No 45 – January 2006 1.0 6 Football Conference Youth World Cupdraw programme HatTrick education seminar referees’ Football Conference Youth World Cupdraw programme HatTrick education seminar Futsal referees’ Including 10 08 04 03 10 08 04 03 Message from the UEFA President

If I had to choose just one highlight from the European football competitions in 2005, I would have no hesitation whatsoever in selecting the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool FC and AC Milan played in in May. Even though penalty kicks are a cruel and brutal way to lose, this match encapsulated everything that makes football so exciting for millions of spectators and TV viewers: high-quality technique, plenty of goals, a sensational comeback and players giving absolutely everything to win, all in a perfect spirit of fair play despite the incredible tension. In many ways, this 50th final of the European champion clubs’ com- petition extended far beyond the limits of football and can serve as a reference point for us all on at least three levels: firstly, Liverpool’s comeback demons- trated the desire never to give up and to keep believing despite suffering setbacks; meanwhile, the Italian players showed firstly the ability to set about a task with tremendous determination right from the off, and then, after Liverpool had equalised, the capacity to recover from a state of turmoil and move forward again, even though they eventually lost. However, the final in Istanbul also illustrated that, even when the stakes are incredibly high, players UEFA can display a sporting attitude and respect for their opponents and that, in such circumstances, football is the biggest winner of all. Even when This message is not meant to be a moral lesson, but simply a look the stakes are back at one of the key moments of the year just gone and a reminder that “ football is without doubt much more than just an economic activity and fully incredibly high, merits the efforts put in to defend its interests. players can It is an opportunity for me to thank everyone who, during 2005, has given willingly of their time and energy to serving football, not just on the display a sporting pitch but also in all different kinds of football-related meetings and events. I am particularly grateful to my colleagues in the Executive Committee, the attitude and members of the UEFA committees and panels and everyone who, within respect for their the national associations, leagues, clubs and other bodies, has contributed to the success of football again this year. opponents. Thanks to them, football is thriving but – as the Istanbul final also taught us – nothing is ever definitely secure and, unfortunately, 2005 has not been without its examples of violence, racism and greed, to mention just ” a few of the scourges that afflict society and are consequently mirrored in football. However, I do not wish to end on a negative note. I would prefer to underline some of the positive achievements of 2005, such as the broadening of dialogue to all levels – European Union, associations, professional leagues, FIFPro and clubs; the development of our HatTrick assistance programme, including the inauguration of numerous mini-pitches all over Europe; and the summer of grassroots football, when countless young people were able to experience the joys of engaging in our sport. My wish for 2006 is that football will bring you many more such moments of happiness.

02 uefadirect 1.06 COVER IN THIS ISSUE Eleven questions for Angel Maria Villar Llona 09 The group phase in this season’s Youth competition Pilot training programme 10 UEFA Champions League concluded draws 05 in December. Bayern (Paolo UEFA through the eyes of a journalist 11 Life after playing 06 Guerrero, front) are through to the next Seminar in Brussels 13 stage whereas Bruges (Gaetan Englebert) Futsal referees continue in the UEFA Cup. at work in Nyon 08 News from member associations 17 PHOTO: BARON/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES World Cup

A mouthwateringdraw

line-up IMAGES MICHEL/BONGARTS/GETTY

ON 9 DECEMBER, SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE 18TH WORLD CUP FINALS KICK OFF, LEIPZIG HOSTED THE DRAW TO DIVIDE THE 32 FINALISTS INTO EIGHT GROUPS OF FOUR TEAMS.

In addition to Germany, who qua- Designed to avoid ties between Group D: Mexico, Iran, Angola, lify automatically as host nation, 13 Euro- teams from the same continent as Portugal. pean national teams will be competing far as possible (but not between those Group E: Italy, Ghana, USA, in the tournament, which gets under from the same qualifying group), the Czech Republic. way on 9 June with an opening match draw produced the following groups: between Germany and Costa Rica. Of Group A: Germany, Costa Rica, Group F: Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Europe’s representatives, 11 took part in Poland, Ecuador. Japan. EURO 2004, the three exceptions being Group B: England, Paraguay, Group G: France, Switzerland, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, and Trinidad and Tobago, . Republic of Korea, Togo. . In Ukraine’s case, it will even be their very first World Cup final round, Group C: Argentina, Côte d’Ivoire, Group H: Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, as it will also be for Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Serbia and Montenegro, . Saudi Arabia. Ghana, Togo, and Trinidad and Tobago, whereas Serbia and Montenegro, and the Czech Republic will be taking part in EURO 2008 draw on 27 January their first World Cup finals under those While the minds of the 14 European teams involved in the World Cup names. As far as notable absentees are finals are focussing on that more immediate major event, there is no concerned, only one former winner opportunity for them to completely lose sight of the fact that the next major of the World Cup will actually be missing, Uruguay, while on the European side, competition, EURO 2008, hosted by Austria and Switzerland, is already the reigning European champions, looming on the horizon, with the draw for the qualifying competition set to Greece, and Turkey, bronze medallists take place in Montreux, Switzerland, on 27 January, starting at 12.00 CET. in the 2002 World Cup, failed to qualify.

03 Presentations Marios and Lefkaritis discussions addresses but also the practical conference. sessions. Youth Conference

Building routesin to the top

THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN YOUTH FOOTBALL WAS UNDERLINED BY MARIOS LEFKARITIS, HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE

CYPRIOT FA AND MEMBER OF UEFA’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHEN HE WELCOMED A MIGHTY GATHERING OF OVER 200 PARTICIPANTS

AT THE 8TH UEFA YOUTH CONFERENCE STAGED FROM 29 NOVEMBER TO 1 DECEMBER JUST OUTSIDE LIMASSOL.

The three-day event kicked off national associations, debate focused years of life as a pilot project, has been with a meeting – chaired by UEFA Technical on reviews of UEFA’s – and FIFA’s – compe- firmly established since last season and Director Andy Roxburgh – of the Elite titions and how best to improve or maximises dialogue and cooperation Club Youth Coaches Forum, where UEFA’s streamline them. Preliminary moves, such between the top clubs and the national club licensing programme and the immi- as the insertion of extra rest days into association. In the meantime, Spain’s cur- nent introduction of rules on quotas on mini-tournament and final tournament rent Under-19 coach, Ginés Meléndez, homegrown talent in UEFA club competi- fixture lists, are to be implemented in the had stressed that work at youth level tions were both greeted as positive moves. near future. needs to be totally in tune with the na- Amid a full spectrum of key issues, Although youth development pro- tional team’s footballing culture and that, it was pointed out that the club acade- grammes vary considerably from country taking Spain as an example, 8 v 8 training mies which recruit children in the 8-9 age to country, they are cross-fertilised by inter- matches are infinitely better suited to bracket are now becoming educating changes of information – and three ses- the national teams’ playing system than agents with strong moral obligations for sions on the second morning provoked 7 v 7. In other words, there was a fasci- finding the right balance between football, a great deal of thought. Before leading a nating mix of philosophy and pragmatism. schooling and preparation for a future practical session involving players from The sheer diversity of the confer- which may lie away from the pitch, given the Cypriot Under-16 and Under-17 ence in Cyprus was further underlined that early recruitment and the zealous squads, Wim Koevermans explained how when Northern Ireland’s Craig Stanfield search for young talent can sow the seeds Dutch football is currently nursing young gave a detailed account of the long-term for drop-out rates which can easily reach talents along the route to the top. Den- benefits of organising a UEFA youth 50 or 60 per cent. mark’s Flemming Serritslev then offered tournament, when Dr Mogens Kreutzfeldt When the club youth coaches details of a radically different approach covered some medical aspects related to were joined by the representatives from via his association’s integrated talent deve- youth education, and when Kozo Tashima, European, African, American and Asian lopment programme which, after three Japan’s technical director, explained how youth development was the founda- tion stone upon which Japan’s dream of staging and winning the FIFA World Cup is being built. As Marios Lefkaritis said while closing the conference with a review of the progress made in recent years: “If there is no youth football, there is no football” – and the sheer volume of ideas and proposals which will shortly appear on the debating tables of various UEFA committees underscore European football’s deep commitment to the cause

PHOTOS: UEFA of youth development.

04 uefadirect 1.06 Erkan Ferin, Borko Cypriot the Turkish Veselinovic, international U-17 captain. the captain Charalambos of the Pittas Serbian and assists Montenegro Jim Boyce. Under-19 team. UEFA UEFA UEFA

Fixtures set for theYouth next twodraws years

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE YOUTH CONFERENCE IN CYPRUS, FOUR UEFA YOUTH COMPETITION

DRAWS WERE CONDUCTED COVERING FIXTURES RIGHT UP UNTIL 2007.

On 30 November, Charalambos The elite round will be played in spring Group 1: Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Pittas, who holds the record 2006 and the seven group-winners will then San Marino as the most-capped player in be heading for Luxembourg where they Group 2: Czech Republic, Turkey, Cyprus (82 appearances), will contest the final round in the company Luxembourg, Slovenia assisted Jim Boyce, chairman of of the host nation, who qualify automati- Group 3: France, Romania, Lithuania, the Youth & Amateur Football cally, in a tournament scheduled from 3 to Iceland Committee, with the draw for the elite 14 May 2006. Group 4: Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, round of the 2005/06 European Under-17 Andorra, Malta Championship. ■ On 1 December, it was the turn Group 5: Germany, Russia, FYR Macedonia, Group 1: Germany, Finland of Erkan Ferin, captain of the Turkish Northern Ireland, Netherlands Under-17 team that won the fair play prize Group 6: Azerbaijan, Denmark, Latvia, Group 2: , Sweden, Portugal, in that category this year, to help conduct Republic of Ireland Ukraine the draw for the qualifying round of the Group 7: Austria, Greece, Sweden, Group 3: France, Turkey, Czech Republic, 2006/07 European Under-17 Championship, Liechtenstein Denmark for which all UEFA’s member associations Group 8: Croatia, Netherlands, Norway, Group 4: Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, have entered. Belgium will host the final Estonia Belgium round in 2007 and therefore qualify automa- Group 9: Israel, Finland, Poland, Albania Group 5: Spain, Moldova, Cyprus, Wales tically. Based on their past results, England, Group 10: Hungary, Scotland, Bulgaria, Group 6: Serbia and Montenegro, Republic Portugal and Spain have a bye for the quali- Armenia of Ireland, Israel, Romania fying round and start out directly in the Group 11: Wales, Slovakia, Bosnia and Group 7: England, Russia, Italy, Bulgaria elite round, where they will be joined by the Herzegovina, Moldova group-winners, runners-up and best third Group 12: Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Mini-tournament hosts shown in bold. team from the qualifying round. Cyprus, Faroe Islands

Under-19s out in the elite round, where they will be Group 11: Norway, Cypriot international Charalambos joined by the group-winners, runners-up and Portugal, San Marino, Pittas also helped perform the best third-placed team from the 12 groups Latvia draw for the elite round of the formed by the draw conducted with the Group 12: Croatia, 2005/06 European Under-19 help of Borko Veselinovic, captain of the Serbia and Monte- Championship. The corresponding Serbia and Montenegro team that won the negro, Lithuania, mini-tournaments will take place Under-19 fair play trophy this year. Moldova in May 2006, with the seven group-winners going through to the final round with Poland, Group 1: Ukraine, Greece, Kazakhstan, who qualify automatically as host nation. Bulgaria The final round is set to take place from 18 to Group 2: Israel, Slovenia, Switzerland, 29 July 2006. Liechtenstein Group 3: Netherlands, Rep. of Ireland, Group 1: Russia, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria Belarus, FYR Macedonia Group 2: Republic of Ireland, Georgia, Group 4: Belgium, Georgia, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey Northern Ireland Group 3: France, Scotland, Bulgaria, Belarus Group 5: Russia, Slovakia, Andorra, Group 4: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Albania Denmark, Ukraine Group 6: Sweden, Group 5: Israel, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, Faroe FYR Macedonia Islands, Iceland Group 6: England, Serbia and Montenegro, Belgium, Northern Ireland Group 7: Hungary, Group 7: Spain, Germany, Sweden, Cyprus Armenia, Cyprus, Azerbaijan Germany’s Under-19s quali- ■ All 52 of UEFA’s member asso- Group 8: France, fied in a mini- ciations are also taking part in the European Denmark, Finland, Malta tournament Under-19 Championship. Austria, who have Group 9: Scotland, Germany, which brought Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia them up against been designated as hosts of the final round Belarus, Greece in 2007, are exempt from the preliminary Group 10: Turkey, Czech Republic, (photo) and

rounds, while England, Italy and Spain only start Luxembourg, Wales ROSE/BONGARTS/ GETTY IMAGES the Netherlands.

05 Axel Lawarée: Michel a player Preud’homme already needs also had to start pre- a spell paring for his as a coach. post-playing days while he is still active on the field. PHOTO NEWS ANSOTTE-WALSCHAERTS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES ANSOTTE-WALSCHAERTS/AFP/GETTY Professional

Fromplayers: football shirt what to shirt next? and tie

SOONER OR LATER, ALL FOOTBALLERS HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO WHEN THEY HANG UP THEIR BOOTS.

WHILE A CAREER IN COACHING IS ONE LOGICAL OPTION, MORE AND MORE FORMER PLAYERS ARE VENTURING

INTO FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF , OR AND ANGEL

MARIA VILLAR LLONA, THE LAST TWO BOTH MEMBERS OF THE UEFA AND FIFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES.

Michel Preud’homme, the best ber of this great club’s non-playing staff. he returned to Standard Liege. After goalkeeper at the 1994 World Cup, played It was a tremendous mark of recognition. coaching the team for a year and a half, between the sticks for Standard Liege, In my first season, I just dealt with interna- he became technical director. A member KV Mechelen and the Portuguese club tional relations, before taking on all the of the Pro League for four years, he is Benfica. At the age of 40, he embarked on responsibilities linked to my post. I had now in his third season on the Belgian his second career in Portugal, becoming been a professional footballer for 22 years, FA’s Executive Committee and chairs at Benfica. The holder of I had to re-examine myself and focus my its Technical Committee. He is responsible a higher secondary education diploma, thoughts on paperwork. I learn new things for finding a manager for the national Preud’homme speaks four languages and every day. Rules, financial matters and team, but is more concerned about draw- seemed cut out for a career in adminis- legal issues, which are becoming increas- ing up a plan for the coaching of young- tration. “I became the first foreign mem- ingly important…” Two years later, sters in Belgium. “I could have contented myself with representing the 18 first division clubs in the Executive Committee, but I like to get involved. I am also a member of the Strategic Committee set up by Roger Vanden Stock, the FA vice-president, to make the association more dynamic. A coach works for the short term. Now I’m seeing life on the other side of the fence. I’m trying to involve people in a more global project to which I have no hesitation in devoting my energies. We have some great leaders, but I bring a different perspec- tive because of my past experiences.” Preud’homme travels the length

Michel and breadth of the country, doing his Preud’homme utmost to ensure that coaching is pro- in his current “kit”. tected in the small clubs as well as the larger ones. “Our plan is to give all clubs the means to coach youngsters. If all our ideas are implemented and we are able to protect our national players, we will be able to follow UEFA’s lead

PHOTO NEWS in the European competitions by fielding

06 uefadirect 1.06 Runar Gary Lineker Kristinsson (left) in the (in white): commentary benefiting box with former from Liverpool an original players concept. Mark Lawrenson and . EMPICS

Axel Lawarée (Rapid Vienna), who has While players all over Europe try been the top goalscorer in Austria several to emulate Gary Lineker, a BBC presenter, times, is launching a merchandising others opt for a totally different kind of project with his neighbour, a household career: in Switzerland, for example, textiles manufacturer. That is what he Roger Berbig is a doctor, while Claudio

PHOTO NEWS is planning to do when he stops playing.” Sulser is a lawyer. In France, David Ginola The Icelander Kristinsson, most has tried his hand at modelling and more homegrown players. We have a players at Club Bruges, Mudingayi of Eric Cantona has worked as an actor, problem in Belgium, where clubs are pre- Lazio and an increasing number of while George Weah was the losing can- vented by law from signing 15-year-olds. others are represented by Starfactory, didate in the recent presidential election Consequently, they go to the Nether- which was founded only five years ago. in Liberia. Pascale Pierard lands or France. Couldn’t the politicians protect our youngsters by amending this law and by reducing the tax thresh- Doctor of football! old for teenagers who sign professional contracts with their home club? Why The former Italian women’s international, Ferriana Ferraguzzi, can’t they be granted the lower rate aged 46, is a sales representative who is also successfully involved in foot- reserved for foreigners? However, ball: she coaches five-ten year-olds at Standard Liege, a position that was it is important that all members of the originally filled by Simon Tahamata, a Dutchman of Moluccan origin. football community are in agreement “It is vital to teach children the right technique from the very beginning. before we turn to the politicians.” I work with small groups in order to give the kids the attention they need. Sometimes, we have to help them tie their bootlaces,” she smiles. She Original strategy is also technical director of first- Austrian Jürgen Werner and Bel- division side Standard Femina gian Didier Frenay, who are now FIFA- and a member of a Belgian FA registered player agents, have developed committee that deals with an original strategy with Starfactory, a women’s football. fast-expanding European company. Ann Noé, the former As a player, Frenay never had a registered international goalkeeper, has agent. The first Belgian to play in the pursued an unusual career since Austrian championship, he was already retiring from the game. Having an agent at heart. “Jürgen and I share the written a doctorate on goal- same vision. We can make a player keepers’ body movements, she is dependent by doing everything for him now a professor of football at or we can take the risk of showing the Catholic University of Leuven him what to do and why. It’s our choice. (KUL) and teaches football to We look after players from the start the students at the town’s until the end of their career in a genuine college for high-level athletes. spirit of cooperation. In each country, we Many of them are already have one or two agents, often former playing in Division 1. “I have Carolina Morace (Italy) has players such as lawyer Laurent Stas de no problems,” says Ann Noé, already tried her who also coaches the national hand at coaching Richelle, who is our legal adviser. Alain a men’s team, Denil advises young players from the age women’s Under-19 side. in the Serie C. of 16 or 17. At that age, decisions With a UEFA “A” coaching EMPICS must be based not on financial considera- licence already to her name, tions, but on the player’s personal devel- all she lacks is a Pro licence. opment. Our work does not stop there: “My timetable prevents me from we also offer advice on image rights and attending these courses, which are also too management. When Didier Dheedene expensive for me. Even though I have followed most of these courses at played for TSV Munich 1860, we advised university, I would still be interested in obtaining this licence. Coach a men’s him to buy rather than rent an apartment. team?” She laughs: “I don’t think people are ready for that yet.” P.P.

07 Pedro Galan Tests to assess used video the physical clips to illustrate fitness his presentation. of the referees.

BiennalFutsal courseenters a in new Nyon era

ON 29 AND 30 NOVEMBER, 31 INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL REFEREES

GATHERED AT UEFA’S HEADQUARTERS FOR THE SECOND BIENNIAL COURSE

GEARED TO THIS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SECTOR.

The course set out to evaluate put through a series of tests (sprints, the knowledge and fitness of the partic- backward runs, sideways runs and ipants, as well as provide them with zigzags) to assess their physical fitness. a modern fitness training programme. On that basis, each referee was also “Futsal is entering a new era,” provided with a tailor-made training declared Manuel Lopez Fernandez, programme. member of the UEFA Referees Commit- Just as important for the tee, opening the course. “Nowadays, referees’ activity is their knowledge of referees have to be aware of the partic- English, since their international match “Reviewing actual situations ularities of this fast game.” duties bring them into contact with in the clip examples will definitely help me to apply the new rules a wide variety of nationalities, with – allowing me to judge with great Laws of the Game whom they have to be able to commu- serenity and certainty.” Stressing the importance of nicate effectively. Therefore, their Eng- “My greatest wish for futsal a consistent and uniform interpretation lish was also tested. is that it will soon get the atten- of the Laws of the Game, two members tion it deserves from the public of the UEFA Futsal Delegates Panel, European network and the media. To make this hap- Pedro Galán and Andrea Lastrucci, The idea of putting together a pen, futsal needs to spread all began the proceedings by going over European network of elite international over Europe and always be played the recent revisions to the Futsal Laws futsal referees is starting to take shape. according to the same rules.” of the Game made by FIFA. Video By bringing them into closer contact, Massimo Cumbo, illustrations helped the participants the referees can get to know each 41, Italian, futsal referee to see why it is so important to take other better and share experiences. since 1997. the right decision on the field. With the assistance of former interna- tional referees, a new group of experts Fitness and language tests has also been set up, with the result Beyond the course Later in the day, the partici- that, from next season, UEFA will UEFA has published the pants went over to the local grammar appoint two delegates for every futsal conclusions that emerged from the school in Nyon to make use of its tournament: one referee observer course as a reference and educa- sports field. Under the watchful eyes of and a delegate to cover organisational tional tool that sets the tone for futsal Werner Helsen and Bart Gillis, they were and security matters. refereeing in the future. PHOTOS: UEFA

08 uefadirect 1.06 ANGEL MARIA Member of the UEFA Executive Committee since 1992. Vice-president since 2000. VILLAR LLONA Member of the FIFA Executive Committee since 1998, Spain Vice-president since 2002. 21.1.1950 President of the Spanish Football Federation. Lawyer. PORTRAIT

Eleven questions for the Executive Committee members Angel Maria

OUR SERIES DEVOTED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UEFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONTINUES WITH THE THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT, ANGEL MARIA VILLAR LLONA. Villar Llona

Your first contact with football? dote: I was travelling from to I began training with Athletic with my wife the day Portugal were playing Bilbao when I was 12. I entered the Spain in EURO 2004. I lit a candle in Fatima stadium beneath the San Mamés stand but it didn’t work; Spain lost. My friend with my two older brothers, Antonio Gilberto Madail didn’t think there was and Luis, who introduced me to the anything odd about that, given that Our Lady coach. I lived opposite the club and I was of Fatima was, after all, Portuguese! born in a bedroom that looks out onto Defender or ? the San Mamés stadium. The day before Both at the same time, you I was born, Athletic had played Barça! need a balance. First experience of UEFA? We give you a ball, what As president of the Spanish do you do with it? Football Federation, I talked to Jacques Without touching it with Georges in Berne in 1988 about my hands, I chest it down and Spanish representation in the UEFA juggle with it. I never touch committees. it with my hands… except in A player? extreme circumstances. Alfredo Di Stéfano was the A city? archetypal player who covered the whole Two cities: Madrid and pitch and could do anything with Rome. Madrid has been my home the ball. He had all the qualities a player for the past 18 years and is a needs: a goalscorer, grumpy (!), hard- magnificent city. Rome because it working, highly technical, aggressive and is the Eternal City and for many always wanting to win. other reasons. It is a living monument A memorable match? to our civilisation. Speaking as a As a player, when I won the Catholic, it is the home of the Pope. Spanish Cup against Castellón in 1972/73 As a lawyer, it is the capital of Roman in the Manzanares (Vicente Calderón) law, on which the rules of modern stadium. I also have fond memories of my civilisation are based. first match for the Spanish team, when Detective story or we played Turkey in Istanbul to mark the economic treatise? 50th anniversary of the Turkish FA, even I never have anything to do with though the match finished 0-0. And, of economics, I leave that to the experts, course, my debut for Athletic’s first team in whom I have complete confidence. against UD Las Palmas in 1970. I don’t read detective stories either. I like A memory linked to a history and books that teach you some- UEFA activity? thing about life. When I stood for election to the Sea or mountains? Executive Committee for the first time in Mountains. Forests. Fir trees. , I won the same number of Oak trees. Collecting wild mushrooms. votes as Joseph Mifsud. I was heavily criti- I have a house in the mountains, in the Rioja. cised in Spain because the Spanish were A dream? not aware of Joseph Mifsud’s tremendous To win the World Cup or European

human and sporting qualities. An anec- Championship with the Spanish team. PHOTOS: UEFA

9 Group discussions on marketing matters. UEFA

HatTrickPilot programme training course

IN THE CONTEXT OF ITS HATTRICK PROGRAMME, UEFA INVITED THE REPRESENTATIVES OF EIGHT NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS TO NYON AT THE END OF NOVEMBER AND BEGINNING OF DECEMBER FOR A PILOT MIDDLE-MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE. BY STRUCTURING THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED TO INVEST THE ASSOCIATIONS WITH THE EXPERTISE THEY NEED TO STRENGTHEN THEIR INFLUENCE AND AUTHORITY.

The influence and power of Hungary, Israel, Northern Ireland, Distance learning the clubs and leagues has risen con- Poland, the Republic of Ireland By way of follow-up, UEFA stantly in recent times, while those of and Slovakia, who were represented is setting up a Knowledge Sharing the associations has tended to stag- by their appropriate middle man- Platform (KSP), which, from May nate. Nowadays, the best clubs are agers for the different modules 2006, will be available to all professional operations. The Top Execu- on marketing, finance and project the associations for on-line train- tive Programme and HatTrick education management. ing. Local workshops will back up programme just introduced by UEFA this e-training, accompanied by are intended to redress the balance Providing the right tools videos of courses such as the one and help the associations cope with During the week, the partic- just held. the socio-economic developments of ipants considered and exchanged football. “By being more professional, their own experiences, analysed case More to come by sharing experiences, by meeting studies, for example, on the eco- The pilot programme now more regularly and by following specif- nomic impact of EURO 2004 on the continues with a further two ic courses, we can help each other to Greek FA, and did some practical courses covering the same modules restore the importance of the national exercises, like preparing a bid to for another 18 associations, nine associations in the overall picture,” host a youth final round as part of per course. After that, a new explained Jacob Erel, Director of UEFA’s the project management module. series of topics will be dealt with in National Associations division. By equipping middle man- two new courses, scheduled for agers with the right tools through March and April, addressing com- Bringing the specialists together courses such as this, the associa- munication and event manage- The pilot course involved the tions will be better set up to improve ment, and human resources and football associations of Croatia, Finland, their efficiency. information technology respectively.

The financial experts pause for a group photo. UEFA 10 uefadirect 1.06 Dialogue Richard Porret is important is a well-informed at all levels. observer of European football. UEFA

RichardUEFA through a journalist’sPorret eyes

FIFTY YEARS AGO, THE NEWSPAPER L’EQUIPE “GAVE” UEFA THE CHAMPION CLUBS’ CUP. EVER SINCE, THE FRENCH SPORTS DAILY HAS DEVOTED COUNTLESS PAGES UEFA TO THIS COMPETITION, WHICH BECAME THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN 1992/93. L’EQUIPE IS ALSO INTERESTED IN UEFA’S OTHER ACTIVITIES: ITS JOURNALIST at a football club. It is never the same people doing the talking. I hope that RICHARD PORRET IS A LEADING EXPERT IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL, HAVING FOLLOWED there will be a genuine desire to listen THE MEETINGS OF THE UEFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, CONGRESSES AND OTHER on both sides. You have recently reported IMPORTANT UEFA MEETINGS FOR MANY YEARS. on the G14. This is also a question of dia- Why have you been following getting better. We therefore have time logue. The G14 is not talked about as the congresses of UEFA and other to consider the future. much as before, but it still exists and organisations since 1991? How do you see the future must not be pushed to the limit of its After 16 years of covering of football? patience. It is important for the UEFA matches, I was bored, especially since In the next few years, we are Champions League. Having said that, the quality of the football was no going to reach a watershed. The FIFA I don’t think for one moment that a longer satisfying me as a lover of the president has recently created a task Super League is viable and I will join beautiful game. I wanted to find out force to discuss various issues, including UEFA in fighting it because UEFA’s how football worked and learn about the G14 and the multiple ownership competitions will always exist, whereas its governing bodies. I thought it was of clubs. I followed the Bosman case the private sector sometimes has other strange that L’Equipe did not regularly until its conclusion. Sport should not plans. What would be the attraction, follow the UEFA and FIFA congresses. always be subject to the law, but neither in the long term, of more matches Most journalists are not interested should it be exempt. The sports author- between Real Madrid and Manchester in the International Board, but if they ities have enjoyed a scandalous level United, for example? It’s the old caviar made the ball square, they would of power, but they are now in danger of problem… certainly be asking why. losing their identity as they fall into the Apart from the Bosman ruling What is your view of UEFA? clutches of people who know nothing and the Champions League, has there, It is the most powerful confed- about sport. Will there be sufficient dia- in your view, been one outstanding eration, in both sporting and economic logue? Sport must be allowed to remain moment in UEFA’s recent history? terms. UEFA upholds fair play and the a special case, but only within reason. The Congress in Luxembourg proper functioning of competitions in The EU cannot deny that sport merits in 2000 highlighted the power of a world which swears by money alone. special treatment. The free movement the administration compared to the It is an institution, which implies cer- of workers is all very well, but a game Executive Committee. This is clearly tain constraints. It organises elite com- needs rules, otherwise it will become the direction things are going in: it is petitions but does not ignore their distorted. It’s like poker: you agree on difficult to run a confederation by economic impact. the rules before you start and you don’t meeting once a month. The current Do you miss the format change them during the game. In the system is quicker and more efficient. devised by your fellow countrymen? EU, people come and go just like players Interview by Pascale Pierard I am too young to have felt dispossessed. My elders must have felt this, but it is a bit like a child: one day it flies with its own wings, whether its parents like it or not. It is no longer the same competition, since it involves Like caviar, the more than just national champions. UEFA Champions League That is a shame. However, after exces- and its star players sive reforms, with two group phases, (, a balance has now been found. I always Real Madrid, up against Roar Strand, Rosenborg) say that there are too many matches should be consumed at every level. People retort that the in moderation. audience is still growing, but I take the example of caviar: if you eat it every day, it gets boring. The UEFA Cham- pions League is well established, safety

has improved and the stadiums are GETTY IMAGES

11 David A good Healy’s year for the historic goal women’s against national England team. ???????????????

summer of 2005, which has since participated in two competitive games. November saw the squad entertain the crowds by playing a Irish Football mini-soccer game at half-time during the Northern Ireland v Portugal match. The IFA’s “Strategy for Youth Football 2005-09” identified elite player development as a key area for investment. In September Association 2005, the new Performance Manager took up his appointment with the task of identifying celebrates 125th anniversary the players with best potential and providing a holistic development programme to meet 2005 GAVE NORTHERN IRELAND MANY REASONS TO CELEBRATE THROUGHOUT their needs. By spring 2006, six full-time County Performance Coaches will be appoint- THE YEAR, FROM INTERNATIONAL TEAMS TO YOUTH SQUADS, AND FROM ‘FOOTBALL ed to work under the supervision of the FOR ALL’ STRATEGIES TO NEW COACHING DEVELOPMENTS. Performance Manager, with one based at each of the newly identified County Centres of Excellence. The new Excellence Programme Under the guidance of , also hosted their first ever World Cup quali- will operate in conjunction with the new 2005 saw the Northern Ireland men’s national fying match at home on 10 November, which grassroots programme. As part of its overall team finish fourth in their World Cup qualify- ended as a double celebration as Northern facilities strategy, the IFA has also begun the ing group. But above all, Northern Ireland Ireland beat Slovakia 2-0. process of creating a national training centre. recorded their greatest result of a generation September saw the women’s Under- The IFA’s ‘Football For All’ project – and possibly all-time – with victory over 19s qualify for the second round of the Euro- has had a very successful year. The project is England at Windsor Park. pean Under-19 Championship; again, this was very proactive in challenging racism, support- The Under-19s hosted the Euro- a first as Northern Ireland had never reached ing the promotion of women’s football pean Championship final tournament in the this stage before. and disability football. June was the month for summer but despite performing admirably Our anniversary year saw many a ‘Culture Kick’ tour of China, delivering finished bottom of their group. Northern successful developments within our disability cultural awareness workshops and coaching Ireland’s Under-17s have also achieved football department. hosted the sessions in schools and disadvantaged success which has seen them move up ‘2005 Special Schools FA Cup’ in June, with areas. In July, over 200 coaches and the European rankings 14th place, out 200 players from 19 special schools through- 1,000 children participated in the ‘Football of 52 countries. out Northern Ireland competing. UEFA 4 Peace’ week-long football camp in 18 com- 2005 saw many ‘firsts’ for our deservedly awarded the Belfast Community munities across the Galilee region in Israel. women’s national team. Celebrations began Cup as the ‘Best Disabled Grassroots Foot- The IFA’s World United, Refugees and when the senior team competed at the ball Event of 2005’ with 19 adult centres Asylum Seekers football team won the inau- Algarve Cup. The 2-1 victory over hosts Portu- throughout Northern Ireland competing in gural eleven a-side Football For All Unity Cup gal may be hailed as a watershed for women’s the tournament, which included teams from in September. football in Northern Ireland, as this was England, Scotland and Wales. In its 125th anniversary year, the the first ever competitive win for the national The IFA formed a Northern Ireland IFA has seen many developments in terms of team. Northern Ireland’s women’s squad Cerebral Palsy Development squad during the competitive success, but many marketing ini- tiatives have been introduced as well. In No- vember, the anniversary month, a new inter- active website was launched (www.irishfa.com), along with an online shop and a brand-new IFA official supporters’ scheme. Belfast’s City Hall was the venue for the IFA’s 125th anniversary dinner. In particular, the IFA welcomed guests in- cluding FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and UEFA President Lennart Johansson. Northern Ireland players past and present joined with officials from the four British football associations, the IFA, other football asso- ciations from across the world, IFA staff, executive committee members, supporters and the Northern Ireland media to enjoy and celebrate the occasion. Howard Wells, IFA Chief Executive ends with a quote: “This has been a year of forward thinking which now needs to be converted into a dynamic new vision for The UEFA President, Northern Irish football based on successes on Lennart Johansson, the field at all levels and in increasing public and his host, awareness of the IFA, its role and work.” Jim Boyce,

president of the IFA. PHOTOS: IFA Caroline Menary

12 uefadirect 1.06 Richard Corbett Richard Bullard Per Ravn Omdal

in EU sports policy. Despite the absence of an article on sport, caused by the Report failure to ratify the new Treaty, the Commission still had a role to play in coordinating EU sports policy. The Commissioner had revived the dialogue from Brussels with European sport’s governing bo- A seminar ahead dies, and would continue to provide of new challenges support to their activities. In the second part of day one,

UEFA HELD ITS THIRD SEMINAR ON EUROPEAN UNION AFFAIRS members of the UEFA administration provided a detailed update on some of ON 24 AND 25 NOVEMBER AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE BELGIAN FA IN BRUSSELS. the main areas of UEFA’s EU strategy. UEFA VICE-PRESIDENT PER RAVN OMDAL CHAIRED THE MEETING, Jonathan Hill, head of the EU office, WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER THE 35 NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS THAT ARE DIRECTLY discussed the chief political challenges AFFECTED BY EU POLICY AND LAW. facing European football and explained the philosophy behind UEFA’s activities This year’s seminar came at a Two guest speakers from the EU in 2005. , Director of particularly important time for both UEFA institutions launched the first debate. Legal Services, presented the latest and its members, as the European foot- Richard Corbett, Member of the Europe- developments concerning two crucial ball family faces a new set of challenges an Parliament since 1996 and a leading matters: UEFA’s new rules to encourage in both the political and legal spheres. figure among UEFA’s ‘Friends of Foot- the local training of players, and the “We must be ready to tackle these ball’, offered his personal view of the legal case involving Belgian football challenges with intelligence and deter- EU’s current state of health. Earlier this club Charleroi and FIFA. UEFA’s legal mination,” said Mr Omdal. “The seminar year, Mr Corbett served as the Parlia- adviser, Alasdair Bell, explained the will help equip us for the task.” ment’s rapporteur on the EU Constitutio- consequences of this year’s Simutenkov The overall objective of the nal Treaty, and he has just published decision by the European Court and seminar was, as always, to draw lessons the sixth edition of his book on “The Eu- how it would affect national associations. from the various experiences of UEFA ropean Parliament”. David Will and Gilberto Madaíl, and its members so that we all work Bernd Biervert, member of the both members of the UEFA Executive together more efficiently in our political cabinet of Commissioner Ján Figel’, then Committee working group on EU relations across Europe. At the same summarised the latest developments matters, completed the first day by ➜ time, we aim to manage our relations with the EU and its national govern- ments better. “These seminars show that the relationship between sport and the EU becomes more important each year,” declared Mr Omdal in his introduction. “Exactly ten years ago, the European Court was about to reach its decision in the Bosman case; ten years later, many of the same debates are still going on. It is not enough for UEFA and its mem- ber associations simply to be aware of what is going on in the EU; we must be part of the decision-making process.

We must make our voice heard.” PHOTOS: PHOTONEWS

13 Equipping To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the European the parti- Champion Clubs’ Cup/UEFA Champions League, cipants at the UEFA is presenting plaques to some of the figures EU seminar who have made their mark on the competition. to meet some In Munich, on the occasion of a UEFA Champions League of the match, Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, member of the UEFA challenges. Executive Committee (right), presented this award to compatriots , , Franz Beckenbauer, and Gerd Müller (left to right). PHOTO NEWS F. JOCH F.

➜ presenting the ten new ‘position papers’ that UEFA has written on the main areas of EU sports policy. These Competitions positions include, among others, the free movement of workers, the marketing of commercial rights, the protection of intellectual property, and other activities the fight against doping and racism, Champions League and the question of stadium security. enters its final phase On its second day, the seminar THE GROUP STAGE OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE focused on the practical aspects of political relations. Mr Omdal led a dis- FINISHED IN EARLY DECEMBER. cussion on how to establish and deve- For eight clubs out of the original 32 – those who finished last in their lop good relations with all levels groups – the European campaign is now over. The fact that these include of national, regional and local govern- two former winners of the competition – Manchester United and FC Porto – shows that the current edition has already had its fair share of upsets. ment. A case study on the construc- Another eight teams will now enter the UEFA Cup and embark, tion of mini-pitches in Norway – where together with the 24 clubs which have qualified from the group phase more than 300 pitches are completed of the Cup, on the road leading towards the final in in May. Bruges, Thun, Udinese, Lille, Schalke 04, Rosenborg, Betis Seville and Artmedia Bratislava will thus be seeking each year – demonstrated the value to emulate CSKA , who were eliminated from the last edition of the Champions of good media relations. League in December but went on to lift the UEFA Cup. In an important part of his The 16 qualifiers for the first knock-out round of the presentation, Mr Omdal stressed the UEFA Champions League, representing eight national associations, will already be contesting the first-leg need for “emotional arguments”. matches in February, on account of the approaching “We must always remind politicians of World Cup. Ten of them (Ajax, , Bayern the social role of football. Everyone Munich, Benfica, , Juventus, Liverpool, AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid) have has someone in their family that plays already won the trophy at least once in the 50-year football, or who is involved in the history of the champion clubs’ competition. For grass roots. Let’s remind our govern- Arsenal, Chelsea, Glasgow Rangers, , Villarreal and Werder Bremen, it is still ments that sport helps to keep the kids a dream which one of them may fulfil in the off the street, and away from drug Stade de France-St-Denis in Paris on 17 May, abuse. Let’s talk about how football when a brand-new trophy will be presented helps to fight racism. Football is open to the winning captain, Liverpool having kept the previous cup after their fifth win in the and inclusive, and these are important competition last May. values for today’s governments.” To close the seminar, Richard Under-21 draw Bullard, an expert in EU public affairs The European Under-21 Champion- and director of the consultancy ship is set to step out of the shadows APCO Europe, offered his personal of the main European Championship, but on 27 January in Montreux, it will insight into the modern corporate still serve as the “prelude” since world and its relationship with the EU the draw for the qualifying and national government. In a case round of the 2006/07 European Under-21 Championship will study about the political strategy GETTY IMAGES precede the draw for the EURO of a leading pharmaceutical company, Benfica (Geovani, being 2008 qualifying competition. pursued by Mikaël Silvestre) Mr Bullard underlined the need for made sure of qualification The draw to determine the two sound planning, good timing and with a decisive win groups for the final round of the against Manchester United. 2004–2006 Under-21 Champi- powerful messages: the basis of suc- onship will be made cessful political strategy. on 8 February.

14 uefadirect 1.06 1. FFC Frankfurt Women’s Under-19 draw: are back in the final UEFA Technical Director of the UEFA Women’s Andy Roxburgh, Cup after a Karen Espelund, chairwoman difficult semi-final of the Women’s Football against Committee, and Montpellier HSC. Sabrina Delannoy, captain

UEFA of the French women’s Under-19 team. ORLOWSKI/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES

Anti-racism conference Djurgarden/Älvsjö, their opponents in last Group 5: Norway, Netherlands, year’s final. Frankfurt, for their part, Lithuania, Croatia in Barcelona were taken by surprise by Montpellier HSC, Group 6: Switzerland, Portugal, Three years after a first who beat them 1-0 in the first leg. Turkey, Hungary such conference in , UEFA, One week later, Turbine Group 7: Ukraine, Wales, Moldova, in cooperation with the FARE Potsdam convincingly Romania network (Football Against took charge of the Group 8: Serbia and Montenegro, Racism in Europe), the Spanish situation with a 5-2 win Denmark, Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland Football Federation and FC Barce- to secure their place Group 9: Scotland, Russia, Slovenia, lona, is organising a second in the final. Israel “UniteAgainstRacism” conference. Frankfurt had a harder time in Group 10: Republic of Ireland, Italy, It is being held at the Nou Camp Montpellier and had to rely on the away- Slovakia, Bulgaria Group 11: Czech Republic, Finland, in Barcelona on 1 February and will goals rule to qualify for the final. A missed Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus look at how the situation has evolved penalty by the French, who then scored since the London conference and assess a late goal, left the final score at 3-2 in (Mini-tournament hosts shown in bold.) the effectiveness of the measures already Frankfurt’s favour, a disappointing result The mini-tournaments will taken and of current initiatives at Euro- for the French, who had reached the take place between 26 September and pean level. It will also be an opportunity semi-finals for the first time, whereas 1 October, with the group-winners, to share ideas for taking a more effective 1. FFC Frankfurt, first-ever winners of the runners-up and two best third-placed stand against racism. UEFA Women’s Cup in 2002, will be teams going through to the second round. appearing in their third final in May. German line-up for Foot &Co fair in Marseilles the UEFA Women’s Cup Women’s Under-19 draw On the initiative of sports event The final of the fifth UEFA organisers Foot&Co, the first ever football The draw for the group stage Women’s Cup will be an all-German fair was organised in Marseilles. UEFA of the 2006/07 European Women’s affair between title-holders was invited to run a stand at the event, 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam 71 and Under-19 Championship was made on which took place on 9, 10 and 11 Decem- German champions 1. FFC Frankfurt. 19 October during the 5th UEFA ber, drawing some 25,000 visitors and Women’s Football Conference in . After the first legs of the semi- 60 exhibitors. Demonstrations of beach finals on 20 November, the German teams’ Group 1: Sweden, France, soccer, footy volley and futsal were a popu- chances of reaching the final were far from Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan lar attraction. certain, neither having exploited the home Group 2: Poland, Spain, The UEFA stand was also busy. advantage and both having gone into Armenia, Latvia Twelve year after winning the UEFA Cham- the second leg as the underdogs. Despite Group 3: England, Belgium, pions League against AC Milan in Munich, having gone into the dressing-rooms Estonia, Greece Olympique Marseille fans were able to at half-time with a two-goal lead,Turbine Group 4: Germany, Austria, see the trophy again and even to have their Potsdam lost their first leg 3-2 against FYR Macedonia, Georgia photo taken with the coveted trophy. BOZZANI

Anti-racism action in Italy: at the beginning of December, all teams (Empoli and Sampdoria pictured here) publicly expressed their disapproval of racism before their matches kicked off.

15 The European Polish Special trophies Olympics coach were a popular Alina Apryas visitor attraction with her assistants at the fair Tomasz Sperka in Marseilles. (left) and Florian Florek (right). NOLWEN GASSIN-SOEE NOLWEN UEFA

Special Olympics athletes ment. Martynas Slezys, 15, an assistant Vladivostok in Europe sounds like coach from Lithuania, said, “I noticed tech- a good joke, but Sergey Pavlov, who used ready for new challenges nical mistakes in the team I worked with to assist Oleg Romantsev in the national Twenty-four footballers with and was able to correct them. I want to team, is a man to be taken seriously. intellectual disabilities from Poland, continue to be an assistant coach. It would In 1993, he climbed to fourth place in the Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and make me proud to see a team progress.” domestic league with FC Tekstilschik from Slovakia took part in a Special Olympics The seminars are part of a project to Kamyshin, a tiny provincial town that assistant coaching seminar in Gdansk, develop assistant coaching in football. A total is hard to find on the map. The season after, Poland, from 17 to 20 November. Also of 56 Special Olympics footballers and Tekstilschik reached the second round of attending were 15 Special Olympics 35 coaches in 13 countries have participated. the UEFA Cup, only to be knocked out coaches. by Nantes, though not without dignity Special Olympics Poland coach The Pacific moves closer (2-0 defeat away and 2-1 defeat at home). Alina Apryas, who works with assistant to Europe There is a glimmer of hope for coaches Tomasz Sperka and Florian Florek, those who suffer from travel sickness said: “I rely on Tomasz to have the equip- A European continent that though: a Russian FA delegation visited ment ready while Florian manages the extends from the Atlantic to the Urals Vladivostok in November and judged the warm-up sessions. Words cannot describe was an ambitious dream of General stadium unfit for staging premiership how much their self-confidence has grown De Gaulle. Today, a no less ambitious games, and even less so for European on and off the field. This is the most Russian football coach is suggesting matches. The ground lacks undersoil heat- important value of assistant coaching.” that the borders of the continent ing, adequate lighting and a scoreboard, The seminar included a session be extended towards the Pacific coast. not to mention ‘minor’ things like a doping in which the assistant coaches worked with Sergey Pavlov from Vladivostok, control room, separate toilets for the two teams participating in a Special Olympics fresh from winning promotion for his team teams, etc. So the chances are high that Poland national women’s football tourna- to the Russian premiership, says he now aims Sergey Pavlov and his team would have to play in a European club competition. to hire the five-star Luzhniki stadium in That ambition could become a distinct possi- Moscow to entertain visiting teams. Special Olympics project brings bility next May, if his team win the Russian Sergey Borisov together young people Cup. It is certainly not an impossible mission, as FC Terek from Chechnya proved in 2004 with and without disabilities when playing in the first division. Four young players in Austria, with Luch-Energya from Vladivostok and without intellectual disabilities, are part of a Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) (pop. 634,000), Russia’s main naval base and project that was successfully launched in port on the Pacific, returned to the Russian 2005 to bring young people with and with- premiership last autumn after a 12-year out intellectual disabilities together on absence. It was something of a nightmare the football pitch in an effort to promote come true for teams in the European part of tolerance, acceptance and friendship. Russia as it is a non-stop nine-hour flight from Moscow or St Petersburg to the city facing Japan across the sea. Alternatively, there is the Trans-Siberian Express, 9,300 kilo- metres, a rail journey of some 150 hours. To reach Vladivostok from central Europe, add another three or four hours to the flight time, and another day or two to the rail FEDOR USPENSKY The promotion of Luch-Energya from journey. And then there is the time difference: Vladivostok (in blue and yellow) has caused Vladivostok is nine hours ahead of CET. one or two logistical problems.

OBITUARIES

SO AUSTRIA ■ Guido Vantaggiato (Italy), formerly a member of the Technical Development The project involves SO Get Into It, Committee (1994-98) and of the Technical Instructors Panel (2000-04), and a member of a Special Olympics school curriculum that the Jira Panel since 1998, died suddenly on 19 November, shortly before his 61st birthday. conveys the ideals of social inclusion to For more than ten years, he had been director of the Italian Football Federation’s young people and promotes “unified national training centre in Coverciano, which has been the venue for many UEFA confe- sports”, in which teams consist of players rences and courses. with and without disabilities. As a result ■ of the project, some 900 mainstream On 22 November, Wilhelm Hennes (Germany), a member of UEFA’s circle of former and special education students are now committee members, died aged 77 after a long illness. From 1988 to 2002, he served on playing in 89 newly formed unified teams the Appeals Body, of which he was vice-chairman from 1998 to 2002. He also held in Austria, Italy, Poland, Romania, many positions within the German FA (DFB), which had made him an honorary member Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia. in recognition of his contribution.

16 uefadirect 1.06 represented by its football association’s general secretary, Louis Muhlinghaus, and vice-president, Max Kahn. News Nicolas Cornu from member associations BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The UEFA representatives pre- NK Siroki Brijeg top the table ARMENIA sented the action taken by European foot- NK Siroki Brijeg have ended the ball’s governing body during the past first half of the season at the top of the three years to implement its club licensing Aram Hakobyan named in Bosnia and Herzegovina. system throughout Europe, from what has The team have achieved great things this player of 2005 already been achieved to current initiatives. year, reaching the final of the Bosnia and In accordance with the rules of The seminar participants were Herzegovina cup as well as the first round the FA of Armenia (FFA), the poll to elect also interested in hearing about the club of the UEFA Cup, where they were un- the best player of the year is conducted by licensing situation in other national asso- fortunately eliminated by FC Basel. Apart the FFA press service and includes votes ciations. The UEFA representatives answered from topping the league table at the from the chairmen, coaches and coaching all their questions, most of which were staff of the nine top division clubs, media about financial aspects of the system. representatives, top division referees and A press conference for local commissioners. media was organised immediately after In total, Aram Hakobyan the meeting. (FC Banants) received 251 votes, Armen The FFA’s third licensing cycle, Shahgeldyan (FC Mika) 215 votes, and covering the 2006/07 UEFA season, got Nshan Erzrumyan (FC Kilikia) 82 votes. under way on 28 November. Aram Hakobyan is a young and Arayik Manukyan talented forward who also plays for the Armenian national team. He has also played for his club in the UEFA Cup and scored twice against FC Dnepr in the second quali- BELGIUM fying round. F.KRVAVAC On 17 November, UEFA and the FFA FIFA President honoured organised a seminar on the UEFA club licens- NK Siroki Brijeg are heading the championship ing system. The seminar was conducted by in Brussels at the halfway stage. UEFA representatives, the FFA chief executive Guest of honour at the awards and project leader, Armen Minasyan, and ceremony of the Belgian Football Association halfway stage in the current season, they the head of the FFA’s licensing department, (URBSFA) held in Brussels on 18 October, the are also through to the semi-finals of the Arno Sargsyan. The executive directors, FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter, was made 2005/06 Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup treasurers and auditors of all top division an honorary member of the association. along with with FK Zeljeznicar, NK Orasje clubs and the FFA licensing and NK Zepce. system representatives were Because of the World Cup in invited to the seminar, at Germany, the second half of the season which the FFA’s club licensing starts on 25 February and ends on 3 May. procedure was presented. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup final The UEFA club licensing will be played over two legs, the order of system was actually intro- which will be determined in a draw. The duced in Armenia in 2002 first leg will be played on 19 April and and is therefore now the return match on 3 May. already into its third Mathieu Sprengers, member season. of the UEFA Executive Committee, and a delegation from the UEFA administration have paid a visit to the football federation

PHOTO NEWS of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they Jan Peeters welcomes the FIFA president were met by its president, Iljo Dominkovic, as an honorary member. and general secretary, Munib Usanovic. The main focus of the visit was UEFA’s Top Michel D’Hooghe, member of the FIFA Executive Programme, though relations Executive Committee, and Emir Kir, minister and cooperation between the federation of sport for the Brussels region, were also and the Bosnian government were also in attendance. discussed, as were safety and visa-related Clearly moved and very grateful to matters. Regarding political issues, the Aram Hakobyan (in red, playing the URBSFA executive committee, chaired UEFA delegation met Mladen Ivanic from against the by Jan Peeters, Joseph S. Blatter highlighted the ministry of foreign affairs. Netherlands): in his speech the close historical links be- A press conference was organised Armenian Player tween Belgian football and FIFA. Belgium at the end of the visit, where the UEFA of the Year. became one of the seven founder members delegation expressed its satisfaction at the

FFA of FIFA in Paris on 21 May 1904, when it was way the discussions had gone and

17 Mathieu Sprengers stressed the importance As the year draws to a close, we Trinidad’s 1-0 win earned the of the development of youth football. are also delighted at UEFA’s decision to short- island a place in the 2006 World Cup finals At the beginning of December, list the joint bid of the football associations and sparked scenes of wild celebration, the federation held its annual general meet- of Hungary and Croatia for the second phase with McMenemy and his FA colleagues ing in Sarajevo. The election for the seat in the process to select the hosts of EURO urging their hosts to use qualification to of first vice-president of the federation 2012. Intensive work continues in order continue the development of players in was won by Sulejman Colakovic, who was to fulfil all the requirements that need to be the region. running against Fuad Colpa. met for this second phase in the decision- “I have no doubt that this Fuad Krvavac making process. achievement will transform the game over Since a new competition system here, especially as it has to compete with is going to be introduced at more levels as cricket,” said McMenemy. of next season, the clubs are making every “We were in the middle of the FA CROATIA effort to ensure their promotion up a divi- seminar in Port of Spain when Trinidad sion. The new system involves the creation qualified and it was amazing to be among of a single second division and of three them, to see their joy and to start to Celebration time third divisions. understand what qualification means to This year is ending on a really high A new season always starts with this country. note for us because of our national team the national youth players, who gather for “Qualification should ultimately qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Ger- the traditional camp in Porec with three benefit the grass roots of the game here, many. It will be the third time in a row that youth coaches. which is actually critical for the future our national team has reached the World Meanwhile, the long-awaited sports of football in this country and across the Cup finals, which makes it an even more law has been submitted to the Croatian par- region. special achievement for Croatian football. liament for consideration and decision. We “Appearing at the World Cup Friendly matches and preparations are being all expect more improvements for the devel- will increase participation and interest in programmed so that we can again play a opment of sport and in particular provisions the game. It will create new heroes and prominent role in the World Cup. governing the status of professional clubs. role models, which will give football devel- We are therefore going into the opment a new direction here.” new year with great optimism for the further Nada Grkinic successful development of Croatian foot- ball, both at the grass roots and in terms of quality. Ante Pavlovic FINLAND

Club youth forums ENGLAND The Finnish FA has launched a new programme to get more young people active in football clubs. Until now, young- Elite player development sters have practically only been involved in Trinidad in clubs as players. All the planning of youth The FA were caught up in the activity structures and methods has been euphoria of Trinidad and Tobago’s first-ever made by adults, and young people have not World Cup qualification while it delivered been part of the decision-making. Many an Elite Player Development programme young players drop out of club activities on the Caribbean island in November. because they no longer enjoy it. While some The three-day seminar focused on drop-out in certain age groups is only to a range of issues from talent identification be expected, the level can be reduced by HNS through to youth development systems making the activities more interesting. Awards for coach Zlatko Kranjcar and maximising performance. The purpose of the FA’s new programme and player Dado Prso. FA ambassador Lawrie McMenemy is to get young people involved in planning, headed the delegation, which was in developing and making decisions concern- A number of tributes have been Trinidad on the day of its World Cup qualify- ing their own football activities. The idea paid to the players and the head coach, ing second leg play-off against Bahrain. is that when young people get involved and Zlatko Kranjcar, formerly an excellent inter- are able make decisions, they will be more national player himself and now a very interested in being involved in the club in successful football coach, who has improved general and may stay on after they have the performance of our team through his stopped playing football themselves. There perception of football. Recognition has also is always room for more people to become been paid to the Croatian Football Federa- active in football clubs. tion, which has provided optimum prepara- In Finland, the clubs that fulfil the tion conditions for our national team and a FA’s children’s and youth football standards positive football climate. The federation and are awarded ”quality club” status. There certain individuals have also received other are currently 38 such clubs, who meet awards in addition to the public show of twice a year to discuss many issues con- recognition. Zlatko Kranjcar and striker cerning club football. In spring 2006, a Dado Prso have received the greatest recogni- youth meeting will be held in conjunction tion, the annual national Franjo Bucar sports with one of the quality clubs’ meetings. award, named after the visionary who THE FA This youth forum will be an opportunity for initiated organised work in the development Lawrie McMenemy from The FA and Alvin Corneal the participants to discuss and plan what of football and other sports in 1893. from the CONCACAF Technical Committee. kind of activities they would like to partici-

18 uefadirect 1.06 pate in at club level. The goal is that clubs The best players in the women’s will organise youth boards which will work LITHUANIA football league also received awards: alongside the official club boards. These ■ Top scorer – E. Liseviciute (TexTilite) youth boards will be a way for young people ■ Best forward – J. Lavrenovaite (TexTilite) to get their voices heard in clubs. There Futsal season kicks off ■ Best – J. Macikunyte are plenty of other possibilities in clubs for In Lithuania, the highest division (Gintra-Universitetas) young people than just playing. They can of the futsal league comprises eight futsal ■ Best defender – I. Kirjonovaite work as coaches, trainers, instructors, event clubs, while the first division contains 35. (Gintra-Universitetas) organisers and get involved in many other To kick off the new futsal season, Most valuable players: interesting tasks. They are a big resource the Lithuanian national futsal team played ■ 1 – G. Burokaite (TexTilite) for the future and it is good to get them two friendly matches against their coun- ■ 2 – J. Macikunyte (Gintra-Universitetas) active and committed early. terparts from England. In order to ■ 3 – I. Siliuniene (Kaunas-FM). Minttu Paavola & Jukka Salasuo attract more spectators, the Lithuanian Vaiva Zizaite Futsal Association issued invitations to a large number of people, tickets were avail- GEORGIA able at a nominal price, and there was LUXEMBOURG even free entry for women and students. The Lithuanian team was vic- Visit of UEFA Chief Executive torious in both matches, winning the first An abundance of activities The UEFA Chief Executive, Lars- 6-1 and the second 4-3. The Luxembourg Football Federa- Christer Olsson, and a UEFA HatTrick project In December, the national futsal tion (FLF) is launching a whole range of manager visited the Georgian Football team will visit Romania for two friendly initiatives with a view to increasing the Federation on 31 October and 1 November. matches. popularity of Luxembourg’s favourite sport In outdoor football, Lithuania even further. has been celebrating the end of the 2005 ■ The construction of mini- season. A ceremony was held to present pitches in the context of UEFA’s HatTrick awards to the season‘s best club players, programme has attracted a lot of public namely: interest. Some 23 district councils in the ■ 1 – Mantas Savenas (FK Ekranas); Grand Duchy have given their firm agree- ■ 2 – Gediminas Paulauskas (FK Ekranas); ment to the FLF for the construction of ■ 3 – Tomas Radzinevicius (FK Suduva). a mini-pitch in their municipality. The mini- pitches which have already been opened are in constant use and are a popular meeting point for young and old. ■ The FLF is actively suppor- ting the fight against GFF racism in football. Lars-Christer Olsson (right) with the In addition to a GFF president, (centre), “Red card to ra- and general secretary, Grigol Saava. cism” weekend, a “Charter It was the first official visit by the against racism” CEO to Georgia. It was short, but was sent to all very fruitful and interesting. The members of the UEFA officials met not only the president Luxembourg football of the federation, Nodar Akhalkatsi, family. The aim of but also government leaders, including the FLF is to elimi- George Gabashvili, minister of culture and sport, David Namgalauri, chairman of the sports department, and Gigi Ugulava, mayor of . A number of important topics were discussed, includ- ing the further development of Georgian football infrastructure as well as the situ- ation of the national teams. The UEFA officials and the government representatives promised to render all-round support to Georgian football. The guests visited the site where the regional football federation of Mtskheta is having premises constructed A friendly between Lithuania and attended an Open Fun Football and England in the futsal hall. Schools event at the Mtskheta stadium. Lars-Christer Olsson learnt more about LFF Georgian football and was satisfied with the policy being followed by the new leadership of the federation. Bakar Jordania

19 nate the scourge of racism from football functions held in conjunction with the grounds once and for all . Executive Committee meeting, this was a ■ For the first time in the history high-profile event in Malta. of UEFA and the FLF, the final round of Among the other functions on the European Under-17 Championship will the itinerary was a visit by the UEFA Presi- take place in Luxembourg from 3 to 14 dent and the CEO, Lars-Christer Olsson, May 2006. At a friendly tournament in accompanied by Malta FA president Joseph the Grand Duchy in early November, the Mifsud, to the Maltese prime minister, national Under-17 team achieved good Lawrence Gonzi. The other UEFA Executive results against France (2-2) and England Committee members and officials of the

(1-0) defeat and appear well equipped to FSM Malta FA also met the prime minister. contest the final round next spring. The smooth running of this Joseph S. Blatter, Senes Erzik and Haralampie ■ The FLF will be celebrating its Hadzi-Risteski inaugurate the new grandstand. event in such a small country as Malta was centenary in 2008. In recognition of this acknowledged by Mr Johansson, who major landmark, the FLF management will thanked the Malta FA and Joseph Mifsud, “You have serious top execu- be planning celebrations in conjunction himself a respected and long-standing tives who are investing in football. with various sports and social organisa- member of the UEFA Executive Committee, But you also need good infrastructure to tions, and in the coming weeks a commit- for the warm welcome given to all the make real progress; once the infrastruc- tee will be set up and entrusted with the foreign guests and, not least, for the ture is in place, the results will task of coordinating all activities connec- highly efficient way the Malta FA worked follow,” Mr Blatter stressed during the ted with the centenary. together with the UEFA staff in organising press conference that followed. Joël Wolff this Executive Committee meeting. In his comments to the press, Mr Erzik spoke highly of the hospitality Alex Vella of the local people. Mr Erzik was back in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at the end of November, this time for a meeting NETHERLANDS with the football association’s licensing administration. A dozen Dutch coaches head Zoran Nikolovski for the World Cup Nearly a dozen Dutch coaches will be present at the 2006 World Cup in Ger- MALTA many, looking after four different national teams. and were the last Dutchmen to qualify, after the UEFA Executive Committee play-offs with Australia, and Trinidad and FLF meeting in Malta Tobago respectively. Both have World Cup Inauguration of the mini-pitch gifted by UEFA. Malta recently hosted a UEFA experience with the Dutch national team. Executive Committee meeting, welcom- ing the organisation’s top officials, headed by the President, Lennart Johansson, FYR OF for the meeting on 7 and 8 November. MACEDONIA Having changes of venue for such gatherings is in accordance with First visit of FIFA President UEFA’s new policy of holding Executive November 2005 will enter the Committee meetings in the countries of football history books in the Former different member associations. Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the The main item on the agenda date when a FIFA president visited for the was the narrowing down of the number first time ever. of candidates to host the 2012 European The FIFA President, Joseph S. Blat- Championship from five to three, with ter, had been invited by the president of the final choice to be made in December the football association of the former Yu- 2006. Italy, Croatia/Hungary and Poland/ KNVB goslav republic, Haralampie Hadzi-Risteski, Ukraine emerged as the shortlisted con- Four Dutch coaches involved in the World Cup finals next year: Guus Hiddink, Leo Beenhakker, and during his visit officially opened the tenders. and . new grandstand in the Mladost stadium in Other business included the Strumica, which was built with funds from approval of a coefficient ranking system Beenhakker was at the helm during the the FIFA GOAL project, the UEFA HatTrick for future European Under-21 Champi- Italia ‘90 campaign, when he took over programme and the national football asso- onships and also of the principles for from at the last moment. ciation itself. allocating vacant places in the UEFA Marco van Basten, now the successful The inauguration ceremony in Intertoto Cup as from 2006. Revised coach of the Dutch, was in that unfortu- Strumica was also attended by UEFA vice- competition formats for the 2007-09 nate team with , Ruud president Senes Erzik. European Women’s Championship and Gullit and , to mention just The guests were also received by the UEFA/CAF Meridian Cup were also a few of the hot shots. the country’s prime minister, Vlado Buck- given the go-ahead. Guus Hiddink made a good im- ovski, who promised that all donations from With the superb setting and pression in France in 1998. The Dutch were FIFA and UEFA in favour of the national meticulous organisation highlighting knocked out in the semi-finals by Brazil football association would be tax-free. both the working sessions and the social after a sparkling display of modern football.

20 uefadirect 1.06 Dick Advocaat joined the Korean Fortunately, the new prime minister, fruit, with the number of proceedings football association to help them prepare Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, and the new minis- launched in the last decade reduced by their team for the World Cup in Germany. ter of sport, Tomasz Lipiec, are fully behind almost half (from 337 to 171). Advocaat led the Dutch team in the USA in the bid and the government has promised Filipe Félix 1994, when Brazil proved too strong in the to make significant investments in sport and quarter-finals in Dallas. Advocaat was assis- infrastructure development. tant to during EURO ‘92 and Polish football fans are very inter- head coach of the Dutch in Portugal in 2004. ested in the bidding process although, for ROMANIA Marco van Basten is the youngest the time being, their minds are focused more of the foursome to be heading for Germany. on Poland’s participation in the World Cup Mircea Sandu remains The former European Player of the Year is in Germany. Following a successful qualifying in the president’s seat by far the least experienced of the four but campaign and the latest friendly matches, On 21 November, the Romanian managed to guide the Netherlands to Ger- everyone hopes that Pawel Janas’ players FA held a general assembly. Its sole pur- many without a single defeat. will be in good shape come this summer. pose: to conduct presidential elections. The four Dutchmen will be assisted On the domestic front, a very For the first time in 15 years, almost all by a good number of fellow countrymen. important event in recent weeks was the members of the association participated, John van’t Schip, Rob Witschge and Stanley handover of the premier league (Orange with 290 of the 294 members present. Menzo all played in the national team with Ekstraklasa) from the Polish FA to Ekstraklasa Also for the first time, the incumbent head coach Van Basten. will SA, which will be responsible for the fixture president, Mircea be Advocaat’s right-hand man in Korea. list, transfer regulations, negotiations Sandu, had a challenger: For Beenhakker’s assistants with potential sponsors and the sale of the former well-known and , the trip to Germany media rights. international player, will bring back sweet and sour memories of Michal Kocieba / Bartek Marks Gheorghe Popescu 1974. Both played in Rinus Michels’ team (115 caps, age 37). that lost the final to the hosts but managed In the end, to put an indelible stamp on the event with so- PORTUGAL the race was won by called total football. It is quite likely that Mircea Sandu, who Guus Hiddink will add some Dutch flavour A growing passion for football obtained 187 votes to his Australian staff as well. against Gheorghe That gives the Dutch fans a lot Everyone knows that the Portu- Popescu’s 102. One FRF to look out for next summer. guese are crazy about football. But apart vote was not valid. The new term of Rob de Leede from that, a study published by the Por- tuguese Football Federation (FPF) last De- Mircea Sandu will run until 30 April 2010. cember reveals that football is the favourite A well-known football personality in sport of a growing number of youngsters. Europe and further afield, including as POLAND According to the data compiled a UEFA and FIFA delegate, a member of by the FPF, the number of youth players reg- the FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee istered with the federation in the last decade and vice-chairman of UEFA’s National Poland/Ukraine bid shortlisted increased by 60 per cent, from 57,964 in Teams Committee, Mircea Sandu was first The joint bid of Poland and Ukraine the1996/97 season to 92,933 last season. elected president of his association in to host EURO 2012 has been shortlisted for The increase in activity in the differ- 1990. Subsequently, he was re-elected for the second phase of the selection process. ent branches of football (11-a-side, 7-a-side further four-years terms in 1994, 1998 The UEFA Executive Committee’s decision and futsal) is abundantly clear from the and, latterly, in December 2001. was received with great enthusiasm and published figures, irrespective of age group On being re-elected for a fifth optimism in Poland. and sex. The overall total, therefore, is more term, Mircea Sandu announced at once “We have won the first half but the than 132,000 players registered with the FPF, that he would restructure and modernise second one will be far more difficult. Every- an increase of 38.6 per cent (over 37,000 the association. The newly elected execu- thing depends on the commitment of the players) during the last ten years. tive committee of the Romanian FA, which government and parliament. The EURO 2012 Over the same period, futsal is the held its first meeting on 22 November, bid is a challenge for the whole country branch of the game which has developed approved his plans and appointed another and not only for the football association,” the most, with more than a fourfold increase former important national-team player, commented Michal Listkiewicz, president in the number of registered players, from Ioan Angelo Lupescu (74 caps, age 37), as of the Polish FA. 5,157 in 1995/96 to 22,267 in the 2004/05 CEO of the association. He will be on the season. same level as the general secretary, Adal- For FPF vice-president Amândio de bert Kassai (re-elected by the general as- Carvalho, these figures clearly demonstrate sembly) but will have other responsibilities. “the enormous passion of the Portuguese The process of restructuring for their favourite sport, football, and it also and modernisation of the association has proves that clubs, regional associations and already begun and the new structure is the FPF itself are carrying out – with commit- expected to be unveiled by the end of the ment and competence – their mission of year. Mircea Sandu also presented his attracting more and more youngsters to the programme and his strategy for the short, practice of football.” medium and long term, with particular Another interesting fact revealed by emphasis on youth football, grassroots the FPF study is the reduction in the number football, refereeing, infrastructure, sports of disciplinary proceedings instigated by the medicine, etc. And he stated again that

PZPN competent body in Portuguese football. The one of his major ambitions is to host the Michal Listkiewicz and Zdzislaw Krecina, respec- UEFA and FIFA fair-play campaigns of the last UEFA Cup final in 2009, when the Roman- tively president and general secretary of the few years, which have been duly publicised ian FA celebrates its centenary. Polish FA, present their joint bid with Ukraine. by the Portuguese FA, are starting to bear Paul Zaharia

21 of the present Råsunda stadium to a SLOVENIA completely new arena. UKRAINE A national conference held ahead of the representatives’ meeting in HatTrick successful in Slovenia December gave its support to the latter Stadium contest Solidarity is one of the main alternative. The project group will now Football begins in the dressing- objectives and also one of the main princi- evaluate the best site for the new arena, room. This was the basis of a seminar for ples of UEFA. It was for this reason that the whether at the current location or nearby stadium managers and groundsmen and decision was taken to launch the HatTrick in Solna. A final decision on the matter representatives of artificial turf manufac- programme throughout the continent. will be taken at the annual general meet- turers. Over two weeks, the seminar was So far, it has proved to be a very fortunate ing on 1 April. organised in different cities in the country. decision for Slovenia. The new national stadium, About 400 specialists discussed current equipped with an adjustable roof and problems and also decided to organise a due for completion in 2010, will be able contest for the title of best stadium in to accommodate 50,000 spectators. different nominations as a good incentive The ambition is to create Europe’s most for the clubs and their stadiums to take the modern arena for football, concerts and necessary measures to meet the require- other big events. The cost of building the ments of the UEFA club licensing system. stadium, amounting to some EUR 220m, will be financed from the revenue from events as well as from the assignment of construction rights in connection with the arena. The prolific FC Barcelona striker has amassed numerous honours during his career. Most recently, after an open phone vote in November, he received the accolade of the “Golden Ball of All Times”. Since 1946, the Golden Ball

NZS has been awarded annually to the most prominent footballer in Sweden. Among The artificial pitch in Velenje.

eight legendary candidates, Larsson won FFU 37% of the votes. The other candidates The current programme runs from A ceremony to mark the school football 2004 to 2008, but the football association were , , Agne cooperation agreement. of Slovenia has succeeded in implementing Simonsson, Ralf Edström, Torbjörn Nilsson, almost the whole of its project (70%) in and . In November, on the initiative just 18 months, with a view to improving Henrik Larsson has been capped of the Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU), the country’s football infrastructure and 85 times (33 goals) and, at the age of the leadership of the federation met for a thereby improving training possibilities for 34, is aiming for his third World Cup this roundtable discussion with the children’s/ its players. The project in Slovenia includes summer. If Larsson appears in the Swe- youth football league, the amateur football building football grounds with artificial dish side in Germany he will be the first association, and representatives of the re- turf, modernising the national teams’ train- Swede to have taken part in five major gional federations and amateur teams. The ing centres and installing floodlights at the championships (not counting the subject of the participation of professional stadium in Celje. Olympics). Under-20 players in amateur competitions So far, six grounds (in Velenje, Kranj, Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Juventus was a particular topic of discussion. The Dravograd, Ptuj, Murska Sobota and Novo received the Golden Ball for 2005, while regulations prohibit professional Under-20 Mesto) with artificial turf have already been Hanna Marklund (Sunnanå SK) was players from taking part in amateur com- completed and there are only four more awarded the Diamond Ball as this year’s petitions, but young players are often left left to be built. Six training centres across most prominent female player. out of the club’s professional squad, so the Slovenia were renovated in 2005 (in Maribor, Thomas Saleteg amateur competitions are a perfect oppor- Gorica, Celje, Sencur, Filovci and Crnomelj) tunity for them to get some practice. As a and the Petrol arena in Celje has been result of the round table, the amateur foot- equipped with floodlights. We are therefore ball association will make a recommenda- in no doubt that the HatTrick programme tion to the executive committee of the FFU. is making an enormous contribution to In December, the FFU leadership improving the level of football in Slovenia. and the ministry of education extended the Irena Ilesic Cujovic 2005–2008 school football development co- operation agreement. Attending this event were national coaches Andriy Bal and Oleg Kuznetsov. Football lessons are compulsory SWEDEN but have so far been introduced in 92% of schools. In the space of four years, the FFU has provided schools with 800 footballs, Henrik Larsson elected trained 26,000 PE teachers, made available best player sufficient teaching aids, had 400 small-sized The realisation of the new national artificial turf sports grounds installed, and stadium is coming closer. A project group distributed six million special notebooks on formed in June has examined different SvFF a one-notebook-per-pupil basis. alternatives, ranging from the renovation The blueprint of the new national stadium. Valeriy Nykonenko

22 uefadirect 1.06 ??????????????? UEFA

New publications THE FOOTBALL YEAR BOOK – MALTA 2005/2006 It may be a small country and a minnow on the Communications international football scene, but that does not make the people of Malta any less Birthdays – Calendar passionate about the game. For the faith- ful followers of Maltese football, Lewis Portelli’s yearbook is a must-have, packed with facts, figures and pictures on the domestic competitions and the results Birthdays of the Maltese national teams. (Lewis Portelli, “Archville”, 168 St. Francis Street, Balzan BZN 07, Malta. [email protected]) Franco Ferrari (Italy) member of the ● Angel María Villar Llona THE BELL’S SCOTTISH FOOTBALL REVIEW 2005/06 Technical Instructors Panel, celebrates (Spain, 21.1) The 26th edition of the Scottish Football Review, produced by the with ● his 60th birthday on 9 January, while Maria Teresa Andreu Grau the assistance of the Scottish Premier Sofoklis Pilavios (Greece), member (Spain, 21.1) League, is a complete reference book on of the Match Delegates Panel, will be ● Scottish football, containing 196 pages Bernd Heynemann (Germany, 22.1) packed with facts on all Scottish league 40 on 13 January. Other UEFA figures ● Teuvo Holopainen (Finland, 23.1) clubs, players, coaches, results, European with birthdays in January are: ● and international matches, stadium Harry Been (Netherlands, 23.1) plans and more besides. It can be purcha- ● Eliane Cremona (Luxembourg, 24.1) sed for £9.95 on www.scottishfa.co.uk. ● Necdet Cobanli (Turkey, 1.1) ● Pat Quigley (Republic of Ireland, 24.1) ● Vlatko Markovic (Croatia, 1.1) ABENTEUER FUSSBALL ● Stig-Ove Sandnes (Norway, 25.1) ● Malcolm Moffatt Football engenders fascination worldwide. ● Metin Kazancioglu (Turkey, 26.1) Anyone who is any doubt about its universal (Northern Ireland, 1.1) attraction only has to delve into this ● Krister Malmsten (Sweden, 27.1) ● Torben Mogensen (Denmark, 1.1) book by Martin Arnold, who takes the ● Mircea Cojocari (Moldova, 27.1) reader on a journey from Argentina ● Robert Coar (England, 2.1) to Japan and from Nepal to the Vatican, ● Milo Corcoran ● Jerzy Gos (Poland, 2.1) via Ukraine, France and even Bolivia. (Republic of Ireland, 30.1) His extraordinarily illustrated accounts ● Monica Ortigueira (Switzerland, 2.1) ● Cosimo Bolognino (Italy, 30.1) prove that anywhere in the world, football ● Robert Sterckx (Belgium, 3.1) can be a source of joy and hope, and offer new ● experiences. (Die Werkstatt, Göttingen, Germany. Gerhard Sager (Sweden, 3.1) For each copy sold, one euro will be donated ● Alexei Spirin (Russia, 4.1) to the “streetfootballworld” project.) Upcoming events ● David George Collins (Wales, 5.1) LE GUIDE FRANÇAIS ET INTERNATIONAL ● Boris Bogus (Moldova, 5.1) Meetings DU FOOTBALL – Edition 2006 ● Mariano Moreno (Spain, 6.1) This work by Sophie Guillet and François Laforge ● Walter Clarke (Northern Ireland, 6.1) 17.1.2006, Nyon contains more than a century’s worth of results, essentially covering French football, ● Sergiy Lysenchuk (Ukraine, 6.1) Disability Football Panel but without totally overlooking the inter- ● Guido Cornella (Switzerland, 10.1) national game. Among other information, 19.1.2006, Nyon ● Tullio Lanese (Italy, 10.1) including addresses, it contains profiles Forum for Women’s National Team of first division players and also devotes ● Andrzej Libich (Poland, 11.1) some pages to the Laws of the Game, tac- Coaches € ● Wolfgang Holzhäuser tics, skills and kit. ( 15.09 from De Vecchi, 52 rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris, France.) (Germany, 13.1) 25/26.1.2006, Nyon ● Sergei Ilyich (Belarus, 13.1) Executive Committee ● Alessandro Lulli (Italy, 15.1) Notices 27.1.2006, Montreux ● Sune Hellströmer (Sweden, 17.1) ■ In November, the Romanian Football Draws for the qualifying rounds ● Friedrich Stickler (Austria, 18.1) Federation voted Mircea Sandu back in as its of the 2006–2008 European Champion- president for a further four-year term. ● Fabrizio Tonelli (Italy, 18.1) ship and 2006/07 European Under-21 ■ The FA of Wales has moved to: ● Kasmi Bujar (Albania, 19.1) Championship ● 11/12 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff, Lars-Åke Lagrell (Sweden, 20.1) CF24 5PJ, Great Britain ● Pedro Galán Nieto (Spain, 20.1) 28.1–4.2.2006, Barcelona Phone: +44 29 2043 5830 ● Anders Mattsson (Finland, 21.1) Referee course Fax: +44 29 2049 6953

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL Editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications and Public Affairs Division Editorial deadline: 12 December 2005 source is indicated. UEFA Route de Genève 46 Union des associations CH-1260 Nyon européennes de football Switzerland Phone +41 848 00 27 27 Fax +41 848 01 27 27 .com