehabilitation centre football team in Afghanistan the opportunity to put their questions to Sergio Ramos. Here is an excerpt from their chat with the Real Madrid captain.

Shefa: Who was your inspiration? Ahmad Fawad: When you Well, it’s true that when I started out I was were my age, what dreams more a fan of attacking players and one in did you have? particular: the Brazilian Ronaldo, Ronaldo When I was your age, I dreamed of Luís Nazário de Lima. Another of my idols being a footballer and, like I said before, was Claudio Caniggia, an Argentinian thanks to a great deal of hard work forward with long hair, whom I liked a lot. and dedication, I’ve been able to fulfil It’s because of him that I started to grow my dreams. my hair long! Habibullah: If you hadn’t Omid: How can I become become a football player, a great player? what would you have done? To become a great player you’ve got If I hadn’t been a footballer, I think to show a real dedication and commitment I would’ve done something else in the to football, you’ve got to be very humble sports world. I’m not sure which sport … and hard-working. And, above all, I think I’d have to say tennis. Yes, that’s you’ve got to fight to make your dreams right, I think maybe I’d have gone into come true. tennis if it hadn’t been for football. UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 15 FUTSAL CUP

TROPHY HUNTERS

Ugra, Kairat, Sporting and Inter have their eyes on the prize as the semi-finalists prepare to contest the UEFA Futsal Cup finals in the Kazakh city of Almaty from 28 to 30 April.

he UEFA Futsal Cup finals kick off – Sporting’s crucial 3-3 draw with former penalties. They have been equally prolific in Almaty at the end of April with champions Dynamo that rubber-stamped this term, Eder Lima’s three elite round T holders Ugra Yugorsk, hosts Kairat their ticket to Almaty. Sporting will now strikes helping take the central Russian club Almaty, three-time winners Inter FS and have their sights set on their first trophy at up to 65 goals across two campaigns at this 2011 finalists Sporting Clube de Portugal this level as they aim to join an elite group level – and the star pivot on to 16 overall. all vying for club futsal’s ultimate prize. of previous titleholders. The other three Caio and Vladislav Shayakhmetov also made Ugra take on Sporting and Inter face Kairat semi-finalists have won six UEFA Futsal key contributions for the holders, who after in the semi-finals on 28 April, before the Cups between them (Inter three, Kairat defeating fellow Almaty finalists Kairat third-place match and final follow two two and Ugra one). Here we take a closer and Inter during their momentous 2015/16 days later, all at the 12,000-capacity look at the four contenders. debut, will fear no one. Almaty Arena. A record 52 teams took part in Ugra Yugorsk (RUS) qualifying, including sides from San Marino Winners 2016 “This tournament is (Tre Fiori) and Kosovo (Feniks) for the first Ugra Yugorsk come into the semi-finals unique as it provides an time. Qualifying consisted of three rounds defending not only the European crown but opportunity to compete (preliminary, main and elite), with seeded also a terrific UEFA Futsal Cup record: dating against other European clubs Ugra, Kairat, Inter and FC Dynamo back to their competition debut in last teams. We often compare it given byes to the elite round. In total, season’s main round, Kakà’s team have won to the Champions League. These are 112 matches were played to determine the all bar one of their 16 matches outright, the the best teams in Europe.” four semi-finalists. Of the 15 matches they exception being their drawn 2016 semi- Eder Lima have played so far, only one was not won final against Benfica, which they won on Ugra pivot Sportsfile

Kairat Almaty’s new home, the 12,000-capacity Almaty Arena, the venue for the final four. Sporting CP (POR) Inter FS (ESP) Runners-up 2011 Winners 2004, 2006 and 2009 Under coach Nuno Dias, Sporting Having won a record three UEFA Futsal have won every possible domestic Cup titles over six seasons, Inter won’t prize, leaving European glory as the need reminding it is now eight years last frontier for the Lisbon Lions. since they ruled Europe. Nor will it help The fact that Sporting lost their one that they have been runners-up on their final appearance here in Almaty in 2011 last two final tournament appearances, will intensify their desire to return from in 2010 and 2016. Yet even after that Kazakhstan with the trophy. Earlier in loss to Ugra last season in Guadalajara, the season Dias labelled this tournament the ‘Green Machine’ rolled on, parading the best club competition in the world, another Spanish championship and, and his team have taken up the challenge this term, acquiring Brazilian Bruno Taffy. in style. The only finalist side to start The world‑leading talents of coach Jesús qualifying in the main round, they ended Velasco and star Portuguese international up top-scoring in the elite with 23 goals – Ricardinho help maintain the momentum. fired by the sharp-shooting Diogo, The latter was one of several players with and aided and abetted by Alex Merlim, two goals after Inter breezed through Sportsfile Fortino and recent recruits Dieguinho the main round, with Ortiz and Pola also and Kairat loanee Leo – eventually impressing. Their immediate reward was The Futsal Cup final four has visited Almaty pipping Dynamo to a place in Almaty. a record ninth UEFA Futsal Cup semi-final. before, in 2011, when Kairat finished in third place, beaten by Sporting CP in the semi-finals.

“I moved to Sporting “We’re really excited because they are one and desperate to win. Kairat Almaty (KAZ) of the best clubs in the I’m focused on enjoying Winners 2013 and 2015 world. Winning the the tournament, because Notably absent from last season’s final European title with Sporting it’s not easy to get there to tournament, Kairat are back and targeting and making history is my dream, compete with the very best. a third UEFA Futsal Cup title. The 2013 but this will be the most difficult We’ll have to keep cool heads and and 2015 champions are contesting final four in recent years.” work hard.” their eighth semi-final having mastered Leo Ricardinho the elite round with three wins and 13 Sporting forward Inter forward goals. The squad retains a familiar look from past successes as well as Kazakhstan’s third place at Futsal EURO 2016, achieved under coach Cacau. Divanei carried the seven-goal scoring threat in qualifying UEFA FUTSAL CUP FINALS FIXTURES while keeper Higuita’s abilities outside his own box offer Kairat something different. Staging the final tournament in Almaty is appropriate given Kairat’s record Friday 28 April participation and rich contribution. They finished third when they first hosted the Semi-finals tournament in 2011; it just remains to be seen if they can now win it on home soil. 18.00 Ugra Yugorsk v Sporting CP 20.30 Inter FS v Kairat Almaty

Sunday 30 April “Lifting the trophy was the greatest feeling ever 17.00 Third-place match because this is the best 19.30 Final tournament in the world – and if we win at home it All matches to be played will be twice as special. We at the Almaty Arena have the chance to win this trophy for

UEFA the third time, something only Inter All kick-offs are in local time have done.” Higuita Kairat goalkeeper

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 17 UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE

YOUNG AT HEART

For the first time in three years there will be a different name on the Lennart Johansson trophy as the semi-finalists gather in Nyon for the climax of the UEFA Youth League campaign.

he UEFA Youth League was formed The then 19-year-old soon found his feet at Like the players, budding coaches and to educate and develop youngsters in the higher level, and has impressed many match officials also benefit from the T club academies across the continent with how quickly he has settled into senior competition’s developmental ethos. and to help bridge the gap between youth football and established himself in Arsène For the 12 officials chosen to work at these and senior football. As the climax of its Wenger’s side. For Iwobi, the chance to finals – three referees, six assistant referees fourth season approaches – with the semi- compete against some of the continent’s and three fourth officials – the tournament finals and final to be played at Colovray best young players in the Youth League will represent another significant step on stadium in Nyon between 21 and 24 April played its part in his progress. their career paths. – it is clear that it is achieving its goal. As well as learning about different Already over 200 players have taken the ‘A very hard competition’ styles of play and benefiting from testing step up from the UEFA Youth League to “It taught me quite a bit: you’re not only their skills against their peers from other either the UEFA Champions League or the playing English teams, you’re playing nations, Youth League players absorb so UEFA Europa League and thanks in part to foreign teams and you’re learning their much from their experiences off the pitch. the Under-19 competition, they are taking tactics and how they play,” he said. For teams that have qualified through the the transition in their stride. “When I stepped into the first team, Champions League path, travelling with Arsenal FC forward Alex Iwobi is a case it almost felt the same, so it did prepare the seniors to away games gives a valuable in point. A fortnight after scoring against me. It felt like you’re in the Champions insight into life at the highest level, and FC Bayern München in the Youth League League as well, even though it’s just also a chance to talk with the first‑teamers in November 2015 he was making his the youth level. It’s still a very high away from the training ground. Education Champions League debut against the competition. For Under-19s, the games programmes organised by UEFA, German heavyweights. are very hard and you do learn.” meanwhile, teach the youngsters about some of the issues they may face during their careers, tackling important topics such as doping and match‑fixing. Respecting the opposition and match officials is another key Youth League mantra and provides an important grounding in the values that will guide the players throughout their careers. Both teams and officials are encouraged to mix after matches and eat meals together, deepening mutual respect and opening minds. In one notable example this season, Borussia Dortmund and Maccabi Haifa players and staff visited the Beit Theresienstadt holocaust memorial near Haifa and met two survivors of that concentration camp. Despite the horrors of Theresienstadt, the prisoners played football there, a potent symbol of their determination to keep the human spirit alive.

A fortnight after scoring against FC Bayern München in the Youth League in November 2015, Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi was making his Champions League debut against the Getty Images German heavyweights.

18 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 Colovray stadium in Nyon, the venue for the Youth League final four. UEFA

As part of the Youth League education that matters most now, though, is to take programme, UEFA organises in‑club home the Lennart Johansson trophy. Of UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE sessions where guest speakers meet with the 64 sides from 40 member associations FINALS SCHEDULE young players to raise awareness of certain that kicked off in September, four remain. issues. In February, for instance, former With Chelsea FC, winners for the past two Semi-finals, 21 April UEFA referee Carlos Velasco Carballo, who seasons, not involved this time around, a Real Madrid CF v SL Benfica oversaw the 2010/11 Europa League final, new set of players will soon be enjoying FC Barcelona v Salzburg visited Valencia CF’s Paterna training ground that all-important first taste of success on to explain and discuss rule changes for the the European stage. Final, 24 April, Nyon 2016/17 season. “The objective is to bring the referee and players closer together Perfect hosts Previous finals because we share the pitch and in every For the fourth straight year the Youth game we should be trying to help each League final tournament will be staged 2016 Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Chelsea other, with utmost respect and mutual at Colovray stadium in the Swiss town 2015 FC Shakhtar Donetsk 2-3 Chelsea understanding,” Carballo said. of Nyon across the road from UEFA’s 2014 SL Benfica 0-3 FC Barcelona The dangers of social media in sport, headquarters, on the banks of lake advice on how to handle interviews Geneva. Nyon has embraced the finals and press conferences and preventing since the competition was launched for the Youth Plaza at the stadium, creating a match ‑fixing were also addressed during 2013/14 season and capacity crowds have special ambience that is sure to appeal to the session. provided a fitting stage for the season’s young football enthusiasts. For supporters, meanwhile, the Youth climax. A big turnout is expected on both The opening ceremony will feature a League opens a window on the talent matchdays again this year, and activities dancing school from the nearby French coming through at their clubs. With are being organised to give the event a town of Divonne, who will be joined matches broadcast live around the world local flavour as UEFA joins forces with by the children of UEFA staff members, and streamed live on UEFA.com there is its home region to make the finals an while teenagers will develop their film more opportunity than ever to catch a occasion to savour. As part of the Youth production skills by participating in the glimpse of the game’s promising prospects. League schools project, local schools are Youth League video project, run by the Jordi Mboula’s sensational goal for FC being encouraged to adopt and support UEFA Foundation for Children together Barcelona against Borussia Dortmund in the a team for the finals. Sixteen teams from with Camp Cinema. All revenue from ticket last 16 was a hit on social media, as was the regional football associations of Vaud sales will be donated to the foundation the annual Youth League skills challenge and Geneva will take part in a mini- and is earmarked for projects to take in which the competing teams post clips tournament, while Lausanne University seriously ill children to major matches of their top tricks and flicks. The challenge students are again running the popular or to meet their favourite players.

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 19 THE TECHNICIAN

ADI VIVEASH

“I DON’T TELL THEM THINGS THEY WANT TO HEAR; I TELL THEM THINGS THEY NEED TO HEAR”

As Chelsea FC’s development manager, Adi Viveash is the man responsible for the group of Under-23 players one step away from Antonio Conte’s first team. Here he reflects on the challenges his young players face and explains his role in nurturing their talents. He begins, though, by remembering his Chelsea youngsters’ triumphs in the 2015 and 2016 UEFA Youth League tournaments …

ow beneficial has the When you work with players of that level the second in that we had a lot of more UEFA Youth League and you put a lot of your own knowledge individually talented players whereas been for your players? into them, to see them perform at the the second group was probably more of I think in terms of how highest level makes you extremely proud. a team. But both had tremendous abilities much you can gain from a I think Andreas, within five months of and characters within the sides. Apart Htournament like that. If you’re looking at playing in the Youth League final against from players progressing into the first Chelsea as a model then the players have Shakhtar and winning it, was marking team, there is nothing better than to be adept at playing international teams, Sergio Agüero against Manchester City winning tournaments, especially on the coming up against different styles, in the competition proper, and that’s the international stage, and we beat some different cultures and different systems, biggest gauge. There are boys around outstanding teams along the way. A lot and the feel of the matches, I think, was the first-team set-up now, in Ruben of the players who played over the two a high level of learning experience for Loftus-Cheek and Dominic Solanke, years are made in Chelsea, especially last our boys. The biggest testament is what who’ve played for Chelsea in the main year’s [squad] and probably six of the first you do with the knowledge, and the fact competition as well. It gives you immense year’s group. So it means a lot – they’ve that so many of those players have now pride and makes you feel in some small worked together for several years to get kicked on into the senior game all around part that you’ve helped them along their to this stage, and winning is a tremendous Europe, certainly from the first year we journey to success. form of development. If you’re going won it, shows that they’ve learned that to play for a top club then you have to skill set that they probably didn’t have How important was it to know what winning means and certainly beforehand and added it to their armoury. see your players actually the UEFA Youth League is a major You come up against players that you win the competition? tournament to win. don’t come up against week in, week out It’s the equivalent of winning the in your domestic league and it’s a different Champions League for young players, so How long have you been in kind of challenge. That’s what you want – it’s a major tournament to win. We know the Chelsea youth set-up now? you want them to experience different how much hard work went into both I’ve been here nine years and seen a challenges at a young age. campaigns and we know how difficult it lot of development in the players and was to achieve success in both. The players obviously myself. I worked with the Under- How does it feel to see a player knew that as well. They really targeted 12s when I first came here and since then like Andreas Christensen go on those tournaments, as we did as an I’ve had different roles, including coaching and play on a bigger stage as he academy, as [competitions] we wanted to the Under-16s and three years as Under- has done in the UEFA Champions do well in. We felt we had a really strong 18s lead coach. This is my third season League with VfL Borussia group of players in both tournaments – coaching the oldest academy age group, Mönchengladbach? the first year was slightly different to renamed the development squad this

20 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 THE TECHNICIAN

Getty Images THE TECHNICIAN

Adi Viveash consoles Anderlecht’s Nelson Azevedo-Janelas after Chelsea’s semi-final stages. Generally there’s not a lot of in the morning and afternoon; they do gym, win last season. movement with players up and down age and they do individual programmes. They groups at that age. It is a lot more about keep developing the areas of their game working on positional movements, etc. where they need to work. They do football because they are still going through their education and programmes outside of here, growth stages. and some of them do A-levels. Moving further on, with the programme The main difference from the Under-18s at Chelsea, from Under-13 now they come to the Under-23s is that the Under-18s in one day [a week] on a day release from play regularly on a Saturday – so they school so they train here and do their work Monday to Friday and play Saturday. schooling here. You are getting more of With our age group we can play Friday, that into them at a younger age than Saturday, Sunday or Monday, so you have when I started. The Under-16s have a to have different programmes and be a bit full-time programme with full-time school, more inventive with your day-to-day work. Getty Images so they train every day. You’re running them And because you’re the nearest [group] to like a youth team. And with the Under-18s the first team you have to be as close as you’re working the players like you would you can to the real game. Those are the season, and I also coached the Under-19 do in a first-team environment. They train challenges and you need to acquire those team in both of the UEFA Youth League every day, they do double training sessions, skill sets as a coach through the years to triumphs as part of the role.

Looking at your academy, “It’s very important that they’ve got freedom of are different coaches suited speech. Here we like a two-way, open relationship. to different age groups? How They are able to communicate with us strongly do you decide who coaches a and that’s built up over the years.” particular age group? That’s a decision made by the head of youth development. There are two coaches per age group and it depends on what skill sets you have got and how successful you are in all facets of the job – not just the tournaments, but your day-to-day work and planning. Obviously if you are deemed as being good enough and capable, then you move through the age groups. In my time it’s obviously been relatively successful and I take that as being that you have the required skill sets that they want at the highest levels in the academy. That’s the level I am at now, but you do it by doing a good job on a daily basis and showing the requirements needed to work at a club as big as this in bringing players through into the first-team squad.

How does training differ across the different age groups at Chelsea? Up to Under-11 they are playing nine-a- side or seven-a-side, so it is different. In the Under-12s they step up to 11-a-side and generally the level of information you can give to the players and they can take on board is slightly different. You’re working a lot on the core technique required to be moving through those Getty Images

22 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 THE TECHNICIAN

be able to work at that level. That is what’s ‘‘Andreas, within five months of playing in the Youth happened with me. I’ve been able to League final against Shakhtar and winning it, was acquire those skill sets as well as being an marking Sergio Agüero against Manchester City in ex-player with a 20-year career that helps the competition proper.’’ you understand dressing rooms and situations that arise and dealing with certain players.

Can you talk about sports science and how it helps you in your planning? We work with a GPS system so every training session we do is monitored. Players will wear the heart-rate belts and it plays quite a big part in our planning. We produce a daily report and go through that every day before we do our planning for the next day. We can look at certain areas with players – we target them, either through fatigue where we have to ease off and give them a rest, or see where we need to step on the gas with certain players. We also use it in all our matches so we can compare against our first-team players, as well as previous years’ players at this age group and also our opposition. It’s a big part of our programme, it aids the players, and they’re interested in it. They are all learning. We have two conditioners here with this age group who present to the players regularly and have discussions and look at them, and give them feedback on what they’re looking at when they look at the data. It’s important for them to understand their bodies and what it is when it feels like Getty Images they are pushing their bodies to the max.

At what age specifically players and if we’re aware of anything do your youngsters start or see anything then we make sure we using the GPS devices? stay on top of that. With how hard we At Under-13 and Under-14, they’d have work every day it’s pretty easy to see if trialled it. They’d have used it sometimes somebody is having a difficult time or when they train in the evenings and had they’re a bit run down. But generally a look at it. With Under-15s, this year there’s the data and just general they’ve used it in certain games. With communication with the players. We Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-23s have a very good, open relationship with you are looking at the data every day. the players here. It’s a two-way thing. Any time anybody spots anything, there Looking at non-football factors are strategic plans in place to give the like schoolwork, diet and sleep, necessary individual the help they need what steps do you take to ensure if they are suffering from anything – the boys’ well-being? be it illness, injury, or something personal They get checked in terms of that. off the pitch. There’s a very good structure There will be checks in the morning here and a couple of staff members where the physios are speaking to who work in that department full-time. Getty Images

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 23 THE TECHNICIAN

You mentioned the players’ and the fall-out is big as well, so you have schooling before. Can you to make sure that you are doing as well elaborate on this? as you can to have a back-up plan. Teachers come here from a school in a town nearby, Epsom, and teach players We hear people say that young on a group or individual basis from players have it easy compared to Under-13 upwards. We also have a when you were coming through. relationship with the school next door, But how do the challenges they Parkside School in Cobham, whereby face today compare with 20 or the Under-16 boys go in there for part 30 years ago? of their academic day on certain days Social media means they haven’t just got of the week. So there is a big academic one coach like we had, or one assistant programme going on within the academy. manager analysing their performances – they’ve got whatever followers they’ve Is it hard to keep them focused got on Twitter making comments on their on their school work when they games. Here, every game is filmed and have dreams of becoming most games are shown live so they have professional footballers? a worldwide audience critiquing everything I see driven players, but the academic they do. There were obviously the pitfalls results for them are very important here. “Social media means they with finances in our day, though not to The top ranks at the academy are certainly haven’t just got one coach the extent there are now. The outside looking at those exam results very like we had, or one influences away from the game are still stringently, and they make sure the boys assistant manager analysing a big pitfall and falling into the trap of get all the necessary support from the their performances – everything that is out there. But now they coaches and staff to make sure they get face a big mental challenge because of the they’ve got whatever the best results they can. There is a lot exposure, and it means you are all around more emphasis nowadays anyway in followers they’ve got on the world. There is nowhere they can hide. society in general on trying to achieve Twitter making comments You can’t hide, you don’t get a minute’s because football is a precarious industry on their games.” piece as a young player now. Some bring it on themselves but with others it’s nothing to do with themselves. The attention is massive and dealing with all that and knowing how to handle that stage of your youth development is a big problem for some young players and they need a lot of help in those areas. I think the biggest challenge for football in the next decade is the influences outside – the support teams that are built around these top talents now and how much they start to take over, and does it become something like in American sport where the American football quarter-back is a major, major person. Look at Tom Brady, the rigmarole around him is just enormous, but they are able to handle that. But as a young person they have a lot of people within their off-field camp, not just agents but support staff and you

“It’s important for them to understand their bodies and what it is when it feels like they are pushing their Getty Images bodies to the max.”

24 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 THE TECHNICIAN

“The attention is massive and dealing with all that and knowing how to handle that stage of your youth development is a big problem for some young players and they need a lot of help in those areas.” have to be careful they’re getting the right information all of the time. That is a big challenge to them as young players.

What particular qualities are you looking for in a young player at Chelsea? What does a 16-year-old need to ensure he is kept on? By the time you are 16 here now you’ve been here eight years, so the people making the decisions are forming a picture. You’re looking for personality and for different traits in different positions. There are the usual things – have they got a change of pace? Are they a powerful player? Are they a technical player? And Getty Images that is nothing to do with size. They don’t have to be six foot four; they can be five foot four. But is there explosiveness? Chelsea’s Under-19s in action Are they able to take a tackle? Can they during their two victorious make a tackle? Can they see a pass? Do UEFA Youth League finals: they show bravery under intense pressure? above against Shakthar Donetsk (3-2) in 2015 and What are they like defensively? How are against Paris Saint-Germain they off the pitch? Do they take on tactical (2-1) in 2016. information? It is many things. Are they good around the group? What’s their personality? What’s their home life like? We do a lot on [this] so we know a lot from a young age but it’s those characteristics that we are looking for. Also, is there growth in them? Not in size, but as a player. Is there still more in them and what are the bits you’re going to have to iron out? Obviously they’re young, and to enable them to play at the highest level, have they got that desire to go the extra step? Most of the top players around the world are mavericks, I’d say. There’s a little bit of a difference with them – a different kind of steely determination. It’s different in each player but if you see that different quality it’s worth working with every day to try to help them with the other bits that don’t come so naturally as the God-given talent. Getty Images THE TECHNICIAN

At what age do they start tournaments. They travel abroad to play it means – three points. It sounds silly, training with Chelsea? in tournaments from Under-9 onwards as easy as that, but it is [learning] what it Now they have a training group at and now from Under-12 they play Premier takes to be in a winning dressing room or Under-7s in our development centres League cups too against teams from other a losing one in competitive matches, and around London, so kids will go in from academies in England. At Under-16 it is the difference in playing against physical the age of six. Coaches will work with friendlies apart from when they play the men, 14 or 15 years older than you, and the Under-7s and identify the players Premier League tournament. senior players. Also can you stamp your who they think have the skill sets authority on a club that you go to? Can required to move up. Then they come How important are loan it appear that you are not a loan player, into Chelsea at Under-8s and then we spells elsewhere for your that you look like one of their players whittle that down to a group that will young players at Chelsea? but better, if you like? start in the programme at Under-9s, It’s vital for players to go and experience and that’s three evenings a week the senior game. If they’re good enough Do you work closely with Antonio training and then a game on a Sunday. they should be out as early as they can if Conte and his first-team coaching that is the pathway and it looks now that staff in providing updates on When do they begin playing playing in the Premier League regularly is players in the academy? competitive football? getting a bit older. You’re looking at 21, Yeah, obviously the manager has been You don’t play competitive leagues here 22 in some cases. You have to be playing at quite a few of our games, and we until Under-18s but they play in a lot of in the senior game to understand what train with them on occasions where we are playing 11 v 11 training matches with some of their players. He keeps an eye on the next group of players coming through and takes a keen interest in the players Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham is on loan to Bristol City to gain some out on loan like Andreas Christensen and first-team experience and hone Tammy Abraham, Kasey Palmer, Charlie his skills. Getty Images Colkett. There are many out on loan and a couple he has in his own squad. So he takes a keen interest in what’s happening with them as well as the younger ones in my group. He wants to know about them and has seen a few of them in his pre-season programme this year. He’ll be finding out all the key attributes they’ve got and he has a general interest in what we’re trying to do and asks very interesting questions about the work and we ask the same back about his.

How difficult is it to manage young players’ expectations and disappointments? That is a key part of the job. For me you need experience to be able to do that properly. You have to have an understanding yourself. If you’ve been in the situations they’ve been in, then you can understand what they are going through. It is being able to know which players you can use, a different skill set that you have … being able to cross-challenge, if you like. Sometimes players just come in and have a chat with you because they just need an arm around the shoulder and need to feel the support; other times they probably need to be told things that they don’t want to hear. Managing expectations at

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CHELSEA YOUTH GRADUATES

Since Adi Viveash became Chelsea development squad manager at the beginning of the 2014/15 season, the following academy players have made their debuts in the senior team:

DOMINIC ANDREAS RUBEN ISAIAH JAKE FIKAYO TAMMY OLA SOLANKE CHRISTENSEN LOFTUS-CHEEK BROWN CLARKE-SALTER TOMORI ABRAHAM AINA Striker Defender Midfielder Winger Defender Defender Striker Defender (Chelsea (currently on (Chelsea (currently (currently on loan (currently on (currently on loan (Chelsea first-team squad) loan at Borussia first-team squad) on loan at at Bristol Rovers) loan at Brighton at Bristol City) first-team squad)

Monchengladbach) Huddersfield Town) & Hove Albion) Getty Images

this level is one of the hardest things experiences you have, the more you are away and think, and other times they may because they are some of the best young able to be very honest and open with directly say they have a different view on it players in the world, and then at times players and that’s how I deal with it – I deal – and there’s nothing wrong with that. I tell they find their progress blocked by with it by being the same with each one: them we’ve each got our opinion. It’s very world-class senior players, and that can be always put the players first and deal with important that they’ve got freedom of difficult to understand. But again, I feel each case individually and just be very speech and here we do allow them … we that is one of the areas I am particularly honest with them. I don’t tell them things like a two-way, open relationship. They are strong in because of the years in the game they want to hear; I tell them things they able to communicate with us strongly and that I’ve had and the situations I’ve been need to hear. Sometimes that is something that’s built up over the years of trust that through personally. The more life that helps, other times it makes them go you have got with the players.

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 27 FOR THE RECORD

HOW DID FANS EXPERIENCE EURO 2016? robust sample of 63,277 people were asked about their UEFA AEURO 2016 experience in an online survey carried out from 15 WHERE DID EURO 2016 July to 15 August. A total of 11,524 VISITORS COME FROM? completed the questionnaire (5,125 from France, 5,919 from the rest of Europe and 480 from the rest of the world), revealing some interesting and useful findings, as this selection of questions and answers shows.

Rest of France the world 46% Africa and Middle East <1% (5,125)

Other 4% European (480) countries 50% (5,919)

Asia <1% Americas 3%

PERCENTAGE OF FANS 9% WHO HAD A MATCH TICKET Eastern Europe France 78% 41% Western Europe Other European countries 94%

Rest of the world 90%

28 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 FOR THE RECORD

HOW DID FANS TRAVEL? (Total percentage may exceed 100% as more than one answer was allowed)

To France (top 3 modes of transport) Once in France (top 3 modes of transport)

80%

71% 68%

41% 39% 37% 36% 34% 32%

25% 19%

11% 13% 8% 2%

By By By By By By By By car By car By car rental rental By train By train By train By train By train pooling own car own car own car own car aeroplane aeroplane aeroplane

France Other European countries Rest of the world

€

HOW MUCH HOW LONG DID FANS STAY DID FANS AND WHAT WAS THEIR SPEND ON REASON FOR VISITING? AVERAGE? €2,197 Fans from other European countries: 12 days Top 3 reasons for visiting

My team qualified 60%

I managed to get tickets 54%

To experience such an event for the first time 38% €978

Fans from rest of the world: 16 days Top 3 reasons for visiting €291 I managed to get tickets 52%

To experience such an event for the first time 49%

France Other European Rest of I wanted to visit France 45% countries the world

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 29 COUPE DE FRANCE

STANDING THE TEST OF TIME

As the Coupe de France celebrates its 100th birthday, there is no better time to reflect on the success, both past and present, of a competition that continues to inspire every French football club, whether amateur or professional. Pressesports COUPE DE FRANCE

In 1957, Toulouse lympique de Pantin, FC Sète, celebrated their Excelsior Roubaix, UA Sedan only triumph to date Torcy ... the names of these in the Coupe de France, beating Angers 6-3 in the previous winners may be final at Stade Yves-du- consigned to the history books, Manoir de Colombes. Obut they serve as a sure sign of the Coupe de France’s longevity. The fact that Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille, with ten victories each, have lifted the trophy more times than any other club shows the level of importance that France’s leading clubs have attached to the competition over the years. Its two most recent editions, both won by Paris Saint-Germain, the current powerhouse of French football, suggest that it has lost none of its sparkle over the past century. The Coupe de France is celebrating its centenary in 2016/17 and nothing – not even the Second World War – has stood in its way since it was created in January 1917. It has played an intrinsic part in the growth of French football ever since those early exploits of amateur clubs – the same clubs that, these days, light up the competition year in, year out by challenging, and sometimes even beating, professional opponents. The legendary achievements of Calais RUFC, the fourth division side that reached the 2000 final after eliminating four Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs along the way, serve as a perfect example of why the French love their favourite cup competition so much: the repeated confrontations between amateurs – factory workers, office staff, firemen, ordinary Frenchmen – and professionals, between giants and minnows, between clubs whose pitches are nothing short of mud baths and those whose playing surfaces can only be described as pristine. Pressesports

In 2000, Nantes snatched a 2-1 win against amateur team Calais in the final at Stade de France. In a symbolic gesture, Mickaël Landreau invited the Calais captain, Réginald Becque, to lift the trophy with him.

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 31 32 32 colours. their display proudly and capital French the on descend to finalists of both supporters for the opportunity an provides traditionally final the edition, first very the since inÎle-de-France Played season. every winners to the trophy the hands himself president French the which at ceremony and full of pomp calendar, occasion an football French of the part essential an is that de France.final A the at Stade final the of contesting dream can all league, district mediocre most of the division bottom of the member lowliest to the success, domestic and competition to European accustomed a club Saint-Germain, Paris From participants). (83 inSpain than more 100 times almost 136 and on contested occasions, 2016/17), FA the Cup where been has in participants (736 inEngland than 2016/17, more times ten precise; to be 7,290 clubs: all involve in does of them truly competition cup domestic the else, anywhere than more France,In maybe Paris to road the on off set 7,290 clubs – UEFA DIRECT •April2017

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Pressesports the second time a club from outside the the outside from aclub time second the only was in 2009 Guingamp’s victory EA but prevail professionals the The shine, amateurs 2017.January infootball,” L’Equipecareer told he in a such have enjoyed never Iwould And France. Coupe de the without has it way inthe have grown not would Guingamp clubs. four professional out knocked and league] [regional d’Honneur Division inthe were They afew upsets. caused Guingamp 1972/73, France.Coupe In de to the “I everything owe (FFF). Federation Football French of the president as 2014 the and Guingamp of EA edition president as final 2009 the attended who Graët, Le for Noël moments special were These language. regional in their performed songs and flags Breton with stadium the fill and France de Stade to the make journey of Bretons the thousands of tens FC, saw Rennais Stade against Guingamp by EA won both were which 2014 and 2009 example, The for finals, of Brittany. of colours the in out decked totally France de Stade the Guingamp and saw Rennes between 2014 final The Pressesports Finalists, 2012 –Finalists, tier) 3rd (National, Quevilly 2 –US to a2-1 succumbing eventually before half-time at defeat. Nantes FC leading by giant-killers as reputation their up to final, lived Calais the reach club to (3-1aet).fourth-tier first semi-finals The inthe champions, French reigning the Bordeaux, 1), de Girondins (Ligue FC out Calais knocked 2) RC Strasbourg and (Ligue 2), Cannes (Ligue AS Lille LOSC aside sweeping After final. to way the their on clubs four professional by eliminating century of the turn fans the at football French of all imagination the caught RUFC of Calais France, amateurs Coupe the de of the magic the Epitomising –Finalists, tier) 4th (CFA, RUFC 1 –Calais 2000 below. recounted are history competition’s inthe performances unlikely most of the Five feats. impossible seemingly achieve clubs amateur as fair of surprises share its year, produces France Coupe de Every the UNDERDOGS GLORIOUS Quarter-finalists, 2008 –Quarter-finalists, tier) 5th (CFA 2, Carquefou 4 –USJA SCO. Angers 2side by Ligue 3-0 beaten soundly were they where Grenoble, in quarter-final to their forced play then were giant-killers The 3,500). (capacity: stadium tiny municipal inChambéry’s defeated all were Sochaux-Montbéliard FC 29 and Brestois FC, Stade Monaco by AS one, One of 2011. winter inthe achieved Foot Chambéry SO what precisely is that but improbable, highly seems sides 1 Ligue three eliminate club to afifth-tier For 2011 –Quarter-finalists, tier) 5th (CFA 2, Foot Chambéry 3 –SO respectively. semi-finals and (2-1) FC Rennais Stade and (3-2aet) Marseille quarter-finals de inthe Olympique over victories enjoyed previously had Normandy from side The trophy. the to lift divisions two top the outside from club first the becoming of dream Quevilly’s end Lyonnais to finally to Olympique defeat 1-0 a took It impressive. as almost were exploits Quevilly’s US football, French through shockwaves sent had Calais RUFC after Twelve years journey in the semi-finals (1-0). semi-finals in the journey epic Quevilly’s halted who Germain Saint- Paris was it case, the often is 1, (Ligue 3-1). Boulogne US and As 1, (Ligue FC 1-0) 2, Rennais 1-0), Stade SCO (Ligue Angers teams professional by beating odds the upset already had football, of French tier fourth the in then were who Quevilly,US final, 2012 the reaching Two before years Semi-finalists,2010 – tier) 4th (CFA, Quevilly 5 –US 1, (Ligue 2-1). Nancy AS and 2, 1-0) (Ligue Gueugnon FC off seen previously had Bretons The guns. big the to take on unafraid footballers of amateur embodiment true the later, became amonth than Carquefou’s players USJA less scoreline same by the Saint-Germain to Paris of 16 defeat by anarrow followed round in the Marseille de Olympique over victory 1-0 amemorable With

Getty Images UEFA DIRECT •April2017 – COUPE DEFRANCE

33

COUPE DE FRANCE

Last year, PSG added a tenth Coupe de France shorts and socks). In a nod to the past in title to their list of honours to draw level this anniversary season, the names of all with Olympique de Marseille and share the honour of having lifted the trophy more the clubs that have lifted the trophy times than any other club. since 1918 were incorporated in the shirt numbers, with the likes of Olympique de Pantin mentioned alongside Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. While top tier had lifted the trophy, following this particular campaign benefited a huge Le Havre AC’s triumph 50 years earlier. number of clubs, others are more targeted, Indeed, even though small clubs upset the shining the spotlight on a specific match. odds on a regular basis, the established For the past five seasons, for example, order is almost always resumed by the the FFF has organised a ‘dream match’ in time the cup is presented. This balance the sixth round, in which one club and its is probably what makes the Coupe de supporters are given the chance to enjoy France so popular: amateur clubs light up the occasion in conditions worthy of the the early rounds, knocking out a few big final itself. With the trophy on display names along the way, before leaving the and the stadium dressed in competition giants who remain to fight it out among colours, the match is broadcast on TV. themselves. In order to reward these In 2016/17, US Saint-Philbert de Grandlieu amateur clubs and ensure they receive and Sables-d’Olonne were the privileged the media coverage they deserve, the FFF pair. Another way in which the FFF gives has been running a number of innovative amateur clubs unforgettable experiences marketing campaigns on their behalf for is by allowing them to use its own several years. In 2016/17, the 1,132 clubs prestigious facilities. The players of Picardy who made it to the fourth round, most of club ESC Longueau, for example, were them from regional leagues, were given able to follow in the footsteps of the Getty Images a total of 27,456 complete kits (shirts, French national team in November 2016,

OVERSEAS TERRITORIES JOIN THE PARTY

In an annual tradition that is set in Réunion) salvaged some pride on stone, the seventh round of the Coupe their behalf by beating Avoine Chinon AS Excelsior Saint-Joseph came all the way from the Indian Ocean island de France is when the best clubs from (CFA 2) in Indre-et-Loire. As the final of Réunion to play Lille – a 10,000km France’s overseas territories take on representative of the 293 participating journey each way, with a 30-degree those from the mainland. In 2016/17, overseas clubs, Excelsior, with whom difference in temperature to boot. as the regulations require, 11 clubs Dimitri Payet began his career, emerged from their respective local followed up their triumph with a home competitions – two each from win over FC Mulhouse. They then Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique and prepared for a high-profile round of 64 Réunion, and one from New encounter against LOSC Lille in some Caledonia, Mayotte and Polynesia – style, having been invited by the FFF to to rub shoulders with clubs from the train at the national football centre in National, CFA and CFA 2 divisions. Clairefontaine, the traditional home of With five of the matches played the French national team. The centre’s abroad and the other six in magnificent facilities may have helped metropolitan France, the FFF does the visitors forget the 30-degree its best to create a level playing field, January temperature difference since the long-haul flights and time between the mainland and Réunion. differences involved often make it However, they were not enough to difficult for the away teams. Even so, inspire them to victory as LOSC Lille’s none of the five overseas clubs that 4-1 win brought an end to this played at home in the 2016/17 season’s exploits of Excelsior and their competition managed to progress, fellow overseas clubs, who have to although AS Excelsior Saint-Joseph wait until next season’s seventh round (from the Indian Ocean island of before joining the party again. Pressesports

34 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 COUPE DE FRANCE

when they attended a pre-match training camp at the national football centre in Clairefontaine, including on-pitch training sessions, a night in the national team hotel and a coach ride to the match. All these activities help to bring the competition to life in the early part of the season, before the Ligue 1 clubs enter the fray, ensuring that it captures the public’s attention throughout the year.

A treasure trove of inspiring stories “The Coupe de France is in good health. We have the TV rights, which generate €17 million each year, and our sponsors, although it is sometimes difficult to say how much of that income relates to the Coupe de France. (...) The Coupe de France is one of the reasons why our sponsors choose to partner with us.” Noël Le Graët is in no doubt: the Coupe Every year the French Football Federation organises a ‘dream match’ in the sixth round of the cup, with one club de France remains an attractive proposition and its supporters – and their opponents – given the chance after 100 years because it has adapted to enjoy their tie in conditions worthy of the final itself, to the modern game in order to become with the trophy on display and live TV coverage. Pressesports a competition in which TV companies and advertisers are keen to invest. With 13 rounds before the final, upsets at every stage and amateur players stealing the marking the start of a tour that will its older sister, the Coupe de France. limelight year by year, it is a treasure trove see Bordeaux and Lille host the 2018 A subtle blend of history, nostalgia, of inspiring stories that merely need to be and 2019 finals respectively. Perhaps surprises and modernity, the Coupe brought to the public’s attention in order this is a signal that the national stadium de France continues, a century after it to keep interest levels high. It is therefore is a little too big for this particular was created, to occupy a special place no coincidence that a large number of showpiece and ought to be reserved for in the hearts of the French people. broadcasters are keen to bid for the rights to the competition for the 2018–20 period, for which the tendering process was recently launched by the FFF. In 2016/17, ‘FRANCE’S FAVOURITE COMPETITION’ for the first time ever, all the matches in the round of 64 were broadcast by the Florent Soulez, the French Football Federation’s current rights holders, Eurosport and marketing and strategy director, describes its efforts France Télévisions, testifying to the to increase public interest in the Coupe de France. growing interest in clashes between amateur and professional clubs. A second “Every season, one of the flagship projects of the domestic cup competition, the Coupe de Coupe de France is the distribution of shirts to the la Ligue, which is only open to professional teams participating in the fourth round. This is a way of clubs, was launched in 1995. Although it rewarding the amateurs who help make the competition boasts an impressive list of winners – the so popular. This season, to mark the centenary, we gave only three teams to have won it more them commemorative shirts and decided to organise some than twice are Paris Saint-Germain (6), special, one-off events to generate maximum publicity. FC Girondins de Bordeaux (3) and FFF The ‘dream match’, visits to Clairefontaine, distribution Olympique de Marseille (3) – it lacks the of shirts bearing the players’ names, etc. Our aim for the centenary edition was to history and tradition of the Coupe de make it unforgettable for the amateur clubs by enabling some of them to enjoy France and, in the early rounds in extraordinary experiences and step into the shoes of professional players. We do particular, is often used by clubs to give our best to promote the values of the Coupe de France, which is France’s favourite experience to players who usually sit on competition, as much as possible. A few years ago, we realised that the general public the bench. Like that of the Coupe de only tended to start talking about the Coupe de France when the professional clubs France, its final has been staged at the joined in. By organising these activities especially for amateur clubs, we try Stade de France since 1998. This year’s to create a big-game atmosphere at specific matches in order to focus attention final, however, will be held in Lyon, on some fantastic stories.”

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 35 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

AUSTRIA www.oefb.at UEFA FUTSAL B LICENCE COURSE

CARMEN REDL

The Lower Austrian town of Lindabrunn recently hosted the second week of a pilot UEFA Futsal B licence course, the first of its kind to be held in Austria. A total of 15 coaches attended the first session of the UEFA-backed course last autumn. The participants included former Austrian international Gilbert Prilasnig and the coaches of Futsal Bundesliga clubs Stella Rossa Wien and 1. FC All Stars Wiener Neustadt. The six-day session was run by the Austrian FA’s coach education director, Dominik Thalhammer, and Belgian futsal ÖFB specialist Benny Meurs, who coached the Belgian national futsal team for licence will be held in March 2017. we were also able, on this occasion, more than a decade. The course The Austrian FA’s sporting director, to welcome Benny Meurs, who was divided into more than 60 units Willi Ruttensteiner, was delighted with has a wealth of experience at and mainly covered technical and the course: “It represents another step international level. Our aim is to tactical aspects of the game. The final forward in the development of use the course to improve the examinations for the UEFA Futsal B futsal in Austria. With UEFA’s support, skills of every participant.”

AZERBAIJAN www.affa.az PE TEACHERS RECEIVE FOOTBALL EDUCATION

MIKAYIL NARIMANOGHLU

From 13 to 15 February, the project supported by the AFFA and the to further physical education teachers’ Association of Football Federations Azerbaijani ministry of education, was professional development by improving of Azerbaijan (AFFA) held a attended by teachers from schools in their football-specific knowledge and seminar at its headquarters to improve Baku, Gusar, Shaki, Ismayilli, Lankaran experience, to improve pupils’ knowledge the football knowledge of secondary and Ganja. of the sport (e.g. as regards the Laws of school PE teachers. The seminar, which The main aims of the project are to the Game), to promote fair play and to was organised as part of a special promote healthy lifestyles among pupils, identify talented children. AFFA

36 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

BELARUS www.bff.by

The first two editions turned into a real LIVE DIALOGUE WITH FANS debate, with fans of champion club FC BATE and top-division newcomers ALEKSANDR ALEINIK FC Krumkachy, and, for the second discussion, fans of lower-tier FC Luch The Belarus Football Federation federations’ official social media accounts. and FC Molodechno raising numerous has launched a new form of direct The discussion is streamed live on the questions of current interest. The first communication with football fans, federation’s website. discussion lasted for almost three hours, replacing monthly briefings for media after which the time limit was altered representatives. Starting in January, at to 90 minutes, to match the length of the end of every month, two fans from a football match. The clubs invited to different Belarusian clubs are invited to select fans for the next discussion are the federation’s TV studio for a discussion chosen by the fans taking part in the with the general secretary, Sergei previous session. Safaryan. The idea came up because If the first discussions are anything of the negative attitude of certain local to go by, it seems to be a great way of media, who continuously misinformed communicating without intermediaries football fans. and one that broadened the variety of The new format allows guest fans topics on the table. At the same time, to raise any questions they have about media coverage on leading sports football in Belarus. Other fans also websites and other media platforms have the opportunity to take part by has not decreased, whereas the number sending questions by email or via the BFF of links to our website has increased.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA www.nfsbih.ba WINTER CAMP FOR YOUNG TALENTS

FUAD KRVAVAC

The first months of 2017 were Mostar and Citluk for elite youth players travelled to Podgorica in Montenegro used by the premier league clubs from Herzegovina. For the first time, to play two friendly matches against to prepare for the second half the camps included players up to the their peers there, coming away with a of the season. For the first time, the age of 14. 3-0 win and a goalless draw. In Zenica, league features only 12 clubs. The 22 “Those taking part in this camp meanwhile, the women’s Under-17s rounds of the championship are followed for elite youth players had the honour played two friendly matches against by play-offs among the top six teams of being the first generation of Serbia, who won both (2-0 and 1-0). for the title and among the bottom six participants in this UEFA project, Last but not least, our national futsal to avoid relegation. which uses the latest training national team were in Tychy in Poland Referee workshops have also been held, methodologies for this age group,” for a tournament, where Boro Matan’s with international referees Milorad Mažić said Darko Ljubojević, project leader team lost 6-3 against Slovenia, before and Milovan Ristić from Serbia among the for the elite youth football development drawing 2-2 with Finland and then losing instructors. “Our referees and assistant project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. their final match 3-1 against the hosts. referees had the opportunity to attend All of the youth national teams Slovenia won the tournament with 7 presentations by Milorad Mazić and were also involved in winter training points, ahead of Finland and Poland on Milovan Ristić on pre-match preparation and preparation. The Under-17s 4 points each. and teamwork, and the impact of assistant referees on football today. It was a great idea to invite Mažić and Ristić to our workshop because we were able to appreciate what kind of professionals they are,” said Ibrahim Hasanbegović, chairman of the referees committee. In cooperation with UEFA, as part of its elite youth football development programme, we held football camps in Krvavac F.

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 37 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

CROATIA www.hns-cff.hr THIRD STADIUM SAFETY AND SECURITY CONFERENCE

TOMISLAV PACAK

The Croatian Football Federation Seminars for first and second division (HNS) recently held its third referees and referee observers were stadium safety and security held in Medulin, with UEFA instructor conference, which gathered 50 Rune Pedersen a very welcome guest respectable professionals from judicial – the Croatian national team has fond and governmental bodies, the police, memories of matches that Pedersen led in NGOs, media and the football family. such expert fashion. Match commissioners The importance of stadium had their own seminar, while national infrastructure, better communication team and club doctors met in Zagreb with fan groups and the media, and for their annual medical symposium. strict law enforcement were the main With different activities, HNK Hajduk topics during the two-day event in Sveti and NK Osijek celebrated their 106th Martin na Muri. and 70th anniversaries respectively. In other news, before he left his Looking ahead, the Croatian Football post as HNS technical director to HNS Federation has organised a friendly match become sports director at GNK Dinamo Ivan Kepčija (left) and Romeo Jozak. against Mexico in Los Angeles in May, Zagreb, Romeo Jozak presented the HNS which will be Croatia’s first match in development programme. This 230-page will certainly help protect and further North America but not outside Europe, book will be used as expert coaching strengthen Croatian technical football the team having already played in Asia, material for developing footballers from knowledge,” said Zorislav Srebrić, senior Africa, South America and Australia. the youngest age to senior level. advisor to the HNS president and holder of Finally, it was with great sorrow that “The authors did a great job with this the UEFA Order of Merit, who wrote the Croatian football said a final goodbye to book, which will be used by experienced foreword to the book. Zvjezdan Cvetković, the legendary Dinamo coaches and their newer colleagues Meanwhile, several committees have Zagreb player who also played for the as well. The book covers a very broad held education seminars ahead of the Yugoslavian national team. Cvetković spectrum of player development and spring part of the football season. died in Zagreb in February at the age 56.

DENMARK www.dbu.dk FOOTBALL COOPERATION FROM EAST TO WEST

MARTIN MOGENSEN

Even though there are more than and football in school time, including DBU 8,000 kilometres between Japan the great contribution of football to the and Denmark, the two nations health of people of all ages. “This focus knowledge sharing. We are proud to moved a bit closer football-wise at the on grassroots football and the health- have Japan as one of our international beginning of February. improving elements of the sport partners,” he added. With the signing of a memorandum is exciting”, said the president of the The MoU was signed on the occasion of understanding (MoU) between the Danish FA, Jesper Møller, when signing of the 150th anniversary of Japanese- Japan Football Association and the Danish the MoU with his Japanese counterpart, Danish diplomatic relations and the Football Association, a new chapter of Kohzo Tashima. signing ceremony was attended by, exchange of knowledge and activities “Japan and Denmark have met among others, the Danish minister of for children and adults has begun. each other several times for men’s culture, Mette Bock, the commissioner In particular, the Japan Football and women’s national team matches. of the Japan sports agency, Daichi Suzuki, Association is interested in the Danes’ Cooperation in grassroots football will and the Danish ambassador to Japan, experience in terms of grassroots football create lasting experiences and fruitful Freddy Svane.

38 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ESTONIA www.jalgpall.ee

“Another reason for writing the book FIGHTING MATCH-FIXING was to try to make the world a little bit better. Young people who read the book THROUGH LITERATURE will then be familiar with situations like that. If something similar comes up in MAARJA SAULEP real life, people might know how to act because they have already lived through Finnish youth author and The plot takes place during the 90 it on the pages,” Keränen explained. football fan Mika Keränen, who minutes of a football match – from kick- His past experience as a coach and has lived in Estonia for many off to the final whistle – and it describes referee helped him with writing about years, has written a book which tells a a young goalkeeper’s experience of football. As an active fan, he follows story about match-fixing in football. playing in a fixed match. The 18-year- his favourite teams. The book’s original title is Maaliviivalla, old goalkeeper Kalle is excited when The plot of the book is completely which translates as On the Goal Line. he finds out he is going to play his first fictional, according to the author, who top-division match, but his excitement is has lived in Estonia for 20 years: “I want short-lived, as his coach informs him that to draw young footballers’ attention to in the 29th minute a penalty is going to the fact that one day they might find be given against his team and he needs to themselves in the same situation as the let the opposition score. main character and be ready for it. That’s Keränen said the idea for the book why I would be happy if young people came out of frustration, because as a read the book.” fan you would hear news about fixed Keränen’s book, written in Finnish and Mika matches and it felt as if honesty was translated into Estonian, is available to Keränen lacking. As a writer he decided to the Estonian Football Association as a EFA address the topic. tool in its fight against match-fixing.

FRANCE www.fff.fr FRENCH FOOTBALL IN CHINA

STÉPHANE LANOUÉ

On 14 February, the French Football Federation (FFF) and the Professional Football League (LFP) took their international development policy one step further by opening a joint development and cooperation office in Beijing. The office has six priorities: to export the French football education system, to raise the profile of French competitions (Ligue 1, Ligue 2, League Cup and the French Cup) and the French national FFF teams among the Chinese population, to strengthen strategic ties with Chinese embarked on an ambitious football counterparts, particularly following stakeholders, to support French clubs development plan. The FFF has a duty the involvement of [Chinese] investors and their business expansion strategies, to support this activity in the world’s in French professional clubs. Three years to develop audiovisual coverage of most populous country and one of the after holding the French Super Cup in French competitions through additional most dynamic. China is a growth engine Beijing, we are very happy to return broadcast sponsorships, and to secure and offers fantastic opportunities to to China to open an office which will new sponsors. promote French football.” be a hub for our dealings with Chinese “The opening of this office is an Nathalie Boy de la Tour, president of football stakeholders. This move is important step in our international the LPF, also welcomes the opening of the unprecedented in the history of French development policy,” says the FFF new office: “For a while now, we’ve been football and clearly supports our president, Noël Le Graët. “China has dealing more and more with our Chinese international ambitions.”

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 39 THE ASSOCIATIONTHE SPECIAL FOR HONOUR 40 40 and Theodore Theodoridis (left) Grindel Reinhard STEPHAN BRAUSE EURO 2024 BID ANNOUNCED GERMANY NIELSEN TERJI FAROE ISLANDS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS the UEFA general secretary, Theodore Theodore secretary, UEFA general the 2024 EURO to inhosting of interest declaration DFB’s official the presented in a positive manner. With hard work, manner. work, hard With in apositive map world the on Faroe Islands the put to inworking role essential an played manner. inapositive map world the on Faroe Islands the to put efforts its for award FA Faroese aspecial the gave board ceremony, tourist the a closed “The Faroese FA has for many years FA for many Faroese years has “The – UEFA DIRECT •April2017 Faroese Football Association. At Association. Football Faroese to the honour aspecial given has board tourist Faroese The (DFB), Reinhard Grindel, Grindel, (DFB), Reinhard Association Football German the of president the 1March, On

UEFA on behalf of the association. of the behalf on award the accepted FA, Faroese of the board in its citation. inits board tourism,” tourist the Faroese states to important very year. been has This of the times all at Faroe Islands the to world the over all from people of of thousands tens brought has which manyevent an FA arranged has Faroese the effort, and professionalism which ten will go into the bid. into the go will ten which 15 on decide September will DFB The cities. host to be have applied all Munich and Freiburg Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Karlsruhe, Kaiserslautern, Frankfurt, Cologne, Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Mönchengladbach, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg, Leipzig, of Berlin, cities The venues. potential of 17 presentation ashort interest, of declaration official to the addition in containing, document a 40-page 2018.” by April to present bid class aworld- prepare now will we stadiums, and cities the Together with tournament. first-class acost-efficient, organise can inplace, we already conditions the and infrastructure stadium existing experience, great our with that confidence with say also can we but challenges, organisational with comes event big a such that We know bid. this behind resolutely and unanimously are we that to UEFA tell personally for me important bid. the with ahead go to 20 on January meeting its at decided unanimously had board presidential DFB’s the after inSwitzerland, Football of European House the at Theodoridis, Virgar Hvidbro, general secretary secretary general Hvidbro, Virgar The UEFA general secretary received received secretary UEFA general The was “It said: Grindel Reinhard

www.football.fo www.dfb.de

IN AROW TWICE HOSTS FUTSAL OTAR GIORGADZE OTAR GEORGIA 30 January to 10 February. January 30 from tournament inthe part taking teams 12 with 2018 by Slovenia, hosted be will EURO Futsal tournament. final in the for aplace Italy and Belarus Netherlands, of the teams the against competing 8to 11from be will they when April, inTbilisi group round qualifying main their to host appointed been also now day. have final the Georgia on stands into the cramming record) (a regional fans 4,000 some with full house, a attracted side national Georgian of the matches the All stands. in the reflected was to watch, which exciting quite were themselves matches The stage. next to the match to advance decisive inthe 6-3 Switzerland beating 11-0 Scotland and before 3-0 Israel defeated team Asatiani’s Avtandil Tbilisi. in Palace Olympic the at out played was group, which stage preliminary in their victorious emerged team futsal Georgian in2017. inarow time the January, In

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GFF MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

GIBRALTAR www.gibraltarfa.com A NEW TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

STEVEN GONZALEZ

The Gibraltar FA (GFA) is women’s football, youth football, delighted to announce the coach education, player analysis and appointment of Desi Curry disability football. as its new technical director. As a coach of Northern Ireland’s youth More than 80 applications were teams since 2007, he has had prominent received for this new position, the vast Northern Ireland internationals under his majority of them from professionals guidance, including the likes of Johnny based abroad, and the final decision Evans (currently at West Bromwich was made by the GFA general secretary, Albion), Kyle Lafferty (Birmingham City) Dennis Beiso, and FIFA technical and Stephen Davies (Southampton). consultant Hansruedi Hasler, himself a Since 2013 Desi has been working with former technical director at the Swiss FA. UEFA as a coach instructor on Pro licence Desi Curry brings a wealth of courses. He has also been involved in experience to the position. A graduate delivering courses and workshops around in education from Queens University the world on behalf of FIFA, on the role in Belfast, he spent 18 years as a of the technical director and its senior teacher and head of physical importance within national football GFA education at Laurelhill Community associations and on the FIFA Handbook Desi Curry College in Northern Ireland before for Technical Directors. He was a member taking on the role of technical director of FIFA’s technical study group for the immediate responsibility for all footballing at the Irish Football Association, where 2016 U-17 World Cup in Chile and and technical departments, working on he was ultimately responsible for the currently serves as a technical observer short, medium and long-term strategies management of all its footballing at UEFA youth tournaments. for the continued development of the departments, from grassroots to Within the Gibraltar FA, Desi assumes beautiful game on The Rock.

HUNGARY www.mlsz.hu / en.mlsz.hu BERND STORCK IN RUNNING FOR PRESTIGIOUS GERMAN AWARD

MÁRTON DINNYÉS

Hungary men’s national-team serious success in Africa, and FIFA and during the course of my work I am coach, Bernd Storck, has been instructor Horst Kriete. always very conscious of the fact that nominated for a prestigious “It is a huge honour for me to be I am not only representing myself but award in recognition of his work in nominated,” Bernd Storck said. “Everyone also my home country. I try to pass on Hungary, which has strengthened knows the traditions of German football what I learnt in Germany and work in German football’s reputation. a manner worthy of a representative of The Ambassador of German Football my country,” he said before receiving his prize, established in 2012, is awarded nomination certificate and prize money, annually to Germans involved in football adding that leading Hungary to last year’s abroad who achieve exceptional results knockout stages of EURO 2016 in France and, through their behaviour and status was a great result and the pinnacle of his as role models, give a positive image of coaching career so far. Bernd Storck has Germany and strengthen the country’s offered his nomination prize money to footballing tradition. Former winners the Csányi Foundation, which supports include Jürgen Klinsmann, and this year children from poor regions of Hungary. three names are in the frame for the mlsz.hu The winner of this year’s Ambassador award, Bernd Storck being joined by Roland Bischof (left), founder of the award, of German Football award will be Michael Krüger, who has achieved with Bernd Storck announced in Berlin on 16 May.

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 41 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ITALY www.figc.it 2019 EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

DIEGO ANTENOZIO

Key figures from the world of European football and Italy’s national and regional authorities were present in the Italian parliament in Rome for the official presentation of the 2017-19 European Under-21 Championship final round, which will be hosted by Italy. Matches will be played in five Italian cities – Bologna, Cesena, Reggio Emilia, Trieste and Udine – as well as San Marino, thanks to a partnership between the two countries’ football federations, the FIGC and the FSGC. Among the dignitaries attending the presentation were the Italian sports minister, Luca Lotti, the UEFA deputy general secretary, Giorgio Marchetti, the FIGC president, Carlo Tavecchio, the federation’s CEO, Michele Uva, and the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò. The various host regions FIGC were also represented, as was Italy’s Under-21 national team, through men’s and women’s UEFA Champions the international stage.” The FIGC’s head coach Luigi Di Biagio. The bid League, in Milan and Reggio Emilia CEO, Michele Uva, announced that to host the tournament had been respectively. Altogether, these three negotiations were in progress with considered a strategic priority at the matches were attended by around Credito Sportivo – an Italian bank highest level, which was clear from the 200,000 spectators and generated about dedicated to supporting sport and overwhelming support received from €90m. Meanwhile, EURO 2020 will see culture – for an interest-free loan of the Italian government and a host of three group matches and a quarter-final €10m towards the modernisation other institutions, from key stakeholders played in Rome. “Italy finally gets to host and redevelopment of the host in Italian football to other sporting the European Under-21 Championship,” facilities. “Overall,” he explained, “we institutions and the public authorities in said the FIGC president, Carlo Tavecchio. expect the tournament to generate San Marino and the host regions in Italy. “Despite our history of success in the around €70m in revenue. Our “We are proud to bring the European competition, we have never hosted mission is to host a great European Under-21 Championship finals to Italy the finals. UEFA’s decision to play the Championship and leave a meaningful and San Marino for the first time,” said tournament here comes at a good time cultural and sporting legacy in the Luca Lotti. “Not only is it a major event for Italian football, and we want the regions involved.” in its own right and a showcase for world to see all the positive work that The tournament will bring financial young talent; it also gives us the chance is being done here, both on and off the benefits, but it will also boost urban to prove that Italy is a capable host of field, to develop our young players and development and see significant such prestigious international events, improve our facilities.” improvements in infrastructure, while recognising that all the institutions UEFA’s deputy general secretary, including transport and hospitality and key figures involved will need to Giorgio Marchetti, stressed that resources – thanks to the efforts of work together as a team.” mobilising all the parties involved two the national tourist board, ENIT – as Italy’s winning bid has cemented the years ahead of time was the best way well as providing a unique platform country’s place as one of European for UEFA to ensure a successful to promote Italian products. As such, football’s key hubs, building on its recent competition. “This is a major event it represents an investment in the success in hosting other major events, that will be watched all over the world, future of Italian football, andcontinues such as the 2014 UEFA Europa League one that gives many young players the the country’s recent trend of success final in Turin and the 2016 finals of the opportunity to establish themselves on in hosting major international events.

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LATVIA www.lff.lv WOMEN’S FUTSAL HITS NEW HEIGHTS

TOMS ĀRMANIS

During the winter period from year, 51 took part this year. In the eldest January to March, the highlight age group, the number of participating of Latvian women’s and girls’ teams grew by five, the U14 and U12 football is the annual futsal league. groups expanded by four and three teams This year it has set new records in both respectively, while the youngest age participation and intrigue. group stayed put on eight teams. During Latvian winters, which are The league was played in mini- usually very snowy and cold, amateur and tournaments in every age group, with professional men’s and women’s teams games taking place in nine different cities all generally play indoors. Due to the high to promote women’s and girls’ football in demand for covered artificial pitches, different places and give the participants women and girls spend this period in the chance to experience a fully fledged various futsal halls. campaign. All of the mini-tournaments The women’s futsal competition is were characterised by many tense and split into four age groups – starting high-speed games, providing ideal with players born in 2002 or before and preparation for the upcoming outdoor ending with older girls taking their very season in the women’s and girls’ summer first steps in football. From 39 teams last championships. LFF

LUXEMBOURG www.football.lu

The stadium, which is expected to NEW NATIONAL STADIUM cost €60m, will seat 9,385 spectators, all under cover. Its capacity could be JOËL WOLFF increased to 11,500 at a later date without extensive reconstruction work. In After many years of waiting, Preliminary preparations for the addition to a 500-seat VIP enclosure, the Luxembourg Football Federation construction of the new national football south stand will include a large room that officials and the whole football stadium in the south of Luxembourg can be used as a venue for private events. family in Luxembourg are finally set to city began in mid-February. The tender A car park with 2,000 spaces, a multi- see a dream come true: by the end of procedure for the construction of the purpose forecourt and a stop in the city’s 2019, Luxembourg will have its own UEFA new stadium is currently under way, new tram network will be built next to category 4 national football stadium. with building work due to start on the stadium. The new arena will replace the 21 August this year. All football fans in Luxembourg venerable Josy Barthel stadium in The city of Luxembourg will own are looking forward with great Arloner Straße, which has fallen short and operate the new national stadium, anticipation and excitement to the of international standards for many sharing the construction costs with the new stadium taking shape and finally years now. Luxembourg state authorities. becoming a reality. FLF

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 43 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

FYR MACEDONIA www.ffm.mk MALTA www.mfa.com.mt ANNUAL COACHING FORUM NEW TOP ZLATKO ANDONOVSKI EXECUTIVES

ALEX VELLA The Football Federation of president of the FFM, Ilcho Gjorgjioski, Macedonia (FFM) and its centre himself a UEFA Pro coach, highlighted for coach education held their that just as players need to go through The Malta Football Association annual coaching forum on 20/21 February a development process to reach their (MFA) has recently appointed for the purpose of continuous professional peak, so do coaches, and that an event a new general secretary and development. There were 300 coaches such as this was part of that process. elected a new vice-president. Angelo attending the event, all holders of UEFA Other distinguished speakers included Chetcuti replaces former general diplomas issued by the FFM. The forum Blagoja Milevski, head coach of the secretary Bjorn Vassallo, who has been also marked a significant milestone as national Under-21 team, who gave a appointed director of European member it coincided with the month of the 15th presentation on how the Under-21 associations at FIFA, while Matthew Paris anniversary of the first-ever UEFA diploma team had made it to the forthcoming replaces vice-president Chris Bonett, who course in FYR Macedonia. European Under-21 Championship has left the MFA to take up the post of The FFM’s director of coach education, final round in Poland; Romeo Jozak, UEFA integrity officer. Nebojsa Markovski, opened the technical director at the Croatian Angelo Chetcuti, a lawyer in his mid- forum, emphasising the importance Football Federation, who presented his thirties, has vast experience as a football of the process of coach education and association’s coach education strategy; administrator, having been a member continuous professional development and Mixu Paatelainen, UEFA technical of the MFA’s executive committee and and giving a presentation on the observer at EURO 2016, who presented council for a number of years. He is implementation of the UEFA Coaching an analysis of the goalscoring at last also a senior official at a club in the Convention within the FFM. Then the summer’s tournament in France. Maltese league. Matthew Paris, also a young lawyer, is another official with a thorough MOLDOVA www.fmf.md knowledge of football administration at club level. Until recently, he was vice- president of one of Malta’s top clubs. ASSOCIATION WEBSITE He was elected ahead of six other candidates and joins the MFA’s two other UNDERGOES A FACELIFT vice-presidents, Ludovico Micallef and Alex Manfre. MARKETING DEPARTMENT The two newly appointed officials are well-qualified and highly motivated and FMF.md, the official website will give their all in their respective roles, of the Football Association of which will include heading a number of Moldova (FMF), was relaunched MFA boards and ad hoc committees. in December and now boasts many Under the presidency of Norman additional features, including new FMF Darmanin Demajo, the MFA’s energetic branding and an ‘FMF TV’ section and enthusiastic team is striving to take containing video footage. covering current FMF activities, with more the association to new heights and put Major stakeholders in the football family background material being made available. Malta on the map with the aid of some were consulted prior to the redevelopment The relaunch has also given the FMF innovative initiatives. of the website, as were existing users. Key an opportunity to look to the future objectives included making FMF.md easier by adding an online shop and a ticket to use – for both casual and regular visitors portal. They are scheduled to go live in alike – and improving coverage of the the next few weeks, allowing fans to latest news. buy souvenirs and tickets for the national The new website features an innovative team’s matches. The new website is very homepage providing thorough coverage easy to navigate for mobile users, and it of recent, ongoing and future events. is now much easier to share news via Its revised structure gives users two social media. ways of accessing the latest information, The FMF is delighted with its revamped while specific FMF-oriented channels make website, which has been acclaimed by for a more enjoyable experience for all members, teams, players and football D. Aquilina visitors. There is also greater emphasis on fans in general. Matthew Paris (left) and Angelo Chetcuti

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NORTHERN IRELAND www.irishfa.com VETERANS GET BACK IN THE GAME

NIGEL TILSON

Veterans’ football in Northern important, as this scheme promotes Ireland is gaining in popularity, the physical and mental health aspects and the Irish Football Association of well-being.” (IFA) is promoting it even further by In addition to the festivals, a number staging 23 Back in the Game veterans’ of veterans’ teams in Northern Ireland football festivals across Northern Ireland have received new kit with financial this year. Since 2015, the number of support from UEFA as part of a social veterans’ clubs in Northern Ireland has responsibility project to encourage regular already more than doubled, rising from participation among men in the over-35, 15 to 38. over-45 and over-55 age groups and Former Manchester United FC and women over 30. Northern Ireland star Sammy McIlroy, The teams in question are: Mid Aged who won 88 caps for his country, is a Ulster Ladies, Belfast Barca, Causeway proud ambassador for the IFA’s Back Giants, Lurgan Town Wannabes, in the Game scheme. He says: “The SionSonics, The Ards Rangers High Flyers, programme is a great initiative to Hillsborough Knights, Downpatrick Devils, encourage those who have stopped The Newington Swansongs, The Mighty playing to re-engage with the sport we Ducks, Carnmoney Diamonds and IFA love. The social side of things is equally Wellie Wrecked. Sammy McIlroy

ROMANIA www.frf.ro RAISING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

PAUL ZAHARIA

According to its strategic plan for partnership agreement with the Bucharest of football and thereby learn the 2015–20, one of the objectives Academy for Economic Studies to organise specifics of football management. of the Romanian Football different educational programmes. “I am delighted with this agreement Federation (FRF) is to bring about a Ad hoc and regular courses are to with the FRF, which is our first-ever lasting improvement in the organisational be organised for club executives, press partnership with a sports organisation. performance of its members, in particular officers, safety and security officers, team From my point of view, the main asset will by enhancing the professional skills of their managers and other club officials. be the master’s in sports management. staff. To that end, the FRF has concluded a In addition, a master’s in sports We will aim to attract as many specialists management is due to be launched in as possible, and of course we all want 2018. This programme will be aimed this to be a long-lasting partnership, at club executives, sports federation enabling us to train and educate as many managers, government representatives, young and successful sports managers as etc. and will be expanded across Europe possible,” said Nicolae Istudor, the rector in the near future. UEFA’s support will of the academy, at the signing ceremony. play a key role in this project, as will the Răzvan Burleanu, the president of the cooperation and know-how of prestigious FRF, said: “It’s a proven reality that behind schools of sports management in every sporting performance lies a team of Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, officials – a team behind the team. Our all of which are already involved in the aim is to give the best possible training trans-European Play the Game project. to those officials, who are operating in An internship and volunteering the players’ shadows. Officials working programme is also to be set up at the in football – and sport in general – Bucharest Academy for Economic Studies, need to be very competent and have giving students the opportunity to obtain high standards. This is an educational FRF valuable practical experience in the world programme for the future.”

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 45 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SCOTLAND www.scottishfa.co.uk

to the Premier League as manager of MALKY MACKAY LEADS Cardiff City in 2013. As the Scottish FA’s performance director, he is responsible PERFORMANCE STRATEGY for overseeing the strategy designed to improve elite talent development across MICHAEL LAMONT the game, working in partnership with the clubs to deliver successful future At the end of 2016, the Scottish international players. FA announced the appointment In his first couple of months in of Malky Mackay as its new the job, Malky has been touring the performance director. country, visiting club academies and Malky has a breadth of experience performance schools as part of his as a player and coach, as well as being preparations for implementing Project instrumental in the development of Brave, a series of recommendations young players. He played for Celtic, aimed at improving the elite pathway then Norwich City, West Ham United and, in particular, the production of and Watford, achieving consecutive the most talented players through the promotions to the Premier League with development system known as Club all three English clubs. He also earned Academy Scotland. He said: “I am five caps for Scotland in the process, immensely proud and privileged to having started out on his journey at become performance director and Hampden with Queen’s Park. Malky I am acutely aware of the importance became manager of Watford in June of this role in achieving future success 2009 and subsequently won promotion Scottish FA for our talented young players.”

SERBIA www.fss.rs

and that is the basic prerequisite for ENCOURAGING WOMEN’S being successful. I wish them and their coaches, Lidija Stojkanović and FOOTBALL Suzana Stanojevic, all the best in the upcoming qualifiers for the European MIRKO VRBICA Championships,” Muslin said. Muslin visited the camp at the Women’s football in Serbia is we do in the Serbian FA, regardless of invitation of the coordinator of women’s growing rapidly and the Football the level of competition and national football at the Football Association of Association of Serbia and its team. I believe that among these girls Serbia, Nikoslav Bjegovića, who pointed sports director, Goran Bunjevčević, are there are promising and talented players, out that he had had the privilege to be doing everything to ensure the national for whom every kind of support is coached by Muslin and was honoured teams have good working conditions important, especially at this age. You can to now be working with him at the FA to achieve results that reinforce the see they love sport, they love football of Serbia. position of women’s football in Serbia. This winter the Under-17 and Under-19 teams have been preparing for the final qualifying rounds for their respective European championships and Slavoljub Muslin, coach of the men’s senor national team, was on hand at the girls’ winter camp to give them some words of encouragement. The girls were, of course, delighted to see Muslin, with whom they had the chance to spend some time in conversation. “Whenever I have time, I’m always available for all the Serbian national teams. There must be mutual appreciation and respect for what FSS

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SLOVAKIA www.futbalsfz.sk

friend and fellow assistant referee Roman FORMER REFEREE Slyško, fought for three days to save his life. But it was not to be. IGOR ŠRAMKA MOURNED Šramka, together with Luboš Michel and Martin Balko, formed a fantastic PETER SURIN refereeing trio at the beginning of the new millennium, by when Šramka was On 27 January, long-serving already an experienced assistant referee. former referee Igor Šramka He officiated in five matches at EURO passed away at the age of 57. 2000, including the semi-final, four “His decision during the EURO 2000 matches at the 2002 World Cup, including semi-final between France and Portugal the Brazil v Turkey semi-final, and at the forever changed the way people SFZ Confederations Cup in 2001. He and considered the role of assistant referee,” his countrymen were also among the said Jozef Marko, long-time member of from the penalty spot and France made it EURO 2004 referee teams. In the UEFA the UEFA Referees Committee, shortly to the final and went on to lift the trophy Champions League, he officiated in 18 after Šramka had made that game- as European champions. matches, and the Slovakian trio also changing decision in Brussels. Šramka’s decision has gone down oversaw the 2003 UEFA Cup final between Portugal defender Abel Xavier in the history of football. After seeing FC Porto and Celtic FC. conceded a penalty for handball when a replay of the crucial moment, the head In addition to football, he enjoyed the score was 1-1 in the 27th minute of the Portuguese delegation visited him bowling, and was a member of the of extra time. The Slovakian assistant in the referees’ dressing room and with executive committee of the Slovakian saw the incident and sent a signal to a handshake accepted the accuracy of Bowling Federation. Igor Šramka was a the main referee, Austria’s Günter Benkö. the decision. true professional, fully dedicated and After their consultation, Benkö awarded The brave heart of a great man, committed to his job. a penalty to France. The Portuguese whose respect for the truth and the rules His sudden death has shocked and protested, of course, but Šramka was affected that match and the future role of saddened the Slovakian football family, confident about his decision. “I was the assistant referee, stopped beating on who can take some comfort from the convinced it was a penalty and there was 27 January following a heart attack on belief that he is overseeing the game no reason to step back.” Zidane scored 23 January 2017. Doctors, including his from up above.

SLOVENIA www.nzs.si

association’s strategy up until 2020. ALEŠ ZAVRL TAKES HIS “I am happy to have been able to contribute to the development and EXPERIENCE TO UEFA growth of Slovenian football, and I will be sure to follow the future progress MATJAŽ KRAJNIK in my home country. I am certain that changes are a necessary part of life Aleš Zavrl has stepped down from qualification for the and can be beneficial to an organisation. his position as general secretary World Cup in South Every change brings a new challenge, of the Football Association of Africa, and under which needs to be handled with the Slovenia after seven years and is moving his leadership, the knowledge and experience we have to UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, where Slovenian FA hosted gathered in all these years,” said Zavrl he will take over as head of club licensing. the final round of the after leaving his post. During his time as general secretary European Under-17 Following Aleš Zavrl’s departure, Matjaž of the Slovenian FA, the association NZS Championship in Jaklič, head of the technical sector, has successfully completed many different 2016 – the first taken over as general secretary ad interim, projects, including the reorganisation European championship final tournament until the president, Radenko Mijatović, of its administration, which became a to take place on Slovenian soil – and finds a permanent replacement. “I want modern and internationally comparable was successful in its bid to host Futsal to thank Aleš Zavrl for his commitment organisation with up-to-date work EURO 2018. Another of his notable and dedicated work at the association processes, communication and a brand- achievements was the opening of the and his invaluable contribution to the new modern information system, Slovenian headquarters and training development of football in Slovenia. among other features. He headed centre at Brdo. He also played an I wish him all the best in his new career the organisational part of Slovenia’s instrumental role in the development the at UEFA,” he said.

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 47 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SWEDEN www.svenskfotboll.se SWEDISH FANS HEADING FOR POLAND

ANDREAS NILSSON

Sweden are gearing up to defend their European Under-21 Championship title in Poland this summer. Most of the players in the squad will be new to the championship experience, but Sweden’s yellow wall of fans will be out in force again. The Swedish allocation of tickets to the games in Kielce and Lublin has sold out, and fans who have so far missed out are being directed to the general public sales of the Polish FA. ”We had tremendous fan support in the Czech Republic in 2015. The fans SvFF gave us a huge boost, and they definitely contributed to our success there. We’re of In all, 7,500 tickets have been sold through Fans stuck at home will not be completely course very happy to see that so many will the Swedish FA, with the largest allocation out of luck, as Kanal 5 has secured the be making the trip to Poland as well,” says (2,700) sold for the team’s first game, Swedish broadcasting rights for the Sweden Under-21 coach Håkan Ericson. Sweden v England, in Kielce on 16 June. tournament.

SWITZERLAND www.football.ch

per referee – were on hand to help REFEREES WORK UP A ensure that match officials were fit and ready for the second half of the season. SWEAT IN MELONERAS Oliver Riedwyl, a certified fitness coach working for Swiss Olympic and the Swiss PIERRE BENOIT Football Association, was one of three highly qualified coaches overseeing the “From the heated brow, fitness training. “Today’s referees have Sweat must freely flow.” This to deliver top performances,” says line from Friedrich Schiller’s Patrick Graf. “A referee officiating in Song of the Bell was somewhat apt top-flight matches is an elite athlete. for the 54 referees, assistant referees, Unfortunately, though, Swiss referees are prospective match officials and Swiss still amateurs in a professional world.” Super League and Challenge League Oliver Riedwyl and his two colleagues coaches who attended the Swiss Football worked on participants’ fitness in the League’s 29th annual training camp in course of the week, building on specific Meloneras on Gran Canaria. base levels that referees had been asked Those participants – all of whom have to ensure prior to the camp. Mornings jobs in addition to working as referees involved 90-minute sessions out on the and had to ‘sacrifice’ annual leave in pitch to improve participants’ stamina, order to attend the camp – endured an running form and speed. intense week of tough training. Patrick That fitness training was Graf, head of refereeing at the Swiss supplemented with daily theory sessions, Football Association, was the lead looking at issues such as handball, organiser and put together an extremely offside, unsporting behaviour, respect demanding programme. and body language. In addition, two Participants had daily training sessions games were organised between teams working on their fitness, strength and from Las Palmas, in order to allow theoretical knowledge. Numerous participants to put things they had instructors and coaches – almost one SFV learnt into practice.

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TURKEY www.tff.org TURKEY ANNOUNCES EURO 2024 BID

AYDIN GÜVENIR

A EURO 2024 bid information meeting was held at the administrative centre of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) in Beykoz-Riva, Turkey, where the minister of youth and sports, Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and the president of the Turkish Football TFF Federation, Yıldırım Demirören, confirmed that Turkey will bid to host EURO 2024. the tournament before. Last time we lost can state clearly that Turkey has made a The general director of sports, Mehmet by just one vote. This time we believe we great leap in stadiums on the instructions Baykan, the undersecretary of youth and deserve to be the hosts of EURO 2024. I of our president and prime minister. sports, Faruk Özçelik, TFF executive board would like to thank you for your support, When we look at the stadiums that members and Turkey’s director of football, Mr sports minister, Mr prime minister are currently being built in Turkey, there Fatih Terim, were also present. and, of course, Mr president of the is only one country that rivals us, Addressing the meeting, the TFF Turkish Republic. I believe we will all work the USA, and its scale is obvious. We’re president said: ‘’Today we come together together on this path.’’ the number one in Europe in this area. for a good job on behalf of Turkish In his speech, the minister of youth This is the most beautiful indicator of football. We are together for our EURO and sports said: ‘’As Mr Demirören where we have come from in terms of 2024 bid, which is our fourth bid to host says, we are making an important infrastructure. I hope that the result will a EURO. Turkey is the only country in announcement and decision. We have be very different this time and that our Europe, and even in the world, to have got here with the political support of bid will be successful.” invested in 32 stadiums. Unfortunately, our country. The TFF will submit its The TFF submitted its official declaration we did not get the opportunity to host application and the process will begin. I of interest to UEFA on 2 March.

UKRAINE www.ffu.org.ua ZHYTLOBUD-1 WIN FOURTH WOMEN’S WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP

YURI MAZNYCHENKO

The annual women’s winter game before the break through a Ryzhova championship took place from own goal. In the 64th minute, Ovdiychuk 17 to 25 February in Vynnyky in the scored the winner for Zhytlobud-1, Lviv region of Ukraine. The nationwide giving the Kharkiv team its fourth winter competition was created by the Football championship title (2008, 2014, 2015 Federation of Ukraine (FFU) in 2008. and 2017). In accordance with the competition In the play-off for third place, Zlahoda regulations, the ten participating teams from Dnipro beat 2013 winter champions were divided into two groups for the Legenda from Chernihiv on penalties (4-3) group stage, which was followed by at the end of a goalless match. knockout matches. After the competition, the FFU The final was a head-to-head between women’s football committee named the two teams from Kharkiv – Zhytlobud-1 best players in the tournament: Iryna and Zhytlobud-2. From the outset, Slavych (Lvivyanka) – best goalkeeper, the reigning champions, Zhytlobud-2, Elyzaveta Kostyuchenko (Zhytlobud-1) – dominated the play and took the lead best defender, Ksenia Grytsenko (Zlahoda) through on-form Dyatel, who completed – best midfielder, and Yana Kalinina a good pass from Kalinina. However, (Zhytlobud-2) – best forward. Vira Dyatel Zhytlobud-1 were thrown back into the was the top scorer with five goals. Kraws Yevhen

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 49 WOMEN’S FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

THE RISE OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IN MALTA

“UEFA’s support has been crucial,” says Malta Football Association (MFA) general secretary Angelo Chetcuti, after funds from the HatTrick programme helped to give a real boost to women’s football on the island. D. Aquilina

uring the third cycle of Ta’ Qali technical centre thanks to Malta’s to leave their electronic devices at home the HatTrick programme renewed focus on the women’s game, and to come and play football and enjoy D (2012–16), each UEFA 12-year-old Martina says: “Last summer, it. And she explains to the parents how member association received up to we had a summer camp organised by football can improve their skills, their values €100,000 a year to invest in women’s the MFA women’s national academy. and their sense of teamwork – on and football development. The MFA put I had a trial and I got chosen, and that’s off the pitch. “My objective in coaching the money into some key sectors, where I started my career as a football football is to enable the girls to strengthen such as coach education, Under-13 player. Football helps me to feel confident. their ability, develop their football skills and festivals, a new girls’ academy and It shows we are able to speak up, because develop their character,” she says. “It gives the branding of the women’s game. women are equal to men, and there isn’t me great satisfaction to coach in women’s Those efforts were recognised as any difference.” football because I’m seeing an increase in best practice examples in a report The MFA has strengthened women’s the number of girls playing football. I am compiled by UEFA on the activities of football at grassroots level, making it the also seeing an increase in their abilities, all its member associations under the biggest participation sport for girls on the and for me they’re just as good as boys.” UEFA Women’s Football Development island. And there is plenty of enthusiasm “My hope is to continue to increase our Programme. for further work in the sector. numbers of young female football players, “Women’s football projects a very Parents play a pivotal role when it comes but also to strengthen the competition and positive image of the game,” says the to the participation of girls. Sarah, 12, who see more and more people attending our MFA general secretary, Angelo Chetcuti. is also playing in the girls’ academy, speaks women’s games and our women’s national “Our game needs to be much more highly of her father: “My dad is proud of team matches,” Chetcuti adds. “We’ve had accessible, and gender balance is one me playing football,” she says. some very beautiful success stories and I of the areas that needs to be improved “He takes me to football several times hope we will continue and build on them.” on. UEFA’s support has been crucial. a week. He waits for me for hours, Owing to its success, the Women’s It helps us fund coach education and our sometimes in the rain, and he has been Football Development Programme has academy, as well as our competitions.” doing that for the past five years.” been extended for another four years as One of 50 promising young players Mosta FC coach Josette Sant encourages part of the fourth cycle (2016–20) of the who now train weekly at the MFA’s the girls and their parents. She tells the girls UEFA HatTrick assistance programme.

50 – UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS NOTICES

Jan Peeters (Belgium, 2 April) Jean-Luc Veuthey (Switzerland, 20 April) • On 11 February, Gudni Bergsson Elisabeth Derks (Netherlands, 2 April) Michael Argyrou (Cyprus, 20 April) was elected president of the Michael Sjöö (Sweden, 2 April) Ilhan Helvaci (Turkey, 20 April) Football Association of Iceland, Marton Dinnyés (Hungary, 2 April) Nenad Santrač (Serbia, 20 April) taking over from Geir Thorsteinsson. Kaj Østergaard (Denmark, 3 April) Marc Lesenfants (Belgium, 21 April) • On 18 February, Ilcho Gjorgjioski Martin Sturkenboom (Netherlands, 3 April) Vitor Pereira (Portugal, 21 April) 60th was re-elected president of the Dennis Cruise (Republic of Ireland, 3 April) 60th Martinus van den Bekerom Football Association of the Former Yoav Strauss (Israel, 3 April) (Netherlands, 21 April) 60th Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Emil Ubias (Czech Republic, 3 April) Alexandru Burlac (Moldova, 21 April) • On 6 March, Carlo Tavecchio was Christian Kofoed (Denmark, 4 April) Tomislav Vlahović (Croatia, 21 April) re-elected president of the Italian Eamon Naughton (Republic of Ireland, 4 April) Jan Damgaard (Denmark, 22 April) Football Federation. Alex Miescher (Switzerland, 4 April) Morgan Norman (Sweden, 22 April) • Luigi Zafferani has replaced Luciano Marco Casagrande (Finland, 4 April) Rod Petrie (Scotland, 22 April) Casadei as general secretary of San Jan Ekstrand (Sweden, 5 April) Volodymyr Petrov (Ukraine, 22 April) Marino Football Federation. Momir Djurdjevac (Montenegro, 5 April) Claudine Brohet (Belgium, 22 April) Alexey Sorokin (Russia, 5 April) Roland Tis (Belgium, 23 April) OBITUARY Aleksandra Pejkovska (FYR Macedonia, 5 April) Mehmet S. Binnet (Turkey, 23 April) Vencel Tóth (Hungary, 6 April) Prune Rocipon (France, 23 April) • Johannes Malka (Germany), Snježana Fočić (Croatia, 6 April) Nebojša Ivković (Serbia, 24 April) a member of the circle of former Laszlo Szalai (Hungary, 6 April) Avraham Luzon (Israel, 24 April) UEFA committee members, passed Pavol Peráček (Slovakia, 7 April) Sandor Piller (Hungary, 24 April) away on 23 February aged 94. Jacques Devismes (France, 8 April) Ilker Yucesir (Turkey, 24 April) A former international referee, Jim Fleeting (Scotland, 8 April) Roy Millar (Northern Ireland, 25 April) he was a member of the UEFA Peter Hegyi (Hungary, 8 April) Philippe Verbiest (Belgium, 25 April) Referees Committee from 1978 to Yevgeniy Stolitenko (Ukraine, 8 April) Dany Ryser (Switzerland, 25 April) 60th 1996, serving as its chairman for Salustia Chato Cipres (Andorra, 25 April) Márton Esterházy (Hungary, 9 April) two years and as vice-chairman for Valentin Velikov (Bulgaria, 25 April) Ladislav Svoboda (Czech Republic, 9 April) four. In 2002, he was awarded the Yariv Teper (Israel, 26 April) Zoran Petrović (Serbia, 10 April) UEFA Order of Merit in ruby. Gordon Pate (Scotland, 10 April) Marina Sbardella (Italy, 27 April) Panagiotis Tsarouchas (Greece, 10 April) Jan Carlsen (Denmark, 27 April) Vlastibor Minarovjech Jr (Slovakia, 10 April) Edgar Steinborn (Germany, 27 April) 60th 25 April, Nyon Eduard Kindle (Liechtenstein, 10 April) Frank Fontvielle (France, 27 April) 50th Club Licensing Committee Umberto Gandini (Italy, 11 April) Yuriy Zapisotskiy (Ukraine, 28 April) European Qualifying Competition for the Kristiaan Van der Haegen (Belgium, 11 April) George Frank (Israel, 29 April) 2019 Women’s World Cup: group stage draw Pierre Dumarché (France, 11 April) Gudmunder Ingi Jónsson (Iceland, 29 April) Competitions Rodger Gifford (Wales, 12 April) 3–12 April Valeriu Ionita (Romania, 12 April) 60th FORTHCOMING EVENTS Futsal EURO 2018 qualifying competition: François De Keersmaecker (Belgium, 12 April) main round António José Fernandes Cardoso Meetings (Portugal, 12 April) 3 April, Zagreb 6–11 April Paolo Piani (Italy, 13 April) 2016/17 European Under-17 Championship: European Qualifying Competition for the final round draw Giovanni Spitaleri (Italy, 13 April) 2019 Women’s World Cup: preliminary round Edvinas Eimontas (Lithuania, 13 April) 3 April, Helsinki Octavian Goga (Romania, 14 April) Finance Committee 11/12 and 18/19 April Georgios Bikas (Greece, 15 April) UEFA Champions League: quarter-finals Erol Ersoy (Turkey, 15 April) 4 April, Helsinki Executive Committee Antonius van Eekelen (Netherlands, 15 April) 13 and 20 April UEFA Europa League: quarter-finals Dušan Fitzel (Czech Republic, 15 April) 5 April, Helsinki Anders Hubinette (Sweden, 15 April) 41st Ordinary UEFA Congress Manuel Enrique Mejuto González 21–24 April, Nyon UEFA Youth League: final four (Spain, 16 April) 7 April, Pilsen 2016/17 European Women’s Under-17 Charles Schaack (Luxembourg, 17 April) Championship: final round draw 22/23 and 29/30 April Frances Smith (Republic of Ireland, 17 April) UEFA Women's Champions League: semi-finals Oguz Sarvan (Turkey, 18 April) 13 April, Georgia Alexandre Remin (Belarus, 18 April) 2016/17 European Under-19 Championship: final round draw 27 April–7 May, Bahamas Norman Darmanin Demajo (Malta, 19 April) Beach Soccer World Cup Johan Timmermans (Belgium, 19 April) 60th 21 April, Nyon Virgar Hvidbro (Faroe Islands, 19 April) 2016/17 UEFA Champions League and 28–30 April, Almaty Elena Charina (Russia, 19 April) UEFA Europa League: semi-final draws UEFA Futsal Cup: final four

UEFA DIRECT • April 2017 – 51 No.166 • April 2017 NO TO RACISM NO TO