Worthy of Being Finals 03 Futsal Finals in Ostrava Football and Stress New
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2.05 Worthy of being finals 03 Futsal finals in Ostrava 06 Football and stress 08 New National Associations division 14 No. 34 – February 2005 COVER IN THIS ISSUE Football and stress 08 In the absence of European Championship Media Officers’ Conference or World Cup finals this year, players of UEFA Champions League in Copenhagen 11 ties worthy of a final 03 the calibre of Thierry Henry will be seeking Foreign players in Eastern Europe 12 to make their presence felt in the club Futsal finals in Ostrava 06 competitions this season, particularly in New National Associations division 14 the UEFA Champions League. Meridian Cup in Turkey 07 News from member associations 17 PHOTO: EMPICS A quietEditorial year in prospect? The year that has just got under way is not going to see the excitement of an event on the scale of EURO 2004, but nor will it simply be a period of transition between the tournament in Portugal and next year’s World Cup finals in Germany. On the field of play, as well as behind the scenes, the months ahead will be anything but quiet. No fewer than 13 UEFA champions will be crowned in 2005, starting with the Meridian Cup in February and followed by the European Futsal Championship, the men’s and women’s youth competitions, the UEFA Regions’ Cup, the European Women’s Championship and, of course, the club compe- tition finals, including, notably, the fiftieth champion clubs’ final. And by the end of the year, the World Cup qualifiers will have reached their conclusion. The year will be just as eventful off the field. In the first quarter alone, a conference of the presidents and general secretaries of UEFA member asso- ciations is being organised in February, and the UEFA Congress takes place in Tallinn in April. Apart from these two large gatherings, there will be all the usual committee and panel meetings, as well as events like European club and elite club coaches’ forums, not to mention all the various competition draws. EURO 2004 may still be fresh in our minds, but EURO 2008 is already under preparation and, given the complexity and scale of the event, already requires close attention. On top of that, if you add in UEFA’s ever-crucial relations with the European Union, the monitoring of the club licensing system, the protection of locally trained players, as well as refereeing matters, calendar issues and marketing business, it is not hard to see that, even without European Championship or World Cup finals, 2005 is not going to be an idle year, far from it! Lars-Christer Olsson Chief Executive we care about football EMPICS 02 uefadirect 2.05 UEFA Champions League Five ties worthy of a final Real Madrid v Juventus: a tie worthy of being a final like the one in 1998, when Real (Manuel Sanchis and Fernando Redondo) beat Juventus (Didier Deschamps). EMPICS “AT LEAST FIVE OF THESE PAIRINGS WOULD BE WORTHY FINALS”, have not had such a smooth ride. SUGGESTED JUVENTUS VICE-PRESIDENT ROBERTO BETTEGA FOLLOWING THE DRAW Lagging behind in their domestic championship, Madrid had to wait FOR THE FIRST KNOCK-OUT ROUND OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN NYON. until Matchday 6 to clinch their WHO COULD ARGUE WITH HIM? place in the last 16. Will the arrival of Arrigo Sacchi (technical director) The current leaders of the Real Madrid – Juventus and Wanderley Luxemburgo (coach) Italian, French, English, German, Span- A clash of the titans between turn things around? ish, Dutch and Portuguese champi- the two clubs that have enjoyed the onships are all involved in this stage most domestic success in Spain and Manchester United – AC Milan of the competition. Between Italy. This tie between former Can Sir Alex Ferguson see them, the 16 teams left have winners is in fact a repeat of into the future? The day before the won the Champion Clubs’ the 1998 Champions League draw, the Manchester United man- Cup/Champions League on final. Real won on that occa- ager predicted that his team would 33 occasions. By way of com- sion, but Juventus gained their be paired with AC Milan! These two parison, last season that figure revenge in the semi-final five former winners have never faced was 24. But rather than past years later. Still awaiting the each other in the Champions League, glories, it will be the contrasts in style return of striker David Trezeguet, the although Milan knocked United out and the duels between the world’s best Turin team has built its excellent start of the Champions’ Cup in 1958 and players that will keep the spectators on to the season on a rock-solid defence, 1969. The contrast in styles between the edge of their seats. Here is a brief conceding only one goal in its six the Italians, for whom possession foretaste of the matches to be played Champions League group matches. of the ball is the key weapon, and on 22/23 February and 8/9 March. Real Madrid, despite all their stars, the English, who prefer a more 03 Werder Bremen Arjen Robben (Daniel Jensen, right) (Chelsea FC) and FC Internazionale penetrates (Andy van der Meyde) the FC Porto have so far been playing defence. better in the UEFA Champions League than in their domestic championships. EMPICS EMPICS direct route to their opponents’ ances with Ronaldinho, FIFA Player goal, will be well worth watching. of the Year, playing out of his skin. And what can you say about the duel “This match will also be contest be- between two of the best centre- tween the world’s best two coaches, forwards in Europe, “Golden Ball” Frank Rijkaard and José Mourinho,” winner Andriy Shevchenko and said Joan Laporta. The Barcelona Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy? president knows what he is talking about, since Mourinho was assistant Porto – Internazionale coach for many years at the Nou This is the third Camp, where he served under match in the round that Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal. brings together two for- mer winners of the trophy. Bayern Munich – Arsenal However, the Italians will This is the fifth of Bettega’s not be starting as under- worthy finals. Although Arsène dogs against the current Wenger has enjoyed frequent domes- holders. The Milanese club tic success since arriving in London were unbeaten in all in 1996, he has yet to prove himself competitions between at European level. Thierry Henry and August and the end of his team-mates face a tough battle December 2004. Although against Bayern Munich, four-time a host of drawn matches winners of Europe’s most prestigious (12 in 16) prevented the trophy. After a difficult start to the “Nerazzurri” from keeping season, the Bavarians have adapted up with Juventus and to the methods of new coach Felix Milan in Serie A, they ran Magath and went into the winter away with their group in break top of the German Bundesliga. the Champions League. In contrast, FC Porto, had to wait until the PSV Eindhoven – Monaco closing minutes of their final game Although PSV won the Cham- before securing qualification. pions’ Cup in 1988, they have never Despite their success in the Euro- reached the competition’s knock-out pean/South American Cup, the Euro- stages since it was restructured. Ronaldinho, FIFA Player of the Year, pean champions do not appear as They finally succeeded this year is certainly the solid as last season. The departure despite losing Robben and Kezman most exciting player of the moment. of coach José Mourinho and play- in the summer. Monaco, finalists last maker Deco, amongst others, are year, have also lost some key players. taking their toll. Following the departure of Giuly, Rothen, Prso and Morientes, Didier Barcelona – Chelsea Deschamps now has a completely After a fantastic start new forward line. After a few teething to the season both in England problems, he seems to have found and in Europe, Chelsea are the right blend, as demonstrated emerging as one of the by the resounding 5-0 victory in favourites for the Champions La Coruña on Matchday 6. League. However, the London club has been drawn against Liverpool – Bayer Leverkusen the other team that has been set- The English club with the ting Europe alight in recent months, most European Cup victories (four- Barcelona, who have been producing time winners) owe their place in the EMPICS some dazzling, effective perform- last 16 to a Gerrard goal scored in 04 uefadirect 2.05 AS Monaco Arsenal (François Modesto, left) (Francesc Fabregas, left) ended the group EMPICS and PSV Eindhoven stage with a clear win are both still against in the running. Deportivo La Coruña (Walter Pandiani). Werder Bremen – Olympique knocking out Valencia. Olympique Lyonnais Lyonnais, meanwhile, seem well on This is the only match in the the way to lifting their fourth consecu- AFP/MARCOU last 16 not involving a former winner tive French league title. At European of the competition. However, it brings level, they are aiming to at least the closing minutes of the last together two reigning national champi- match their achievement of last year, group match against Olympiacos. ons. Werder, despite failing to shine when they reached the Champions The replacement of Gérard Houllier in this season’s Bundesliga, have been League quarter-finals. with Rafael Benítez has not yet excellent in the Champions League, Emanuele Saraceno helped the “Reds” to close the gap on the Chelsea-Arsenal-Manchester United trio. The serious injury to UEFA Cup wide open Djibril Cissé has undoubtedly held them back. Bayer Leverkusen, final- While the Champions League is already down to the last 16, ists in 2002, may not be at the top the new format of the UEFA Cup means that 32 teams will compete in of the German Bundesliga, but they the next round in February.