No. 161

NO TO RACISM

A NEW PRESIDENT

No.161 FOR UEFA • October THE REFEREES’ UEFA TECHNICIAN SUMMER GATHERING SUPER CUP 2016 Technical reports shed light Europe’s elite referees Real Madrid CF triumph on the latest tactical trends reconvene in Nyon in Trondheim SPECIAL FEATURE BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS

Håkan Sjöstrand (, 1 Oct.) 50th Arie Kenneth Scheiman (Israel, 22 Oct.) NOTICES Sergejus Slyva (Lithuania, 1 Oct.) Fridin Ziskason (Faroe Islands, 22 Oct.) Levent Bıçakcı (Turkey, 2 Oct.) Jan C. Huijbregts (Netherlands, 23 Oct.) Following the retirement of Andrzej Wach (Poland, 2 Oct.) (France, 23 Oct.) Alfred Ludwig, Thomas Hollerer Lutz Michael Fröhlich (Germany, 2 Oct.) Dragutin Karlo Poljak (Croatia, 23 Oct.) took over as general secretary of Léon Schelings (Belgium, 3 Oct.) Elmir Pilav (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 23 Oct.) the Austrian Football Association Victor van Helvoirt (Netherlands, 3 Oct.) Antonin Herzog (Czech Republic, 24 Oct.) 60th on 1 August. Wilfried Heitmann (Germany, 4 Oct.) Elvedin Begić (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 24 Oct.) Khennet Tallinger (Sweden, 4 Oct.) Roy Cathcart (Northern Ireland, 26 Oct.) The English Football Association Silvo Borosak (Slovenia, 4 Oct.) Markku Lehtola (Finland, 26 Oct.) has appointed Greg Clarke as its Márton Vági (Hungary, 4 Oct.) Hugh Dallas (Scotland, 26 Oct.) chairman, replacing Greg Dyke. Frank Coulston (Scotland, 5 Oct.) Perry Gautier (Belgium, 26 Oct.) Terje Hauge (Norway, 5 Oct.) Gerard Perry (Republic of Ireland, 27 Oct.) Jerzy Engel (Poland, 6 Oct.) Jürgen Paepke (Germany, 28 Oct.) OBITUARIES Yves Leterme (Belgium, 6 Oct.) Rui Cacador (Portugal, 29 Oct.) Francesca Sanzone (Italy, 6 Oct.) George Fantaros (Cyprus, 29 Oct.) Jan Peeters, a member of Iveta Bankova (Bulgaria, 6 Oct.) Maria Persson (Sweden, 29 Oct.) the circle of former UEFA Samantha Lovse (Slovenia, 6 Oct.) José Cunha Rodrigues (Portugal, 30 Oct.) committee members and a Faruk Hadžibegić (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 7 Oct.) Tim Meyer (Germany, 30 Oct.) former president of the Royal Armand Duka (Albania, 7 Oct.) Bert van Oostveen (Netherlands, 30 Oct.) Belgian Football Association, Jari Maisonlahti (Finland, 7 Oct.) Alexander Alaev (Russia, 30 Oct.) died on 21 July at the age of 82. Andrii Pavelko (Ukraine, 7 Oct.) Alan McRae (Scotland, 31 Oct.) He served on several UEFA Draženko Kovačić (Croatia, 8 Oct.) 50th Kurt Zuppinger (Switzerland, 31 Oct.) bodies, from 1992 until Pierre Delaunay (France, 9 Oct.) José Luis Astiazaran Iriondo (Spain, 31 Oct.) 2006, including the Juridical Sergey Zuev (Russia, 9 Oct.) Committee and the Committee James Buckle (England, 9 Oct.) for Non-Amateur Football. Ellert B. Schram (Iceland, 10 Oct.) FORTHCOMING EVENTS Milovan Nikolic (Slovenia, 10 Oct.) Michael ‘Milo’ Corcoran, Laurent Duhamel (France, 10 Oct.) former president of the Football Alin Cioban (Romania, 10 Oct.) Meetings Association of Ireland, died on Naira Abramyan (Armenia, 10 Oct.) 17 October, Nyon 22 August at the age of 65. He Joan Gaspart Solves (Spain, 11 Oct.) UEFA Women’s Champions League: was a member of the UEFA Dimitar Zisovski (FYR Macedonia, 11 Oct.) 60th round of 16 draw Youth and Amateur Football Romeo Jozak (Croatia, 11 Oct.) Committee from 2002 to 2006. Bo Karlsson (Sweden, 12 Oct.) 18 October, Nyon Adrian D. Casha (Malta, 12 Oct.) European Under-21 Championship: Anna De Toni (Italy, 12 Oct.) 40th play-off draw Siegfried Kirschen (Germany, 13 Oct.) Pedro Tomas (Spain, 13 Oct.) 21 October, Nyon 11–16 October Aleksander Čeferin (Slovenia, 13 Oct.) UEFA Futsal Cup: elite round draw UEFA Futsal Cup: main round Dušan Krchňák (, 14 Oct.) 2017–18 European Futsal Championship: Tony Paeffgen (Lithuania, 14 Oct.) preliminary and main round draws 17–25 October Tom van der Hulst (Netherlands, 15 Oct.) Women’s EURO 2017: play-offs Michel Piraux (Belgium, 15 Oct.) Competitions Wendy Toms (England, 16 Oct.) 30 September–21 October, Jordan 18/19 October Konrad Plautz (Austria, 16 Oct.) U-17 Women’s World Cup UEFA Champions League: group John Delaney (Republic of Ireland, 16 Oct.) matches (matchday 3) Jean-Marie Philips (Belgium, 17 Oct.) 5/6 and 12/13 October UEFA Youth League: UEFA Champions Frans Hoek (Netherlands, 17 Oct.) 60th UEFA Women’s Champions League: League path group matches (matchday 3) Adonis Procopiou (Cyprus, 17 Oct.) round of 32 Pedro Lopez Jimenez (Spain, 18 Oct.) 19 October Petros Mavroidis (Greece, 19 Oct.) 5–11 October UEFA Youth League: domestic champions www.uefafoundation.org Aivar Pohlak (Estonia, 19 Oct.) European Under-21 Championship: path first round (return legs) Miljenko Sakoman (Croatia, 19 Oct.) qualifying round matches Paul Philipp (Luxembourg, 21 Oct.) 20 October Mircea Sandu (Romania, 22 Oct.) 6–11 October UEFA Europa League: group matches John Taylor (Scotland, 22 Oct.) 2018 World Cup European Qualifiers (matchday 3)

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 51 EDITORIAL

FOOTBALL FIRST

t is with great honour, but also a great sense development programmes have on small of responsibility, that I start my mission as national associations. As I travelled around IUEFA president, a mission which you, UEFA’s Europe, I also saw with my own eyes how this member associations, have entrusted me organisation has helped to build new pitches, with, and one which I will dedicate to further training centres and football infrastructure protecting, promoting and developing football across the continent. I believe there are further in Europe. opportunities for UEFA to make a difference, I know the last year was not an easy one for and we can do so by empowering our member our organisation. It faced many challenges and associations to take on a bigger role in creating threats, but thanks to the excellent work of the and delivering projects and programmes. administration and the unity of the European I am really looking forward to working with football family, UEFA’s standing and reputation all of you in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue. remained unscathed. Together, I hope we can lead UEFA into an era It is now time for us to turn the page and of stability, hope, balance and friendship. start a new chapter together. My vision is clear and it focuses on putting football first. As we search to find the perfect balance between big and small, north and south, east and west, we must always protect the interests of the game we love and cherish. During my time as president of the Slovenian Football Association, I had the opportunity to witness the significant impact Aleksander Čeferin that UEFA’s education, grassroots and UEFA President

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 03 CONTENTS

10

30 UEFA UEFA via Getty Images UEFA IN THIS ISSUE

6 UEFA news 24 Season kick-off Aleksander Čeferin, the new Player of the year awards, group stage UEFA President draws and more in Monaco

8 Research Grant Programme 28 For the record Official publication of Kevin Thomas presents his research on The 2015/16 Champions League in figures the Union of European post-match recovery times Football Associations 30 The Technician Chief editor: 9 UEFA Foundation The technical reports on EURO 2016 and Emmanuel Deconche for Children the 2015/16 Champions League and Deputy chief editor: 400 disadvantaged children from all over Europa League reveal the latest trends Dominique Maurer the world took part in streetfootballworld External contributor: Festival 16 in during EURO 2016 38 Accessibility Kevin Thomas (page 8) Efforts made to improve disabled Production: 10 UEFA Super Cup access to the EURO 2016 stadiums set Touchline Real Madrid lifted the trophy in Trondheim, a new benchmark for accessibility and Printing: adding to their already impressive inclusiveness Artgraphic Cavin collection of silverware CH-1422 Grandson 40 News from Editorial deadline: 15 September 2016 12 European Under-19 member associations Championships Cover photo: France won both the men’s and the AFP/Getty Images women’s competitions

16 Refereeing Europe’s elite referees attended the traditional summer gathering in Nyon

04 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 CONTENTS

16 12 UEFA Sportsfile Images

6 AFP/Getty

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 05 EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS UEFA A NEW PRESIDENT AT THE HELM Aleksander Čeferin is the seventh UEFA president. The 48-year-old Slovenian lawyer was voted into office by Europe’s national associations at the 12th Extraordinary UEFA Congress, held in Athens on 14 September. He pledges to spearhead a new chapter for UEFA and European football.

he Grand Resort Lagonissi close to the “We are administrators of the most popular Greek capital was the setting for UEFA sport in the world. We are the guardians of the T to move into tomorrow with a new beautiful game,” he continued. “I am a team man at the helm. The two candidates for the player, a man of conviction, a passionate man, presidency possessed the necessary calibre for a man of his word. I am not a man of unrealistic the job, with Čeferin having been president promises. We cannot move this organisation of of Slovenia since further with unrealistic promises.” 2011, and Michael van Praag having headed “Therefore, with a clear conscience and the Royal Netherlands Football Association mind, I am ready to deliver the projects that since 2008. A third candidate, Royal Spanish will take UEFA to a new level. I want you, the Football Federation president Ángel María associations, to take centre stage. Let’s develop Villar Llona, had withdrawn in the days before the game together and, when necessary, let’s the election. protect it together.” Čeferin emerged victorious by 42 votes to Čeferin refused to dwell on negative issues. 13. He succeeds a distinguished sextet who “I don’t want to live in an empire of fear,” he have taken charge of the European umbrella said. “I want to bring out all the good things body and guided its course since its birth in that UEFA and the associations have been 1954 – Ebbe Schwartz (Denmark), Gustav doing. I’m here to find ways to tackle all the Wiederkehr (Switzerland), problems that surround our game, as someone (Italy), Jacques Georges (France), Lennart with a new, clear vision, someone who is bold Johansson (Sweden) and and brave enough to open a new chapter in the (France). The outgoing UEFA president was 62-year history of this amazing organisation. present at the Athens Congress to thank the “UEFA has been an exemplary organisation associations and close his period of office, for all other sports bodies for many years. It still which began in 2007. is. I want to congratulate UEFA for making us Following the warm ovation that greeted the dream, and giving us happiness and emotions result, a clearly moved Čeferin let his feelings for more than 60 years.” show: “Thank you for your fantastic support. It is a great honour, but it is at the same time a FIFA Council female member great responsibility,” he told the associations. As women begin to enjoy greater participation “It means a lot to me, and to my family, who in football’s decision-making process, another are very proud about it. My small but beautiful vote was held at the Congress in Athens in Slovenia is also very proud, and I hope that one which Italy’s Evelina Christillin was elected to “Thank you for your day, you will also be proud of me.” represent UEFA on the FIFA Council. According fantastic support. to the FIFA Statutes, each confederation must It is a great honour, Wind of change elect at least one woman to this strategic body but it is at the Speaking to the Congress ahead of the vote, that sets the vision for world football. A former same time a great Čeferin looked firmly into the future. “Today, international Alpine skier, 60-year-old Christillin responsibility.” the wind of change is blowing through has considerable managerial experience to put at European football,” he reflected. “It is the end the service of the game, having already played Aleksander Čeferin of an era and the start of a new one – an era of a key role in the organisation of the 2006 UEFA President stability, hope, balance and football.” Winter in her native Turin.

06 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

THEODORE THEODORIDIS APPOINTED AS GENERAL SECRETARY A new era began in earnest for UEFA in Athens on 15 September, when Aleksander Čeferin chaired his first UEFA Executive Committee meeting.

heodore Theodoridis was confirmed The Executive Committee also decided in as UEFA General Secretary, having Athens to present a special award to the T been appointed ad interim in March football associations of Iceland, the Republic following the election of Gianni Infantino as of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales for the FIFA president. Together with the new UEFA outstanding contribution their supporters made president, the 51-year-old Greek will now press to the success of EURO 2016. The conduct of ahead with leading the UEFA administration fans during the month-long tournament helped into a new chapter in its history. create a festival atmosphere over the summer Getting down to daily business, two venues in France. were selected for the 2018 club competition “UEFA EURO 2016 was a celebration of showpieces. European club football’s football and this is thanks, in large part, to the UEFA flagship end-of-season showdown, the UEFA passion and dedication of fans at all stadiums Theodore Theodoridis Champions League final, will take place at in France,” said UEFA president Aleksander NSK Olympiyskyi stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Čeferin. “UEFA wanted to reward some of the in just under two years’ time. A venue that groups of supporters that were particularly is accustomed to hosting big matches, FC enthusiastic and passionate during the Aleksander Čeferin assumes his Dynamo Kyiv took on FC Bayern München tournament, so congratulations to the national place at the heart of the UEFA there in the second leg of the 1975 UEFA associations who are receiving this award.” Executive Committee Super Cup, it was used in the 1980 Olympic Games and it hosted five EURO 2012 games, including the final. The Executive Committee also selected Lilleküla stadium in Tallinn, Estonia, to host the UEFA Super Cup on 14 August 2018, continuing UEFA’s policy of taking the season opener between the reigning Champions League and Europa League title holders around Europe. A decision on who will host the Europa League final in 2018 will be taken at a later stage.

Appointments and awards The committee appointed two new members of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body’s investigatory chamber for mandates running until 2020: Damien Neven (Belgium), formerly a chief economist in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, and Rick Parry (England), former chief executive of Liverpool FC and the English . The Club Financial Control Body has the important role of overseeing the application of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, with the investigatory chamber responsible for the monitoring and investigation stage of proceedings. UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 07 RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAMME

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER AFTER A MATCH? UEFA has been supporting football-related academic research projects through its Research Grant Programme since 2010. This month, Kevin Thomas presents details of his research on how the neuromuscular system responds and adapts to exercise, which looks at cycling, resistance training and intermittent forms of exercise, such as football.

n a typical football match, an elite player will a reduction in the ability to produce force, and cover about 12km, with an activity profile that using stimulation of the brain and the nerves UEFA Iincludes high-intensity sprints, turns, jumps, that activate muscle, we determined whether kicks and changes of direction. An inevitable this fatigue could be explained by ‘central’ consequence of those considerable physical processes (i.e. fatigue of the central nervous demands is fatigue, which reduces physical system) or ‘peripheral’ processes (i.e. fatigue capacity during the match and persists for days of the muscle). We used these techniques to afterwards. The consequences of fatigue are study the fatigue experienced by footballers compounded by the competitive schedules of immediately after a simulated match, and we today’s elite footballers, which include frequent monitored the recovery of the central nervous demanding periods where multiple games are system and muscle function for three days after Kevin Thomas, Faculty of Health played in a week, often separated by as little as a game, to see how long it took for players and Life Sciences, Department of 48 hours. These congested fixture periods have to recover. Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, been linked to an increased incidence of injuries, Northumbria University, Newcastle- and a range of high-profile managers (including What we found … upon-Tyne José Mourinho, Jürgen Klopp, Guus Hiddink and We found that football matchplay resulted in Manuel Pellegrini) have called for more flexible a high degree of fatigue, with players’ ability to scheduling to protect footballers and ensure the produce force being impaired for up to three best possible spectacle for fans of the game. days after a game. Immediately after the game, this fatigue could be explained by effects on What we did … both the central nervous system and muscle With support from the UEFA Research Grant function. However, just 24 hours after the Programme, we conducted a project that aimed game, the central nervous system had recovered to provide new information on the fatigue markedly, albeit there was still evidence of small experienced by players and the time that it takes impairments, which took two days on average to recover from a match. We defined ‘fatigue’ as to fully resolve. In contrast, the deterioration in muscle function persisted for around three days, and it took until two days after the game before there were any signs of recovery. These negative effects on the central nervous system and muscle function were also associated with “Research that helps a reduction in physical performance: players us to understand could not sprint as fast after games, and they could not jump as high for up to three days the management afterwards. Feelings of fatigue and muscle of fatigue and soreness also took three days to recover from. recovery after All in all, our project demonstrates that it matches is of critical can take up to three days to fully recover from importance for fans, matchplay and that the negative impact on players, managers muscle function is the primary cause of this. These findings have important implications for and both national the people responsible for managing the training and international process and scheduling fixtures, who should associations.” look at how best to manage the recovery of Kevin Thomas Sportsfile players between competitive games. Project Coordinator

08 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 UEFA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN

#FOOTBALLFORGOOD IN LYON Supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children and hosted by Sport dans la Ville, streetfootballworld Festival 16 involved 400 youngsters in Lyon from 28 June to 7 July.

n parallel to EURO 2016 in France, Festival 16 brought together disadvantaged boys I and girls from across the world. The UEFA Foundation for Children considers football to be not just a game, but a way of life, a way to dream and to see the world. Seventy organisations sent delegations of two girls and two boys aged between 15 and 18 to represent their country, as well as a young leader and a delegation leader to guide them through the journey of the festival. Selected on the basis of their good behaviour in addition to their love of football, Festival 16 participants played in teams of mixed nationalities and genders. The tournament was played according to ‘football3’ methodology, which relies on the concepts of fair play and respect, as participants have to agree on their own rules before the match and play without referees. The winning team is not necessarily the one that scores more goals, as additional points can be awarded by the opposite team based on observance of the rules and fair play. The tournament promoted values such as fair play, respect, diversity, gender equality, solidarity and dialogue. “streetfootballworld Festival 16 shows that it is possible to cross boundaries through football,” said streetfootballworld’s network director, Vladimir Borković.

Cultural exchanges UEFA The festival’s opening ceremony was attended, among others, by the French minister for sports, Thierry Braillard, the mayor of Lyon, teenagers as interviewees, interviewers and Gérard Collomb, and Jacques Lambert, actors alongside football legends including president of EURO 2016 SAS. Claude Makelele and Christian Karembeu. The ceremony kicked off the tournament in Festival 16 was not only a sporting event; “By bringing together style, including performances from the Opéra it was also a social, cultural and entertaining de Lyon, the French air force, the national event filled with experiences and laughter, one girls and boys from parachute team and the Freestyle Football that will shape the participants’ identity, their 50 countries from all Federation. The ceremony closed with a perception of others, and their outlook on life over the world, we firework display, adding colour to the occasion. – once more providing proof of the essential are helping the next After days filled with football, the youngsters power of football. generation to learn were also kept busy in the evenings with lively Philippe Oddou, director and co-founder of about living together, and captivating cultural exchanges that allowed Sport dans la Ville, summed up the festival in and are creating each of the delegations to present their country apt fashion: “At Sport dans la Ville, we believe through a costumed dance prepared in advance in the power of happy memories. And this bridges towards with care and enthusiasm. streetfootballworld Festival 16 will provide a better society.” Last but not least, the UEFA foundation team, unforgettable and happy memories for the Vladimir Borković in collaboration with TV Media Sport (TVMS), young people who came from all over the streetfootballworld worked on a series of short videos involving world to take part in it.” Network Director

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 09 UEFA SUPER CUP

ANOTHER VICTORY FOR REAL MADRID After meeting in Cardiff in 2014, Spanish clubs Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC met again in a UEFA Super Cup, this time in Trondheim, Norway, on 9 August.

t was the sort of moment that you knew Carvajal’s goal must rank as one of the finest instantly would go viral. Led by , individual efforts to settle any final and I Marcelo, Álvaro Morata, Lucas Vázquez and provided an unforgettable conclusion to a Casemiro, a group of Real Madrid players – memorable event in Trondheim, the third- freshly minted UEFA Super Cup winners – burst largest city in Norway and the northernmost into the post-match press conference and city to stage a UEFA final. doused coach Zinédine Zidane in water, all the While Lerkendal Stadion is a familiar UEFA while singing “campeones, campeones”. Champions League arena because of home The jubilant celebrations indicated what club Rosenborg BK’s regular participation in the trophy meant to Real Madrid: the the competition – the Norwegian side in fact significance of another European title for a club beat Real Madrid on Los Blancos’ first visit to synonymous with continental triumph. the stadium in 1997 – this was the first UEFA club final to be held in the city, or indeed the No gain without pain country. How Zidane’s side had to suffer to get their

hands on the UEFA Super Cup, though. Under The perfect hosts Images new coach Jorge Sampaoli, domestic rivals A beautiful city surrounded by pine trees and Sevilla pushed Real all the way. Despite going on the Norwegian Sea, Trondheim played Getty behind early to ’s stunning long- the perfect host. Excitement was evident Real Madrid’s Luka Modrić range effort, the UEFA Europa League winners across the city in the days leading up to the tries his luck, watched by responded in powerful fashion, drawing level as showpiece, with flags and banners fluttering in Steven N’Zonzi. half-time beckoned, thanks to a fine goal from the chilly northern wind and visiting Spaniards Franco Vázquez. arriving wrapped up warmer than they would Los Hispalenses then dominated the second have been at home in Madrid or Seville. half, deservedly taking the lead for the first The locals, meanwhile, were delighted to time in the match through substitute Yevhen welcome the visiting Spaniards, emphasising Konoplyanka’s 72nd-minute penalty. the importance of hosting major sporting events for a small city and enjoying getting to Ramos to the rescue know the good-natured Spanish fans. There was, however, a twist in the tale of an An enterprising flamenco school set up a stall enthralling encounter. It was Ramos – as it in the centre of town on the morning of the always seems to be – who rescued the game match, while employees of local sport shops ran for his side, popping up in the 93rd minute to penalty shoot-outs in the streets for children, head past Sergio Rico and level proceedings. whether local or visiting. The 30-year-old was immense all evening, and Tapas bars in the centre of town were the equaliser was his third goal in Madrid’s last packed with fans, with the visitors from Seville four UEFA finals. in particular creating quite a noise. Sevilla Timothée Kolodziejczak’s dismissal three president José Castro mingled with those minutes into extra time reduced Sevilla to visiting fans prior to kick-off in Solsiden Square, ten men, and although Sampaoli’s side held where red and white club banners sat proudly firm and attempted to hold on for penalties, alongside the Norway flag. there was little they could do when Dani That goodwill only extended as far as the Carvajal danced through their defence in the pitch, however, with most locals firmly in the

119th minute, the right-back sending Real Real Madrid camp when it came to support. Images Madrid into dreamland with his low shot Los Blancos were welcomed rapturously past Rico. beforehand, with fans queuing at the gates Getty

10 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 UEFA via Getty Images UEFA

A FIRST FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS

Two disabled child refugees living in Norway, Sayed Ali, an 11-year-old from Afghanistan, and Ismail Jamal, a 10-year- old from Syria, accompanied Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and Sevilla captain Vicente Iborra onto the field before the UEFA Super Cup in Trondheim, becoming the first children who use wheelchairs ever to be player escorts at a football match. This was made possible by the UEFA Foundation for Children, which defends children and their rights, together with Handicap International, a body that defends the rights of disabled people worldwide, improves their living conditions and helps them integrate into society. RESULT

Real Madrid CF 3-2 Sevilla FC (aet) of the stadium just to get a glimpse of their heroes, shouting players’ names and cheering Attendance: 17,939 Referee: Milorad Mažić (Serbia) every goal in training the day before the game. The atmosphere was even better on Goals: 1-0 Asensio 21, 1-1 Vázquez 41, matchnight, when every Real Madrid player’s 1-2 Konoplyanka 72 pen, 2-2 Ramos 90+3, 3-2 Carvajal 119 name was greeted with a cheer. Ramos and Vicente Iborra – the Real Madrid and Sevilla captains respectively – led their teams onto the pitch accompanied by two children who use wheelchairs. Real’s three goals were received warmly on an otherwise freezing evening, but the Sevilla fans certainly gave the passionate locals a run for their money, time and again producing stirring renditions of the club anthem. Ultimately, though, it was those supporting Real Madrid who departed Lerkendal Stadion happier. Carvajal’s stunning goal to cap off an evening of stunning strikes spelled heartbreak in the UEFA Super Cup for the third successive season for Sevilla, while Real lifted the trophy for the third time. And it was a fitting ending that the first UEFA trophy awarded in a city founded in around 997 by Vikings went to a club known as Los Vikingos.

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 11 FRANCE CLAIM THIRD UNDER-19 TITLE France beat Italy 4-0 in the final of the 2015/16 European Under-19 Championship, at the end of a tournament played in Germany from 11 to 24 July.

he likes of Hugo Lloris, Yohan Cabaye, 14 years, including 2015, that their elite-round Antoine Griezmann and Alexandre elimination by England came as a jolt, although T Lacazette have all won the European it was the second time in three years that La Under-19 Championship with France – and the Rojita had missed the finals. class of 2016 proved worthy successors to their England carried that impressive form into illustrious predecessors. the final tournament, scoring twice in the first France produced their best performances nine minutes of their matchday one fixture with in Germany when it mattered most, scoring 12 France. That was the first of three successive goals in their final three games to win the title 2-1 Group B wins for Aidy Boothroyd’s team, for the third time, beating Italy by a record 4-0 while France responded strongly to that margin in the final. opening setback. Defeats of Croatia (2-0) and Ludovic Batelli’s French side lost their first the Netherlands (5-1) gave them the runners- game of the tournament but hit top form up spot, Augustin striking five of their goals – at the competition’s business end, brushing three against the Dutch and scoring a record- “We wanted to give aside the Netherlands to reach the semi-finals, equalling six in the finals overall – and Kylian as many people as where they disposed of Portugal. France saved Mbappé the other three. possible the chance the best till last: early goals from Jean-Kévin to see matches. Augustin – a stunning solo strike – and Ludovic 54,689 spectators Blas were added to late on by captain Lucas for the opening match We spread the Tousart and Issa Diop as Italy’s previously Group A opened with hosts Germany playing tournament as wide imperious defence was utterly dismantled. Italy in front of 54,689 at the VfB Arena in as we could.” Such has been Spain’s dominance of the Stuttgart, a new U19 final tournament record. Juppi Lee U19s, with seven titles in the competition’s first The majority went home disappointed after Tournament director

12 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 France Final Portugal 1-3 England 1-2 Semi-finals *Germany win5-4onpenalties Germany World Cupplay-off Netherlands 1-5 England Croatia Netherlands 1-2 France Croatia Group B Italy Austria Germany Italy Portugal Germany Group A RESULTS Romagna, tries his luck in the final. the in luck his tries Romagna, pressure from Italy’s Filippo under Mbappé, Kylian France’s 4-0 3-3* Netherlands 2-1 Croatia 0-2 France 1-2 1-3 1-1 Portugal 0-3 Germany 3-4 Portugal 1-1 Austria 1-1 Austria 0-1 Italy Italy France Italy France England England Netherlands

Sportsfile tournament director Juppi Lee. Juppi director tournament end,” inthe come would said many people how to see excited were we so tournament, the before weeks we’d six that achieved and spectators, 100,000 than have more U19 to UEFA was with “Our target record. new –another in total spectators 150,000 than 15 the more drawing with games venues, ten the across of attendances in terms tone the set fixture opening That Cup World 2017 the for Five qualify teams second.opponents their a 1-1 left that Italy against draw with place sure of first making Portugal trick, hat- Ochs’ Phillipp despite Portugal against defeat by a4-3 ended were hopes Germany’s theme. Azzurrini an setting win, a1-0 Italy earned Dimarco’s late penalty Federico play-off against the Netherlands for a place for aplace Netherlands the against play-off a up setting Austria, against win a3-0 with could.” we as wide as tournament the spread We matches. to see chance the possible as many people as to give wanted also we and stadium, in one matches two than more had “We’ve not pitches,” added. the Lee to protect – teams for the conditions best the wanted we tournament. for the schedule the and times kick-off at looking meant That involved. to get wanted we who people young new but crowd football the only not groups, target Germany secured third position in the section section inthe position third secured Germany because in total venues ten have“We used our defined we off; paid “Our strategy and Davie Selke of Germany (2013/14). Selke of Germany Davie and (2010/11) Morata by Spain’s set Álvaro record U19 the equalling goals, tournament final Italy.” especially and Portugal Netherlands, the against matches, three last in our that we’veand shown other, quality, for each great worked with who’ve players are These a catastrophe. be like would it continued that, we if that knew everyone tournament; this win us made minutes ten first those maybe but start, awake weren’t we the at England against game first our In squad. agreat had “We’ve title. to France the leading after to come. still was France, however, best the half. For second inthe range close from twice scored then for Blas, equaliser minute France’s up set tenth- forward Monaco The over. took Pacheco’s header, Mbappé before Pedro with lead athird-minute taking tie, late. too came goal Picchi’s own Alberto for whom England, against win a2-1 to earn free-kick curling a wonderful and kick spot another converted Dimarco prowess. set-piece their showed –again kick afree- and penalties two been had goals a3-3 draw. after penalties on 5-4 prevailed Germany UEFA experiment. anew under time extra during substitute afourth to use allowed sides both with minutes, 2-2 it 90 made after 2017in the Cup. late goals World U-20 Three EUROPEAN UNDER-19CHAMPIONSHIP Augustin finished as top scorer with six with scorer as top finished Augustin Batelli moment,” said extraordinary an “It’s knockout second the in first struck Portugal group-stage whose – Italy semi-finals the In UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 2016 October • DIRECT UEFA –

13 Sportsfile EUROPEAN WOMEN’S UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP

FRANCE COMPLETE UNDER-19 DOUBLE IN RAINY SENEC

On 31 July, France won their fourth European Women’s Under-19 Championship – condemning Spain to a third successive final defeat – in a match where half-time lasted two hours owing to a huge thunderstorm.

he final round of the 2015/16 European the wet pitch, the tournament’s top goalscorer, Women’s Under-19 Championship, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, made it 2-0 with T which took place in Slovakia from 19 to her sixth goal in Slovakia. Lucía García pulled 31 July, may have appeared to be business as one back with six minutes to go, and Nahikari usual, with France winning their fourth title and García very nearly equalised at the death, Spain reaching their third final in a row, but the kicking the water as she went for the ball and decider in Senec was more than a little out slicing over from point-blank range. France, of the ordinary. though, who celebrated victory by diving in The game began in bright sunshine, the puddles by the side of the pitch, were but by the time Grace Geyoro had given France worthy winners, having handled the conditions the lead, the predicted heavy rain had started. better than their opponents. “When I scored, By half-time, it had become a thunderous I really couldn’t believe it. I screamed,” Geyoro downpour, and play was suspended. For two said. Katoto added: “We were very motivated hours, efforts were made to clear the pitch, [during the rain delay]. We kept our focus. We and tentative arrangements were made to could have waited longer or played extra time. resume the following day. Eventually, though, We would have won anyway.” the pitch was declared playable, albeit rain was still falling, and the game was able to continue. Rain stops play in Group A Left: France’s Estelle Cascarino takes Not long afterwards, France goalkeeper The final was actually the second weather- on Spain captain Nahikari Garcia in the final. Below: Beatriz Beltrán challenges Mylène Chavas saved Nahikari García’s penalty disrupted match of a tournament played largely Pleun Raaijmakers in the semi-final and, with more than a little assistance from in warm sunshine, with the Group A game between Spain and the Netherlands. Sportsfile

14 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 France Final Spain France Semi-finals Germany Switzerland 0-5 Germany Spain Austria Spain Group B Netherlands 1-2 Norway Slovakia Netherlands 1-0 France Slovakia Group A RESULTS 2-1 Spain 4-3 Netherlands 3-1 Switzerland 3-1 Austria 2-4 Switzerland 4-0 Austria 0-4 1-0 Germany 0-0 Slovakia 0-6 France 0-1 Norway 0-6 Netherlands Spain Switzerland France Norway

Sportsfile Gilles Eyquem said. Eyquem Gilles half,” second inthe coach France impact a big made they as decision, agood to be proved it 3-1out winners. ran France match as of the second her scored minute, Mateo 54th inthe Then, second. for France’s Katoto up provider, setting turned later, minutes equaliser.the Four Mateo for Mateo up set had Morroni seconds, 30 Within on. Clara coming and Mateo Morroni Perle with game, the changed substitution adouble half-time, at but 1-0 Switzerland trailed France semi-final, first the In ever. highest-scoring the were tournament year’s this of 11With semi-finals the goals, Goals galore a title.without tournaments five gone have now they but group, inthe 3-1 place third Austria to secure beat then did Germany matches. two first in their 4-2 Germany and 4-0 Austria defeated having the Swiss with game, group final their in other to each play came they time by the semi-finals to the through already were Spain and Switzerland both fact, In 5-0. Switzerland and 4-0 time) first for the competition of the stage this at appearing were (who Austria 1-0, undoing. their to be proved Netherlands to the loss 1-0 subsequent Norwegians’ the but to Norway, defeat a1-0 with off kicked actually France France. and Netherlands the to both defeats 6-0 with began women’s tournament, final of aUEFA women’s competition. round final the in point first their Slovakia hosts giving resuming, game the without draw 0-0 as a confirmed was result the regardless, A Group from qualify would Slovakia nor 2-1) Netherlands Norway neither that meaning the beat France which (in time same the at place taking game group other of the result the With pitch. account of awaterlogged on 0-0 at half second in the early abandoned been having Slovakia and Norway between “I rested some players in the first half,and first inthe players some “I rested Germany B, beating Group dominated Spain first intheir part taking were who Slovakia, France make it four level. senior at success to achieve on have gone of whom all (2005), Danilova and Elena (2009) Jakobsson Sofia (2014), Miedema Vivianne after tournament, this of semi-finals inthe goals three score to player fourth –the Hernández Sandra by to ahat-trick thanks prevailing Spain match.) toof that with be, not was it But veterans featured teams both (Indeed, final. 2014 inthe Spain over victory their repeat to looked they as twice led Dutch The goals. long-range several with encounter inahigh-quality 4-3 Netherlands the overcame Spain semi-final, other the In the champions of the ‘1997 of the champions the generation’.” to be delighted are “We said. forward Germain it,” to do how us Saint- showed the They Under-19 their won boys the when title. week last thrilled men: were “We by the inspired been had they that explained – men’sSinsheim in final of the time the at elimination of group-stage in 2004. in 2010 compatriots Spain and by their achieved Under-19 the –repeating Championship double Under-19 the of European final inthe Italy beaten had counterparts male their after 2010 aweek just came 2013. and victory That in 2003, titles to previous adding victorious, emerged and better conditions the handled matches). qualifying (i.e. overall including appearances competition 40 Sánchez’s and competitions of UEFA youth finals inthe García’s appearances 22 record including records, of other anumber set also have players of Spanish generation golden This men’s inboth women’s and football. record – a UEFA competitions of youth four finals in the played have now and competitions of those three inall played Sánchez Andrea – in2015.) García and Garrote, Nahikari Nuria Under-17 one only winning Championships, Women’s three European last the of finals the reached also have Spain fact, (In final. in the lost Spain However, running, year third for the Geyoro – whose team had been on the verge verge the on been had team –whose Geyoro who France was it Ultimately, though, UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 2016 October • DIRECT UEFA –

15 Sportsfile REFEREEING

THE SECRETS TO REFEREEING SUCCESS

A behind-the-scenes visit to UEFA’s summer gathering for match officials, held in Switzerland in August, shows that preparation, hard work and greater knowledge are helping officials set higher standards.

mong the business travellers, the Laws of the Game were implemented for the pilots and flight attendants at first time, but you did very well.” Mr Villar Llona Geneva’s Starling Hotel, the group captured the spirit of the gathering as he added: of athletes in matching bottle- “Today is soon yesterday, and now we have to green tracksuits checking phones start thinking ahead.” Aand chatting as they waited in the lobby could easily have been taken for a football squad Looking ahead gathering for a pre-season camp. A distinguished former referee, Pierluigi Collina, They were … and they weren’t. They were spoke next in his capacity as UEFA’s chief not a squad of football players, but they were refereeing officer. The renowned Italian presided a team of elite athletes at the top of their sport over the course as impressively as he took charge getting ready for the start of their season. of Champions League, World Cup and UEFA Cup They were UEFA’s top referees, meeting for finals in the 1990s and 2000s. Even more so as their annual pre-season gathering. he led subsequent sessions in UEFA’s university- A total of 76 top male referees – including style auditorium, where he came across as a the 18 EURO 2016 officials – and 16 leading born educator – someone who had reached the female officials spent three days in Geneva and pinnacle of his profession and was eager to help nearby Nyon from 10 August to prepare for the next generation of referees become the best the new campaign and review the recent past, that they could be. including the month-long EURO in France. And, just as he revolutionised refereeing in From the outset, the EURO group were the 1990s with his preparation, professionalism, rightly praised for their performances. Ángel athleticism and eye for detail, now he and María Villar Llona, UEFA’s first vice-president UEFA’s refereeing unit are raising refereeing and chairman of the Referees Committee, standards across Europe. Five minutes into opened the gathering with warm words for the Collina’s first presentation, the EURO success EURO officials: “I have a special word of thanks was consigned to the past: “Now we need to for the EURO referees. You did a fantastic job, look forward to the new season; we, you, need especially in the final. The new amendments to to be ready.”

16 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 UEFA UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 2016 October • DIRECT UEFA REFEREEING – 17 REFEREEING

Readiness and preparation are watchwords for Collina. In his mind, the secret to maintaining high performance is match preparation, which is composed of three elements: knowledge of the Laws of the Game and how to interpret them, fitness, and football knowledge. As such, the gathering was no handshakes and cocktails-style conference, but rather an intensive preparation programme. Indeed, the referees were put through a demanding test on the new Laws of the Game on the opening evening. The officials hunched over their workbooks for the allotted 45 minutes as they pondered such multiple-choice questions as: UEFA “After extra time and just before kicks from the penalty mark, the goalkeeper is injured and the UEFA Super Cup on the eve of this summer Europe’s elite referees cannot continue. Can he be replaced?”* gathering, referee Milorad Mažić covered 16km descended on the UEFA – more than any of the players. The referees campus in Nyon from 10 to 12 August to be put through Not table football follow bespoke training programmes, and are their paces in the classroom Knowledge and interpretation of the Laws of put through their paces through demanding and on the pitch the Game extends to viewing and reviewing fitness tests at UEFA’s summer and winter video clips of incidents from recent matches. gatherings. On the opening day, Collina took the referees So, under the baking late-morning sun through incidents from EURO 2016 itself at Nyon’s Colovray stadium, all the officials and delivered a reasoned critique. Further undertook tests which seemed gruelling to insightful video sessions also took place on this outsider. Rather than standard Cooper or the final afternoon, focusing on “denial of beep fitness tests, the officials are subjected to a goalscoring opportunity” and handball. the rigorous Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, Incidents were examined and old canards which better correlates to the amount of high- challenged in often humorous fashion, as, for intensity activity and maximal-speed distance example, when Collina talked about handball: covered during a match. “We don’t expect it to be like table football, with arms down by the side.” He also told the Ever-increasing pace referees: “We accept that there can be different The test involves a lot of sprinting at an ever- interpretations.” increasing pace. The referees have to reach In terms of fitness, referees are now as much level 18.4, which equates to 45 successive athletes as the players themselves. In fact, in sprints. Among the elite referees, the target UEFA

18 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 REFEREEING

was achieved with ease. Indeed, onlookers seemed to be sweating more just watching. And in fact the objective is not just to pass the test, but to do so without struggling, ensuring that the officials remain lucid and focused on decision-making in match situations, even as they produce an elite athletic performance. Collina was a pioneer of the final element of match preparation, football knowledge, during his own refereeing career. English referee Graham Poll recalled being the fourth official for the 2002 World Cup match between Japan and Turkey, which Collina refereed. “He drew their line-ups on a board,” Poll said. “He told us how they would play, who the fiery characters were, where the likely flashpoints would be, what each assistant might expect to happen on his part of the pitch. He covered everything. It was incredible. It was preparation to the nth degree. And, furthermore, he wasn’t wrong.”

Tactical briefings Collina is now imparting that approach to Europe’s next batch of referees. The session UEFA on tactical preparation revealed that, for the first time ever, at EURO 2016 officials received tactical briefings from UEFA-qualified coaches, Goal-line technology detailing how teams played. This was not EURO 2016 was the first UEFA tournament to use goal-line technology (GLT), just aesthetic appreciation of formations or after its UEFA premiere at the finals of the 2015/16 Champions League and tiki-taka or Gegenpressing, but specifically Europa League. The system will also be used in the 2016/17 Champions tailored preparation, so that officials could League, from the play-offs onwards. Pierluigi Collina stresses that GLT and position themselves better and know what to the additional assistant referee system will operate in perfect harmony: “With expect in terms of how moves would progress GLT focused on the goal line, the additional assistants can focus exclusively on and when transitions would take place. Or incidents in the penalty area – the most crucial area of the pitch.” as Collina succinctly puts it: “to know what happens before it happens”. These briefings will continue for club competitions in the 2016/17 season, with referees also to be trained in using an online scouting platform to perform their own research. Referees are also embracing technology in other ways. The summer course included a hands-on demonstration of goal-line technology for those referees who had not officiated at EURO 2016. The officials were also shown the pre-match checks that they will perform two hours before matches this season. Chiefly, as Collina states, the technology will allow the additional assistant referees to better perform their main task. The course concluded with words of praise and encouragement from UEFA’s director of competitions, Giorgio Marchetti, before a final rallying call from Collina: “We have prepared – and now we strike!”

* Yes. He can be replaced by a named substitute or by an excluded player to make up the number of players, as long as all the permitted substitutes have UEFA not been used. The goalkeeper cannot take a kick.

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 19 REFEREEING UEFA REFEREEING

PIERLUIGI COLLINA ‘THE REFEREE’S SHAPE NOW IS A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER’S SHAPE’

UEFA’s chief refereeing officer has been putting Europe’s elite match officials through their paces again at their annual summer gathering in Nyon. We caught up with him while he was there.

irstly, can you reflect a little competition, when we visited the national on EURO 2016? You must have team camps and showed the coaches, staff Fbeen very happy with the high and players the same instructions that we gave refereeing standards. to the referees. The objective was to have The standard of refereeing at EURO 2016 was everyone on the field of play speaking the same very high. I have to say that four years ago in language, so they all knew what to expect. Poland and Ukraine, the standard was already very high, and it was not easy to improve from High standards do not happen by that level. But we were confident, because we accident. Can you tell us a little “What made the knew how much work the referees had done, about the preparation that goes into difference was and how committed they were in preparing for achieving and maintaining these the tournament. So it is not a surprise, because I standards? the programme am convinced that if you work hard, the results There are three pillars of match preparation. we ran before the come. Nevertheless, I am very happy, and I have Certainly, referees need to know the Laws of competition, when to thank the referees for their commitment, the Game and how to interpret them, and we we visited the because we demanded a lot from them in terms had several seminars before the tournament – national team camps of preparation for this tournament … and they in February, then in April, and again before the and showed the were very, very committed. tournament kick-off. EURO 2016 was particular for this matter, because the IFAB [International coaches, staff and There were only three red cards in the Football Association Board] introduced several players the same tournament, and only one straight changes that were really important, such as the instructions that we red card. Does the higher standard new rules on denying a goalscoring opportunity gave to the referees. of refereeing go hand in hand with and the new sanction for handball. The objective was to better player behaviour? Then there’s fitness preparation. For some give everyone on the Certainly the number of cards depends on the time, we have been running very accurate field of play the same behaviour of the players. I think something that monitoring of all our referees through our head made a difference, and this was something we of fitness, Werner Helsen, and his staff. They information, so they had already experienced in 2008 and 2012, monitor the referees throughout the season, all knew what to was the programme that we ran before the so they know exactly how they are, what the expect.”

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 21 REFEREEING

“For the EURO, standards are like and what they have to do. because information concerning offsides was we had a team So the level of physical preparation [for EURO also given. of match analysts: 2016] was high. Once more, it was really hard UEFA-licensed or almost impossible to distinguish players from You spoke about the EURO for only five referees, because their shape now is really a minutes in your initial presentation. coaches who professional footballer’s shape. They look like What are the objectives of this pre- compiled reports the players that they are refereeing. season gathering? on the 24 teams, The third pillar is knowledge of football – the Yes, because as much as we would like to speak analysing how they tactical preparation. We have been working on about something that was successful, the EURO played in different this for some years, trying to give the referees is over. It’s in the past. We have a very important moments of a match support. For the EURO, we introduced a new season ahead of us, starting with the play-offs, role, so we had a team of match analysts: one of the key moments of the season. We want and highlighting UEFA-licensed coaches who compiled reports to have our referees ready for the beginning of the technical on the 24 teams, analysing how they played in the competition, and also for the group stage of characteristics different moments of a match and highlighting the Champions League and the Europa League. of the players.” the technical characteristics of the players. For the women at this gathering, it is also an They analysed the teams for six months before important season, even more so because of the the EURO, and before every EURO match one Women’s EURO in the Netherlands next year. of the analysts briefed the referees at our The aim is to check how they are, and prepare headquarters, and the team reports were them for the forthcoming season. updated during the competition. This gave added value to the referees’ team – not only How are the referees educated, how to the referees, but also the assistant referees, are they tested, and how important is interpretation of the laws? The knowledge is crucial. This gathering started COLLINA’S with a test on the Laws of the Game, particularly 3 PILLARS concerning the changes. There were two types of test: a written test, and a video test where we OF MATCH want the referees to give us their interpretations PREPARATION of the incidents shown. During your presentations, you Know the Laws of reviewed video clips and offered the Games and how constructive criticism, even when to interpret them the referees involved were present … Is that something that happens Fitness – physical throughout the season? preparation The best way to learn is to see something, and you can learn from the experience you had, Football knowledge – and this opportunity should also be given to tactical preparation those who did not have this experience. So if we show a clip, and there is something that did not work, this is not to blame the referee, but to offer the experience that this referee had to all the other referees, because the same thing could happen to them next time round. Normally, we do it during our seminars, but, as we cannot have seminars too often, we have implemented a web platform, so that whenever there is something important to be learned, explained or shown to the referees, we create a clip with a comment, and send it to a referee or group of referees. We do the same for assistants and observers. It is not just a matter of saying “this was wrong”, and then giving the reason; for us it is actually more important to give the reason, and we might also say “this was right, and this is the reason”. Positive things can also come from a mistake if you UEFA understand the reason …

22 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 REFEREEING

MIND AND BODY Referees have to know the Laws of the Game inside out and be fit enough to remain fresh under pressure.

he 2016/17 season will be notable for challenge for the ball and commits a foul. FAST FACTS the application of the new Laws of the Referees must be as fit as elite athletes to T Game, which came into force on 1 June. remain lucid in their decision-making in the The laws have been redrafted primarily to heat of a top-level match. As many as 76.7% improve structure and phraseology, but there of UEFA referees are now ranked excellent or At EURO 2016, referees are also changes to the laws themselves, based very good in terms of fitness, compared with ran an average of on common sense. 27% five years ago – they are considered This season will also see the continuation today as elite athletes in their own right. 9.9km of a two-year trial of the amended so-called On average, referees ran 9.9km per match per match ‘triple punishment’ rule, which previously during EURO 2016, with a maximum of involved dismissal, a penalty and a suspension 12.4km. Average top speed was 24.6km/h. for the denial of an obvious goalscoring Belgian sports scientist Werner Helsen and opportunity within the penalty area. Under the his referee training and fitness team make The referees’ average top revision, referees will give a yellow card, not sure that officials follow a tailored fitness speed at EURO 2016 was a red card, if a goalkeeper or defender in the programme. Continuous monitoring of the top penalty area genuinely and honestly tries to referees started four years ago. “We have seen a reduction in body fat 24.6km/h among the referees from an average of 16.7% to only 13.5% four years later,” Helsen states. “We have given them valuable advice with respect to nutrition and fluid intake, and it is clear that they have progressed significantly.” The officials also undergo regular fitness tests such as the ones performed in Nyon. Those assessing the tests are more focused on the process than the result. As UEFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina explains: “Referees should not spend too much time in the maximum heart rate zone, as they lose lucidity. Proper fitness means that the referee is fresher under pressure.” UEFA COMPETITIONS

EXCITEMENT IN MONACO Even without the UEFA Super Cup providing the icing on the cake, UEFA’s annual gathering in Monaco at the end of August continues to whet the appetites of all fans of European football.

representatives were on tenterhooks inside as they waited to discover their fate in the Champions League and Europa League group stage draws. With live coverage on television and across social networks, including on the official UEFA.com platform, where fans were invited behind the scenes of the event for the very first time, the huge sense of anticipation ahead of the draws spread far beyond Monaco itself.

Two newcomers from England and Russia The Champions League draw kicked things off on Thursday 25 August, with many of Europe’s big names in the hat. The current title holders, Real Madrid CF, along with FC Barcelona and FC Porto, had qualified for the group stage for the 20th time, while FC Bayern München were making their 19th appearance. At the other end of the spectrum, Leicester City FC (England) and FC Rostov (Russia) were both making their debuts. In his role as ambassador for the 2017 final in Cardiff, former Liverpool FC striker , who won the 1984 European Champion Clubs’ Cup with the Anfield side, as well as earning 73 caps for Wales, helped conduct the draw along with , , and . UEFA “It’s perfect timing!” he said. “It’s amazing that Wales qualified for the EURO and that hile the Super Cup is now held The visual identity of the next year we’ve got the Champions League in in a different European city each 2017 Europa League final is Cardiff! It can only be great for Wales. We’re a unveiled at the prestigious year, giving more of the continent small country but we do pride ourselves in what W Grimaldi Forum in Monaco a chance to see the previous season’s most ahead of the group stage we do.” successful clubs in the flesh, UEFA’s traditional draw. The Welsh dragon, which appears on week-long summer gathering in Monaco the national flag, has been paired with the remains a magnet not only for the clubs Champions League trophy to create the visual involved in the draws, but also for media and identity for Cardiff’s first Champions League supporters even. For although the principality final. The design was officially unveiled in no longer stages the match that used to bring Monaco and is the result of collaboration the week’s events to a close, it still plays host between UEFA’s commercial partner TEAM to a raft of big names: legendary players come Marketing, based in Lucerne (Switzerland), to lend a hand at the draws, while the cream of and agency Designwerk. It will be on the current crop turn out to see who will pick display throughout the city of Cardiff on 3 June up the prestigious player of the year awards. next year. And so, Monte Carlo’s Grimaldi Forum was abuzz with anticipation once again on 25 Youth League growing up fast and 26 August. While crowds of supporters Introduced in 2015/16, the format of the gathered outside to see their heroes arrive, club Under-19 club competition is based on two

24 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 COMPETITIONS

paths: a Champions League path, which takes This season, 13 clubs (FC Astana, RC Celta “It’s amazing that the form of a 32-team group stage, with the de Vigo, Dundalk FC, Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC, Wales qualified for same line-up and fixture list as the Champions Konyaspor, Olympiacos FC, Osmanlıspor, US the EURO and that League group stage, and a domestic champions Sassuolo Calcio, Southampton FC, 1. FSV Mainz next year we’ve path, which consists of two rounds (on 28 05, Manchester United FC, OGC and FC September and 19 October, then 2 and 23 Zorya Luhansk) have qualified for the group got the Champions November), the draws for which took place stage for the first time, although Manchester League in Cardiff. It in Nyon on 30 August (results available on United and Olympiacos can hardly be described can only be great for UEFA.com). The eight second-round winners as newcomers to international competition. Wales. We’re a small will meet the eight Champions League path Celta Vigo also participated in group matches in country but we do runners-up in play-offs on 7 and 8 February in the old UEFA Cup. pride ourselves in order to determine the eight teams that will join The official ambassador for the final, what we do.” the eight group winners in the round of 16 on Patrik Andersson, helped conduct the draw. 21 and 22 February. The quarter-finals will be The former Sweden international won the Ian Rush held on 7 and 8 March, with the semi-finals and Champions League with Bayern München in Former Wales striker and 2017 final ambassador final in Nyon on 21 and 24 April respectively. 2001 and made 96 senior appearances for his country between 1992 and 2002. He was joined Europa League final in Sweden on stage at the Grimaldi Forum by Andrés Palop, Rivalling the glitz and glamour of the two-time UEFA Cup winner with Sevilla FC. Champions League is no easy task, but the The visual identity of the final, which will be Europa League has a number of other selling played in Stockholm on 24 May, was designed points that help it to stand out from its big by the same partnership of TEAM Marketing sister. With more participating clubs, it reaches and Designwerk that created the identity for more supporters, and the relationship between the Champions League final. With players and the clubs and their fans is often more intimate supporters holding the trophy aloft before the and passionate because local ties are that much iconic backdrop of Stockholm’s city hall and stronger. The joy of discovering new opponents waterfronts, it combines the unique character and unknown destinations also adds to the of the Swedish capital with the thrill of the competition’s charm. competition.

Ada Hegerberg and named best players in Europe

The UEFA Best Player in Europe awards were swept up by a regular winner and a debutante.

Having scored the decisive work hard myself but without penalty in the UEFA their help this would not be Champions League final possible. Thanks to my team-

and captained Portugal to mates from Real Madrid and UEFA their inaugural European Portugal. [Winning the EURO] Championship victory, was different because I’ve (7 votes) took last season. But standing here Cristiano Ronaldo continued won the Champions League second and third place. today with this trophy is a true the best year of his already three times now. To win Meanwhile, 21-year-old honour.” extraordinary career by taking something with Portugal was Ada Hegerberg celebrated Hegerberg won 13 votes the men’s prize. the highlight of my career.” not only her trophy treble from a jury of 20 ESM The Real Madrid CF striker, Of the 55 journalists from with Olympique Lyonnais journalists. Olympique who set the record for the the European Sports Media but her first time on stage at Lyonnais/Portland Thorns most goals in a Champions (ESM) group chosen to select the Monaco gala, where she FC and France League group stage and the UEFA Best Player in collected the women’s trophy. Amandine Henry came second, finished as the leading scorer Europe, 40 voted for Ronaldo. Norwegian international with 4 votes, and 1. FFC in the competition for the Club Atlético de Madrid Hegerberg said: “The most Frankfurt/Olympique Lyonnais fourth straight year, said: “My and France forward Antoine important moment of my and Germany international team-mates are the key – Griezmann (8 votes) and Real career so far has been the Dzsenifer Marozsán was third, they are the key every year. I Madrid and Wales forward Champions League victory with 3 votes.

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 25 COMPETITIONS

Champions League groups

Group A: Group B: Group C: Group D: PFC Ludogorets Beşiktaş JK VfL Borussia Club Atlético de Madrid Razgrad FC Dynamo Kyiv Mönchengladbach FC Bayern München Paris Saint-Germain SSC Napoli FC Barcelona FC Rostov Arsenal FC SL Benfica Celtic FC PSV Eindhoven FC Basel 1893 Manchester City FC

Group E: Group F: Group G: Group H: AS Monaco FC FC København Sevilla FC Bayer 04 Leverkusen Real Madrid CF Club Brugge KV Olympique Lyonnais PFC CSKA Moskva Sporting Clube Leicester City FC GNK Dinamo Zagreb Tottenham Hotspur FC de Portugal FC Porto Juventus Legia Warszawa

Calendar

Group matches: 13/14 and 27/28 September, Quarter-finals (first legs): 11/12 April 18/19 October, 1/2 and 22/23 November, 6/7 December Quarter-finals (second legs): 18/19 April Round of 16 draw: 12 December in Nyon Semi-final draw: 21 April in Nyon Round of 16 (first legs): 14/15 and 21/22 February Semi-finals (first legs): 2/3 May Round of 16 (second legs): 7/8 and 14/15 March Semi-finals (second legs): 9/10 May Quarter-final draw: 17 March in Nyon Final: 3 June at the National Stadium of Wales, Cardiff

Europa League groups

Group A: Group B: Group C: Group D: Fenerbahçe SK FC Astana Gabala SC FC Zenit Feyenoord BSC Young Boys 1. FSV Mainz 05 AZ Alkmaar Manchester United FC Olympiacos FC AS Saint-Étienne Dundalk FC FC Zorya Luhansk APOEL FC RSC Anderlecht Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC

Group E: Group F: Group G: Group H: FK Austria Wien Athletic Club AFC Ajax KAA Gent FC Viktoria Plzeň SK Rapid Wien R. Standard de Liège Konyaspor AS Roma KRC Genk RC Celta de Vigo FC Shakhtar Donetsk FC Astra Giurgiu US Sassuolo Calcio Panathinaikos FC SC Braga

Group I: Group J: Group K: Group L: FC Schalke 04 ACF Fiorentina AC Sparta Praha FC Zürich FC Salzburg Qarabağ FK FC Internazionale Milano Osmanlıspor A.Ş. FC Krasnodar FC Slovan Liberec Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC FC Steaua Bucureşti OGC Nice PAOK FC Southampton FC Villarreal CF

Calendar

Group matches: 15 and 29 September, 20 October, Round of 16: 9 March (first legs) and 16 March (second legs) 3 and 24 November, 8 December Quarter-final draw: 17 March in Nyon Round of 32 draw: 12 December in Nyon Quarter-finals: 13 April (first legs) and 20 April (second legs) Round of 32: 16 February (first legs) and 23 February Semi-final draw: 21 April in Nyon (second legs) Semi-finals: 4 May (first legs) and 11 May (second legs) Round of 16 draw: 24 February in Nyon Final: 24 May at the Friends Arena, Stockholm COMPETITIONS

EVOLUTION OF THE CLUB COMPETITIONS UEFA

Adjustments to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for the 2018–21 cycle were announced in Monaco during the kick-off events for the new club competition season. There are no format changes to either competition, but clubs will benefit from an increase in financial distributions.

he changes, which centre on access A new system will apply for the club coefficients, procedures, follow a lengthy consultation with clubs judged on their own records (the T process with major European football country share for an individual club coefficient stakeholders. The UEFA Executive Committee will no longer be used, unless that coefficient is approved the changes at its meeting in Monaco lower than 20% of the association’s coefficient). on 24 August, on the recommendation of Clubs which have won trophies in the the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and competitions in the past will be acknowledged in the European Club Association (ECA), which coefficient calculations – points will be given for represents 220 clubs across Europe. previous European titles, with a weighted system The champions and league paths to the for Champions League and Europa League titles. Champions League group stage will be In addition, a subsidiary company, UEFA retained, thereby ensuring that clubs from all Club Competitions SA, is to be set up, with associations have a shot at qualifying through the aim of making an important strategic their domestic leagues. contribution in determining the future of UEFA’s The Europa League winners will automatically club competitions. UEFA and the ECA will each qualify for the Champions League group stage appoint half of the new subsidiary’s managing – at present, they are guaranteed a place in the directors. play-offs as a minimum. “I think that the relationship between UEFA The top four clubs from each of the four top- and the clubs will now be even stronger,” Mr ranked national associations will also qualify Theodoridis said. “The cooperation between the automatically for the Champions League group clubs and UEFA has worked very well, and I think stage. The full details of the access list for both with this agreement and the changes made, it competitions will be finalised by the end of the will even strengthen the bond between the two year. in the future.” UEFA General Secretary ad interim Theodore “We always have to strike the best balance Theodoridis welcomed the evolution. “We between two different poles,” was the view of are happy that European football remains UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti. united behind the concepts of solidarity, “We want the competitions to remain the fair competition, fair distribution and good best of the best. On the other hand, of course, “We are happy that governance,” he said. UEFA has an important mission to organise a UEFA also revealed in Monaco that financial European competition, which means maintaining European football distributions to clubs will increase significantly access and giving chances to all to potentially remains united for both competitions. A revamped distribution participate in the competition.” behind the concepts system, comprising four pillars – starting fee, “I welcome UEFA’s decision,” said ECA of solidarity, fair competition performance, individual club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “It reflects competition, fair coefficient and market pool – will lead to a serious and fair solution for European club distribution and greater rewards for sporting performances, football. I am particularly pleased with the fact good governance.” with the market pool share decreasing at the that the European football community remains same time. united moving forward.” Theodore Theodoridis

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 27 FOR THE RECORD

2015/16 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN NUMBERS

Following the release of the 2015/16 technical report, UEFA Direct highlights some of the most revealing stats and figures from the latest edition of Europe’s premier club competition, and those that The Champions League technical report is available came before. on UEFA.org

Average number of goals per match and season

2.94 3 2.86 2.89 2.81 2.82 2.84 2.75 2.90 2.64 2.65 2.63 2.61 2.80 2.64 2.63 2.76 2.78

2.50 2.56 2.47 2.47 2.24 2.30 2.28 2 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Total number of goals per season

500

442 449 431 400 393 368 362 361 355 345 347 330 331 329 320 309 309 300 285

239 238 200 159 161 140 100 71 56

25 27 61 61 61 85 85 157 157 157 157 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 0 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Goals Games played

28 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 FOR THE RECORD

FC Bayern München 67% Average* FC Barcelona 65% possession per team Paris Saint-Germain 60% involved in the Real Madrid CF 54% knockout stage KAA Gent 53% * average across whole FC Dynamo Kyiv 52% competition SL Benfica 51% Chelsea FC 49% PSV Eindhoven 49%

Manchester City FC 48% Proving that possession VfL Wolfsburg 48% isn’t everything, Atlético reached the Club Atlético de Madrid 46% final with one of the Arsenal FC 45% lowest ball retention rates of the teams in AS Roma 44% the knockout stage FC Zenit 44% Juventus 43%

74%

When the first goal was scored 45+ 90+ 0 1 33 35 20 13 8 5 of games with goals 15 30 60 75 were won by 0 45 90 the team who scored first

Ball-winning positions resulting in goals 1 in every10 attempts resulted in a goal

60 138 149

Defensive Midfield Attacking third third

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 29 Getty Images 30 THE TECHNICIAN THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA DIRECT •October 2016 THE TECHNICIAN

REWIND REVEALS TREND TOWARDS FAST FORWARD

The recently published technical reports on EURO 2016 and last season’s Champions League and Europa League point to some clear tendencies that were confirmed by the elite coaching forums held in Nyon and Paris: possession is not a prerequisite for success, effective wing play is, and direct attacks are the order of the day.

glance at the rear-view Nyon and, after EURO 2016, inviting the deal with”, while technicians such as SL mirror reveals that, among continent’s national team coaches and Benfica’s Rui Vitória and FC Dynamo Kyiv’s the top 16 clubs in each of technical directors to a conference in Serhiy Rebrov underscored the coaching last season’s two major club Paris for a review of the first 24-team challenges pegged to the need to combine competitions, almost half the final tournament in the history of the high-profile, high-intensity European Acoaches (14, to be precise) were no longer European Football Championship. And, fixtures with much lower-key domestic on the same bench when the ball started with a view to sharing information and games. Flipping the same coin to a EURO rolling at the start of the new season. reflections among as broad an audience perspective, Northern Ireland’s Michael In addition, nine of the EURO 2016 coaches as possible, technical reports on each O’Neill was not alone in feeling proud of had parted company with their national competition have been published. the performance by players who had never teams. As Lars Lagerbäck said after In theory, the two major club competitions experienced Champions League football Iceland’s victory over England prompted should not be overly dissimilar. Yet Unai and could therefore have been excused for to step down, “coaching is Emery, after steering Sevilla FC in the falling short of the intensity levels required not the easiest”. group stage of the UEFA Champions at the top end of the international game. One of the hang-ups endemic to those League and then leading the Spanish club Despite the diverse personalities of the engaged at the top end of the coaching to a third successive UEFA Europa League three competitions, it was not mission profession is that the vertiginous roller victory, stressed during the forum in Nyon impossible to weave threads of different coaster of day-to-day work affords few that teams diverted from the Champions hues into an interesting texture. Hein opportunities to take time out, rewind League to the Europa League frequently Vanhaezebrouck, who led KAA Gent into the recent past and use a wide-angle lens struggle to adjust to the biorhythms of the Champions League knockout phase to search for any patterns that may or two surprisingly different competitions. last season, remarked in Nyon: “One of the may not have emerged from the previous Zinédine Zidane, who led Real Madrid CF things we saw at EURO was – it’s becoming season. UEFA offers encouragement to victory in the Champions League in more and more visible, in fact – that you to hit the pause button by staging the his first season as coach, admitted “the have two ways of playing: the dominant annual Elite Club Coaches Forum in Champions League is a complex entity to way of playing, and the defensive way

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 31 THE TECHNICIAN

of playing where you don’t worry about giving the ball to the opponent. As a small team, the normal thing is to give the ball to the opponent. But I dared to do it the other way. In almost every game, even away to Valencia and Zenit, we had dominance.” The issue of ‘dominance’ via possession has been a perennial debating point during a period when Champions League titles have see-sawed between teams with possession- based philosophies and teams who have been comfortable without the ball. The technical report mentions that the group stage of the 2015/16 competition suggested that the gap between philosophies was narrowing. Teams enjoying greater possession won 40 games, while 35 were won by teams who had less of the ball. In other words, a greater share of possession was translated into victory 53% of the time, a marginal majority. Possession then became more productive in the knockout rounds (13 wins and eight defeats) to produce a final balance of 53:43 in favour of the teams with a greater share of the ball.

To dominate or not to dominate At the same time, the technical report questions definitions by signalling that only four participants (FC Barcelona, FC Bayern München, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United FC) could comfortably be described as ‘possession teams’ in the sense that they had more than 50% of the ball in each and every one of their matches. By contrast, half the participants registered variations of 20 percentage points or more between their maximum and minimum possession figures – among them the two teams who had more of the ball. Iceland’s Madrid sides who disputed the final in Milan run to the quarter-finals was achieved via where, contrary to preconceived notions about 21 minutes of possession per match. And ‘possession play’ and ‘direct attacking’, Club Portugal’s victorious campaign was based on Atlético de Madrid had more of the ball than a clear change of strategy. During the group Real during all three periods of the match. stage, shares of the ball ranging from 58% to The Europa League painted a similarly 66% failed to produce a win. The switch to a chiaroscuro picture. Ten of the top 16 teams more counterattacking style in the knockout posted averages of 50% or more, yet none rounds entailed possession percentages which had a greater share of the ball in every match dropped into the low 40s. they played. As in the Champions League, “In the last decade,” José Mourinho the season’s averages conceal considerable commented during the forum in Nyon, peaks and troughs – a glaring example being “possession has become a very important word provided by semi-finalists Villarreal CF. The in our world. But now, what is the importance Spanish side had 67% of the ball at home to FC of possession? At the moment, the numbers tell Dinamo Minsk and 35% away to SSC Napoli. us very, very clearly that you can win football The champions, Sevilla, had a greater share of matches without possession.” Significantly, the possession in only one of their last five games. The debate over the value of ball possession eight teams in the However, the most compelling evidence was remains very much alive. But the 2015/16 Champions League season suggested that players are now less delivered in France, where only 15 of the 51 who delivered the matches were won by the team dominating likely to display symptoms of frustration or possession. The tendency gathered momentum panic when opponents dominate possession fewest crosses were during the knockout phase, when 15 games and demonstrated that top teams are all eliminated in the produced only four victories (27%) for the comfortable with the ball and without it. group stage.

32 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 Champions Leaguefinal send RealMadridintothe Gareth Bale’s crosshometo Fernando inadvertentlyhelps coming from crosses.” from coming goals more see whywe that’s and – flanks the to play opening on focus teams most why that’s and midfield through running players to see difficult now it’s why That’s counterattacks. up inbreaking effective very was everybody almost And prepared. better physically was Everybody pitch. of the centre the protecting strongly on focused “I everybody think awin.” to get to try qualities individual of use and of risk, levels low idea, defensive a about were teams Ithink back. players get and low, spaces occupy to compact was team the of objective the because players midfield with them confuse could you of roles, terms In . the with compacting but lines, defensive the pressing not men front or strikers of alot “I EURO,” saw this added, Mourinho matches.”win can –you final in the “During did –like right Portugal defend can you if that “is inNyon, forum the chaired who Ferguson, us,” showed Alex Sir EURO said “What wings the Spreading “At commented, EURO,” Wenger Arsène

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The coaches forum in Nyon brought together some of the top technicians in European UEFA club football

Counter-espionage to play to their strengths, to hurt us on the Information in the technical reports also counterattack,” Löw responded. In those two endorsed Wenger’s views on the increasing games, 210 minutes of football produced difficulties in finding central routes to goal one goal. via solo runs or the traditional through ball. According to the report on the Champions The price of goals League, as with the solo runs, a high In France, the emphasis on spiking opponents’ percentage of the ‘forward pass’ successes guns certainly pushed up the price of goals. The can be associated with counterattacking, with average of 2.12 goals per game (and only 1.92 ’s opener for Manchester City in the group stage) was well over 20% lower in Paris, the opener by for than the 2.61 in the Europa League or the 2.78 Atlético in Barcelona, and Atlético’s tie-winning in the Champions League. What’s more, with away goal by Antoine Griezmann in Munich deadball situations accounting for 30% of the providing key examples. goals at EURO 2016 (compared with 21% in the Europa League and 23% in the Champions A similar tale told in France League), the average number of open-play Counterattacking, the report notes, provided goals was 1.5 per game. In France, 68% of 46% of the open-play goals at EURO 2008 games were won by the team who scored first but, with awareness increasing, the percentage and no fewer than 19 of the goals that broke at the subsequent two tournaments has been the deadlock were set plays. halved. At EURO 2016, although Portugal’s The ratio of goals to attempts provided victory could be attributed to the switch to further proof that goals were more expensive a counterattacking approach, most of the in France. Sevilla won the Europa League by successful counterattacks could be traced to scoring once per 6.65 attempts and only two late-game scenarios when opponents were of the competition’s top 16 teams required an pushing forward in search of a result. Very average of 10 or more attempts to hit the net. few broke the deadlock. Many of the coaches The Champions League registered one goal per openly disclosed that they had designed game 9.86 attempts. At EURO 2016, the average was plans in accordance with scouting information 12.65. Whereas 9 of the 16 finalists in 2012 had on the opposition’s counterattacking potential. required 10 attempts or fewer to score, only “As expected,” said Croatia coach Ante 5 of the 24 in France could boast that level of Čačić, “Portugal played on the counterattack. efficiency. Germany, for example, needed 15.43 But we controlled it and didn’t allow them to score (7.5 in 2012) and England 20.75. The most palpable a chance until almost the end of the 120 However, the most palpable effect of rapid effect of rapid minutes.” “We were ready for them,” stated transitions into compact defensive blocks is a transitions into his opponent, Fernando Santos, “and we set clear trend towards more direct attacking and compact defensive up to resist their strengths. We didn’t allow away from over-elaborate construction. “In the blocks is a clear them to counterattack.” After the Group C modern game, you see more long balls than trend towards more game, Poland coach Adam Nawałka remarked: before,” Wenger said, “and one of the reasons direct attacking “There were times when Germany took the for the increase is that the middle of the pitch initiative but we gave it to them consciously has become so congested.” After Spain’s and away from to allow ourselves space to hit them on the possession-based victories in 2008 and 2012, over-elaborate counterattack.” “We didn’t allow Poland the extensive use of the long pass and more construction.

34 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 the Champions League, where the average average the where League, Champions the in registered trend downward the echoed fell, to 3.73. also This build-up inthe passes of number average 10.77 the while seconds, 2016 EURO at move by 10.6% dropped to of ascoring span time the mentions, report technical the As moves. of goalscoring analysis from stems attacking direct more towards of atrend theories to support evidence Further Fast forward (22%) field. of the head the at (28%)Ireland Iceland and Northern with figure, 2016, In that passing. their exceeded four teams in19% long by going of benchmark the set had 2012,France: In none. of Ireland Republic the 10% than In total. for less accounted of their passes 16of the long that claim could teams At 2012, EURO tournament. the across five 2012, to EURO relation 15.88 at out to average in one-quarter by almost increased passes of long percentage the and game, passing possession-based elaborate an played overtly Germany,Switzerland) (England, and Spain by 23% to 13.5. four teams France, In only increased 125-match the over campaign passes long of use average The figures. double below to fall team only the were Saint-Germain Paris 2015/16, In teams. of six repertoire by contrast, 9% of the for only accounted more) had 2014/15, In or (30m direction. passes long inthat pointed had League Champions the feature. eye-catching more 2016 EURO at even an attacking became direct

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PARIS AND BEYOND Europe’s national team coaches met in the French capital on 12 September to discuss what they had learnt from UEFA EURO 2016.

ith the rapid transition to World Cup The starting point was a selection of qualifying, it is understandable that information culled from the technical report, W for many EURO 2016 is a thing of copies of which were distributed hot off the the past. But it would be foolish to consign it press to the conference attendees. The full to memory without taking stock and seeing report is also available in various languages what takeaway messages it has to offer the on UEFA.org. Some of the topics – such as coaching fraternity in particular. That was the the pros and cons of fielding a settled team or mission statement when UEFA invited national rotating the full squad – were then carried into team coaches, technical directors and coach a round-table session. “As everybody says, with education specialists to a conference in Paris – a national team you can’t sign players,” Wales where else? – on 12 September. manager Chris Coleman said. “So it’s about

36 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 THE TECHNICIAN

getting the best out of the players you have. In various ways of doing that. Personally, I prefer my case, I had outstanding talents like Gareth to use two strikers as I think the cooperation Bale and Aaron Ramsey, so I tried to set up a between them poses greater problems for team that would get them into possession as defenders.” He and Coleman both underlined much as possible and encourage them to do as the importance of training-ground work on set much damage as possible.” plays which, in France, accounted for around Iceland co-coach Lars Lagerbäck stressed: 30% of the goals. “You can score with fantastic “We tend to look only at the final tournament. creative play like Barcelona,” commented But our preparations were over a period of Coleman, “but that’s not the only way. A while two years or so, since we started the qualifying ago, we were conceding too many goals from rounds. Before the EURO, we had the full squad set plays and crosses and we’ve been successful together for a very limited number of days, in cutting that down. We work on organisation so our campaign was down to the good basic and delivery – which can be tedious for the organisation that we had already put in place.” players. But we make sure they know individual Lagerbäck also outlined the ins and outs roles and that’s a good investment.” of the co-coaching formula that he had During the final session in Paris, UEFA’s employed with Sweden and, alongside Heimir chief technical officer, Ioan Lupescu, invited Hallgrímsson, with Iceland. “It’s a formality, European champion Fernando Santos to really,” he said. “Heimir and I get on very well review the reasons for Portugal’s success. together – that’s the important thing. Whether Man-management strategies emerged as key you talk about ‘head coach’, ‘co-coach’ or features, with Santos outlining his search for the ‘assistant coach’ is not so relevant. Maybe it right balance between youth and experience makes it easier to share the media work but, and his successful efforts in “persuading them otherwise, it makes no difference.” to calm down”. He revealed that emotional responses had been difficult to control and Flexibility and stability that he had strived to stifle deep-rooted The coaches in Paris also weighed up the value ambitions to attack with panache. “Football of tactical flexibility. Didier Deschamps, who is very simple,” he maintained. “The aim is to varied structures and personnel during the final score and not concede. The players wanted to tournament, said: “I think a coach always wants throw everything forward but I helped them to be able to surprise the opposition or to react to become more focused and pragmatic. We in accordance with a specific match situation. didn’t change the set-up that much but we sat You always want to play to your strengths – but back a little more and didn’t allow ourselves to a squad can give you different strengths and get caught too high up the pitch.” more options when it comes to adapting to Asked by Lupescu to trace his own create more problems for opponents.” development as a coach, he responded: “As Coleman, on the other hand, expressed a a coach in today’s game, it is essential to be Getty Images preference for stability. “The best Plan B,” trusted by the players. Over the years, you he said, “is to get Plan A right. But if you see develop your capacity to read and understand Cristiano Ronaldo rises high to head Portugal in front that your plan doesn’t work, then you make the game. You need to embrace technology against Wales in the EURO changes to look for a result.” Lagerbäck also and you need to be able to transmit all the 2016 semi-finals preferred a settled structure – in Iceland’s case knowledge that you have acquired.” Those a classic 4-4-2. “Football is about getting into qualities were evidently crucial in his run to the box as often as possible – and there are Portugal’s first major trophy.

Homage to Vicente del Bosque

“Success changes a lot of people,” Sir Alex Ferguson said on stage in Paris. “But it has not changed Vicente del Bosque. Even after all his successes, he has retained the same humility. He not only won titles but he also did it in style.” After three domestic titles and victory in two UEFA Champions Leagues, one UEFA Super Cup and one Club World Cup with Real Madrid CF, followed by eight years, a World Cup crown and a European Championship trophy at the helm of Spain, Del Bosque’s retirement was honoured by his coaching colleagues, who gave him a standing ovation as UEFA presented him with a specially commissioned photobook. With trademark humility, he said: “A coach is only worth what his players are worth. The only advice I would pass on is that behaviour is important. No matter what, a coach has to remain calm and collected in Sportsfile order to take optimal decisions.” Gracias, Vicente!

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 37 UEFA DISABLED FANS JOIN IN THE FOOTBALL FUN AT EURO 2016 A sound plan was developed as part of the EURO 2016 football social responsibility and sustainability programme for disabled fans at the tournament in France. Provisions put in place, especially for blind fans and wheelchair users, set a new benchmark for accessibility and inclusiveness at football events.

ootball belongs to everyone, and the the next four years, as we all strive for UEFA game’s institutions have a duty to ‘Total Football Total Access’ across Europe.” F make the sport accessible to the largest UEFA offered an audio description number of people. UEFA pledged to include commentary (ADC) service to blind and and welcome disabled fans as part of the partially sighted fans at EURO 2016 – a first celebrations in France. in France. Disabled people constitute the largest Implemented across all 51 EURO 2016 Watch Kevin’s minority group (more than 15%), according matches in conjunction with CAFE and stadium day to the World Health Organisation, and this authorities in the ten host cities, the ADC, figure is rising. It is important to remember that available on FM frequencies, provided specialist disabled people do not attend live sporting commentary to people with limited or no events in isolation – they come with family vision – with additional visual narration: players’ and friends. facial expressions, kit colours, haircuts, fans’ celebrations, their flags and outfits, and the UEFA Seeing through words overall atmosphere. “The UEFA EURO 2016 Respect – Access for All Kevin Vanderborght, a blind football fan, project helped us to build on the great work left his home in Belgium at two o’clock in started in Poland and Ukraine in 2012,” said the morning to support his team against Joyce Cook, managing director of UEFA’s social the Republic of Ireland in . “What Watch Jean- responsibility partner the Centre for Access to I love most about football,” he said, “is the Pierre’s EURO Football in Europe (CAFE). “We look forward to amazing atmosphere, and to be surrounded match journey

38 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

by my friends! We live big football games Jean-Pierre Inacio was one of the many ACCESSIBILITY together. Audio description allows us to wheelchair users who attended EURO 2016. receive each detail of the atmosphere, and to “What I like is to be surrounded by European OUTCOMES feel intense emotions. We then leave with lots fans, to meet people, and to share the excitement,” Facts and figures on EURO of memories.” he explained. “That’s what life is all about!” 2016 achievements: The broadcasting equipment donated to Jean-Pierre also urged other disabled fans each EURO 2016 host stadium constitutes a to go to matches. “My advice for someone lasting UEFA legacy to France. Already available with reduced mobility is to go to the stadium if in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Germany, they want to go.” 17,000 Poland, Ukraine, the UK, and now France, UEFA CAFE sent disabled match monitors to EURO accessibility tickets hopes that the latest football ADC venture will 2016 to gather feedback aimed at improving sold to disabled fans inspire other national associations and sports future services and infrastructure. bodies to provide such services. UEFA and CAFE plan to broaden access 6,000 to football in Europe, and to use the sport’s easy access tickets Attending games as power to foster social inclusion. This is crucial, a wheelchair user as some 50% of disabled people have never 11,000 UEFA developed additional facilities and participated in leisure or sports activities owing wheelchair user tickets services to make EURO 2016 an inclusive to inaccessible venues and services. Accessible experience – from parking permits to disabled sporting venues report an increased and more fan entrances, as well as buggies from entrances inclusive fan base, an enhanced reputation, Disabled fans’ accessibility to lifts. Volunteers were specifically trained to greater ticket and merchandise sales, and guide to getting around guide, support and respond to inquiries from an increased sense of community and belonging during the finals disabled fans. for all. 5 dedicated and trained HOW TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY accessibility volunteers AT MAJOR FOOTBALL EVENTS at each host venue

National associations and other bodies looking to make football matches more open to disabled people are encouraged to: Pedestrian and wheelchair user 1. Establish a national pan-disability buggies and wheelchair advisory group of access and inclusion loan services representatives from disabled fan groups.

2. Inform disabled fans about getting to Dedicated parking the stadium on matchdays: and drop-off points how to obtain disabled fan tickets, accessible transport links, dedicated parking, drop-off points, entrances, Audio descriptive facilities and amenities. commentary (ADC) for partially sighted and blind 3. Promote the UEFA and CAFE Good fans, and ADC broadcasting Watch Kevin’s Practice Guide to Creating an Accessible equipment donated to each day Stadium and Matchday Experience host venue as a legacy (available in 14 languages at www.cafefootball.eu/en/access-all).

4. Introduce an audio descriptive 30 commentary service at stadiums for local volunteers: media blind and partially sighted fans. students trained to deliver ADC at each host venue For more information, you can contact CAFE: [email protected] +44 20 8621 2405 UEFA 200 additional personal headsets donated

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 39 PITCH HAPPINESS HAPPINESS PITCH CHILDREN’S PORTABLE READY FOR ACTION STADIUM BORIÇI LORO TRITAN KOKONA TRITAN TORA AKHMEDOVA AKHMEDOVA TORA ALBANIA AZERBAIJAN side stand, while the two other stands stands other two the while stand, side one and stand main of the construction the included It ago. year one began in1919. founded been having inAlbania, club football oldest the also is which Vllaznia, KF is team local century. The 20th of the beginning the at began football Albanian where also is It history. and culture of Albanian cradle the as known is and Albania northern in city main the is Shkoder government. the and of Albania by the investment amutual was renovation The of 16,000. capacity all-seater an has now stadium the renovated, totally Shkoder. been Having in Stadium Boriçi Loro the qualifiers, MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS Facebook page. The children of Khatai of Khatai children The page. Facebook AFFA’s to the sent to appeal an official of Baku, in response area Khatai in the up set been has pitches portable these of One pitches. artificial awaiting are that of Baku inareas pitches portable canuse. children that cities and towns other and Baku in pitches 150 than more artificial To installed has attention. AFFA date, the most the attracts that something is pitches football of artificial installation The in football. interest people’s young children’s to enhance and and regions all in of football popularity the to increase 40 40 Reconstruction work on the stadium stadium the on work Reconstruction Another AFFA initiative is to set up up to is set initiative AFFA Another – UEFA DIRECT •October 2016 often holds events and runs projects projects runs and events holds often (AFFA) Azerbaijan of Federations of Football Association The forthcoming 2018forthcoming Cup World for its home have anew will of Albania team national The certainly be extended further and wider. and further extended be certainly will initiative the pitches, portable of these autographs. signed and them with taken photos had children, the with football played He pitch. the visited Aghayev Kamran goalkeeper team national Azerbaijan when happier even were they and pitch, agood such on to football play able to be thrilled are national team. team. national Albanian of the home new the be will it time, years’ two In spot. same the on stadium 23,000-seater a new, modern to build begun has work and demolished completely been has 1946, since matches of its most played has team national the where Stafa inTirana, Stadium Qemal Meanwhile, there. play will team national ready, is Stadium the Boriçi Loro the that However, Arena. now Elbasan new the at matches qualifying home its played 2016, EURO For Albania Macedonia. FYR against 5September match on qualifying 2018 to Albania’s first host World Cup Kukësi, FK playing and before Skënderbeu KF Cup Super match between Albanian 2016 of the occasion the 24 on on August inaugurated was It fixtures. international for required parameters the meets stadium The reconstructed. totally were Given the success and popularity popularity and success the Given www.fshf.org www.affa.az

AFFA LUDWIG LUDWIG ALFRED PARTY FOR FAREWELL AUSTRIA CARMEN REDL 1 January 2017).1 January on GmbH Wirtschaftsbetriebe ÖFB become will (which GmbH Marketing Football of Austrian director managing of role the assumed Neuhold Bernhard while secretary, general as over took Hollerer Thomas Doskozil. 1August, On minister, Peter Hans sports Austrian the by of Austria Republic to the for services of Honour Decoration Grand the with presented was Ludwig association, the to services outstanding of his recognition secretary. general ÖFB as role aleading played he in which Switzerland, and inAustria 2008 EURO of staging the undoubtedly was glory crowning his Ludwig, for Alfred occasions 20151994 and memorable also were in inVienna held UEFA Congresses two 1979. since soil the Austrian Although on staged be UEFAto tournament first Under-16 Tournament in 1996, the European the and inVienna, held were 1994 UEFA Cupthe which all of final, and final League UEFA Champions Clubs’Champion Cup the finals, 1995 1987 of the 1990 and European hosting in1986 the and Ernst-Happel-Stadion) business of sport, worlds the from names many big and team national Austrian The game. to the of service decades after retirement well-deserved taken has who Ludwig, Alfred executive, chief long-serving its to goodbye said officially (ÖFB) Association Football Austrian the

As a mark of gratitude for and for and of gratitude amark As GEPA Pictures in Vienna on 29 August, 29 August, on in Vienna held ceremony At aspecial (now known as the the as (now known Praterstadion Vienna’s of reopening the include career ÖFB 35 years. past the over achievements and life Ludwig’s at back looked politics and Highlights of his of his Highlights www.oefb.at MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

BELGIUM www.belgianfootball.be

Bart Verhaeghe, first vice-president of ROBERTO the Belgian FA, was also very positive: “It’s important to point out that even MARTÍNEZ though there were a huge number of candidates, Roberto Martínez was chosen HEADS THE unanimously. But appointing a new coach for the national team is just one of many RED DEVILS steps that must be taken to achieve success. In this respect, the players also PIERRE CORNEZ URBSFA have a big responsibility.” The Belgian FA’s sport director, On 3 August the Royal Belgian Swansea City AFC, Wigan Athletic FC and Chris Van Puyvelde, praised Martínez’s Football Association announced Everton FC. experience: “There aren’t many coaches the appointment of Spanish coach At his first media conference, he who can boast seven years working in Roberto Martínez as the new national was very enthusiastic about the trust the Premier League. The three words that team coach. 43-year-old Martínez that had been placed in him: “I’ve felt people have used most when talking to replaces Marc Wilmots, who had led the really welcome ever since I arrived in me about Roberto Martínez have been Red Devils since 2012. Belgium, and it didn’t take long for the passion, work and clarity. In my opinion, After shortlisting the best candidates Belgian FA’s professionalism to show. these three concepts are very important. for the job, the Belgian FA very quickly That and the Belgian players’ many good What’s more, being Spanish, Roberto selected Martínez, who has said that qualities, along with the enthusiasm Martínez knows a lot about Spanish he is honoured to be able to work with of the supporters, has convinced me football, and he also has experience such a talented group of players. Since that I’ve made the right choice. Success of English passion. That’s a fantastic turning his hand to coaching, the former requires talent. We have talent, so we can mix, and I’m sure it will benefit our midfielder has successfully managed succeed.” talented team.”

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA www.nfsbih.ba FIRST FOOTBALL FOR ALL CAMP

FUAD KRVAVAC

The Respect football school in At the other end of the football pyramid, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sarajevo recently organised its HŠK Zrinjski were knocked out of the Montenegro. first Football for All camp, held Champions League by Polish champions Last but by no means least, women’s at the stadium in Praca, and as a socially Legia Warszawa (1-1, 0-2) in the second football champions WFC SFK 2000 Sarajevo responsible organisation, the Bosnia qualifying round. In the first round of won first place in qualifying group 6 of the and Herzegovina Football Federation the Europa League, NK Široki Brijeg were UEFA Women’s Champions League, with (NFSBiH) was pleased to be part of the knocked out by Malta’s Birkirkara FC (1-1, victories at home over Israel’s WFC Ramat event. Over three days, the children from 0-2), FK Sloboda Tuzla by Israel’s Beitar Hasharon (1-0) and Latvia’s Rīgas Futbola all across the country had the chance to Jesusalem FC (0-0, 0-1) and FK Radnik skola (3-0), and a draw against Ukraine’s socialise, have fun and compete against Bijeljina by Bulgaria’s PFC Beroe Stara WFC Kharkiv (2-2). Thanks to this success, each other, and they returned home with Zagora (0-0, 0-2). Sarajevo have qualified for the round of 32. lots of good memories, unanimous in the It was a different story for futsal opinion that such events should become champions MNK Centar Sarajevo, who tradition. advanced to the main round of the UEFA “Since its establishment the school Futsal Cup after three wins in preliminary has opened the door to all children, group D in Lithuania. They beat Lynx FC without any form of discrimination. (Gibraltar) 9-3, Istanbul Üniversitesi SK The school treats everyone equally, (Turkey) 9-3 and hosts FC Baltija (4-1). and through the spirit of sport any The women’s national team played a differences between the children are friendly at the NFSBiH training centre in erased,” said Emir Hujdur, the founder Zenica against Ukraine and lost 1-0. The and director of the school, who also training centre also hosted a women’s thanked the NFSBiH for its support in U18 UEFA development tournament. organising the first camp. The winners were Croatia, ahead of FYR Krvavac F.

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 41 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

BULGARIA www.bfunion.bg NEW WEBSITE FOR THE NEW TOP PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE

YORDAN GROZDANOV

Bulgaria’s new First Professional action of the game live or get information BFU Football League has just been from the official source. launched and comes with its own The creation of the website is another project provides a digital service for every website – www.fpleague.bg. The site step in the development of the successful match in the first and second professional includes official team line-ups and live Electronic Championship project, which leagues, so printed referee and delegate updates on the most important events was launched for elite clubs in 2014 reports have been replaced. during each match (goals, yellow and and extended a year later to teams in There will soon be an English version red cards, substitutions, corner kicks, the second division. The project allows of the platform, which will be accessible shots on goal, offsides, etc.). All the clubs to organise their documents (player to everyone who wants to track anything information is available free of charge, registrations, records regarding players on connected to the matches in the First whether visitors want to follow the main loan, etc.) electronically. Moreover, the Professional Football League.

CROATIA www.hns-cff.hr

be a place for him,” said Davor Šuker, Following the announcement of his CAPTAIN’S president of the Croatian Football international retirement, Srna’s team- Federation. mates also paid tribute to their captain. FAREWELL Croatia head coach Ante Čačić added: Many of them highlighted what an honour “He was a real leader on and off the it was to share the locker room and the TOMISLAV PACAK field, and simultaneously brought field with Srna, how supportive he was charm, joy and a serious approach to and what a true example he set, both on Darijo Srna, long-term Croatia every training session. A true captain, and off the field. They pointed out that captain and record holder in terms he ensured a good atmosphere in Srna was truly a great player, but above all of number of caps for Croatia, has the team, and showed the necessary a great person. announced his international retirement responsibility and professionalism. He On his debut as captain Srna said: “It is in an emotion-packed open letter. The was a true example to his team-mates, a great honour to become Croatia captain, 34-year-old said farewell to the national and the younger players will confirm but it will be difficult to follow Niko Kovač’s team after 134 caps, 68 as captain, and how much Darijo’s support has meant footsteps.” Seven and a half years later, 22 goals. to them.” it will be difficult to follow Srna’s footsteps. “This is the greatest and saddest day in my life. To part forever with something you love so much breaks your heart, fills your eyes with tears. The words don’t come. There are none, there can be none... How could there be? I was the captain of Croatia national football team. The captain of the Vatreni. It was worth every second,” Srna wrote in the letter. Srna represented Croatia at six major competitions: EURO 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016, and the 2006 and 2014 World Cups. “He led his team-mates by example, with commitment and charisma. On behalf of the Croatian Football Federation, I congratulate Darijo Srna on his exquisite international career, and thank him for everything he gave to Croatian football. There will always Drago Sopta-HNS

42 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ENGLAND www.thefa.com GREG CLARKE ANNOUNCED AS NEW FA CHAIRMAN

DANNY LYNCH

Greg Clarke has been appointed pivotal point in its recent history and I’d as the new chairman of The like to thank the board and the council for The FA Football Association (The FA). their continued support.” Having been approved by The FA’s board The new chairman’s first day with September for the UEFA Congress, then on 22 July, Clarke’s appointment was English football’s governing body was watched the England women’s team play formally ratified by a full meeting of The Friday 2 September. It was a busy the day after at Meadow Lane, the home FA’s council at Wembley Stadium on 25 introduction to life at The FA, as he of Notts County, as Mark Sampson’s side August. This means that David Gill’s spell started the day at Wembley Stadium took on Estonia in a Women’s EURO 2017 as acting chairman has ended, and he will and then took in the FA Cup first-round qualifier. revert to his duties as vice-chairman. qualifying match between South Park “The FA has the ability to have the Clarke said: “I’m delighted to be FC and Dorking Wanderers FC later most positive effect on football in this confirmed as the next chairman of The that evening. The following day he country – from the grassroots game FA and I’m relishing the challenge. My accompanied The FA’s general secretary, all the way through to the men’s and experience as a council member for Martin Glenn, and the senior men’s team women’s senior England teams,” Clarke The FA has given me an insight into to in Slovakia for their opening said. “I’m looking forward to continuing the excellent work this organisation 2018 World Cup qualifier. that good work and playing my part in undertakes at every level of the game. It’s The busy first month continued representing an FA that we can all be an honour for me to be joining at such a as Clarke travelled to Athens on 14 proud of.”

FAROE ISLANDS www.football.fo KÍ KLAKSVÍK END VÍKINGUR’S CUP DOMINANCE

TERJI NIELSEN

The Faroese Cup final was played on 27 August, between Víkingur, who had won the cup for the last four years, and KÍ Klaksvík, the current leaders of the Faroese Premier Division. Everything was in place for a memorable final between the two best teams in the Faroe Islands and for the Álvur Haraldsen first time ever for a Faroese Cup final the national stadium, Tórsvøllur, was sold But Víkingur soon settled back into the and when Erling Jacobsen missed out. The 5,000 spectators certainly did game, and it was nothing more than Víkingur’s fourth it was up to former their best to make it a memorable night they deserved when Andreas Lava Olsen Víkingur player Súni Olsen to clinch the in Torshavn, as did the teams. equalised half an hour in. cup title for KÍ against his childhood The match got off to a lively start and The rest of the game was very intense club. Set-piece specialist Olsen was after about a quarter of an hour KÍ took and there were not many chances to clinical and so KÍ won the Faroese Cup, the lead. After a period of sustained score. Víkingur’s Hans Pauli Samuelsen for the first time in 17 years. pressure in the Víkingur goal area, KÍ had an excellent chance in extra time, Now all that remains is to see if they went for goal. The ball bounced off but his effort went over the bar. will clinch the double when the Faroese Víkingur and Faroe Islands captain Atli So after 120 minutes of an intense cup Premier Division finishes in October. Gregersen and into the back of the net, final fight it all came down to penalties. Currently they are in pole position, with behind Hungarian keeper Géza Turi. KÍ scored from their first four penalties, Víkingur in second place.

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 43 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

GEORGIA www.gff.ge

“Grassroots football is an area of priority A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR for us. The Tbilisi League constitutes a great opportunity and stimulus for all GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL participants. I am glad that there has been a lot of interest in this undertaking, GIORGI PIRTSKHELANI as evidenced by the number of participating teams. I am certain that Our new amateur league is will begin in September. this number will increase further in the up and running, and soon we The final of the Tbilisi League 2016 future. Our aim is to see amateur football will have a national amateur took place on 9 July at Bendela Stadium. expanding across the country,” said football team, too. Some months ago, The decisive match was contested by the Levan Kobiashvili. the Georgian Football Federation (GFF) teams of Feola Saburtalo and Vazisubani. The amateur league will facilitate the presented a programme of activities that With the score level at 1-1 after 90 establishment of a Georgian national includes a new league championship minutes, Vazisubani managed to score amateur team in the near future, format, a new club financing scheme, the winning goal in extra time to take which will represent the country in the a new national team system and other the title. international arena. priorities, including grassroots football, which the GFF realises is a very important area for any developed football country. Steps have already been taken to develop this particular sector of Georgian football. On 7 May an amateur football competition, the Tbilisi League 2016, kicked off. The GFF president, Levan Kobiashvili, and the Georgian minister of sport and youth affairs, Tariel Khechikashvili, attended the opening ceremony. In the inaugural match, Gaguri Temka beat Kvartali 7-4. The competition was organised by the Georgian amateur football association with support from the football development fund and the GFF. The 16 participating teams were drawn into two groups of eight, with all eight quarter- finalists earning a place in the ten-team Tbilisi amateur premier league, which GFF

GIBRALTAR www.gibraltarfa.com NEW HEAD OF YOUTH FOOTBALL APPOINTED

STEVEN GONZALEZ Berllaque took on the role with immediate effect, and couldn’t wait to The Gibraltar Football Association get started. “I am grateful for having (GFA) is delighted to announce been given this opportunity to continue that Daniel Berllaque has been working in youth football in Gibraltar,” appointed as the new head of youth he said. “My main goal is to provide football. Berllaque brings a wealth of a framework in which Gibraltar’s

knowledge and experience to the role, GFA youngsters will have a platform to play having sat on many GFA sub-committees the sport safely, whilst having fun. I over the years. our new head of youth football. Daniel is am sure that with the help of all other Ivan Robba, the GFA’s deputy general an extremely committed individual who is stakeholders we can work to ensure secretary, welcomed Daniel to his new passionate about football and especially that our youth are provided with all the role, stating: “We are extremely pleased the development of youth football on opportunities necessary to develop in and to be able to appoint Daniel Berllaque as the rock.” enjoy the sport we all love.”

44 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

LATVIA www.lff.lv

take part in various other activities. This BOYS’ FOOTBALL FESTIVAL allows the parents not only to support their children during the games, but also TOMS ĀRMANIS to bond with them in the atmosphere of a true football festival. The boys’ football festival is an These summer tournaments take place The six best clubs compete in Group A, annual event in Latvia that delivers in the seaside city of Salacgriva. Music is while 12 other clubs compete in Groups the beautiful game in a manner played throughout the whole tournament, B and C for the chance to earn a spot in suited to the youngest generation of including during matches, and in between Group A. For the past four years Group A football players. It brings together the best the games players and their parents can has been won by FK Liepāja. Under-10, Under-11 and Under-12 teams from all over the country to experience football in an atmosphere of summer, music and seaside. This festival is one of the biggest youth football competitions in the Baltics and gives teams the chance to compete in an unusual format. Clubs taking part in the competition are represented by one team from each age group. Each team competes against their peers from other clubs, earning points for their club as a whole. This serves as a tool to develop the young players’ sense of belonging, because in this tournament they are fighting for the pride and ambitions of not only their team, but also their club. LFF

LUXEMBOURG www.football.lu SUPPORTING CLUB YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

JOËL WOLFF

The Luxembourg Football an eye to providing the best possible youth teams each received ten balls, Federation (FLF) has been training and playing conditions for making an impressive total of 6,130 balls. actively supporting its clubs’ children and young people. Depending on the age category of their efforts to develop young players through At the beginning of August, all 90 various teams, the clubs were able to a number of targeted initiatives in recent clubs involved in youth football were choose between size 4 and size 5 balls. years, offering financial assistance as supplied with a set of footballs for their This is the seventh consecutive year in well as donating training equipment with respective youth teams. A total of 613 which the FLF has donated balls or other training equipment to its clubs for their youth development work. The association is also aware of the important role of fair play in youth football, which is why a separate fair play competition for youth teams involving players aged between 12 and 19 is being organised for the fourth time this season. Prizes will be awarded to the youth teams that top the fair play table at the end of the season. All these measures help to promote youth football in Luxembourg, enabling children and young people to continue having fun as they participate in FLF organised football at grassroots level.

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 45 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

FYR MACEDONIA www.ffm.mk FIRST FOOTBALL ACADEMY GRADUATES

ZLATKO ANDONOVSKI

The first cohort of students at Across the country there are nine other the Football Federation of FYR football academies, in Bitola, Gostivar, Macedonia’s football academy Ohrid, Prilep, Shtip, Skopje, Strumica, FFM in Skopje have successfully finished Tetovo and Veles. They are a testament their four years of studies and have just to the importance placed by the Football graduated. The academy runs a special, Federation of FYR Macedonia (FFM) on the UEFA-backed development programme development of youth talents and their that aims to produce better football career progress. “It is our main goal to extend the players through the right mix of sport, The football academies operate as programme suggested by UEFA for the school and life education. part of the existing educational system football academy in Skopje to the other “Our vision was to present the in FYR Macedonia, in cooperation and academies throughout the country in academy as the leading institution of coordination with the FFM. The academies order to ensure that all the students its type in [FYR] Macedonia, based on have a special programme that fits into receive the same level of academic and the examples of the best European the state educational programme, in order sports training. As I already mentioned, schools, with a unique mission to to provide the right type of education these are our national youth team players prepare the students for modern times, for the young players. The programme and potential senior national team players. as a school of the future. The football is centralised within the state education It is very important that they know each academy is very progressive from the system, while the sports academy is run as other personally and as football players, perspective of youth development, a separate institution that is governed by in both a psychological and a technical and when we talk of development, the ministry of education, the agency of context,” Stratev adds. we’re not only referring to football. youth and sport and the FFM. Everyone involved in the project agrees For us it is of the utmost importance Thanks to the dedication and systematic that we need young people with open to stress the development of the work that has gone into it, the results of minds, and this can only be achieved young players as individuals with the development programme are already through a high-quality, value-based reals values, who undergo a good valuable. However, it is our responsibility development programme based on the educational process,” says Zoran to ensure ongoing improvement, as well as UEFA model. This is so important at a time Stratev, the federation’s national to follow the latest trends when preparing when young people are facing challenges youth teams coordinator. the content of the programme. both on and off the pitch.

MALTA www.mfa.com.mt

turf pitches, the MFA awarded the A HYBRID PITCH FOR MALTA’S contract to SIS Pitches, a company that is well known for this type of technology. NATIONAL STADIUM The work started with the removal of the pitch surface, taking it down to drainage ALEX VELLA level. Next, a new drainage system with a gravel layer, an irrigation system Major works on the pitch at interwoven with the natural turf. Artificial and sand and root-zone layers were Ta’ Qali National Stadium have turf can take much more wear and supplied and installed. The work finished just been completed. This latest recover faster. As a result, the surface can with fertilisation and final levelling. venture by the Malta Football Association withstand much more playing time than a The contract also envisages planting (MFA) is part of several infrastructure normal natural grass surface. Bermuda grass, grow-in maintenance, the projects aimed at upgrading Malta’s Emanuel Cassar, the MFA’s head of completion of the peripheral area and the football facilities to meet the latest global infrastructure projects, said that a UEFA supply of pitch equipment. standards. The reinforced natural turf, turf consultant, Alan Ferguson, had Through this investment Malta will be which is estimated to have cost more conducted a pitch inspection earlier this able to boast a state-of-the-art pitch to than €1m, is the latest type of hybrid year, and produced an executive report rival the best football playing surfaces grass surface and has been laid at several on the stadium and the adjacent training in the world. The first match to be major stadiums around the world. grounds. played on this new surface was the 2018 The turf’s strength is derived from After consultations with world leaders World Cup qualifier between Malta and millions of artificial turf fibres that are in the design and construction of hybrid Scotland on 4 September.

46 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

MOLDOVA www.fmf.md FC SHERIFF WIN MOLDOVAN SUPER CUP

PRESS OFFICE

The final of the 10th Moldovan presented with the trophy by the general championship,” said Zaria Balti’s coach, Super Cup pitted local team FC secretary of the Football Association of Vlad Goian. Sheriff against FC Zaria Balti in Moldova, Nicolai Cebotari. “It was not the ideal match to be Tiraspol on 10 August. After a dramatic “It was a tough game. We had a lot played from our side but we are very match, holders Sheriff lifted the cup for of opportunities to score and to win the happy to have won the Moldovan Super the seventh time in their history after trophy but now I want to congratulate Cup! We will try to improve our game. seeing off Moldovan Cup holders Zaria our opponents. We have to focus now Today we celebrate,” said Sheriff’s coach, Balti 3-1. on our next matches in the national Frenchman Bruno Irles. The showpiece meeting between the two powerhouses attracted plenty of attention, and after 16 minutes Switzerland striker Danijel Subotic opened the scoring for Sheriff after a great cross by Bosnian Mateo Sušić. But Zaria Balti hit back four minutes later with a header from Igor Bugaiov. In the 71st minute Bugaiov was sent off for an elbow. Sheriff began to attack more, and eight minutes before the end of the match Subotic scored a second goal, this time from a penalty. Zaria Balti tried to equalise again, but after a mistake in defence, Sheriff forward Eugeniu Rebenja scored the team’s third goal in the last minute of the game, to seal Sheriff’s triumph. At the official ceremony after the match, Sheriff captain Sušić was CAFTANAT Vadim

NORTHERN IRELAND www.irishfa.com

the association’s regional grassroots VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE development officer for Belfast Central, explained: “We are always trying to AT SUMMER CAMP enhance our camps and dual sport camps are a way for us to reach out to user NIGEL TILSON groups who would not normally consider playing football. The feedback from An Irish Football Association this particular camp was excellent, and summer camp offering a mix of especially from the girls, some of whom football and athletics proved to had never really played football before. be a runaway success. The Irish FA and All the participants at the camp loved athletics body Athletics NI joined forces the variety on offer. They got to try to offer the camp, which focused on six out long jump, high jump, shot put, athletics disciplines as well as football. javelin, hurdles and orienteering as well A total of 39 children registered for the as football.” activities, including ten girls. The pilot camp was so successful that The camp at the Mary Peters Track the Irish FA and Athletics NI are hoping to in Belfast formed part of the Irish IFA run similar camps at other venues which FA’s extensive Nutty Krust summer host Athletics NI’s grassroots programme. football camps programme, which was the country and attracted more than These are located in Antrim, Bangor, staged at more than 70 venues across 4,000 participants. Malcolm Roberts, Cookstown and Newry.

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 47 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND www.fai.ie

John Delaney, CEO of the Football AN UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER Association of Ireland, said: “I was delighted to see our fantastic supporters STEPHEN FINN receive this great honour from mayor Anne Hidalgo. Our supporters are the The Republic of Ireland’s summer the tournament greatest ambassadors our country could to remember at EURO 2016 left stadiums. have, and just like our new generation of supporters of the national team Republic of Ireland footballing heroes, we’re extremely proud with some fabulous memories that will supporter Jamie of them. It was also great to see Jamie never be forgotten. And it appears that Monaghan and the Monaghan collect this award on behalf the same is true of the French hosts chairman of the of all of our supporters, and I include the and their opinion of Ireland’s fans, Confederation of late James Nolan, who sadly passed away whose sporting behaviour following Republic of Ireland during EURO 2012. It is fitting, too, that Martin O’Neill’s team in France in Supporters Clubs, we remember the two Northern Ireland June was rewarded – alongside their FAI-Sportsfile Joe McKenna, supporters – Darren Rodgers and Robert Northern Ireland counterparts – with the represented the Republic of Ireland Rainey – who died during EURO 2016.” prestigious Médaille de la Ville de Paris, supporters at a special ceremony in the Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland which was presented to both sets of fans fan zone in Paris, ahead of the EURO goalkeeping legend Shay Given by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. 2016 semi-final match between France announced his retirement from It is estimated that over 100,000 and Germany, where the award was international football during the summer. Ireland supporters travelled to France for presented to the both sets of supporters Given, 40, will continue his club career the tournament and received glowing for their exemplary behaviour. Also with Stoke City, but is stepping away plaudits from the world’s media for their present was the Irish ambassador to from the international stage, with 134 support and behaviour inside and outside France, Geraldine Byrne Nason. caps to his name.

ROMANIA www.frf.ro MODERN METHODS FOR YOUNG ROMANIAN FOOTBALLERS

PAUL ZAHARIA

In line with its five-year strategy Taking into account the specificity of number of Romanian players playing (2015–20), the Romanian Romanian football, the members of the in the top five European leagues. By Football Federation (FRF) recently task force charged with drafting the comparison, other eastern European launched the first-ever public debate on framework document, led by Sandu and Balkan countries have an increasing its official website to gather opinions Tabirca (coordinating coach of the number of such players. from specialists and football fans with Romanian youth national teams), analysed Ensuring a proper environment for regard to a document setting out the the national football philosophies and educating players, practising modern federation’s vision of how to train and approaches of Australia, Belgium, football, putting the emphasis on training educate children and young football England, Germany and the USA, the by playing, and training adapted for players. strategies of the FAs of Austria, Canada, each age are the four main pillars of the The main purpose of this framework Denmark, Serbia and Spain and the document, the overarching message of document is to establish guidelines and, strategies put in place by AFC Ajax, which is that “until a certain age, results subsequently, to set the direction to be GNK Dinamo Zagreb, FC Barcelona and should not matter – enjoying football is followed at national level for activity at Chelsea FC. what is most important”. youth level. The document is part of a The members of the task force also Once people have shared their ideas, huge, complex project targeting, among studied international literature, and the comments and suggestions via the other aims, the reorganisation of the document they produced was highly federation’s website, the document current coach education school and the compelling because of the lack of success will be published in its final form and education of coaches who work at youth of the Romanian youth national teams in immediately applied at national level. level, as well as the introduction of a the last ten years (only one qualification It will also become a study manual uniform way of training and playing at for a European Championship final round, for future coaches and a guide for the centres of excellence managed by and few qualifications even for elite coaches already working in children’s the FRF. rounds) and because of the decreasing and youth football.

48 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SCOTLAND www.scottishfa.co.uk SCOTT BROWN RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL DUTY

MICHAEL LAMONT

Former Scotland captain Scott not be sustained along with a hectic Brown has retired from national club schedule both domestically and team football ahead of the World in Europe. Cup qualifiers. The Celtic skipper and Brown said: “Firstly, I would like to midfielder made the decision to prolong thank Gordon for giving me the honour his club career after recovering from of not only playing for my country but injury. captaining Scotland in the last campaign. Brown, 31, made his international I also owe a debt to every Scotland debut against the USA in 2005 and, manager before him who selected me – following more than a decade’s service right back to Walter Smith handing me to his country, entered the Scottish my senior debut, and the national youth Football Association’s international roll coaches along the way.” of honour when he earned his 50th Strachan gave a glowing endorsement cap, against Denmark, in March. Brown of Brown’s contribution to his country, broke the news about stepping down to saying: “Scott is one of the most Scotland manager and wholehearted players I’ve encountered later admitted that it was the toughest and somebody who puts the team ahead decision of his career but, after a summer of himself. He is not the type to play of reflection, he had realised that the within himself, either, and I understand demands of national team football could and respect the decision he has taken.” Scottish FA

SLOVAKIA www.futbalsfz.sk RECORD 202 CLUBS IN SLOVAK CUP

PETER ŠURIN

The Slovak Cup started its A remarkable feature of this season’s the competition in the second round) 48th season with a record 202 competition is that, unlike in previous years, lost their first match. However, ŠK Slovan clubs competing. The Slovak when it was almost a regularity, none of had to go to penalties to beat FC Cup is managed by the Slovak Football the teams from the first division (who enter Vranov nad Topľou, in a thrilling encounter Association and is open to teams from witnessed by more than 2,400 spectators the top five divisions. in the stands. SFZ FC Pata, representing a town of FK AS Trenčín have won the cup for the just 3,000 people, were promoted last two seasons, and also finished first to the fifth division for the first time in the league last season, earning them last season and immediately took the the double. They got off on the right opportunity to enrol for this season’s foot this season too, with a solid 9-0 win Slovak Cup. The players put their best over Plevník-Drienové – coming from four foot forward for their first-ever cup divisions down, they were no match for the match and beat TJ Družstevník Zvončín defending champions. Another interesting 5-0 in front of a crowd consisting match was between FK 05 Levoča and of 1 in 15 of Pata’s residents. They Strážske, who had to play their second maintained their pace in the second half a week after the first as a result of round and beat FK Slovan Most pri bad weather. Bratislave 3-0, with Miroslav Pilo Since 1993, when Slovakia became an scoring before the end of the first independent state, 13 clubs have won the minute, setting the record for the Slovak Cup. Slovan Bratislava has the most fastest goal of the year so far. wins (six), followed by Inter Bratislava (three).

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 49 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SWEDEN www.svenskfotboll.se SWITZERLAND www.football.ch FOOTBALL AWARDS FOR

FOR LOVE Bildbyran SOMMER AND AND DICKENMANN

EQUALITY PIERRE BENOIT

THOMAS SALETEG The Swiss Football Awards 2016 were recently held in Representatives from the Swedish social matters, but it is important that Lachen, in the canton of Football Association (SvFF), the we state our position and show what we Schwyz. There were 11 award winners national teams and the leagues stand for, showing that football welcomes in total, 7 of them selected by the public took part in this year’s Pride parade everyone,” said the SvFF general and the others by a panel of experts. in Stockholm. Stockholm Pride, which secretary, Håkan Sjöstrand. Not surprisingly, the player of the has been the largest Pride festival in Swedish football is continuing its year award went to goalkeeper Yann Scandinavia since it began in 1998, strives Everyone is Different – Different is Good Sommer, for his exploits with to raise awareness of LGBT+ issues and programme, covering areas such as side VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach create a safe space for LGBT+ people and diversity, integration, equality and LGBT+ and the Swiss national team. Sommer their gender expressions. issues, i.e. many of football’s welfare follows in the footsteps of his national “It goes without saying that we would concerns. Sweden’s 3,184 football clubs team predecessor, Diego Benaglio, who take part in this parade. Of course we can apply for funds from the programme has twice been named best player. The don’t have all the answers to different for local projects this autumn. current Swiss number one, who qualified for this season’s UEFA Champions League with his club, also won the save of the UKRAINE www.ffu.org.ua year award for his superb stop in the closing stages of Switzerland’s opening EURO 2016 match against Albania. SHEVCHENKO TAKES OVER Meanwhile, Lara Dickenmann (VfL Wolfsburg) was named best female player AS HEAD COACH for the sixth time. A clever technical player, Lara has been pulling the strings YURI MAZNYCHENKO in midfield for her national and club sides for many years. Former Ukraine striker Andriy The 39-year-old, who remains the The coach of the year award went Shevchenko was appointed as the national team’s top scorer with 48 goals, to Swiss national team coach Vladimir new national team head coach in has signed an initial two-year deal, Petković, whose side remained mid-July with the unanimous support of with an option to renew for a further undefeated in four matches at EURO the executive committee of the Football two years. Italians Mauro Tassotti and 2016 in France but were edged out on Federation of Ukraine. Andrea Maldera, known for their work penalties against Poland in the round with Shevchenko at AC Milan, as well as of 16. Spaniard Raul Riancho, former Dynamo VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach central Kyiv assistant manager, are also joining defender Nico Elvedi picked up the award the coaching staff. for best young player. “It was my dream to become the head coach of Ukraine. I had a long and successful national team career and can say that this team has always stayed very close to my heart. I know better than anyone the team’s chemistry and the atmosphere in the locker room, so there’s no need for me to organise communication with the players. Now my task is to change the team’s style of play and bring it to a new level,” Shevchenko said when he was presented to the media Pavlo Kubanov as the new head coach. SFV

50 – UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 SPECIAL FEATURE BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS

Håkan Sjöstrand (Sweden, 1 Oct.) 50th Arie Kenneth Scheiman (Israel, 22 Oct.) NOTICES Sergejus Slyva (Lithuania, 1 Oct.) Fridin Ziskason (Faroe Islands, 22 Oct.) Levent Bıçakcı (Turkey, 2 Oct.) Jan C. Huijbregts (Netherlands, 23 Oct.) Following the retirement of Andrzej Wach (Poland, 2 Oct.) Michel Vautrot (France, 23 Oct.) Alfred Ludwig, Thomas Hollerer Lutz Michael Fröhlich (Germany, 2 Oct.) Dragutin Karlo Poljak (Croatia, 23 Oct.) took over as general secretary of Léon Schelings (Belgium, 3 Oct.) Elmir Pilav (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 23 Oct.) the Austrian Football Association Victor van Helvoirt (Netherlands, 3 Oct.) Antonin Herzog (Czech Republic, 24 Oct.) 60th on 1 August. Wilfried Heitmann (Germany, 4 Oct.) Elvedin Begić (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 24 Oct.) Khennet Tallinger (Sweden, 4 Oct.) Roy Cathcart (Northern Ireland, 26 Oct.) The English Football Association Silvo Borosak (Slovenia, 4 Oct.) Markku Lehtola (Finland, 26 Oct.) has appointed Greg Clarke as its Márton Vági (Hungary, 4 Oct.) Hugh Dallas (Scotland, 26 Oct.) chairman, replacing Greg Dyke. Frank Coulston (Scotland, 5 Oct.) Perry Gautier (Belgium, 26 Oct.) Terje Hauge (Norway, 5 Oct.) Gerard Perry (Republic of Ireland, 27 Oct.) Jerzy Engel (Poland, 6 Oct.) Jürgen Paepke (Germany, 28 Oct.) OBITUARIES Yves Leterme (Belgium, 6 Oct.) Rui Cacador (Portugal, 29 Oct.) Francesca Sanzone (Italy, 6 Oct.) George Fantaros (Cyprus, 29 Oct.) Jan Peeters, a member of Iveta Bankova (Bulgaria, 6 Oct.) Maria Persson (Sweden, 29 Oct.) the circle of former UEFA Samantha Lovse (Slovenia, 6 Oct.) José Cunha Rodrigues (Portugal, 30 Oct.) committee members and a Faruk Hadžibegić (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 7 Oct.) Tim Meyer (Germany, 30 Oct.) former president of the Royal Armand Duka (Albania, 7 Oct.) Bert van Oostveen (Netherlands, 30 Oct.) Belgian Football Association, Jari Maisonlahti (Finland, 7 Oct.) Alexander Alaev (Russia, 30 Oct.) died on 21 July at the age of 82. Andrii Pavelko (Ukraine, 7 Oct.) Alan McRae (Scotland, 31 Oct.) He served on several UEFA Draženko Kovačić (Croatia, 8 Oct.) 50th Kurt Zuppinger (Switzerland, 31 Oct.) bodies, from 1992 until Pierre Delaunay (France, 9 Oct.) José Luis Astiazaran Iriondo (Spain, 31 Oct.) 2006, including the Juridical Sergey Zuev (Russia, 9 Oct.) Committee and the Committee James Buckle (England, 9 Oct.) for Non-Amateur Football. Ellert B. Schram (Iceland, 10 Oct.) FORTHCOMING EVENTS Milovan Nikolic (Slovenia, 10 Oct.) Michael ‘Milo’ Corcoran, Laurent Duhamel (France, 10 Oct.) former president of the Football Alin Cioban (Romania, 10 Oct.) Meetings Association of Ireland, died on Naira Abramyan (Armenia, 10 Oct.) 17 October, Nyon 22 August at the age of 65. He Joan Gaspart Solves (Spain, 11 Oct.) UEFA Women’s Champions League: was a member of the UEFA Dimitar Zisovski (FYR Macedonia, 11 Oct.) 60th round of 16 draw Youth and Amateur Football Romeo Jozak (Croatia, 11 Oct.) Committee from 2002 to 2006. Bo Karlsson (Sweden, 12 Oct.) 18 October, Nyon Adrian D. Casha (Malta, 12 Oct.) European Under-21 Championship: Anna De Toni (Italy, 12 Oct.) 40th play-off draw Siegfried Kirschen (Germany, 13 Oct.) Pedro Tomas (Spain, 13 Oct.) 21 October, Nyon 11–16 October Aleksander Čeferin (Slovenia, 13 Oct.) UEFA Futsal Cup: elite round draw UEFA Futsal Cup: main round Dušan Krchňák (Slovakia, 14 Oct.) 2017–18 European Futsal Championship: Tony Paeffgen (Lithuania, 14 Oct.) preliminary and main round draws 17–25 October Tom van der Hulst (Netherlands, 15 Oct.) Women’s EURO 2017: play-offs Michel Piraux (Belgium, 15 Oct.) Competitions Wendy Toms (England, 16 Oct.) 30 September–21 October, Jordan 18/19 October Konrad Plautz (Austria, 16 Oct.) U-17 Women’s World Cup UEFA Champions League: group John Delaney (Republic of Ireland, 16 Oct.) matches (matchday 3) Jean-Marie Philips (Belgium, 17 Oct.) 5/6 and 12/13 October UEFA Youth League: UEFA Champions Frans Hoek (Netherlands, 17 Oct.) 60th UEFA Women’s Champions League: League path group matches (matchday 3) Adonis Procopiou (Cyprus, 17 Oct.) round of 32 Pedro Lopez Jimenez (Spain, 18 Oct.) 19 October Petros Mavroidis (Greece, 19 Oct.) 5–11 October UEFA Youth League: domestic champions www.uefafoundation.org Aivar Pohlak (Estonia, 19 Oct.) European Under-21 Championship: path first round (return legs) Miljenko Sakoman (Croatia, 19 Oct.) qualifying round matches Paul Philipp (Luxembourg, 21 Oct.) 20 October Mircea Sandu (Romania, 22 Oct.) 6–11 October UEFA Europa League: group matches John Taylor (Scotland, 22 Oct.) 2018 World Cup European Qualifiers (matchday 3)

UEFA DIRECT • October 2016 – 51 No. 161

NO TO RACISM

A NEW PRESIDENT

No.161 FOR UEFA • October THE REFEREES’ UEFA TECHNICIAN SUMMER GATHERING SUPER CUP 2016 Technical reports shed light Europe’s elite referees Real Madrid CF triumph on the latest tactical trends reconvene in Nyon in Trondheim