UEFAdirect-72-Avril•E:Anglais 14.3.200814:44Page1 No 5872 – FévrierApril 2008 2007 4.08 Futsal draws of theRegions’Cup Kick-off UEFA building A new beach soccer The riseof Futsal draws of theRegions’Cup Kick-off UEFA building A new beach soccer The riseof Including 10 09 08 04 10 09 08 04 UEFAdirect-72-Avril•E:Anglais 14.3.2008 14:44 Page 2

Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president Invaluable contribution of the committees During the last week in February, the House of European Football in Nyon saw a steady stream of UEFA committee meetings. For the most part, this was the first time that the committees had convened since they were formed and embedded in the UEFA Statutes at the extraordinary congress in Zurich last year. These consultative committees are an exceptionally valuable resource for the Executive Committee. Football nowadays affects so many incredibly vast domains that meetings of UEFA’s executive body would be both endless and tiresome if the committees were not there to study matters relating to their areas of specialisation and facilitate the executive’s decision-making process by means of pertinent recommendations. The work of the committees is all the more effective now that they are presided over by members of the Executive Committee who are fully abreast of the IN THIS ISSUE strategy and direction chosen by UEFA and are therefore in no danger of straying into futile discussions or losing focus. Launching the At the congress in Zagreb, for the first time, the chairmen of the committees 6th UEFA Regions’ Cup 04 that had already held meetings presented their committees’ areas of activity and tasks Olympique Lyonnais to the national association delegates. My wish was not only to pay homage to their cause a stir in the work and underline the importance of these organs, but also to ensure that UEFA’s UEFA Women’s Cup 06 activities were presented transparently and that information was communicated by Futsal draws 08 the most direct means possible. It was also a deliberate choice to include all the presidents and general The future of beach soccer 09 secretaries of UEFA’s member associations in one or other of our committees, alongside other experts. After all, it is also the responsibility of those who manage football at A new UEFA administration building 10 national level to help stimulate the smooth running of international football and share the benefits of their experience. News from member associations 15

COVER Michel Platini Schalke O4 qualify for the quarter- UEFA President finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history after knocking out FC Porto in a penalty shoot-out. Halil Altintop dodges the Portuguese Pedro Emanuel. Photo: Queimadelos Alonso/Bongarts/Getty Images

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Less than 100until kick-offdays at EURO 2008 Coffrini/AFP

THE EURO 2008 COUNTDOWN WAS PAUSED BRIEFLY ON 28 FEBRUARY 13 different venues, giving visitors a taste of what EURO 2008 will have IN BERNE TO MARK THE START OF THE LAST 100 DAYS BEFORE THE EUROPEAN to offer with the help of interactive CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS KICK OFF. games, photographs and films. The Henri Delaunay trophy is also on dis- The occasion provided the it has therefore had to organise a play and can even be seen flying over opportunity for the public release of draw to allocate them. each venue in the form of a hot-air a few extra pieces of information, A new version of balloon. notably the plans for the opening the official tournament web- Still on the agenda before ceremony on 7 June in St Jakob site has just been launched June are the finalists’ workshop in Park in Basel, which, although and will provide extensive cov- Vienna from 12 to 13 March and the short, will involve a thousand or erage of the tournament’s referees’ workshop near Zurich from so participants. Volunteering 31 matches. Some 130 people 14 to 17 April, as well as the volunteer at the championships has also proved will be working on the event to deliver training sessions and the volunteers’ extremely popular with more than all manner of information, making pre-tournament assignments. 17,000 people from 150 countries maximum use of all the new multi- Until EURO 2008 kicks off, having put themselves forward. Yet media technology resources available. it will be up to club-level football to more fans have tried to get hold of Since January, the EURO keep the fans entertained with the UEFA tickets: UEFA has now received 8.7 mil- Experience Tour has been travelling Cup final on 14 May in Manchester lion requests for the 1.05 million tickets all over and Switzerland. and the final of the UEFA Champions it put on sale at euro2008.com, and The exhibition is scheduled to call at League seven days later in Moscow.

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The 2007 finalists pose together before kick-off: the Regions’ Cup is a celebration of friendship. Sportsfile ??????????????? Sportsfile 2008/09

UEFAGrowing Regions’ in popularity Cup

THIS SUMMER WILL SEE THE START OF THE SIXTH Amateur football is a funda- EDITION OF UEFA’S AMATEUR COMPETITION. mental part of the European football WITH ENTRIES FROM 41 REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TEAMS, pyramid. By organising an amateur THE COMPETITION HAS MORE PARTICIPANTS competition UEFA not only shows that THAN EVER BEFORE; PROOF OF THE GROWING POPULARITY it recognises the importance of recre- ational sport, but also provides amateur OF THE REGIONS’ CUP. footballers with the chance to contest an international competition.

The first attempt UEFA’s Committee for Amateur Football first suggested the creation Pole, Szymon Jaskulowski, of a tournament for amateur players in (in white) and 1965. However, once the plans had Bulgarian, Petar Petrov, in a been approved by the Executive Com- mid-air tussle during the 2007 mittee, the competition had difficulty final between Dolnoslaski getting off the ground, because only and Bulgaria’s those countries with professional leagues South-East Region. were able to take part and the top divisions in many countries, notably in eastern and Scandinavia, were still amateur. Only 12 countries partici- pated in the first edition in 1967, which was won by the Austrian line-up. After the fourth edition, which was entered by just ten teams, the competition was discontinued.

The relaunch In 1996, the newly formed UEFA Amateur Football Committee decided to relaunch the European amateur competition. The partici- pation problem resolved itself and, in 1999, the inaugural edition of the new Regions’ Cup was contested by 32 teams and won by an Italian side from the Veneto region. The second edition Sportsfile Sportsfile (which had 35 participating teams) was

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… which The Regions’ continues off the Cup attracts pitch as well. ever bigger crowds. Sportsfile Sportsfile

taken by a Czech side in 2001 and in second and third matchdays of the 2003, the third (with 40 participating group stage. Moreover, the criteria teams) went to another Italian team, relating to players who are transferred this time from Piedmont. In the fourth to a higher league in the course of edition, which was entered by 37 teams, the competition have been relaxed a Spanish side from the Basque and the upper age limit has been country came out on top. The most raised from 35 to 40. Both of these recent finals took place in Bulgaria in changes should benefit the smaller 2007 – this time, a Polish team took associations. Finally, the financial con-

the title in front of a record crowd of tributions made to the host associa- Sportsfile 3,500. Once again, this competition tions and the visiting teams have been Jim Boyce, the then president of the Youth and Amateur Football Committee, hands over was contested by 37 teams. increased. the trophy to Polish captain Adrian Szymczak after Dolnoslaski’s 2007 victory.

Record participation in 2008/09 The draw for the sixth Regions’ Result of the draw Cup took place on 26 February in Nyon. Since entries were received from (Team selections from San Marino, Liechtenstein and Malta are national rather than regional.) no less than 41 teams, three prelimi- nary-round groups were formed, each Preliminary round containing four teams. The winner (mini-tournaments: 1 August to 20 September 2008) from each group will advance to the Group 1: San Marino, Liechtenstein, Hungary, F.Y.R. Macedonia intermediate round which consists Group 2: Israel, Czech Republic, Malta, of eight groups of four teams. In June Group 3: Lithuania, , Georgia, Turkey 2009, the winner from each of the Host associations of the mini-tournaments in bold. eight groups will compete for the Intermediate round European amateur title in the country (mini-tournaments: 1 August to 31 December 2008 for groups not of one of the finalists. UEFA’s Youth involving preliminary-round teams, 1 October 2008 to 30 April 2009 for and Amateur Football Committee all other groups) chairman, Viacheslav Koloskov, empha- Group 1: , , , Winners of preliminary sised the importance of the UEFA round Group 2 Group 2: , , , Regions’ Cup: “Amateur football is Group 3: Croatia, Slovenia, Netherlands, Switzerland the basis for football in Europe in gen- Group 4: , Winners of preliminary round Group 1, , Portugal eral. Amateur football also has a social Group 5: Russia, Belarus, Winners of preliminary round Group 3, Greece function to perform. Our task is not Group 6: Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine only to organise the final tournament Group 7: Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland, Finland Group 8: Slovakia, , Estonia, but also to provide an impetus for the Host associations of the mini-tournaments in bold. national associations to develop grass- From left roots and amateur football within their to right: Viacheslav own countries.” Koloskov, member of the Executive Committee Changes to the regulations and president There have been some changes of the Youth and Amateur to the regulations of the UEFA Regions’ Football Committee, Cup as approved by the UEFA Execu- Jim Boyce, tive Committee at the beginning of vice-president of the the year. At the request of the coaches committee, and Andy of those teams that participated in Roxburgh, UEFA’s tech - the 2007 finals, an additional rest day nical director, has been incorporated between the carried out the draw in UEFA-pjwoods.ch Nyon.

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Olympique Lyonnais before their meeting with LFC Arsenal.

UEFA Women’s Cup semi-finals The Olympique Lyonnais same support as the men, be that adventure medical care, catering or accommodation TITLEHOLDERS ARSENAL LADIES FC HAVE BEEN KNOCKED OUT when travelling. The men and women mix, socialising and eating side by side. IN THE QUARTER-FINALS OF THE UEFA WOMEN’S CUP BY NEWCOMERS They are united by a strong bond and a OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS. healthy sense of rivalry. The club has launched a mixed billboard and poster On 30 March and 6 April, enticed the managers there. “We had to campaign. Before the Olympique Lyonnais- Olympique Lyonnais now face Sweden’s try to make up for the past. We couldn’t Manchester United match, the club’s Umeå IK, who have twice taken the title. crow about gender equality while clinging TV channel broadcast extended interviews The French women’s success is the fruit to a few privileges,” explains Robert with the women, who had just knocked of the club’s concerted efforts because Beroud, the club’s educational director, out Arsenal. the women in Lyon are not restricted to responsible for the school and university “The president [Jean-Michel the meanest share, even though they education of the amateurs, i.e. the youth Aulas] set himself an objective: that of still only have amateur status. and women’s players. his women’s team winning the French To recap, it was four years ago championship and competing for the that Olympique Lyonnais adopted a The president jumps in UEFA Women’s Cup within three years. women’s club which, despite having been On the Olympique Lyonnais He threw himself into this venture with French champions numerous times, was website, the women’s team features next passion and determination,” Robert plagued by financial trouble. The local to the men’s. The club has 160 registered Beroud says with a smile. “What’s more, council helped the club, and then the idea women players, and 25 on its A list. Jean-Michel Aulas took a private jet to took root at Olympique Lyonnais and They enjoy the same facilities and the London, as well as to the French cup final. He sat down with us to decide on the dates for the semi-finals because he wanted to attend the women’s match Rude awakening for Emeline as well as the men’s.“ Mainguy in the Olympique Lyonnais goal, but the English Lyon’s men are sharing their fail to take advantage. Champions League experience with the women. They have the same protocol in place for receiving opponents and the club has been preparing for Umeå IK’s arrival for weeks. “The commercial depart- ment is collaborating actively. It is trying to rally Olympique Lyonnais’ partner companies and the press. These semi- finals are a major event for Lyon as a whole.” Some 7,000 spectators came to watch the women play Arsenal, although it was not the best day for the match. Olympique Lyonnais hopes to see 10,000 to 12,000 at the Umeå match, which will take place on a Sunday. It is receiving requests from all corners of France, as to whether the match will be shown live on

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Coach Farid Benstiti. A few images from the first leg (0-0) of the UEFA Women’s Cup quarter-final between Olympique Lyonnais and LFC Arsenal. UEFA Women’s Cup: Olympique Lyonnais reckon a passionate experience they have a 50-50 chance without Champions in June 2007, the abandoning the philosophy that has women are discovering the UEFA Women’s spelt success up to now: “We tackle Cup, which didn’t exist when they won each match one at a time. We drew their previous titles, before being adopted 0-0 against Arsenal at home, after a by Olympique Lyonnais. “The women’s tough match. Over there, we played competition is very similar to the men’s UEFA without really pushing for a win (3-2). Cup. It is based on the same model. None And the match could have ended differ- of the pomp and ceremony surprised the ently, because Arsenal played well.” club, but the players were marked by the Whatever the semi-final experience and by their incredible success.” result, this first European campaign will The A side has been progressively have been a success. It has already TV. Until now, only the club channel has reinforced, working on any weaknesses been a great experience for the players. broadcast the women’s matches. Canal+ identified. Most of the women are inter- “Until very recently, they had met only travelled to London but showed only nationals and Olympique Lyonnais have one or two journalists. Now they’re highlights of the match and an interview paid special attention to the social aspect. everywhere. The women also feel that with the key players. But who knows… “These are not mercenaries but young the club supports them and shares their women who want to put down roots. excitement. Lyon has two teams in We make sure that they complete their European competitions. In sporting No professional studies and have jobs.“ terms, these games are very instructive: status in France They are coached by Farid they help our women take their game Benstiti, a former Olympique Lyonnais more seriously. The players put a huge In many countries, women foot- professional, assisted by Vincent Yé, who amount of effort into preparing for ballers are professional, but not in knows the club equally well. “Lots of European matches because the sligh- France. They cannot be paid to play. former players are employed by the club. test error is fatal. They may be relaxed When they finish studying, they must They pass on its values to the young ones. before a championship match, but I can find a ‘proper’ job, i.e. gainful em- Is that not the key to Bayern Munich’s assure you this is not the case prior to ployment. Top women basketball success, for example?” a UEFA Cup tie! They are also gaining and volleyball players are considered Robert Beroud refuses to single lots of experience from their contact as professionals, but not their foot- out any one of the Olympique Lyonnais with the best women players on the balling counterparts. Robert Beroud players: “Umeå field a Brazilian, Marta, continent.” explains: “Women’s football [in France] who is without a doubt the best female Pascale Pierard is behind other countries. It is essen- player in the world. We have no star ■ tially a Latin phenomenon, despite player. We focus on solidarity and comple- The other semi-final is between menting each other.” 1. FFC Frankfurt and CF Bardolino Verona. the higher female presence since the 1998 World Cup. Women are going to watch matches more often, and girls are interested in football. We have about 60,000 registered women footballers. That’s not very many. When will we have contracts? It will be months or years. Discussions have yet to start, but we are all aware that there is a corner to turn.” Half of Olympique Lyonnais’ women footballers are students. Others are employed by the club. Louisa Necib fends One works for the Olympique off a tackle by her Lyonnais TV channel, for example, London opponent. another is in the merchandising department, and a third looks after the youth players’ physical prepara- tion. “They can work part-time. They train once a day, but not in the evenings. This way they have a semi- pro routine.”

P.P. Photos: Ed.Lemaistre/Panoramic 07 UEFAdirect-72-Avril•E:Anglais 14.3.2008 14:44 Page 8

Malta (in red) in its first-ever qualifiers for the Futsal Cup Futsal World Cup. Heading for Moscow D.Aquilina UEFA-pjwoods.ch The final phase of the 7th UEFA Futsal Cup will take place from 25 to 27 April at the 5,000- seater Krylatskoe Sport Palace in Futsal World Cup Moscow. 25 April will be semi- Europe’s participants final day, followed by the third-place will soon be known match and the final on 27 April. THE EUROPEAN QUALIFYING COMPETITION FOR THE FUTSAL WORLD CUP, The semi-finalists WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 30 SEPTEMBER TO 19 OCTOBER IN BRASIL, have been known since last October but on 6 IS ENTERING ITS SECOND PHASE. March the draw took place in The qualifying stage took their place in the second phase to FIFA’s Moscow to determine the semi- place between 28 February and 2 March decision to increase the number of parti - final line-up. with 37 participating associations divided cipants in the final round from 16 to 20 into ten groups. After France’s with- and to award one of these additional drawal, Group 1 was left with just two places to Europe. Consequently the rules teams and therefore a single match for the European qualifying competition was contested in Belgrade. The match had to be modified to allow two addi- was won by Russia, who thus continue tional teams to take part in the play-offs. their campaign. Apart from Group 3, The draw conducted on 5 March which contained only three sides, all in Nyon set up the following matches: the other eight groups were made up

of four teams. While Estonia and Czech Republic – Romania Sportsfile Dinamo Moscow can count on the Montenegro were making their debut Belarus – Russia support of their fans. in an international futsal competition, Italy – Croatia Thus in the semi-finals, title- England, Bulgaria, Malta and Turkey Spain – Bosnia-Herzegovina holders and hosts of the 2008 were taking part in their first world cup Slovenia – Portugal finals, MFK Dinamo Moscow, will qualifying competition. Ukraine – Hungary face Spanish side ElPozo Murcia, The ten group winners (Russia, who last year reached the new- Bosnia-Herzegovina, Spain, Hungary, These play-offs will take the look final round, finishing in Belarus, Czech Republic, Slovenia, form of home and away legs to be played third place. In the other semi- Kazakhstan, Portugal and Ukraine) along between 29 March and 16 April. The six final, another Russian club, MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinbourg, will with the two best runners-up (Croatia winners will qualify for the 2008 Futsal meet the Kazakhstani club, Kairat and Romania) qualified for the play-offs. World Cup, for which the draw will take Almaty. During the 2005/06 The two runner-up associations owe place on 6 July in Brasilia. season, the Kazakhstani team reached the semi-final stage, only to be knocked out by Dinamo Moscow. All the final round matches will be broadcast live on Eurosport and Eurosport 2. To recap: after six editions, it is the Spanish who dominate Slovenia this competition with four vic to - (Benjamin Melink, no. 8) ries (two each for the clubs Playas qualified in the mini- de Castellon and Boomerang tournament Interviu). The Belgium side, after matches against Action 21 Charleroi, and the Malta, the Russian club, Dinamo Moscow, hosts, Albania and Greece. complete the picture with one victory apiece. D.Aquilina

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This year, The Futsal the FIFA and Beach Beach Soccer Soccer World Cup Committee will leave meet behind the in Nyon. beaches of Brazil for Marseille. Scorza/AFP/Getty Images Scorza/AFP/Getty Images UEFA-pjwoods.ch

Same host city for several years Beach soccer At its meeting in Nyon, the Future prospects Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee envisaged the possibility of the tourna-

BEACH SOCCER HAS EXPERIENCED AN AMAZING SOAR IN POPULARITY ment being hosted by the same city – with the support of the respective IN RECENT YEARS. CATERING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, AND COMBINING national football association – for three FOOTBALL, MUSIC, FUN AND A BEACH ATMOSPHERE, IT IS A SPORT or four consecutive years, which would THAT IS ATTRACTING INCREASING PUBLIC AND MEDIA INTEREST, PARTICULARLY, allow closer cooperation with the AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC IS CONCERNED, BECAUSE IT IS FREE TO PLAY AND WATCH. sponsors and facilitate the promotion

HENCE ITS GROWING APPEAL TO PLAYERS OF ALL AGES. and organisation of the event. It is now up to the UEFA This soar in popularity ones could serve as qualifiers for a Executive Committee to decide whether prompted the UEFA administration to UEFA tournament, assuming that such a competition should go ahead. send a questionnaire to all its member UEFA does not want to organise quali- Beach soccer probably has considerable associations in February to find out fying rounds itself. The final round growth potential and the organisation more about the situation and organi- could involve 12 teams divided into of a UEFA competition could enable it sation of beach soccer in each coun- several groups. to reach a new level. try, as well as to assess whether the time is right to introduce a European beach soccer competition. World Cup for France in 2005 Since 2005, FIFA has been Although beach soccer has been around for some time, laws of organising an annual Beach Soccer the game were only established in 1992. A year later, following an World Cup – to be held in Marseille experimental tournament, the this year. However, it has now decided first professional beach soccer that it will become a biennial compe - competition was organised at Miami Beach. In 1995, the first tition after the tournament in Dubai in world championship took place The stadium on the Atlantic coast: 2009, which therefore opens the way the idyllic setting of the first Beach in Brazil. Soccer World Cup. for a biennial UEFA competition in In Europe, the growing even-numbered years, starting from attraction of beach soccer led 2010, which could serve as the Euro- to the creation of a European pean qualifying competition for the professional league, the Euro- World Cup. pean Pro Beach Soccer League, which later became the Euro BS League (EBSL). Futsal and Beach Soccer Beach soccer then joined Committee the FIFA family, which organised At its meeting in Nyon on the first World Cup in May 2005 25 February, the UEFA Futsal and at the Copacabana beach in Rio. Beach Soccer Committee, chaired by The inaugural competition was Grigoriy Surkis, gave initial consid- won by France, at the expense of Portugal. The next two edi- eration to how this possible new UEFA tions, also held in Rio de Janeiro,

competition could look. Almeida/AFP/Getty Images were won by Brazil. Beach football competitions European qualification for the FIFA World Cup is currently organ- already exist in Europe and the main ised via the EBSL competitions.

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The model of the House of European Football and the project site. New UEFA administration building The project is off the ground!

THE UEFA ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE to take out a short-term rental contract 2 HOUSE OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL, ARE SET TO EXPAND OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. on a 3,250m building near Nyon station.

THE NEW PREMISES ARE EARMARKED FOR SOME 150 STAFF MEMBERS New solution WHO ARE CURRENTLY TUCKED AWAY IN A BUILDING ON THE FAR SIDE OF TOWN. In light of these developments, a comprehensive review was considered SURROUNDED BY GREENERY JUST METRES FROM THE MAIN BUILDING, THE NEW necessary, leading UEFA to seek a CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 2010. solution close to the House of European Football. The idea was to buy or con- Since its inauguration in 1999, working room, etc.) have had to give struct a functional building that would the House of European Football has way to additional office space. The lay- offer complete flexibility in its usage not stopped growing. Initially designed out and usage of La Falaise, the villa as time went on. The building would to contain 110 workstations, it now next door to the UEFA headquarters, assume a distinctly secondary, functional houses 150. The headquarters, which has had to be modified and 30 extra role. were also originally intended to serve as workstations integrated into even more Six different avenues were a place to entertain guests in a building tightly-packed offices. To satisfy the explored before the project on the that represents UEFA, are saturated immediate and growing needs of its grounds of the La Métairie clinic was with offices to the point where certain subsidiaries, UEFA Media Technologies retained. Acquiring the site was no areas (meeting rooms, library, media and Euro 2008 SA, UEFA also decided mean feat. Studies were carried out

In blue, the plot of land designated for the new building opposite the current headquarters. The houses currently on the plot will be demolished. Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

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The project has already been the focus of numerous meetings.

News from A brief history Brussels

Only a Game?, a cultural, fun and educational UEFA exhibition that draws a parallel between the history of Euro- pean football and that of the European Union is heading to the UK. The exhibi- tion will be based at the World Museum in Liverpool from October of this year until February of next. Bolstered by its success in Brussels, the Only a Game? exhibition will soon be crossing the Channel to spend the winter in Merseyside. Liverpool was anything but a ran- dom choice. Not only does the city have an inherent passion for football, being as it is the proud home to Everton FC The House of European Football in Nyon. To the right, the La Falaise villa. and Liverpool FC, two clubs of mythical proportions; Liverpool has also been named a 2008 European Capital of ■ 1954 – Creation of UEFA – the first general secretariat is based Culture. at the French federation headquarters in Paris. The World Museum, one of Liverpool’s national museums, will host ■ 1960 – The general secretariat moves to Berne. the exhibition for four months. The museum, located in the heart of the city, ■ 1962 – UEFA moves into the House of Sport in Berne. was created in 1853 and enjoys interna- tional renown. ■ 1974 – UEFA buys premises for its offices in the suburbs of Berne. ■ 1995 – UEFA moves to temporary premises in Nyon. ■ 1999 – The House of European Football is inaugurated in Nyon.

into the impact on access, traffic, noise, general secretary, David Taylor, and plants and animals, and negotiations were Patrick Berger, the architect behind needed with all the relevant authorities UEFA’s House of European Football. in order to change the official land use, The jury will reach a verdict by Olivier Guilbaud, the man behind initially designated as medical. The project the end of April. the exhibition, says: “It’s great to be then had to overcome all the legal able to take Only a Game? to Liverpool hurdles and be approved by the canton- Tight agenda because it is a city whose passion for football remains second to none in al authorities at the council after a An invitation to tender will Europe. Thanks to its location, the World public consultation process and a few then be launched to find a construction Museum should enable people from short-lived objections from local resi- firm and UEFA should make its selection all over the region and beyond to visit dents. Eventually, UEFA received a unan- at the end of September. Construction the exhibition.” imous green light from the council. will begin in February 2009. A real chal- The aim of Only a Game? is to invite the public to (re)discover and The purchase of the site was finalised lenge has been laid down, with the keys contemplate Europe through football. on 5 November last year. Construction already set to be handed over at 11am To this end, the recipe for success that costs are estimated at CHF 35 million. on 28 March 2010! Between now and proved itself in Brussels will be applied The next step was to get then, UEFA still needs to decide exactly in Liverpool. Only a Game? will bring together a whole host of objects and the Zurich-based Botta Management which divisions and units will move into images, characteristics of the city’s attach- Group on board to manage the project. the new premises and which facilities ment to local and European football, Four architects have been invited to it will contain. and various high-tech elements, with a submit plans for the new building and Once the new building is up and view to making the exhibition as fun present their work at the end of April running, La Falaise, could be put to dif- and as interactive as possible. Football fans should get their to a jury that will include the president ferent use, as a place for the members of diaries out: this winter Only a Game? of UEFA, Michel Platini, vice-presidents the Executive Committee to work and will take up residence in the World Senes Erzik and Marios Lefkaritis, the convene when in Nyon. Museum in Liverpool.

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The Club AC Milan will Competitions not defend their Committee title in Moscow. during The Italians were its meeting knocked out in the in Nyon. first knock-out round by Arsenal. Milan player Pato is tackled by Diaby. UEFA-pjwoods.ch Sabattini

sion audiences in the six biggest markets (Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Nether- Meetings and lands and the UK) indicate an overall increase of 2.5%. The UEFA Cup has even seen a 13.5% increase across the same markets. Inside the stadiums them- other activities selves, the UEFA Cup group matches Final edition of were watched by an average of 16,000 the UEFA Intertoto Cup spectators.

SEVERAL COMMITTEES MET AT UEFA HEADQUARTERS IN NYON DURING THE LAST Club competition finals The committee also took stock WEEK OF FEBRUARY TO DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, MANY OF WHICH WILL of developments in the APPEAR ON THE AGENDA OF UPCOMING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS. preparations for the Champions League and Presided over by Friedrich who attended all of the meetings during UEFA Cup finals in Stickler, the Club Competitions Com- committee week. Moscow and Manches- mittee had previously met last August Amongst other things, the meet- ter respectively. Consid- in Monaco for the beginning-of-season ing provided an opportunity for an inter- erable renovation work club competition draws. The com- mediary review of the current season, is being conducted on the Luzhniki stadi- mittee was the first to meet since these which has seen positive spectator figures um in Moscow and a week or so before bodies were recast at the extraordinary both in the stadiums and watching on the final, a grass pitch is due to be laid congress in Zurich. It met again in television. The Champions League group over the current artificial one. The stadi- Nyon on 27 February in the presence stage attracted 40,000 spectators per um will be able to seat a total of 69,500 of the UEFA president, Michel Platini, match and the figures available for televi- spectators for the final. 75% of tickets President’s Award for Alfredo Di Stéfano

At a ceremony on 17 February in Madrid, Michel Platini presented Alfredo Di Stéfano with the UEFA President’s Award. The former Real Madrid defender – the club for whom he is now honorary president – was given the award in recognition of his unparalleled lifelong contribution to football. “You have been a great among greats,” said the UEFA president before adding: “It is impossible to imagine football’s history without having a thought for you. The Real Madrid team during your time as a player marked history forever, and there is no doubt that you have left an imprint which can never be erased.” The same day, a statue of Di Stéfano was unveiled at the stadium which carries his Alfredo Di Stéfano and Michel Platini. name in Valdebebas. Images Navarette/AFP/Getty

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Another shock exit in Michel Platini and the first knock-out Marios Lefkaritis, FC Barcelona to host round as Real Madrid, UEFA vice-president, the most successful hand over a cheque II EFPA Congress in April team in the competi- for CHF 1 million Under the theme Still Play- tion’s history, are to Vassilis Gagatsis, beaten twice by AS president of the ing, the II EFPA Congress (Sports Roma under Francesco Hellenic Football Group of European Former Football Totti’s captaincy. Federation.

Sabattini HFF Players Associations) will be held on 11 and 12 April at FC Barcelona’s premises. The congress will be or- ganised in the city where it is based are available to the fans, with 60% of Tribute to with the aim of bringing a great these going to the supporters of the two Artemio Franchi number of former players together finalist teams. This equates to roughly 25 years ago this August, to discuss the role of the former 21,000 tickets per team. Tickets went on the UEFA president Artemio Franchi professional footballer in today’s sale to the public at .com on 28 Feb- was killed at the wheel of his car wide football spectrum. After the successful first con- ruary and were available until 19 March. on the roads of Tuscany. gress in March 2007, which gathered The City of Manchester stadium ACF Fiorentina has decided to representatives from over 30 former will have a total capacity of 44,000 for pay tribute to Artemio Franchi – who player associations from across the UEFA Cup final and 13,000 tickets started his managerial career in Florence Europe, the EFPA president, Ramon will be made available to each of the – by organising a gala match on 30 July. Alfonseda, considers this second con - finalist teams. UEFA will be represented at this tribute gress as a key event for further event by its Executive Committee. developing the EFPA and publicising its activities among clubs, football Draw for the UEFA Intertoto Cup associations and former footballers Next season will see the final UEFA helps Greece edition of the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Entries rebuild football have been particularly high this year: infrastructure damaged not only have all 50 national associations by fires who are eligible for a place put in a UEFA presented the Hellenic request, but 30 or so have also applied Football Federation (HFF) with a CHF for an additional place should one be-

1 million cheque to help finance the David Cuella come available. The draw to determine rebuilding of football facilities damaged the match schedule for each of the three by the fires in Greece last summer. Arrigo Sacchi, Toño de la Cruz and Victor Muñoz rounds of the competition will be carried UEFA President Michel Platini at the EFPA congress last year. out on Monday 21 April at UEFA head- handed over the cheque on behalf of throughout Europe. The first EFPA quarters in Nyon. European football’s governing body to congress was attended by promi- HFF President Vassilis Gagatsis at a cere- nent players as well as European- mony held on 20 February in the Greek level coaches such as Arrigo Sacchi, New logo for capital. A financial donation to the Pep Guardiola, Víctor Muñoz, Paulo Women’s EURO HFF had been proposed at the inaugural Sousa and Enzo Scifo, who took part The new logo for the Women’s meeting of the UEFA Fair Play and Social in round tables to discuss the situa- European Championships was revealed Responsibility Committee last year. The tion of former footballers in Europe. at the beginning of February. UEFA Executive Committee approved an This year’s event will be offi- cially inaugurated by FC Barcelona The new logo, which was ad hoc donation of CHF 1 million at its President Joan Laporta, Spanish Sec- designed by British company, The Works, meeting in Istanbul last September. retary for Sport Jaime Lissavetzky Following a series of catastrophic uses an image of the com- and FIFPro Spain President Gerardo petition trophy to evoke fires which devastated the country last González. Coaches Javier Clemente a sense of dynamism summer and led to dozens of people and Terry Venables are expected intended to reflect the losing their lives, the relief contribution to participate in a round table. current vitality of the made to the Hellenic Football Federation Other well-known names on the women’s game, which is will be used for the reconstruction of guest list include Dariusz Dzieka- rapidly expanding in many football infrastructure destroyed in the nowski, Emilio Butragueño and European countries. fire-ravaged regions. UEFA President Vicente Miera. The main objective for this The logo will be Michel Platini said: “It is exactly UEFA’s year is to double the number of for- used for the 7th edition of role to help football people when such mer player associations attending help is needed.“ the competition, the finals the congress so as to strengthen the of which will take place “This shows football’s social face, EFPA’s representation in Europe and between 23 August and 10 September and emphasises the fact that UEFA is close develop new programmes in the 2009 in the Finnish cities of Helsinki, to its national associations,“ Mr Gagatsis fields of social integration and pro- Tampere, Turku and Lahti. commented. moting the values of football.

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Dishes from Posters all over Europe generate at the Sunday publicity brunch. for the campaign.

Adverts have been placed in the Liechtenstein Football Liechtenstein media and on billboards across the country.

Association A special youth tournament Greater respect 72 under-10s from a total of 12 nationalities played in a tourna- for others ment based around the “all different – all the same” principle. Teams were THE LIECHTENSTEIN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION HAS STARTED A CAMPAIGN put together at random (so that every- one played with people that they FOR GREATER TOLERANCE AND RESPECT TOWARDS OTHERS, WITH THE SUPPORT had not known previously) and in order OF BOTH UEFA AND THE LIECHTENSTEIN GOVERNMENT. to score, the ball had to hit a bench which was positioned long-ways to Football teaches us some good ferent – all the same”. The aim is to leave form a goal. The teams were all named lessons for life. Within a team, everyone no place for violence and racism in our lives. after teams which will be competing is equal, regardless of religion, skin colour, in EURO 2008. The Netherlands team wealth, talent or status. What’s more, A creative advertising campaign took the title from Liechtenstein who refereeing decisions must be accepted The stand-alone image for the took part in the tournament “non- and both respect and tolerance must be campaign, which depicts the same ball with competitively”. shown towards the opposition. different players from different cultural backgrounds, symbolises that everyone is Brunch with foreign clubs No place for violence and racism fundamentally equal; everyone deserves The tournament ended with Such qualities are also desirable to be treated with decency and dignity. a Sunday brunch. Many of the foreign in our everyday lives, but unfortunately clubs provided traditional food and they are not always evident on or off the drink from their countries for the event pitch. The Liechtenstein Football Asso- as well as music and dance displays, ciation wants to highlight this deplorable which were enjoyed by the 500 guests. state of affairs with its campaign “all dif- Widespread media coverage The campaign was highly successful. It received widespread cov- erage in the media and sparked a lively debate. It can now only be hoped, that it has succeeded in changing people’s behaviour and way of thinking even just a little, and that it has pro- moted tolerance and respect in a wider context, both within and outside of football. The Liechtenstein Football Association campaign was generously supported by both UEFA and the Liechtenstein government. The associ- ation therefore wishes to sincerely thank UEFA President Michel Platini and the Liechtenstein Minister for Health, Martin Meyer.

Photos: LFV Reinhard Walser

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training session with head coach Josef Hickersberger, or equipment vouchers. ARMENIA The enthusiasm of the UEFA president also demonstrates that the success of the Grassroots diploma SUPERKLUB campaign was not confined to within Austrian borders. “Congratula- Every three years the SGS auditing serv- tions! The SUPERKLUB campaign is pre- ice certifies associations’ licensing offices cisely what UEFA was looking for from in accordance with international standard a EURO 2008 host country. It takes the qualities. to even the The licensing office of the Football Fed- smallest clubs,” said Michel Platini. eration of Armenia (FFA) underwent its Claudia Pekar first certification process on 29 November FFA 2004 and was granted a QUALICERT cer- Marina Tashchyan holds up her UEFA tificate as a result. Successful spot checks grassroots football diploma. in 2005 and 2006 left the FFA licensing aims to develop football for the masses in BOSNIA- office optimistic about the outcome of the all UEFA member countries. HERZEGOVINA 2007 audit, for which revised, complex In 2007, the FFA received a diploma conditions had to be met. from UEFA in recognition and apprecia- Support for new football The FFA is pleased to report that on 13 tion of its work in the grassroots field centre development December the SGS certification committee (Most Valuable Grassroots Football Event decided to renew its QUALICERT certifi- of 2007). The Football Federation of Bosnia- cate for another three years. On 20 February, the diploma was pre- Herzegovina welcomed UEFA representa- The certificate was sent to the FFA sented to the head of the grassroots tives Andreas Kuhn, head of assistance on 7 February. department, Marina Tashchyan, who co- programmes, and Thierry Favre, stadiums In other news, the FFA is an active par- ordinates the Open Fun Football Schools and security coordinator. The UEFA dele- ticipant in all events connected with UEFA’s (OFFS). gation visited the city of Zenica and were grassroots football programme, which Tigran Israelyan hosted by Husejn Smajlovic, chairman of the Zenica municipality, Iljo Dominkovic, president of the federation, Sulejman Colakovic and Bogdan Ceko, both vice- presidents, Munib Usanovic, the secretary world, plus poems, songs, drawing con- general, and Velid Imamovic, international AUSTRIA tests, EURO 2008 club parties, home- affairs secretary. made films and much, much more. And The purpose of the visit was to watch it was not just creativity that helped the a video recording of the first phase of de- SUPERKLUBS to rack up the points – velopment in the federation’s football cen- bonus points were also awarded for anti- tre project, have a tour around the area racism campaigns, trips to watch the where the centre will be built, and visit all national side, payments made into the the sports facilities that have already been Austrian FA’s Charity08 account, new play- built in Zenica. ers registering with the club, and training The new football centre will be built courses completed by various types of club on the Crkvicka plain in Zenica, on a official. The clubs worked flat out to ac- 30,000 m2 plot of land. According to Sule- cumulate points because they all wanted jman Colakovic, first vice-president of the to get their hands on the main prize: the football federation, the national teams’ chance to play against their national team! accommodation expenses during prepa- The result was not immediately clear rations will be greatly reduced once the ÖFB however, because in the final stages centre is built. The youngest members of SV Spittal are not the top teams – St. Peter am Hart “By visiting the city of Zenica, we want- the only ones to enjoy their success. (Upper Austria), SV Walchsee (Tirol), FC ed to support the best interests of foot- Mönichkirchen (Lower Austria) und SV ball. UEFA finds that there is no better way The search is over for Austria’s Spittal an der Drau (Kärnten) – all flood- to help the development of football than SUPERKLUB ed the Austrian FA with entries. Eventu- by building centres like this one, which is On 17 February – exactly 111 days ally, SV Spittal an der Drau (Kärnten) was one of the most interesting projects we before EURO 2008 kicks off – arguably the declared the overall winner. The president have been presented so far. This is the most successful national association cam- of the Austrian FA, Friedrich Stickler, said: paign to promote the tournament drew “The SUPERKLUB campaign demonstrat- to a close. ed that we have many SUPERKLUBS in The Austrian FA launched its SUPER - Austria. In the end, however, one of these KLUB campaign in December 2006. The clubs managed to collect more points than aim was to trigger ‘EURO fever’ in even the rest and is therefore the SUPERKLUB.” the smallest clubs and thus spread A match against the national team is enthusiasm right across the country. All clearly a very special prize, but the other Austrian clubs were given the chance to SUPER prizes (for places 2-10) are im- collect bonus points through specific pressive too: runners-up received a trip for EURO activities in a huge range of cate- 100 club members to the Austria inter- gories. Fourteen months later around national match of their choice (including 18,000 entries had been received, with transport and catering), a poster of the Krvavac F. over 30,000 pictures from all over the club with the Austrian national team, a Visiting the site of the future centre.

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place where young people will be able to seminar was particularly interesting all very pleased with ourselves. Becoming learn to play football,” said Andreas Kuhn. and appealing to coaches since the Danish champions is a wonderful feeling “I am extremely satisfied with the co- main speaker was UEFA Technical Direc- and being the first ones only makes it operation and dynamics of the current tor, Andy Roxburgh. better.” work. We expect to have the first phase From 3 to 7 February, Cyprus hosted Players and fans all enjoyed the tour- of building, which will start in couple of one of UEFA’s major refereeing events. The nament and the technical style of play. Un- months, finalised by the end of the year. UEFA referees’ course was successfully or- surprisingly, it was a very proud chairman The city of Zenica and the football feder- ganised and international referees are now of the Danish FA futsal committee, Hans ation will also, in the next phase, include even better educated on how to apply the Henning Jacobsen, who concluded: “It’s a experts from different fields. The future regulations in the correct way. historic event. We have found the first usage of the centre is highly important. Finally, to demonstrate the emphasis Danish champions and it is very nice to see We are sure that Zenica, together with the he places on the social side of football, as- the way the clubs, players and spectators national federation, will manage to realise sociation president, Costakis Koutso - have welcomed the game of futsal.” this project, which is important not only koumnis, visited the state central prison, Marc Thevis for football but for all sport in Bosnia- where he offered sports equipment (foot- Herzegovina,” Iljo Dominkovic, president balls, tracksuits, football shirts, etc.) to the of the football federation, said. prisoners’ football team. They play vari- Fuad Krvavac ous friendly matches throughout the year. Kyriacos Giorgallis CYPRUS Increased interest in the game The progress and development of First official futsal DBU grassroots football is the Cyprus Football championships in Denmark Fortuna Hjørring, winners of the women’s futsal trophy. Association’s top priority and it is with It was history in the making as the first great pleasure that we note a huge in- official Danish futsal championships were crease in interest in the game from many held in Kalundborg on 15/16 of February. young kids in our country. Over the last Albertslund IF’s men and Fortuna Hjørring’s few months, the Cyprus FA has complet- women hold the titles of first-ever Danish ENGLAND ed another five mini-pitches, from a total champions. of 20 all over the island, as a result of co- In both the women’s and men’s finals, operation with the UEFA HatTrick pro- six teams had qualified through the pre- FA referees lead the way gramme. liminaries and went on to compete for the in Ecuador Moreover, the association’s coaching title. The tournament itself was very despatched school organised its first-ever UEFA C li- exciting, with great futsal, a nice atmos- two of its top referee instructors, Ray cence course for youth development, phere and some very close matches. Olivier and Keith Hill, to Ecuador to which ran from 28 January to 1 February. Suburban Copenhagen club Albertslund deliver a four-day workshop targeting elite Jim Fleeting, director of football develop- IF met DMI in the men’s final. DMI has got match officials in January. ment in the Scottish Football Association something of a cult status due to the fact It is the fourth time in five years that and member of the UEFA Grassroots Pan- that the village they are from has no more The FA has been invited to Ecuador as part el, was hosted by the Cyprus FA as an of- than 300 inhabitants. Despite this fact they of the cooperation agreement signed with ficial inspector of the above course. were greatly supported throughout the CONMEBOL, the South American football In cooperation with the Cypriot Coach- tournament, including at the final. confederation, in 2003. es Union, the Cyprus FA coaching school The match itself was very exciting and The Ecuadorian Football Federation also organised a coaching seminar on dramatic. At the final whistle the teams (FEF) has placed a firm focus on improv- modern football tactics in Nicosia. This were tied at 3-3 and the game went into ing the standard of officiating and is reap- extra time. Here Albertslund IF took the ing the benefits of expert help from The lead with an absolute corker: most valu- FA’s Referees Department. able player of the tournament, Dennis Following the four-day workshop, and Jacobsen, acted on instinct as he rose from at the special request of the FEF, Ray Olivier the ground to bicycle kick the ball into the stayed on for an additional three weeks net from ten metres. Everybody thought to work and deliver training sessions with the game was sealed but, with just eight the country’s referee match inspectors. seconds to go, DMI made the 4-4 equalis- He visited Ecuador’s first division clubs er, taking the game to penalties. The to improve awareness of their league’s ref- penalty shoot-out went Albertslund IF’s eree training programmes with a view to way, with their keeper saving all three changing players’ behaviour towards kicks and becoming the hero of the day. match officials. The women’s final was won by Fortu- “It was our most successful programme na Hjørring. In a match that looked very so far, with all those who attended the tight to start with, Fortuna Hjørring closed workshop agreeing that The FA visit has down in the second half to take home further enhanced the profile of referees a 6-2 victory, thereby becoming the first and the difficult nature of their jobs,” said

CFA national futsal champions. Olivier. Delivering sports equipment for the state Danish international Janne Madsen “The clubs fully support our endeav- central prison team. was delighted after the title win: “We are ours and are delighted that the FEF is util-

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The FA to play Austria again, at home on 11 Oc- tober this year and in Austria on 5 Sep- Ray Olivier (3rd from the left) GERMANY and the Ecuadorian referees. tember 2009. For the Austrian fans, and especially the Austrian coach, Josef Hick- ersberger, it will also be very special, as ising the knowledge and experience of Hickersberger also coached Austria in Under-21 international on dfb.de The FA in the area of refereeing. 1990. The German Football Association (DFB) “Since The FA started collaborating Jens Martin Knudsen is not forgotten celebrated an online first in February: the with FEF, it now only appoints FEF officials in Austria, as demonstrated by the huge first-ever German international to be for all league games. The FEF has always amount of fan letters which still arrive in broadcast live through dfb.de. Fans all had a policy that they would bring in ‘for- the Faroe Islands from the Alpine nation. over the world were able to go online and eign referees’ to do the really important Jens Martin Knudsen was active as watch the trial run, showing Germany’s games and I am really pleased to hear that goalkeeper for his club, NSÍ Runavík, Under-21s beat the Belgian Olympic se- now this is no longer the case. until last autumn, retiring after NSÍ won lection 2-1 on 5 February in the Oberw- “This is the experience these referees its first-ever national championship. erth stadium in Koblenz. need, particularly if they wish to progress Jens Martin Knudsen has a UEFA “We are very pleased to have been able to the FIFA list. More noticeable are the A coaching licence. Besides being the to offer our fans this service for the first many positive comments about the im- national goalkeeping coach, he has been time, in collaboration with UEFA. The proved performances of referees over the assistant manager at NSÍ Runavík. match was followed by internet users on past few years by many players and club Ingi Samuelsen all five continents. We consider this result ➜ officials. “Hopefully, this effort to speak to all the clubs’ officials and players will bring all parties much closer together with mu- tual respect for each other’s positions.” The first division championship has un- Nada Grkinic dergone some structural changes this year. KAZAKHSTAN In previous years, the competition has been split into two leagues on the basis Start of a new season of geographical location, but this idea has now been abandoned. First-division FAROE ISLANDS The 2008 football season in Kazakh- matches will start at the beginning of May stan was launched on 2 March, with with 14 clubs involved. reigning league champions Aktobe facing On 29 February, members of the Foot- Bobble-hat cup holders Tobol in the Kazakhstan ball Federation of Kazakhstan Executive goalie assists Super Cup at the Almaty central stadium. Committee, club managers and coaches, Faroese national The match marked the reintroduction heads of the regional federations and coach, Jógvan Mar- of the Super Cup after 14 years and so it referees attended a meeting in Almaty, tin Olsen, has got was a unique “start to the season“. Ak- during which the federation president, a new assistant tobe won the first trophy of the season in Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, called on every- on the bench. front of 12,000 spectators, winning the one to respect the Fair Play principle, Jens Martin Knud- match 2-0. reminding them that last season Ekibas- sen has replaced The top division championship, which tuzets had been excluded from the Super John Petersen as starting this year will be known as the pre- League for violating this very principle. mier league, began on 8 March. 16 clubs The meeting was also shown the new assistant coach for FSF the Faroe Islands will compete in this elite division and at emblem for the Football Federation New assistant coach, the end of the season the bottom four will of Kazakhsan which had been approved national team. Jens Martin Knudsen. John Petersen, be relegated to the first division. Thus, the by the Executive Committee on 14 currently manager of Skala IF in the top will be reduced to 14 clubs February. Faroese division, struggled to combine his for the 2009 season. Alexandr Keplin managerial duties with the job as nation- al assistant. The new assistant, Jens Mar- tin Knudsen, is 40 years old and has played 65 national matches for the Faroe Islands, right up until 2006. Knudsen became famous throughout footballing Europe when, in his trademark bobble hat, he saved a goal in the mem- orable match against Austria on 12 Sep- tember 1990 – the Faroe Islands’ first international since gaining UEFA mem- bership. The Faroe Islands won 1-0. Since Knudsen stopped playing at international level, he has been attached to the national team as goalkeeping coach. Now he also has the role of assis- tant coach. As luck would have it, the Faroe Islands have ended up in the same group as Aus- tria for the upcoming World Cup quali- Aktobe after their victory in the Kazakhstan Super Cup. fiers. For Knudsen it will be rather special KFF

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➜ to be a great success,” said the DFB’s mar- Latvia’s national team head coach, a separate, big football museum that any- keting director, Denni Strich. Aleksandrs Starkovs, has challenged the body who is interested in Lithuanian foot- According to an analysis by UEFA Me- entire football community to participate ball could visit.” dia Technologies, over 5,000 internet users in the 5km Nordea Riga mini-marathon Unfortunately it is not very easy to watched the match via dfb.de and on 18 May to support running as the select exhibits and visual material, particu- uefa.com in over 40 European countries. basis for almost all team sports. larly from Lithuania’s pre-war days. There Over 31% of viewers were in Germany And finally, the annual LFF member are, however, several people, such as and about 7% watched in Belgium. Even conference was held in the run-up to the Gediminas Kalinauskas, Stasys Paberzis and in far-off countries such as Burkina Faso, start of the season, with UEFA Executive Romualdas Grusas, who have been gath- Guatemala and Kazakhstan, internet users Committee member Per Ravn Omdal in ering together facts about Lithuanian foot- tuned into the Under-21 tie live at dfb.de. attendance. ball history all their lives. In the same Maximilian Geis Martins Hartmanis museum there will be an area dedicated to Jewish football history in Lithuania. The federation hopes that this museum will be useful to all Lithuanians – young LATVIA football players at the academy, former LITHUANIA players, students, visitors to the academy and other guests. It also hopes that it will Enlarged LMT Virsliga season Football museum in Kaunas continue to develop successfully for years kicks off to come. The Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) Vaiva Zizaite On 5 April, the Latvian Football Feder- is setting up an authentic football muse- ation (LFF) will launch its revamped LMT um in the newly established football acad- Virsliga, the highest Latvian football divi- emy in Kaunas. The official museum will sion, with ten clubs (up from eight) and a be the first of its kind in Lithuanian foot- new 6/4 competition system according to ball history. Even though the museum is which the first two rounds will involve all still in its infancy, something new appears ten clubs, but the last two will be con- every day. tested separately by the top six clubs in The idea for a football museum in the the table and the bottom four. The club academy was put forward by the federa- that finishes last will be relegated to the tion’s general secretary, Julius Kvedaras: “Some of Lithuania’s football clubs have their own history corners at the sta- diums. That is very good. But we didn‘t

have a museum dedicated to Lithuanian LFF football history as a whole. We thought The trophy room at the new museum that was a shame, so decided to compile of Lithuanian football.

Ground and Victor Tedesco Stadium, where top league matches are played, and

AFI MALTA the provision of other football amenities The Latvian Football Association can count on around the country are currently among reliable commercial partners. Looking ahead the association’s top priorities. Meanwhile, clubs are being assisted by second division championship, and the The Malta FA’s commitment to the government authorities in building or second-to-bottom club will play a two- enhancing football infrastructure on the improving their own training grounds. legged tie against the runners-up in the island, including plans for a project to The project is worth millions of euros second division to decide who gets their upgrade its member clubs’ facilities, has and the Malta FA is confident that any ex- place in the following season’s top flight. been gaining momentum. penses over and above the UEFA allotment The Virsliga partners – mobile operator More than 30 clubs have applied to will be covered by local sources. Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT), Nordea benefit from this UEFA-funded project, The state-of-the-art physiotherapy Bank, adidas and WESS Motors – have not intended to assist the clubs. The installa- centre, which is equipped to the latest changed. tion of artificial lighting at the Hibernians technological standards, is further evi- In addition, the Latvian cup compe - dence that the Maltese association is look- tition will kick off in the regions and all ing ahead and establishing the best- the other championships will be under possible set-up, geared towards the phys- way by 1 May, when the second division ical well-being of the footballers. championship, known as the first league, The Malta FA also has plans for a mod- begins. ern centre where a wide range of medical In other news, four issues of a new tests for the players can be carried out. In magazine, simply entitled “Football”, will fact, the association is already in discus- hit Latvian shelves this year. The Latvian sions with the Malta Sports Council about Football Federation signed a deal with me- setting up this medical centre. dia company Mediju Nams over the 60- All this attests to a general awareness page magazine, which will be published that the county’s football resources should once a quarter in 2008. The first issue will D. Aquilina be exploited for the benefit of the game. be available in April. The Victor Tedesco stadium. Alex Vella

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coaching licence, which will be obligato- years’ time. Amsterdam and Rotterdam ry for all football coaches wishing to work have serious plans to build new stadiums in Montenegro after 2009. with a minimum capacity of 70,000 for The first half of the course lasted six the event. In the meantime, the city of days (from 15 to 21 February) during Arnhem has announced that an extension which time the candidates received 60 of its stadium to a capacity of 40,000 is hours of teaching. The practical sessions not feasible. The KNVB will further discuss took place at FK Arsenal Tivat’s stadium. the possible candidature of the cities of A panel discussion was organised after Breda, Groningen, Kerkrade and Utrecht.

FMF each of the evening lectures to give the At the end of last year, the football The mini-pitch installed at the technical candidates the chance to share their associations of Belgium and the Nether- university of Moldova. experiences and thoughts with the lec- lands visited FIFA House in Zurich in order turers, go over the topics covered and ask to meet with FIFA President Joseph S. Blat- the lecturers questions. ter and express their wish to be consid- MOLDOVA The second half of the course has been ered as co-hosts for the FIFA World Cup organised for 15 to 21 May 2008 at the in 2018. China, England, Mexico and Rus- same venues. sia are among the other candidates hop- A fruitful year for football The examination date will be scheduled ing to host the 2018 event. for a month later. An evaluation will be Rob de Leede As per tradition, a round-up of the done by the UEFA Jira Panel. year’s sporting achievements was made Football Coaching School at the end of last year. This time, football played a key role in the sports life of our country and this NORTHERN was reflected in the number of awards bestowed on the ‘king of sports’: the IRELAND Moldovan sportswriters’ association nom- inated the national football team as the Acknowledgement sports team of 2007, thus outstripping the of social initiatives national rugby team. The national foot- The Irish Football Association (IFA) has ball team’s head coach, Igor Dobrovolskiy, been awarded a model of excellence by was designated as the best sports techni- the Royal National Institute of Blind Peo- ple (Northern Ireland). The award recog-

cian, and the best footballer, Alexandru FMF Epureanu (FC Moscow, Russia), found a nises the outstanding work that the IFA place in the top ten of the best Moldovan Coaching course in Tivat. has undertaken in conjunction with RNIB sportsmen. NI to make football in Northern Ireland The national Olympic committee more accessible to blind and partially- acknowledged the remarkable results of sighted people. The IFA has set up visual- the projects implemented by the FA of ly impaired football teams in Belfast and Moldova, which secured it top position, NETHERLANDS Londonderry with regular training sessions ahead of the other 65 sports associations and matches. The teams have been very in Moldova. successful competitively with some silver- Another example illustrating the FA of World Cup plans presented ware already to their name. Moldova’s achievements is the 35th Sergiu to UEFA president Shane Logan, the director of RNIB NI, Radautanu Cup, staged on the artificial Delegations from the football associa- said: “In awarding the model of excellence mini-pitch belonging to the technical uni- tions of Belgium and the Netherlands met to the IFA, we set a level of good practice versity of Moldova. The mini-pitch was with UEFA President Michel Platini on 19 that should be a minimum standard in all inaugurated on 17 November, as a part of March at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, in aspects of recreational and social life. In the “All Together” assistance programme order to present their plans to co-host the particular we would encourage other being implemented under the aegis of the FIFA World Cup in 2018. President Fran- sports governing bodies in the province FA of Moldova. cois De Keersmaecker, General Secretary to follow the IFA’s lead and proactively Victor Daghi Jean-Marie Philips and Alain Courtois engage with people with sight loss.” (director of the bid) attended the lunch The Soccer Sight initiative put in place meeting on behalf of the Belgian FA at Windsor Park has also allowed many ➜ (KBVB). President Jeu Sprengers and General Secretary Harry Been represented MONTENEGRO the Dutch FA (KNVB). The Dutch cities of Alkmaar, Enschede and Heerenveen have expressed their First course for the coaches willingness to adapt their infrastructure The Football Association of Montene- and stadiums such that they meet the gro is proud to announce that the first requirements to host FIFA World Cup Montenegro FA coaching school course matches in 2018. In recent months, Am- got underway on 15 February this year. sterdam, Eindhoven and Rotterdam, along The institution has been established with with the stadium owners and profession-

the aim of training coaches in accordance al clubs in the respective cities, have IFA with the UEFA convention. The first course already announced their readiness to host The IFA receives its award from the Royal is for candidates working towards the B the world’s largest football event in ten National Institute of Blind People.

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➜ blind and partially-sighted people to fol- Sport in the Republic of Ireland will low matches through audio descrip- benefit from the provision of a total of 64 tion. This has enabled spectators with mini-pitches at various local-authority- sight loss to enjoy the internationals and owned locations throughout the country. domestic matches in a whole new way. Under the UEFA HatTrick mini-pitch ini- Mr Logan added: “The IFA has set a prece- tiative, these artificial pitches are being dent, which will ensure a bright future for installed in strategic locations identified blind and partially sighted people who by the local authorities to ensure optimum want to take part in football either as a access and usage by their communities. player or spectator. The IFA should be con- The facilities provided can also accom- gratulated along with their dedicated modate up to ten other sports, including coaches and staff on their huge efforts in badminton, basketball and volleyball, Drago Wernig – TAKA breaking down some of the barriers faced which will add further opportunities and The arrival of the Brazilian team gave a fresh by blind and partially sighted people in variety in sports participation, particularly boost to Slovenian futsal. accessing sports.” for children and young people in the Furthermore, the IFA’s chief executive, neighbourhoods concerned. the end of February. Slovenia faced Alba- Howard Wells, has taken the lead tackling These mini-pitches will help the local nia, Greece and Malta. the issue of homophobia. All IFA staff have community use sport, and football in par- It is fair to say that the Brazilian undertaken innovative anti-homophobia ticular, to address real issues such as visit was a big hit in Slovenia and the training delivered by a facilitator from the active citizenship, obesity and social in- matches have raised futsal awareness, Rainbow Project at IFA headquarters. Mr clusion. So far, mini-pitches have been which was the number one goal. Wells said: “It’s time that leaders in sport rolled out at various locations nationwide, Matjaz Krajnik took seriously their responsibilities to including Dublin City, Sligo, Cork, and young people with regards to managing Westmeath. diversity. It is unacceptable that the cur- Fran Whearty rent culture within football does not allow gay, bisexual or lesbian people to SWEDEN come out for fear of abuse. “This training for our staff is part of 50 years since Sweden’s compulsory good relations training which SLOVENIA we have twice a year and it has been World Cup designed to challenge the IFA to think 2008 marks the golden anniversary of about how we can create a safer and Brazil friendlies spark the 1958 FIFA World Cup hosted by more inclusive culture for everyone.” futsal interest Sweden. The tournament was a huge suc- Sueann Harrison cess at the time, and is fondly remem- The Slovenian futsal committee has bered still. It was also a breakthrough in achieved one of its goals. Following the terms of television as a whole nine games national futsal team’s participation in a were broadcasted live – in exchange for REPUBLIC friendly tournament in Brazil last year, the the hefty sum of almost EUR 1 million committee managed to get Brazil, one of (today’s value). OF IRELAND the best futsal teams in the world, to play three friendly matches in Slovenia – two Over 30 mini-pitches rolled out against Slovenia’s A side and one against across Ireland its futsal Under-21s. The A-side matches got a massive response from the media as The Football Association of Ireland, well as the public. The coverage on in conjunction with local government Slovenian national TV was a first, and a authorities and the Department of Arts, huge step towards the promotion and Sport and Tourism, has launched over 30 marketing of futsal. mini-pitches throughout Ireland. With the exception of the Under-21 game, the matches were genuinely com- petitive, which alone made an impression on the Slovenian public. The first two matches were played in arenas that hold 3,000 and 2,000 spectators. Both were packed out and, more importantly, peo- ple left with a positive impression about the atmosphere, the team and the event as a whole. Granted, Brazil won all three matches, but the Slovenia A side managed to put the ball past the Brazilian keeper on four occasions in two matches, which is an achievement in itself. Brazil play In terms of the football, France claimed numerous friendlies, but they very rarely third place with the help of ‘s

FAI concede goals. incredible 13 goals. Sweden were runners- The Slovenian team used these Technical director of the FAI, Packie Bonner, up after losing a spectacular final at with members of Sligo Borough Council at the matches as preparation for the Futsal Råsunda, where a 17 year old called Pelé inauguration of a mini-pitch. World Cup qualifiers, which took place at scored twice to secure Brazil their first-ever

20 uefadirect 4.08 UEFAdirect-72-Avril•E:Anglais 14.3.2008 14:45 Page 21

EWS from member associationsN

World Cup title. The champions received a standing ovation from the home crowd who were really too impressed to feel any WALES disappointment about their loss. To mark this special year, Sweden was Investment in coach education delighted to accept an invitation from Brazil to play a friendly at the Emirates The Football Association of Wales Stadium in London on 26 March. (FAW) is to invest GBP 400,000 into the The Swedish FA itself will celebrate coach education system in Wales over the the anniversary by co-staging a special next four years. Enhanced club licensing exhibition at the Museum of Sport in criteria mean that Welsh premier league Stockholm, as well as organising a com- managers will require a pro licence in fu- memorative game against France, to be ture, a qualification that none currently played in Gothenburg on 20 August. hold. With financial assistance from the FAW Andreas Nilsson national association, there will be seven Gwennan Harries, one of the stars of women’s football in Wales.

league managers starting the course in March and without fear of the financial women’s football units in special sports burden the managers’ enthusiasm has schools for children and young people is been evident. Former Wales internation- UKRAINE constantly increasing and their presence al and current Manchester United star expanding. Ryan Giggs will attend the A licence Focus on women’s football Ukraine’s first national Olympic reserve course in the summer. football school is based in Chernigiv and The Wales Under-21s are proving to be Ukraine has set itself the goal of mak- is attended by more than 300 girls. Four one of the most successful sides in asso- ing rapid progress in women’s football so regional women’s football development ciation history. After an outstanding 4-2 that within the next few years they will be centres – in Kiev, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk win over France earlier in the European in a position to compete with leading and Crimea – will be up and running this Under-21 Championship group stages, countries such as Germany, Sweden, year. Women’s football in Ukraine also and a double triumph over Malta, they are France, Denmark and Italy. benefits from one of the FA’s most im- currently preparing to visit Bosnia-Herze- At present, Ukraine does not have portant, far-reaching social initiatives – govina. Brian Flynn’s side have their sights enough experience in the development of football lessons at secondary school. set on becoming the first Wales side to women’s football. This heavy burden rests Something of a boom in women’s foot- qualify for a finals tournament since Mark mainly on the Football Federation of ball in Ukraine seems to have had a pos- Hughes played for the Wales youth side Ukraine (FFU), which never gets much sup- itive effect on the national teams’ results. in Germany in 1981. There are currently port from the government. It is a pity, but Having won four games in a row, the A eight Under-21s in the senior A side, women’s football still lacks the attention side made the perfect start to its 2009 including Tottenham Hotspurs stars Gareth of fans, the media and sponsors. European Women’s Championship quali- Bale and Chris Gunter. Nevertheless, more and more women fying campaign and Ukraine’s Under-19 The women’s international team are get involved in the game in Ukraine every selection has made it into the second preparing for two more European cham- year. The FFU’s Women’s Football Com- qualifying round of the European pionship matches, away to Switzerland mittee goes to great lengths to promote Women’s Under-19 Championship. Here and Germany, with a training camp in the national championship and cup in Ukraine people believe that this is just north Wales in May. The squad will and many regional senior and youth the start of great success to come. assemble at Park Hall, home of the Welsh tournaments are held. The number of Igor Linnyk champions, The New Saints, which boasts a FIFA-approved artificial pitch in a new stadium complex. This will provide the per- fect base camp for stars of the women’s game such as Gwennan Harries of Bristol Academy. In the FAW Premier Cup final, Llanelli AFC will play Newport County after the Principality Welsh Premier League side beat Carmarthen Town 1-0 in the semi- final at Stebonheath. Former Wales Under-21 striker Mark Pritchard scored the only goal of the game for the Reds. The other semi-final, played at Ninian Park, saw championship side Cardiff City knocked out by fellow exiles Newport County, who play in the English non- league. Former Cardiff City favourite, Lee Jarman, scored the decisive penalty for Newport after a 1-1 draw after 120 min- utes. The winners of the final will receive FFU GBP 100,000 in prize money. The development of women’s football is one of the aims of the Ukrainian federation. Andrew Howard

21 UEFAdirect-72-Avril•E:Anglais 14.3.2008 14:45 Page 22

Committee week in Nyon Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch 22 uefadirect 4.08 UEFAdirect-72-Avril•E:Anglais 14.3.2008 14:45 Page 23 UEFA

Notices

■ On 14 February, the Turkish Communications Football Association elected a new president, Hasan Dogan. Birthdays – Calendar ■ Andras Ökrös has been appointed general secretary of the Hungarian Football Federation

Birthdays ● Sandor Piller (Hungary, 24.4) Match agents ● Roy Millar (Northern Ireland, 25.4) ● Ole Myhrvold (, 25.4) Carlo De Gaudio (Italy), of the Circle of former ● Daniel Ryser (Switzerland, 25.4) UEFA has granted match agent UEFA committee members, celebrates his 80th ● Philippe Verbiest (Belgium, 25.4) licences to: birthday on 1 April. Another member of the Circle ● Philip Gartside (England, 27.4) Kevin Drinkell of former UEFA committee members, Jean Appietto ● Jan Carlsen (Denmark, 27.4) 110 Sport (France), turns 75 on the 20 April. Referee ob- ● Henk van de Wetering (Netherlands, 27.4) server, William Attley (Republic of Ireland), blows ● Zdzislaw Krecina (Poland, 28.4) Pavilion 1, Players Road out 70 candles on 5 April. Rodger Gifford (Wales), ● Gudmunder Ingi Jonsson (Iceland, 29.4) Stirling FK7 7SH, Scotland referee observer, celebrates his 60th birthday on ● Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (Portugal, 30.4) Tel.: +44 1786 462 634 12 April, as does Jacques Lambert (France), member Fax: +44 1786 450 068 of the National Team Competitions Committee, Upcoming events [email protected] on 24 April. Technical instructor, Pavol Peracek (Slovakia), turns 50 on 7 April. He will be joined Georgi Gradev at the same milestone on 12 April by François De Meetings Gradev Sports Ltd. Keersmaecker (Belgium), vice-president of the Byala Cherkva Street, Block 18, Apt 32 Legal Committee, on 19 April by Michael Kuchen- 3.4.2008, Antalya Draw for the European Under-17 Championship 1408 Sofia, Bulgaria becker (Germany), security officer, and on 20 April Tel.: +359 2 953 04 02 by Jean-Luc Veuthey (Switzerland), member of final round the Anti-Doping Panel. 7.4.2008, Cascais Mobile: +359 878 40 70 34 UEFA also wishes many happy returns to: Jira Panel [email protected] ● Lale Orta (Turkey, 1.4) 7-11-4.2008, Cascais David Donkor ● Jan Peeters (Belgium, 2.4) UEFA coach educator course Loop Investments Ltd ● Kaj Østergaard (Denmark, 3.4) 15.4.2008, Nyon 16 Frognal Parade, Finchley Road Anti-Doping Panel ● Dennis Cruise (Republic of Ireland, 3.4) London NW3 5HH, England ● 21.4.2008, Nyon Yoav Strauss (Israel, 3.4) Tel.: +44 207 692 4204 ● Christian Kofoed (Denmark, 4.4) Draw for the UEFA Intertoto Cup ● Jan Ekstrand (Sweden, 5.4) Medical Committee Fax: +44 207 692 4205 ● Lennart Wangel (Finland, 5.4) 22.4.2008, Nyon Mobile: +44 7956 256 559 ● Momir Djurdjevac (Montenegro, 5.4) Stadium and Security Committee [email protected] ● Aleksandra Nikolovska (F.Y.R. Macedonia, 5.4) 23.4.2008, Nyon Güde Fazil Özdemir ● Isak Mikladal (Faroe Islands, 7.4) Referees Committee Nadide Cad. Günay Sok. No. 6/6 ● Jacques Devismes (France, 8.4) Legal Committee ● James Fleeting (Scotland, 8.4) 24.4.2008, Nyon 34010 Merter / Istanbul, Turkey ● Ladislav Svoboda (Czech Republic, 9.4) National Team Competitions Committee Tel.: +90 212 699 33 66 ● Zoran Petrovic (Serbia, 10.4) HatTrick Committee Fax: +90 212 699 57 35 ● Panagiotis Tsarouchas (Greece, 10.4) Mobile: +90 533 634 7777 ● 25.4.2008, Nyon Vlastibor Minarovjech jr (Slovakia, 10.4) National Associations Committee [email protected] ● Umberto Gandini (Italy, 11.4) ● Eduard Dervishaj (Spain, 11.4) Development and Technical Assistance Committee Gianni Lacchè ● Paolo Piani (Italy, 13.4) Media Sport Event S.r.l. ● Anja van Ginhoven (Netherlands, 14.4) Competitions Via Amsterdam 95 ● Olí Holm (Faroe Islands, 15.4) 1-2.4.2008 00144 Rome, Italy ● Georgios Bikas (Greece, 15.4) UEFA Champions League: quarter-finals (first legs) Tel.: +39 06 52 98 878 ● Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain, 16.4) 3.4.2008 ● Charles Schaack (Luxemburg, 17.4) UEFA Cup: quarter-finals (first legs) Mobile: +39 335 49 01 91 ● Ernst Ravnaas (Norway, 18.4) 8-9.4.2008 [email protected] ● Jean-Louis Valentin (France, 19.4) UEFA Champions League: quarter-finals ● George Frank (Israel, 20.4) (return legs) Obituary ● Ronnie Lundqvist (Sweden, 20.4) ● 10.4.2008 Alexandru Burlac (Moldova, 21.4) UEFA Cup: quarter-finals (return legs) Torleif Sigurdsson, who joined the Circle ● Vitor Manuel Melo Pereira (Portugal, 21.4) of former UEFA committee members ● Patrick Fenech (Malta, 22.4) 22/23.4.2008 UEFA Champions League: semi-finals (first legs) after serving on the Fair Play Committee, ● Jan Damgaard (Denmark, 22.4) the Youth Committee and the Youth ● Morgan Norman (Sweden, 22.4) 24.4.2008 ● Martin Bodenham (England, 23.4) UEFA Cup: semi-finals (first legs) and Amateur Football Panel, passed ● Roland Tis (Belgium, 23.4) 25-27.4.2008, Moscow away on 12 February this year at the age ● Gheorghe Constantin (Romania, 23.4) Final stage of the UEFA Futsal Cup of 61. For over 20 years he had presided ● Mehmet S. Binnet (Turkey, 23.4) 29/30.4.2008 over the Faroe Islands Football Asso- ● Nebojsa Ivkovic (Serbia, 24.4) UEFA Champions League: semi-finals (return legs) ciation and led them into UEFA in 1990.

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL Editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications Division Editorial deadline: 10 March 2008 source is indicated. UEFAdirect-72-Avril•E:Anglais 14.3.2008 14:45 Page 24

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