No. 158

LE RENDEZ-VOUS France welcomes the biggest EURO ever

#CelebrateFootball No.158 2016 • June THE FUTSAL ORDINARY TECHNICIAN CUP CONGRESS Packie Bonner on the demands A first for Russia’s Kosovo enters on today’s goalkeepers Ugra Yugorsk the fold SPECIAL FEATURE BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS

Dušan Savić (Serbia, 1 June) Eduard Prodani (Albania, 18 June) Ekaterina Fedyshina (Russia, 1 June) Elkhan Mammadov (Azerbaijan, 18 June) NOTICES Ferenc Székely (Hungary, 2 June) 50th Tobias Wolf (Germany, 19 June) Ivaylo Ivkov (Bulgaria, 3 June) Maria Mifsud (Malta, 20 June) • At an extraordinary congress Radek Lobo (Czech Republic, 3 June) Michel Platini (France, 21 June) of the German Football Klara Bjartmarz (Iceland, 3 June) Peter Peters (Germany, 21 June) Association, Reinhard Grindel John Ward (Republic of Ireland, 4 June) 60th Zoran Cvrk (Croatia, 21 June) was elected president in place Yauheni Tratsiuk (Belarus, 4 June) Tomasz Mikulski (Poland, 21 June) of vice-presidents Reinhard Jean-Samuel Leuba (Switzerland, 4 June) Paulius Malzinskas (Lithuania, 21 June) Rauball and Rainer Koch, Ludovico Micallef (Malta, 5 June) Ilja Kaenzig (Switzerland, 21 June) who had led the association Jaap Uilenberg (Netherlands, 5 June) Keith Hackett (England, 22 June) ad interim. John MacLean (Scotland, 5 June) David Martin (Northern Ireland, 22 June) • The German Football Maksimas Bechterevas (Lithuania, 5 June) Ante Kulušić (Croatia, 22 June) Association has also Michael Joseph Hyland (Republic of Zvi Rosen (Israel, 23 June) appointed a new general Ireland, 6 June) Vladimir Antonov (Moldova, 23 June) secretary, Friedrich Curtius, Theo Zwanziger (Germany, 6 June) Georg Pangl (Austria, 23 June) in place of Helmut Sandrock. Lars-Åke Bjørck (Sweden, 7 June) Jean-Jacques Schonckert (Luxembourg, 24 June) • The Portuguese Football Michel Sablon (Belgium, 7 June) Gül Keskinler (Germany, 24 June) Federation has a new address: Sandor Berzi (Hungary, 7 June) Renatus Temmink (Netherlands, 24 June) Avenida das Seleções, Onofre Costa (Portugal, 7 June) Jouni Hyytiä (Finland, 24 June) 1495-433 Cruz Quebrada- Johannes Scholtz (Netherlands, 8 June) Arturs Gaidels (Latvia, 24 June) Dafundo, Portugal. Piero Volpi (Italy, 9 June) Mario Gjurcinovski (FYR Macedonia, 25 June) Phone and fax numbers Jesper Møller Christensen (Denmark, 9 June) Foppe de Haan (Netherlands, 26 June) remain unchanged. Antoine Portelli (Malta, 9 June) 50th Barry Bright (England, 27 June) Petri Antero Jakonen (Finland, 9 June) Sigurdur Hannesson (Iceland, 27 June) OBITUARY Jonathan Ford (Wales, 9 June) Eyjolfur Olafsson (Iceland, 27 June) Monica Jorge (Portugal, 9 June) Ruud Dokter (Republic of Ireland, 27 June) Wilfried Straub of Germany, Hans Bangerter (Switzerland, 10 June) José Venancio López Hierro (Spain, 27 June) a member of the circle of former Andrew Shaw (England, 10 June) Wim Koevermans (Belgium, 28 June) UEFA committee members and Eleni Kiriou (Greece, 10 June) Ivan Borissov Lekov (Bulgaria, 29 June) recipient of the UEFA President’s Kyros Georgiou (Cyprus, 11 June) Paul Daniel Zaharia (Romania, 29 June) Award in 2006, passed away Thórir Hakonarson (Iceland, 11 June) Ginta Pece (Latvia, 29 June) on 2 May at the age of 77. Kristinn Jakobsson (Iceland, 11 June) Peter van Zunderd (Netherlands, 30 June) Former vice-president of the Zoran Dimić (Serbia, 11 June) German Football Association, José Luis López Serrano (Spain, 12 June) Straub served as vice-chairman Alain Courtois (Belgium, 12 June) FORTHCOMING EVENTS or member of many UEFA Jørn West Larsen (Denmark, 12 June) committees, including the Iwona Malek-Wybraniec (Poland, 12 June) Competitions Professional Football Committee, Haris Gvozden (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 12 June) 10 June–10 July, France the Non-Amateur Football Roland Coquard (France, 13 June) UEFA EURO 2016 Committee, the Licensed Targo Kaldoja (Estonia, 13 June) Match Agents Committee Matej Damjanović (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 13 June) 28/29 June and the Marketing and Media Galina Doneva (Bulgaria, 14 June) UEFA Champions League: Committee. He also contributed Nuno Castro (Portugal, 14 June) first qualifying round (first legs) to many of UEFA’s expert panels, Ilija Kitić (Slovenia, 14 June) including the panel on transfer Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia, 15 June) 30 June matters, on which he sat from Miguel Galan Torres (Spain, 15 June) UEFA Europa League: 1978 to 1998. Ramish Maliyev (Azerbaijan, 16 June) 40th first qualifying round (first legs) Kepa Larumbe Beain (Spain, 16 June) Michael Joseph Maessen (Netherlands, 17 June) Meetings Rainer Werthmann (Germany, 17 June) 20 June, Nyon www.uefafoundation.org Paolo Rondelli (San Marino, 17 June) 2016/17 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League: Anne Rei (Estonia, 17 June) draws for the first and second qualifying rounds Philippe Piat (France, 18 June) Hannelore Ratzeburg (Germany, 18 June) 24 June, Nyon Ivan Novak (Croatia, 18 June) 2016/17 UEFA Women’s Champions League: qualifying round draw

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 55 EDITORIAL

LET’S CELEBRATE FOOTBALL AT EURO 2016

he biggest celebration of national team The UEFA Foundation for Children has a football in European history is upon special project of its own that will take 20,000 T us and we are looking forward to a deprived children to 43 of the 51 matches. spectacular UEFA EURO 2016 inside and outside The initiative, known as 20,000 Children’s the stadiums. Smiles, aims to provide those involved with For the first time ever, 24 teams will unforgettable moments and experiences in participate in the tournament and we are connection with football. The children will delighted to welcome all of them to France. be looked after by the host cities and Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Wales associations that play a recognised role in are making their debuts, while Slovakia have assisting vulnerable young people at national progressed to the final round for the first time or local level. as an independent nation. We are sure the It is therefore with great excitement that new format will be a success and that more I look ahead to this celebration of football exhilarating football of the likes seen in the in France – a celebration that I believe will European Qualifiers will be on display in the continue long after the final whistle at the month ahead. Stade de France on 10 July. There is no doubt that the match results will make plenty of headlines and millions of fans around the world will be entertained by the action on the pitch. However, that is just one side of the story. The tournament will also feature a number of corporate social responsibility initiatives across France as we use this amazing stage to highlight all the work we do together to promote, protect and develop Theodore Theodoridis football in Europe. UEFA General Secretary ad interim

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 03 CONTENTS

6 8 UEFA Getty Images for UEFA IN THIS ISSUE 6 UEFA news At the Ordinary UEFA Congress in Budapest, the Football Federation of Official publication of EURO 2016 the Union of European Kosovo becomes UEFA’s 55th member and Football Associations Florence Hardouin the first woman to be Chief editor: elected to the Executive Committee. 16 Volunteer programme Emmanuel Deconche After months of preparation and Deputy chief editor: 8 UEFA Youth League training, all 6,500 volunteers are Dominique Maurer Chelsea FC retain their title at Colovray ready for action. External contributors: sports centre in Nyon. Rémi Langlois (FFF, page 18 Respect campaign 16), UNSS (page 23), Tony Pandovski (page 36), Kieran 12 UEFA Futsal Cup A new TV spot, especially for Russian debutants Ugra Yugorsk take the Martin (Scottish FA, page 42) EURO 2016. title in Guadalajara. Production: Touchline 20 Legacy 30 The Technician Printing: The organisers are doing Once goalkeeper for the Republic of Artgraphic Cavin Ireland, now technical advisor to UEFA, everything possible to leave a CH-1422 Grandson Packie Bonner talks to UEFA Direct about sustainable legacy. Editorial deadline: developments in goalkeeper coaching and 12 May 2016 24 Refereeing coach education. Cover photo: The 18 referee teams meet for UEFA 36 Special feature their last workshop before the UEFA Direct heads to Albania to see the tournament kicks off. developments, on and off the pitch, that have come together to help the Eagles to 28 For the record qualify for their first major tournament. How do 2.5 million spectators plan to get around in France? 44 News from member associations

04 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 CONTENTS

12 30 UEFA Sportsfile

AFP/Getty Images 36

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 05 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UEFA KEY DECISIONS TAKEN IN BUDAPEST The UEFA Executive Committee held its latest meeting in Budapest on 2 May, on the eve of the Ordinary UEFA Congress in the Hungarian capital.

ith EURO 2016 moving ever The UEFA Club Financial Control Body members closer, the committee heard about were also re-elected for a further four-year W the final phase of preparations term until 2020. for the tournament in France, and expressed full The use of a fourth substitution in extra confidence in the measures put in place time will be tested at the final tournaments to stage a safe, successful tournament for of the European Under-19 Championship all involved. The eagerly awaited finals, in 2016 (Germany) and 2017 (Georgia), the the first to feature 24 teams, kick off on European Women’s Under-19 Championships 10 June. in 2016 (Slovakia) and 2017 (Northern Ireland), The 2014–16 European Football and the European Under-21 Championship Championship regulations were amended in 2017 (Poland). In addition, the 2016 UEFA to reflect the recent decision to use goal-line Anti-Doping Regulations were approved, with technology at the final tournament. Goal-line amendments made to adapt to the latest technology will be deployed in France changes in the World Anti-Doping Code. The alongside additional assistant referees, with 2016 UEFA Disciplinary Regulations were also the officials now able to focus fully on penalty given the committee’s seal of approval, as area incidents. were the regulations of the 2016/17 European On the topic of refereeing, the committee Under-17 Championship, European Under-19 decided to renew the mandates of UEFA Championship, European Women’s Under-17 chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina and Championship and European Women’s refereeing officers Marc Batta and Hugh Dallas Under-19 Championship, and the 2017–18 for another four years until summer 2020. European Futsal Championship.

06 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 ORDINARY CONGRESS

KOSOVO JOINS THE UEFA FAMILY The 40th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Budapest on 3 May was marked by the admittance of the Football Federation of Kosovo as UEFA’s 55th member association, and the first-ever election of a female UEFA Executive Committee member.

ollowing a simple majority vote in which contribution to the Executive Committee’s the Football Federation of Kosovo’s activities since her appointment as a full F application for UEFA membership received member in 2012. 28 votes for and 24 votes against, with 2 spoilt ballot papers, Kosovo joined the UEFA family Unity the key with immediate effect. Addressing the Congress, UEFA first vice- UEFA General Secretary ad interim president Ángel María Villar Llona called Theodore Theodoridis welcomed UEFA’s for unity within the European football newest member association to the fold. family. “European football,” he said, “has “It was a very democratic process, and very achieved success by balancing the interests UEFA open discussions took place between the of professional, amateur and international Florence Hardouin, national associations,” he said. “We respect the football. Bearing in mind the legitimate new member of the UEFA Executive Committee. result of the Congress vote.” interests of all parties, but above all the The delegates also elected the chief executive interests of football, the sport we love, let of the French Football Federation (FFF), us continue working together for many years 49-year-old Florence Hardouin, to the UEFA to come.” Executive Committee. A former international “We have a huge responsibility to work fencer who has also served the FFF as deputy together with passion and energy,” added chief executive and head of marketing and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in his address. commercial development, Hardouin received “And together, we can make a difference.” 33 votes, against the 21 received by Karen Six prominent European football personalities Espelund of Norway, for a term of office that received UEFA Orders of Merit for their services runs until the 2019 elective UEFA Congress. to football: Sir Bobby Charlton (England, Previously, the female member of the Executive diamond), Lars-Åke Lagrell (Sweden, diamond), Committee had been appointed by the Károly Palotai (Hungary, diamond), Zorislav committee itself. Srebrić (Croatia, diamond), Sir Trevor Brooking “I’m proud and delighted,” Hardouin (England, ruby) and Father Hilary Tagliaferro said after the election. “It’s a great honour (Malta, ruby). for myself, for France and for the French Also on the agenda was the ratification federation. A lot of challenges lie ahead. I hope of the composition of the UEFA Organs to contribute to continuing the development for the Administration of Justice and the of women’s football.” Karen Espelund UEFA Governance and Compliance Committee received warm tributes for her hard work and for 2015–19.

Six European football personalities received UEFA UEFA Orders of Merit.

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 07 YOUTH LEAGUE

BACK-TO-BACK TITLES FOR CHELSEA A sell-out crowd of 4,000 saw Chelsea FC win their second consecutive UEFA Youth League title, but the English club’s success was one of many narrative threads in the overall story of the 2015/16 competition.

helsea emerged victorious from a The two different pools of teams were kept “The event would not field of 64 teams comprising the apart until February, when the play-offs pitted be possible without Under-19 sides of the 32 clubs in the the eight second-round winners from the the backing of both group stage of the UEFA Champions domestic champions path against the eight the town of Nyon and League and – in a new departure group runners-up from the UEFA Champions the many volunteers, Cfor 2015/16 – the domestic youth champions of League path. The knockout phase then began the 32 top-ranked UEFA national associations. in earnest, with RSC Anderlecht the sole whose cooperation is With this new domestic champions pathway surviving domestic champions. greatly appreciated.” doubling the field after two 32-team trial After well over 150 games and more than Fernando Gomes seasons, the Youth League appears to have 500 goals, the Belgian side headed to Nyon Chairman of the UEFA Club cemented its place in the UEFA calendar. alongside title holders Chelsea, Paris Saint- Competitions Committee In the words of Fernando Gomes, chairman Germain FC and Real Madrid CF to vie for of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee, the third UEFA Youth League title over two 2015/16 would be “a season which allowed matchdays – on 15 and 18 April – at Colovray more aspiring young players than ever to sports centre on the UEFA campus. Paris broaden their sporting horizons by taking had never reached the semi-finals before, part in a truly international competition of the Anderlecht had done so 12 months earlier highest order and to measure their talents and Real Madrid had managed it in the against their peers from other nations and competition’s inaugural season (when their footballing cultures”. great rivals, FC Barcelona, lifted the trophy).

Charlie Wakefield (left) takes on Paris’s Yohann Sportsfile Demoncy in the final.

08 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 Sportsfile makes it two years in arow. in years two it makes Lennart Johansson Trophy Trophy Johansson Lennart Charlie Colkett holds the the holds Colkett Charlie high as the London club club London the as high Chelsea captain captain Chelsea

Sportsfile

Chelsea captain Charlie Colkett, one of The tournament’s appeal to the local several players returning for a second shot at community, particularly the young, attested glory, was delighted to be back in contention to the solid foundations laid by UEFA. Under for the Lennart Johansson Trophy. “It’s an the banner of the UEFA Youth League Schools absolutely amazing competition,” he said. Project, schools and football clubs in the Nyon “We’re over the moon to be going to Nyon region each adopted a team for the finals. again. We want to be playing in the biggest Moreover, the prize for the 2015/16 UEFA games, and in this competition you come University Challenge winners, Lausanne, was to up against different opposition and different run the Youth Plaza at Colovray, turning it into nationalities.” a hive of activity and entertainment on both For all the international flavour of the UEFA matchdays, with freestylers and a PlayStation Youth League – and this season 37 different truck among the attractions. A second group countries were represented, as more players of students, from the Glion Institute of Higher THIS than ever got a taste of life with the seniors Education, were responsible for on-site VIP SEASON BY – the final tournament in Nyon still retains catering and hospitality, while young people a special community feel. “The UEFA Youth from the Dance Spirit dance school in nearby NUMBERS League final tournament has become an Divonne performed before the matches. integral part of the local sporting calendar, That local involvement helped to create a with the keen support of the region’s fans special buzz around the tournament, which central to its success,” explained Fernando Nyon’s mayor, Daniel Rossellat, said he was 2 Gomes. “The event would not be possible “proud to welcome” to the Swiss town on consecutive UEFA without the backing of both the town of Nyon the shores of Lake Geneva. “It offers great Youth League titles and the many volunteers, whose cooperation games for the spectators and a magnificent for Chelsea FC is greatly appreciated.” springboard for these young players – the best young footballers in Europe,” he said. Local involvement While UEFA continues to receive highly 11,338 This season’s semi-finals and final had a positive feedback from the local community, combined attendance combined attendance figure of 11,338, and the the impact of the UEFA Youth League final for semi-finals and final vocal support provided by those youthful and tournament extended far beyond local children. enthusiastic fans helped to generate a carnival Money raised from ticket sales was donated atmosphere. Chelsea manager Adi Viveash said: to the UEFA Foundation for Children and its 37 “We loved Nyon, and it was nice to show them Let’s Live Our Dreams initiative. The UEFA countries some new potential stars of the future.” Youth League also made a donation for every represented

10 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 #UYL skills challenge video received from all finding the net, Viveash’s Chelsea proved participating clubs during the campaign, with too strong for an Anderlecht outfit coached by RESULTS the pick of the bunch being the video filmed Nicolás Frutos and containing Samy Bourard, at UEFA headquarters the morning after the a player with a joint-record 23 outings in the 15 April 2016 semi-finals, which starred players from Chelsea UEFA Youth League. Semi-finals and Paris, as well as Pierluigi Collina. That was In the second semi-final, an early own the competition’s best-performing post across goal put Paris 1-0 up, before Borja Mayoral Real Madrid 1-3 Paris Facebook and Twitter, with more than 8m equalised from the spot for Santiago Solari’s ‘impressions’ and 35,000 ‘engagements’. Real Madrid. That penalty, which was Referee: Collina, UEFA’s chief refereeing officer, converted under the watchful eye of arch- Davide Massa (Italy) also contributed to the UEFA Youth League’s predator Emilio Butragueño, was the 19-year- educational programme, which is a cornerstone old’s eighth goal of this campaign and a Chelsea 3-0 Anderlecht of the competition, by taking part in an record-equalling 15th in the competition, information session for the semi-finalists on bringing him level in the all-time chart with Referee: the Laws of the Game. The four squads also Atlético’s Roberto Nuñez (who was also this Andreas Ekberg (Sweden) attended sessions on the prevention of match- season’s top scorer with nine goals). However, fixing and the fight against doping. Aka Wilfride Kanga and Jean-Kévin Augustin 18 April 2016 That educational element dovetailed perfectly won it for Paris with two late goals in front Final with UEFA’s message of respect, which involved of 4,000 spectators (a small increase on the players and referees gathering for a group attendance at the earlier game). Paris 1-2 Chelsea photograph before each game. The teams Three days later, Chelsea and Paris faced off and match officials also came together for a in the final. For four of the Blues’ starting XI Referee: so-called ‘third period’ after every match to – Bradley Collins, Jake Clarke-Salter, Temitayo Daniel Siebert (Germany) exchange experiences. The referees themselves Aina and skipper Colkett – it would yield a were observed and mentored by former second successive UEFA Youth League title, the match officials. quartet having featured from the off against FC Shakhtar Donetsk in 2015. Newcomers from Scotland But not, however, before Paris had seriously and Kazakhstan examined Chelsea’s credentials. Augustin – The UEFA Youth League really catches people’s whose profile as a player on the fringes of his attention when a player graduates. The list of club’s first team (including bench duty in a alumni appearing in the higher echelons of recent UEFA Champions League quarter-final) the senior game is already long, containing was hardly atypical for this competition – missed names such as Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC), Kingsley a penalty moments after Fikayo Tomori’s Coman (FC Bayern München), Renato Sanches tenth-minute opener for the Londoners. Though (SL Benfica) and Lucas Hernández (Club Atlético the Parisians restored parity shortly before the de Madrid). This season there was a notable hour through Yakou Meïté – who is now, with addition to that list: Marcus Rashford. In the Bourard, the joint record holder for the total group stage, the teenager from Manchester number of appearances in the competition – United FC scored twice on his competition François Rodrigues’s troops soon conceded debut; five months later, he repeated the trick again when Palmer tucked away Ali Mukhtar’s SOCIAL in the UEFA Europa League when he was thrust through ball. The result extended Chelsea’s NETWORKS into the spotlight against FC Midtjylland. unbeaten run in the tournament to 15 fixtures, Benfica were equally prolific in front of a sequence dating back to November 2014. UEFA’s #UYL goal, scoring a total of 29 times in their Coach Viveash made no attempt to conceal six group matches (including 11-1 and 8-0 his satisfaction at the back-to-back triumphs: skills challenge victories against Galatasaray AŞ and FC Astana “It’s a massive achievement to win it once, video had respectively), a record for a four-team group in but to retain it is very difficult to do. We’ve a UEFA club competition. However, their scoring created some history in the competition, and more than touch deserted them in the quarter-finals, to be double European champions at this age 8m ‘impressions’ where they lost 2-0 to Real Madrid, having is a tremendous achievement for the academy pipped 1. FK Příbram on penalties in the round and the club. It’s testament to all the staff and and 35,000 of 16. The quarter-finals also saw Anderlecht the work they have all done for the last nine ‘engagements’ beat Barcelona, Paris defeat AS Roma, and months. Credit goes to everybody.” across Facebook Chelsea overcome AFC Ajax. There were plus points, too, for Paris, with So, on to Nyon in the spring, with a midfielder Meïté saying: “Now we want to and Twitter competition that had embraced entrants from come back next year. It’s been a really enriching as far afield as Scotland and Kazakhstan now experience for everyone. It’s not every day that whittled down to the final four. With Kasey you get to face teams of the calibre of Real Palmer, Charlie Colkett and Tammy Abraham Madrid and Chelsea.”

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 11 DEBUTANTS TAKE FUTSAL CUP HOME TO SIBERIA Russian champions Ugra Yugorsk, competing in the UEFA Futsal Cup for the first time, sprang a major surprise at the final tournament in Spain. Sportsfile

12 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 atin accents predominated when years earlier, had led Italy’s Montesilvano the 15th edition of the UEFA Futsal to the top step of the podium on their debut in Cup reached its climax in the Spanish the competition. town of Guadalajara on Friday 22 and The scene was set, then, for an enthralling Sunday 24 April. But the trophy was final tournament in Guadalajara. The weather Lultimately whisked away to central Russia. You up on the Spanish central plane may have have to zoom right in to find the small town been cooler and wetter than expected, but of Yugorsk on the map, before zooming right the indifferent conditions failed to provoke out again to find the nearest major city. The public indifference to the fan zone set up on town’s population hovers around the 36,000 matchdays on the main approach to the Palacio mark, with the region’s gas fields and associated Multiusos. Nor did they dampen the passions of service industries providing employment to the sell-out crowds, who made the tournament the lion’s share of its citizens. Winning the a spectacular, colourful event that attracted 2014/15 Russian Futsal Super League warmed impressive TV audience figures as it built to local hearts and earned Ugra their first-ever its climax. appearance in the UEFA Futsal Cup, where they On UEFA’s trademark black playing surface, raised eyebrows by eliminating the defending it soon became clear that tension and intensity champions, Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan, in the were endemic to the final-four format, with the elite round. spectre of sudden death casting psychological With Italian champions Pescara also stepping shadows over the two semi-finals. Mental into the limelight for the first time, two of the strength, emotional intelligence and risk four teams competing for the title in Guadalajara management were all just as essential as raw were debutants. But any suggestions that the talent in these circumstances. Ugra had been Russian and Italian clubs would be sacrificial the last team to arrive and, during the first half lambs in the hands of former champions SL of their semi-final against Benfica, annoyed Benfica and Inter FS were quickly refuted, with Brazilian coach Ricardo Paulo – aka Kakà – by both teams boasting a number of wolves in looking jet-lagged and going in 1-0 down. sheep’s clothing. His reward for demanding higher-tempo ball circulation and more fluent off-the-ball Tension and intensity movement was an equaliser within 33 seconds Indeed, Ugra’s team sheet featured Andrei of the restart, which served to enrich the game Afanasyev, Daniil Davydov, Robinho, Eder Lima, in terms of goalscoring opportunities and the The sell-out crowds Vladislav Shayakhmetov and Dmitri Lyskov – all kinds of defensive error that generate excitement of whom had, a couple of months earlier, taken among the crowd. made the tournament silver medals home from the Futsal EURO in The scoreline at the end of normal time was a colourful event that Belgrade. Meanwhile, in addition to boasting a 3-3, so the fans were given full value for money attracted impressive number of star players from Serbia, Pescara were as the teams played another ten minutes of extra TV audience figures. coached by the shrewd Fulvio Colini, who, five time (resulting in another goal for each side

Ugra Yugorsk are the third Russian club to claim the UEFA Futsal Cup, after MFK Dinamo in 2007 and MFK Viz-Sinara

Sportsfile Ekaterinburg in 2008. Sportsfile

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 13 14 –UEFA DIRECT •June 2016 UEFA FUTSALCUP (Croatia) Tomić /Saša (Romania) Referees: FS Inter 4-3 Yugorsk Ugra Final 24 April2016 (Belgium) Lemal (France) /Pascal Referees: penalties on win 2-0 Benfica 2-2 Pescara Benfica SL Match forthird place 24 April2016 (Romania) (Croatia) Sorescu /Bogdan Referees: FS Inter 2-4 Pescara (France) Pélissier /Cédric (Belgium) Referees: penalties 3-2 on win Ugra 4-4 SL Benfica Benfica SL 4-4 Yugorsk Ugra Semi-finals 22 April2016 RESULTS Bogdan Sorescu Sorescu Bogdan Pélissier Cédric Tomić Saša Lemal Pascal Alessandro Patias Patias Alessandro Pescara’s Ricardo came out on top top on out came Caputo (right), (right), Caputo the match for for match the for Benfica in Benfica for Despite the the Despite third place. third efforts of of efforts

Ugra’s Afanasyev in the first game and Inter’s and game first Ugra’s inthe Afanasyev to gone had that honour match –an the of man named later was Juanjo goalkeeper side’s Spanish Lisbon the Indeed, chances. goalscoring of other aflood creating and lead 2-0 a establishing Benfica, aflagging dominated side way, Pescara’s Italian going the to as be seemed tie The medals. bronze with home of travelling into ambitions disappointment turn to was Rocha Joel Colini counterpart his and for challenge the play-off, third-place the In ambition into Channelling disappointment tournament. contested tightly of a margin winning largest the out, turned it as to make was, break 4-2. it the That on scored Rivillos Mario when time, from seconds seven until balance inthe remained game the and to 3-2, back Pescara by bringing ending nervy a ensured Salas goalkeeper, Adolfo flying the However, for Colini bag. opting in the with it had to they think seemed supporters home jubilant the break, 3-1 it the made after Rafael when and break, the before twice replied Inter lead. the took who hosts, of the brilliance the against endeavour and virtues collective pitting Pescara, was it But depth. in strength squad’s their flaunting and Ricardinho, irrepressible by the spearheaded talent, of individual wealth their showcasing pace, breathtaking at counterattacking high, pressing passion, and intelligence with cards shoot-out. 3-2the win in a earn to Henmi Rafael Benfica’s from –by saving did he shine to shine. And achance Slemzin Sergei understudy his given had time innormal Kupatadze Zviad captain and goalkeeper to Ugra shown card red match, the incident-packed an In shoot-out). apenalty and

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heroics, while counterattacks provoked concern concern provoked counterattacks while heroics, Ugra’s produced keeper anxiety, growing the amid and, defending; Russian of disciplined hands into the played haste to wane; Spanish began play build-up Patient wait. seven-year a after title the to recoup need the and stands inthe expectations of the aware became they as heavier steadily became shoulders hosts’ the Siberia. towards tilting power of balance the with moment, apivotal was It make and 2-2. it Herrero Jesús sidestep nimbly match –to of the man named – subsequently Marcênio allowed pass aRobinho break, the before Shortly minimum. to a deficit the keep to saves of fine astring produced Kupatadze, suspended of the in place again posts the between Slemzin, But have written. fans would home the that of script kind to the reverting be to seemed final the second, ina to fire clear

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UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 15 EURO 2016

6,500 VOLUNTEERS AT THE HEART OF THE EVENT Volunteers will play a fundamental role in the organisation of UEFA EURO 2016, with a total of 6,500 men and women on hand to help visitors get the most out of the event.

he recruitment campaign for the general training, as well as specialist training BREAKDOWN EURO 2016 volunteer programme, tailored to their particular areas of activity. BY AGE GROUP T which kicked off in June 2015, was a Emphasis is placed on camaraderie, fun resounding success. In just under seven months, and team spirit, with the programme’s 9% a total of 22,670 people applied to take part ambassadors, Christian Karembeu and Gaëtane across the tournament’s ten host cities. Half of Thiney, leading by example to motivate the 14% those applicants were then invited to attend team of volunteers and make them feel valued. 43% interviews in order to look more closely at The volunteers will be working in 17 13% the various roles on offer and check their different areas of event organisation, such 21% availability and motivation. The interviews were as accreditation, media services, hospitality, led by about 150 recruiters – fellow volunteers spectator services, sustainable development involved in the project on a longer-term basis. and technical services. Their roles will primarily 18-24 The programme is managed by the French involve providing assistance and support to the federation (FFF) and the League (LFP). public and organisers. 25-34 The 6,500 successful applicants received The majority of the volunteers will work at 35-44 confirmation of their involvement at the end the stadiums themselves or at other official 45-59 of January 2016. They are all now undergoing sites (hotels, airports and the international 60+

16 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 broadcast centre). A volunteer centre will be at all. As of September, we started recruiting located at each stadium for the duration of the specifically among women, and that proved tournament, giving volunteers a place to chat to be successful.” and relax in their free time. A whole range of While 93% of volunteers live in France, the activities will be organised for volunteers on team contains representatives of 96 different non-matchdays, to further promote the values countries – from neighbours such as Germany, of camaraderie, fun and team spirit that define Italy, Belgium and the United Kingdom to the volunteer programme. faraway places such as Peru, Brazil, Australia, Nepal, Cameroon and China. Diversity Just over half of all volunteers – 52% – have Volunteers will be active for differing periods already helped out at another sporting event, of time depending on their roles. Volunteers with the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the in the technical services and accreditation 1998 World Cup featuring prominently on teams began work in mid-May, while those volunteers’ CVs. who are welcoming spectators will work only on matchdays. The wide range of positions Training available allows the programme managers Before starting work, volunteers sign a to assign roles according to each volunteer’s charter setting out the rules governing their availability and preferences. participation in the event and reminding A multigenerational team with ages ranging them of the programme’s values. Association from 18 to 82, the volunteers represent all Volontaires 2016, the organisation managing sections of the population, with students, the programme, is required to provide people of working age and pensioners alike. volunteers with insurance cover and an official About 43% of the volunteers are between uniform, cover the cost of local transport and the ages of 18 and 24, which illustrates the provide food and drink during shifts. enthusiasm among young people in particular All volunteers undertake general training, when it comes to major sporting events such as well as specialist training tailored to their as this, and 40% are women. particular roles. That training is supplemented Association Volontaires 2016 Association Volontaires “One of our objectives was to have as by e-learning modules, which look in greater many women as men,” volunteer manager detail at the tasks they will be entrusted, as The 550 volunteers who will be based in Nice got together for Emmelyne Ravier says. “At the start of the well as providing general information on the training and team-building at recruitment process, we were a long way from organisation of such an event. the Nice Acropolis on 19 March. achieving that. Most women thought they The general training events allow all the needed to know all about football in order volunteers working in a particular host city to be selected, which clearly wasn’t the case (between 500 and 1,000, depending on the city) to be brought together and introduced Christian Karembeu to both the team and the people in charge of (in the background) each area. These ten events – one in each of and Super Victor took the tournament’s host cities – have been very to the stage to address popular among volunteers and important for the 1,000 volunteers in Saint-Denis on 5 March. building team spirit. As regards specialist training, about 350 training sessions will take place between April and June across all sites. This allows volunteers to visit the stadiums and other places of work, as well as familiarising themselves with their roles through practical exercises. The volunteer programme also seeks to get people interested in other opportunities to volunteer on a more regular basis in the future: “Where people are interested, we hope to offer them other opportunities to volunteer – be it in local leagues, at district level, in clubs or in the wider football family – once their work at the tournament has come to an end. This will allow them to use the skills they have acquired and gather more experience in a different setting,” Emmelyne Association Volontaires 2016 Association Volontaires Ravier says.

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 17 RESPECT – CELEBRATE FOOTBALL UEFA CELEBRATING AT EURO 2016 TOGETHER A new TV spot highlighting UEFA’s Respect campaign debuts this summer.

assion for football is an immensely health, the environment and access for all. powerful emotion, a love that unites fans At the centre of the campaign will be a TV P across the globe. Nurturing and protecting spot featuring three high-profile UEFA the sport’s essential values is crucial to ensuring ambassadors demonstrating how football its longevity and well-being. UEFA EURO can be a force for good. 2016 in France this summer is certain to be a thrilling and unforgettable festival of the very Respect, the making-of best that European football has to offer – and The TV spot, which highlights the importance UEFA is launching a new Respect campaign at of respect between fans in particular, will enjoy the tournament to highlight how the beautiful its premiere during half-time in the opening game can inspire us all. Put simply, now is the match between France and Romania at the time for us all to Celebrate Football! Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 10 June. The campaign will promote five key pillars It will then be broadcast at each of the other of respect at EURO 2016: diversity, fan culture, 50 matches in the tournament.

18 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 “A EURO tournament is a unique occasion to mingle, to share experiences, to get to know people, and to live passion and emotion together.”

Pierluigi Collina Chief refereeing officer

Shooting took place in Paris at the end of May, on a football pitch at the foot of the city’s iconic Eiffel Tower, at the Gare de Lyon railway station and at Parc des Princes. Behind-the-scenes UEFA videos about the making of the TV spot will be available to watch on UEFA’s corporate social media channels during the tournament. THE FIVE PILLARS OF THE RESPECT CAMPAIGN Collina’s message Respect Access for All is to enhance security at the One of the stars of the spot is Pierluigi Collina, Total football, total access. tournament and create a friendly, the renowned former referee from Italy who Together with the Centre for festival atmosphere among the took charge of various major international Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), fans. The FSE-led fan embassies football matches at world and European level UEFA aims to make the EURO will be an integral part of that. and is now UEFA’s chief refereeing officer. 2016 stadiums fully accessible He is clear about the significance of the EURO and inclusive. The objective is to Respect Your Health platform for UEFA’s new Respect campaign: welcome people with different UEFA is joining forces with the “A EURO tournament,” he believes, “is a unique access needs and offer everyone World Heart Federation (WHF) occasion to mingle, to share experiences, to a full and inclusive matchday and the European Healthy Stadia get to know people, and to live passion and experience. Network to create a smoke-free emotion together.” environment for ticket holders, “Respect is everything – football without Respect Diversity staff and suppliers at every EURO respect cannot live,” Collina adds. “Respect In close cooperation with long- 2016 match. This policy also for the game and its players, opponents, standing partner FARE, UEFA extends to the official fan zones referees, spectators … Everyone deserves is reinforcing its zero-tolerance in the host cities. respect, and that is why this campaign is policy against all forms of racism extremely important.” and discrimination. FARE (Football Respect the UEFA’s chief of communications and media, Against Racism in Europe) observers Environment Pedro Pinto, is already a committed fan of the will monitor each EURO 2016 Given the role of transport in TV spot: “It embodies everything that EURO match, and incidents will be any event’s carbon footprint, 2016 stands for,” he says. “We feel that it is reported to UEFA’s disciplinary an important part of the EURO our obligation as organisers to make sure that bodies. No to Racism will continue 2016 sustainability strategy is the all fans have the chance to enjoy all of the good to be a key element of this promotion and prioritisation that football can bring.” programme, with its education of public transport. UEFA’s Hopefully, the innovative campaign will receive and communication initiatives main aim in this respect is to great exposure in France and beyond. “With promoting respect for diversity. minimise the air pollution caused over 130 million people watching every game,” by spectator, supplier and staff says UEFA’s head of corporate communications, Respect Fan Culture transport. To this end, an eco- Peter Klomp, “EURO 2016 offers us a great UEFA is working together with calculator has been developed platform for our Respect message. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) to enable fans to measure the “Although we may all look or talk differently, to welcome, advise and support greenhouse gas emissions our love of football connects us all, and this football fans at EURO 2016 in the that each of their journeys tournament will bring us all closer together… best possible way. The objective would generate. to Celebrate Football.”

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 19 EURO 2016

A LEGACY NOT TO BE WASTED The legacy that EURO 2016 will leave behind for future generations will involve much more than just four brand-new and five completely renovated stadiums. As well as this new infrastructure, the tournament’s organisers hope to pass on a set of good practices that can be used again and again.

stablishing experience and know-how, these new processes and know-how in areas both within UEFA and among EURO 2016 such as responsible sourcing and waste Estakeholders, is one of the key objectives management. An evaluation process has of the tournament’s social responsibility and been set up in order to harness the expertise sustainability strategy. acquired by the teams working at EURO 2016 Tournament organisers, UEFA staff (at all and put it to good use across all UEFA activities. levels) and suppliers have all helped to devise The good practices implemented during and implement eight social responsibility and EURO 2016 will also be shared beyond UEFA’s sustainability priorities: access for all, anti- walls, with other members of the football discrimination match monitoring, fan embassies, family and other sports organisations. The a tobacco-free tournament, waste management, post-event report, which is set to be published public transport and mobility, responsible in autumn 2016 in accordance with the rigorous sourcing, and water and energy usage. methodology imposed by the Global Reporting The decision to seek ISO 20121 certification Initiative, will be based on data meticulously for the tournament’s operations has helped to collected during the tournament. The report Another objective ensure that sustainability is taken into account will set out to analyse the various aspects of of the EURO 2016 every step of the way in every aspect of the the strategy, highlighting good practices and sustainability tournament’s organisation, including ticketing detailing the main obstacles faced for the strategy is to (tickets printed on certified paper), technical benefit of other sports organisations embarking change people’s services (minimising of energy consumption), on similar projects. In order to facilitate this behaviour and raise refreshments (reusable cups) and media services transfer of knowledge to football stakeholders (media content produced in digital format), worldwide, the PLAY platform also brings fans’ awareness to name just a few examples. Consequently, together all key documents relating to the of transport and UEFA’s other competitions will benefit from sustainability strategy. mobility issues.

20 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 environmental (HQE) standard. (HQE) environmental high-quality France’s to according building a green as certified been 2012, has in opened which Lille, in Mauroy Pierre Stade 50,000-seater The

Max Lerouge for the very first time, to offset the the CO time, to offset first very for the have agreed, all they since part, their playing also are 24 teams national The time. real in timetables transport public access and supporters other with arrangements car-sharing to make them enables also app fan guide The emissions. their offset and of transport mode sustainable most the France, select to travel by their generated emissions the to measure eco-calculator online an use can Supporters issues. mobility and transport of fans’ awareness raise and behaviour people’s to is change strategy sustainability of Europe. parts other or inFrance events future at used be could that –know-how involved companies the within know-how generating are practices good These ingredients. sourced locally of use the increase and tournament the during used materials for certain strategies management waste new to identify in order sectors) restaurant and hotel logistics, event inthe (for example, suppliers of its several 2016 EURO their operations. 20121for ISO a similar process certification instigated have, inParis for example, authorities city The to end. an come has tournament the after long endure will that contacts institutional and synergies positive generated –has for example fan operations, zone oversee to appointed been have officers sustainability –where cities host the with cooperation Close Positive synergies concerned. stadiums the at policies permanent become will that practices good represent also opposite) box text match (see the after day the food surplus to redistribute inplace put processes the and ban smoking The tournament. the after stadiums inthe used be to continue will spectators sighted partially and blind of benefit for the installed be will that equipment description audio The things. other among to negotiate, easier entrances making and spaces wheelchair larger providing by disabilities with for people accessibility to improve inorder operators stadium with incooperation out carried been has work in-depth example, For strategy. sustainability tournament’s of the implementation and establishment inthe involved heavily been have 2016 also EURO various The stakeholders EURO 2016EURO country. the across of success to the to contribute them helping volunteers, tournament’s of the to 6,500 all France. within and to, travel from by their generated emissions Another objective of the EURO 2016 EURO of the objective Another with closely working been UEFA also has Finally, sustainability training has been given given been has training Finally, sustainability 2

an end. hascometo over oncethetournament haveagreedthe clubsconcerned totake become along-termmeasure, giventhat to fightpovertyinFrance,looksset Thisproject,tournament. whichaims of 40,000extravolunteersduringthe volunteers willbeassistedbyanarmy food, whilethe900regular foodbank stand toreceive ashare ofthesurplus broadcastinternational centre. La Tablée desChefswillfollow suitatthe the fanzones,whileEliorGroup and plan toextendthecampaigninclude Thehostcities,meanwhile, tournament. project, whichissettocontinueafterthe involved willalsobestakeholdersinthe The resident clubsofninethestadiums site teamsandstadiumconcessionaires. available fordistribution,alongwithon- Hédiard willassessthesurplusfood health andsafetyregulations. redistribute foodinfullcompliancewith surplus food,whichwillcollectand country’s largestcollectionagencyfor network BanquesAlimentaires, the established withFrench foodbank end, apartnershiphasbeen the tenstadiumsandhostcities.To this redistributing surplusfoodgeneratedin ‘Foot forFood’campaignwiththeaimof Fondaction duFootballhavelauncheda organisersandthe The tournament SECONDS UP SERVING

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UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 21 EURO 2016

A PROGRAMME THAT IS ALREADY BEARING FRUIT On 13 April, a new artificial pitch installed with funding from the UEFA EURO 2016 legacy project was officially inaugurated in Saint-Denis.

URO 2016 has not even begun, but already (which celebrates women’s football, EURO 2016 “It’s great that the tournament’s legacy is being felt. and the city of Saint-Denis), before posing for younger members EFor instance, the local authorities in a photograph with young club members who of the community Saint-Denis have recently carried out renovation will benefit from the project. – particularly girls – work at the Auguste Delaune sports complex Didier Paillard was delighted with the – an 11-hectare site boasting football, rugby, results of the renovation. “The complex’s least will have the chance tennis and athletics facilities – using funding glamorous pitch has become its finest,” he said. to enjoy these sports provided by the EURO 2016 legacy project. Jacques Lambert also welcomed the investment: facilities. It’s a top- A total of €1m was made available for the “Leaving behind a legacy for grassroots football quality pitch and a work, allowing the authorities to lay a new is one of the key objectives of the organisers resounding success.” artificial playing surface and redevelop the area of EURO 2016. The renovation of this pitch is a around the pitch. One of the teams to benefit sign of our intentions in this regard. A total of Jacques Lambert from these new facilities, which are located €20m has been made available to the ten host President of EURO 2016 SAS 2.5km from the Stade de France, will be the cities in the context of this project. Half of that girls of RC Saint-Denis. has already been paid out, and the rest will follow after the tournament. Saint-Denis has €20m for the ten host cities chosen to use this first €1m for a large-scale The new pitch was officially inaugurated by investment. It’s great that younger members Jacques Lambert, president of EURO 2016 SAS, of the community – particularly girls – will have and Didier Paillard, the mayor of Saint-Denis. the chance to enjoy these sports facilities. It’s a They were accompanied by slam poet Grand top-quality pitch and a resounding success.” Corps Malade, the host city’s tournament The new pitch was then immediately pressed ambassador, and Super Victor, the official into service, with the girls of RC Saint-Denis The new pitch at the Auguste Delaune mascot of EURO 2016. They all signed the using it for a friendly match, encouraged and sports complex will be used by the girls mural produced by local street artist Swen guided by their coach. of RC Saint-Denis. UEFA

22 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 UEFA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN

EURO FOOT JEUNES: THE BIG DAY APPROACHES

As a prelude to the real thing this summer, Lille and Lens will soon be put through their paces as they play host to the Euro Foot Jeunes schools’ tournament.

upported by the UEFA Foundation for wonderful opportunity for young footballers to KEY STATISTICS Children and organised jointly by France’s play an indirect part in the senior tournament.” SNational Union of School Sport (UNSS), the Laurent Petrynka, president of the ISF and International School Sport Federation (ISF), EURO national director of the UNSS, struck the same 2 host cities: Lens and Lille 2016 SAS and the French Football Federation, note: “We want Euro Foot Jeunes to be an the Euro Foot Jeunes schools’ tournament is opportunity to strengthen the educational 800 players, aimed at children all over Europe. This major dimension of the UNSS on the back of this both boys and girls sporting event, which will take place between major international sporting event in France. 29 May and 5 June in northern France, promises It is an honour and a pleasure to be hosting this 300 tournament to be an enthralling and highly enjoyable tournament.” supervisors and organisers tournament. The Nord-Pas-de-Calais branch of the UNSS The event, which will take place in Lens and will be responsible for the overall organisation young organisers Lille just days before the opening match of of the tournament. All matches will be managed, 150 EURO 2016, will comprise both boys’ and girls’ monitored and refereed by more than 300 young from local secondary schools competitions. A total of 800 players will people from the UNSS and the region on the take part, competing for 32 teams from 25 basis of a special concept combining sport and 110 young match officials different countries. Matches will be divided education. The project has been made possible between two venues: Stadium Villeneuve d’Ascq by the UEFA Foundation for Children, EURO 9,000 individual nights – Lille Métropole, and La Gaillette, RC Lens’s 2016 SAS, the French ministry of education, of accommodation training complex. the northern French region of Nord-Pas-de- With the dates having been in everybody’s Calais and Picardie, the department of Pas-de- 27,000 meals diaries for so long, the players’ impatience is Calais, the towns/cities of Avion, Lens, Lille and palpable. And the organisers, too, are visibly Villeneuve-d’Ascq, RC Lens, the association nationalities excited at the prospect: “The UEFA Foundation Orphelins de Makala (Orphans of Makala), the 45 for Children is delighted and very proud to be ISF and Stade Pierre Mauroy. All that remains supporting this UNSS tournament alongside now is for this major football festival to kick 90 boys’ matches EURO 2016 SAS,” said Pascal Torres, secretary off and light up the faces of the participating of the UEFA Foundation for Children. “This is a children from all four corners of Europe. 45 girls’ matches

Super Victor and TOURNAMENT DRAW Rio Mavuba, French international and Boys Girls UNSS ambassador.

Group A Group C Group A Turkey Croatia Switzerland England Germany Turkey Bulgaria Poland Netherlands French Overseas Team Switzerland Russia Netherlands Wallonia Northern Ireland Azerbaijan

Group B Group D Group B France Hungary France Romania Serbia Germany Cyprus Flanders Brazil Greece Italy Greece Russia Northern Ireland French Overseas Team Luxembourg UNSS

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 23 F READY FOR THE OFF 25TH TEAM REFEREEING 24 24 at EURO 2016 in France this summer. never dare to level at UEFA and the 18 referee teams chosen for duty If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail –an adage that you would same country. country. same the from officials comprise teams of the Most referees. assistant additional two and referees assistant two referee, of one consist ultimately will competition blue-riband football’s motivation. and wisdom of words to impart hand on also were members UEFA’stournament. Committee Referees awaited eagerly the at assignments their for instructions important and tests fitness Each team for European national-team national-team for European team Each – UEFA DIRECT •June2016 les-Bains, just north of Paris, for of Paris, north just les-Bains, Enghien- at camp base EURO future their at gathered referees assistant additional and referees assistant 18rom to 21 112 April, referees,

Sportsfile several players surrounding him. him. surrounding players several by ‘mobbing’, pressured is referee the when of cases in firmly to act and safety, their may endanger fouls that from players protect to instructed being are laws.” referees The the to respect with play of field the on done be will to what as instructions same have the all referees the and they that being “the aim Collina, coaches,” and says to players shown be will which of clips, acollection have prepared “We concerned. are decisions far refereeing as as page same the on are referees and coaches players, the to that ensure beforehand teams 24 of the each visit will Committee Referees into 2016, forcecome EURO at UEFA the and in France. essential be would of performance consistency and communication on-field good teamwork, effective that referees.”the Collina stressed for also but teams, for the only not challenge amajor presents this and decisive, be could match Each meaningful. be will matches group of the all probably, most that, means – this through go also will stage group inthe teams third-placed four best “The Collina them. told of 16,” Pierluigi UEFA’s officer refereeing chief round for the of qualifying have a chance will many teams because even very be will which competition, the on impact have abig will “This 10 10 and 51and June July. between matches of 24 teams field increased its EURO, with ever biggest- the on focusing start to also urged being are teams referee the season, of the end the until duties competition domestic their kick-off. big the before four days June, on 6 to France will return match officials Consequently, 94 referees. assistant reserve and officials fourth as to serve referees assistant two and referees two chosen also has Committee Referees the while necessary, if of acolleague place to take the starts tournament the until standby on remaining team, for each a reserve as appointed been has referee assistant A third Important changes to the Laws of the Game Game of the Laws to the changes Important on concentrate naturally will they Although Chief refereeing officer refereeing Chief Pierluigi Collina referees.” the for also but teams, the for only not challenge amajor presents this and decisive, be could match “Each tests in April. in tests fitness and briefings for met they where Paris, of north the to Enghien-les-Bains, in camp base their at teams referee 2016 18 EURO The UEFA DIRECT •June2016 – 25

Sportsfile REFEREEING

One important amendment to the laws concerns the so-called ‘triple punishment’ FROM CORE rule, previously involving dismissal, a penalty and suspension for denying an obvious TO EURO goalscoring opportunity. Referees will now give a yellow card, and not a red card, if a goalkeeper or defender within the penalty area genuinely tries to challenge for the ball and commits a foul. Red cards will still be given when the foul is committed outside the penalty area, as well as for violent play, and when there is no intention to play the ball when the foul is committed in the penalty area. Goal-line technology is in place for the tournament, alongside the tried and trusted deployment of additional assistant referees on each goal line. “Goal-line technology will be used to focus on the goal line, freeing up the additional assistants to focus on the rest of the penalty area, and be ready to take a decision and support the referee,” says Collina. UEFA has selected Hawk-Eye as the goal-line technology supplier for all EURO 2016 matches, and its camera-based system will be installed at Sportsfile each of the ten stadiums across France.

In a notable first for European “I met the referee who sent me Referees are athletes too refereeing, a graduate of UEFA’s off a few years later, when I was Nowadays, referees have to be athletes in Centre of Refereeing Excellence refereeing in the Polish second their own right. In Paris, an expert team led by (CORE) has been selected to division, and I apologised to him Belgian sports scientist Prof. Werner Helsen, officiate at UEFA EURO 2016. because, to be honest, he had which includes fitness coaches, physiotherapists Szymon Marciniak, who is 34 made the right decision. Now we and masseurs, put the officials through their and a native of Plock in central are very good friends … He was paces in fitness tests consisting of two 40m Poland, has successfully made the even fourth official when I refereed sprints and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. transition from player to match an Under-21 match after joining The officials have received a comprehensive official, and onto the list of 18 the international list.” programme to follow in the pre-EURO period. referees who will take charge of Marciniak attended the very first “We have produced six-week training plans for the 51 matches in France. CORE course in autumn 2010. His the referees and the assistant referees,” Helsen Having refereed since 2002, memories are happy ones, and says, “but we also need to consider their match Marciniak was awarded his he is grateful to UEFA Referees appointments up to the end of the domestic international badge in 2011 and in Committee member and senior seasons. In addition, we need to find a balance 2015 took charge of the European course leader David Elleray for between rest and training.” Under-21 Championship final his invaluable guidance. “David is Just like the players, the referees must be in between Sweden and Portugal special to me, as a mentor and as peak condition for the EURO, which comes at in Prague. a person,” Marciniak reflects. “He a time when they would normally be winding Marciniak’s conversion to taught me so much. It was a crucial down after testing domestic campaigns. refereeing is a unique tale. “As moment for me, to be given so “Maybe it is an even bigger problem for a player, I wasn’t the referees’ much knowledge about refereeing referees,” Helsen reflects, recalling at the same best friend,” he says. “During a at the beginning of my career.” time that top officials, some of whom are into match, the referee sent me off, I “It was very clear right from the their 40s, may cover as much as 13km in a didn’t agree [with his decision], start,” says David Elleray of his high-level match and do a considerable amount and I said so in not very popular former ‘pupil’, “that Szymon was of high-intensity running. “With increasing age, words. I said that he was one of a young man who was very keen there is a need for more recovery, and this is the worst referees that I’d ever to learn. In that sense, he’s a great another important aspect we will consider in met. He replied: ‘OK, if you think role model for people because the six-week period.” it’s an easy job, you try to do it.’ I of his willingness to absorb and “The referees need to be fit, but for such an told him I would – and a couple of adjust, which I think is why he important tournament, it’s also important to be weeks after that game, I started a impressed us then and has done so fresh,” Helsen continues. “In that respect, rest refereeing course. well since.” is also an important training mode, in particular towards the end of the season.

26 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 ready for action and raring to go… raring and for action ready 25th 2016 the EURO at team professional: is fit.”keeping to committed so are referees top our that proud and happy are “We Collina concludes. years,” recent over shape physical their improve to hard so have worked young so longer no older!”years four are they that consider we if especially ago, four years than prepared better much now are match officials these that clear is “It out, points Helsen As in performance. decrease atemporary of 18), showed out two only and of 18),out 27.8% (5 level same the showed Yo-Yo their improved (11 performance test inCyprus, 61.1% course winter significantly had year’s this at again and ago four years tested were who use.” we that match officials the Of training zones five inthe beats heart of the distribution the on based challenge, physical a of such impact the to measure used is that rate load heart overall the and test, of the end the at minute per inbeats recovery the test, the rate during heart maximal the examined progress. important in 2012, have showed referees elite the Yo-Yo the Since introduced first was assessment requires. so game the if running, high-intensity 2km of to undertake able are referees elite that of 18:2 level target means the achieving that know we research, From football. professional familiar within very is that test performance a is Yo-Yo which test, recovery intermittent the as such tests field demanding in more significantly. have progressed they that intake, clear it’s and fluid and to nutrition respect with advice valuable them have we given So output. the and input the fat by manipulating body reduce 13.5%to only later. four years You only can of 16.7% average an from referees the among fat inbody areduction Wehad. have seen referees fat the body much –how composition body measuring “we started Helsen, says 2012, “In game. modern stakes for instance,” high- high-pace, for the shape excellent in such are match officials top its that UEFA delighted is Important progress top condition.” to in us back them to bring just less, is intensity and volume training the where days in some build also will we schedule, six-week of the end fresh. also the but Towards fit, mentally only not of away keeping also is do they regimes training usual the than other things doing And Physically and mentally strong, dedicated and and dedicated strong, mentally and Physically are who people that unbelievable is “It we years, four past the over “Specifically, assessed “Finally, been have also they Pierluigi Collina and his team will meet the match the meet will team his and appointment,” “he Collina adds, matches.” their before possible as much as to know and ahead, step one be to match officials for the is objective “The explains. Collina, Pierluigi officer, refereeing field,” the on UEFA’s do players chief their what and use, they tactics the plays, ateam how know they that so analysts the from information briefings. in-tournament provide to Enghien-les-Bains at camp base referees’ the at on-site be will them of two and friendlies, tournament pre- teams’ of the each from information –have collected coaches teams. participating 24 the on advice invaluable with them providing match officials, the to is brief it job whose analysts of match apool established will encounter. they players and tactics teams, the on advice and analysis of expert form inthe inFrance duties their for hand helping acrucial given 2016 EURO The being are referees FOR REFEREES MATCH ANALYSTS “Every time a referee receives an an receives areferee time “Every receive will referees “The UEFA –all ALicence analysts Four UEFAtime, has first the For their preparations.”their for tool important an be will this We that think of situations. set new a receive they to days, ten seven Every decisions. their on feedback receive then They frames. different five among from frame correct the by selecting situation offside an have to identify “They explains. inHD,” situations Collinaoffside potential view can they where referees assistant for our platform a up have “We set exercises. offside of web-based form in the to do homework own have their officiating. be will they matches whose teams the about of clips collection own their create and themselves information gather can they where for them, especially created platform data game. of the aspects tactical and technical anticipate to but conduct, players’ individual about warnings referees to give not match.” is aim specific The in that involved players the and teams two the on briefing a comprehensive given be will assistants additional and assistants referee, The analysts. Meanwhile, the assistant referees referees assistant the Meanwhile, aweb using also are referees The

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 27 Sportsfile FOR THE RECORD

EURO 2016 SPECTATOR SURVEY

housands of UEFA EURO 2016 ticket how they planned to travel to matches, when holders have answered a spectator they expected to arrive at the stadium, and T survey, providing UEFA with a wealth what they considered most important in terms of information on their travel plans and of the sustainability of the event. transport arrangements to, from and within A total of 83,680 ticket holders aged 18 to France, their matchday routines and their 60 were sent the survey earlier this year, and sustainability concerns. Questions included 15,715 of them responded.

36.4%

32% How do you plan to travel to France?

9.1% 7.9% 6%

4.2% 2.6% 0.1% 0.2% 1.1% 0.2% 0.2%

Motorbike Boat Caravan Plane Car Train I don’t Using a tour Coach Combination Other Already in know operator France

28 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 FOR THE RECORD

How many people are How much do you you travelling with? envisage spending on food and drink at a 6.6% No one match, per person? 30.8% 1 other Nothing budgeted 5.4% 10.7% 2 others 32.7% 3 others €0–€10 17.9% 4.2% 4 others €11– €20 37.3% 3.9% 5 others €21–€50 28.9% 1.6% 6 others €51–€100 7.6% 4.1% 7 others 5.4% 8+ others €100+ 2.9%

How old are you? 16% 14% 15% 15%

12% 9% 8% 15% 6%

3% 2%

18–25 26–30 31–35 36–40 41–45 46–50 51–55 56–60 61–65 65+

When do you Which of these plan to get to sustainability aspects the stadium? is most important? 43.7% 1 hour before the match 61% 23% Transport Waste and mobility management

8% Energy 1.1% and water Less than consumption 15 minutes before the match 42.5% 8% 2 hours Responsible before the match 12.7% sourcing 3 hours before the match

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 29 THE TECHNICIAN

PAT ‘PACKIE’ BONNER SAFE HANDS Now a technical instructor for UEFA, the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper talks to us about the changing responsibilities of the man between the posts.

he rapid evolution of the role of for goalkeeping specialists and their place the goalkeeper is one of the more within coaching teams. The leader of UEFA’s consistent of football’s modern goalkeeping advisory group is a man who trends. In an effort to meet the donned goalkeeping gloves for two decades at challenges of this ever-changing Celtic FC and reached a FIFA World Cup quarter- Trole, various new demands have been placed final in 1990 with the Republic of Ireland thanks on today’s goalkeepers, and this in turn has to his penalty save against Romania’s Daniel resulted in greater emphasis on coach education Timofte. He is, of course, Pat ‘Packie’ Bonner … UEFA

30 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 THE TECHNICIAN

“We have seen a real change in the profile the goalkeeper has in the team, and the skills and insight they need to maximise their performance.”

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 31 THE TECHNICIAN

Packie, in what ways has the role has. When you see some of the range of saves “When I was playing, of the goalkeeper developed in that are made by goalkeepers like Joe Hart and you would just hear football? Thibault Courtois, you see an athleticism and ‘Get back on your line The Laws of the Game have certainly changed skills that have certainly progressed over the – you’ll get chipped!’ since my playing days but, more than that, years. Not only has this led to a need to focus we have seen a real change in the profile the on their holistic development but also the ways but attitudes have goalkeeper has in the team, and the skills and in which they are coached. changed.” insight they need to maximise their performance. In many ways they’re much more like outfield So how has the framework players – the great sweepers of the past, like been established for specialist Franz Beckenbauer or Ronald Koeman. They goalkeeper coaches to grow, have to have the skills to play, to start attacks. develop and prosper across Europe? Between 60% and 80% of a goalkeeper’s The UEFA Goalkeeper A licence has been actions now are with their feet, which shows devised as one of the specialist programmes the way in which the game has changed as a within the UEFA Coaching Convention. whole. At the EURO this summer, for example, We have created an advisory group that we anticipate that we will see a number of reports directly to the Jira Panel; its remit is to goalkeepers playing far higher up the pitch than monitor and support the national associations in previous European Championships and the during the preparation and rollout phase. media, the supporters, teammates and coaches We work very closely with UEFA’s football are more accepting of that. When I was playing, education services team to structure an you would just hear ‘Get back on your line – approach to learning that is reality-based, you’ll get chipped!’ but attitudes have changed. rather than enshrined in traditional coaching methods. We’re are also very fortunate to have A few key objectives have remained the support of many technical directors, who the same, though … are helping us to spread the message of what Of course, the main aim is to keep the ball can be achieved by treating the goalkeepers Packie Bonner’s save against Romania that took the from the back of your net and that has never as being a part of the team rather than apart Republic of Ireland into the changed. However, the way of achieving it from the team. Various elements of these 1990 World Cup quarter-finals. Getty Images

32 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 THE TECHNICIAN Getty Images

teaching philosophies are already being Can you give some specific Jan Oblak intercepts a Thomas applied in around 55% of associations who examples of positive results you Müller penalty, taking Club Atlético de Madrid into the 2016 are involved in the rollout of the UEFA have already seen? UEFA Champions League final at goalkeeper course. Belgium is a country where they have really the expense of FC Bayern München. taken to the process, and it’s the same in What challenges do you face in Poland, where they were a little tentative at the implementation of goalkeeper the start but 18 months down the line we have licences? seen big changes. The courses that they have To some extent, it has been changing the embarked on have certainly increased credibility mentality, although the number of people and added competence to their goalkeeper who have really embraced reality-based coaches as fully integrated and respected learning right from the start has impressed us. members of the coaching staff. The first course in a country is always the most difficult and we tend to spend more time on What can UEFA’s experts do to a first visit in order to see how the process is effect the change in mentality implemented into their education courses. you mentioned when it comes to The main issues are in having enough integrating goalkeeper training specialists in some of the federations from into the team as a whole? a goalkeeper education perspective. Also, There are a couple of things to do, really. the acceptance of the head coaches in clubs The first is to make the goalkeeper coaches to allow for the integration of goalkeeper themselves realise that the game has changed coaches in team training sessions. Just and that with it, their role has altered too. In like a head coach and an assistant coach, many cases we need to see a willingness for the goalkeeper coach is also a coach with goalkeeper coaches to step up and to do it a specialism. Changing that mentality is themselves, take on the challenges. As well something that will take time, especially as that, our job is to encourage technical once the younger coaches understand directors and heads of education to fit and see the merits of the process that we goalkeeper education into their overall are endorsing. structures. We can give expertise, knowledge

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 33 THE TECHNICIAN

and ideas, but how they adapt that to their own the session as a team of coaches. Then, “Just like a head systems is up to them. recommendations or adaptions can be coach and an made ahead of the next match, when again, assistant coach, What characteristics do you you analyse the match and start the circle the goalkeeper coach look to develop in the modern again. This is all part of treating the goalkeeper goalkeeper? as part of the game, which will get the best out is also a coach with I think the characteristics can be split into four of them on matchday. a specialism.” key categories: technical, tactical, physical and psychological. The last factor includes the Does all of this suggest that concentration and focus of the goalkeeper the days of individual training during a match, their composure and decision- of goalkeepers are over? making. However, it can also include lifestyle Not at all. There is still a need for individual choices, personal planning, rest and recovery, work that will be dictated by the personal and can even go down to diet. This is another development needs of the first, second and reason that the goalkeepers on the field can third-choice goalkeepers. Identifying key benefit from being coached by specialists who issues through match analysis and what needs are an integral part of the collective team, to be done to fix them for the next game will which also includes doctors, dieticians, video then help the goalkeeper coach to prioritise analysts and fitness coaches who can all feed how much work is individual and how much is into that process. collective as part of the weekly preparations. In the past, individual training may have What methods do you apply to formed 75% of the goalkeeper’s programme, make sure the learning and but that has now definitely been reduced to development process continues? bring the goalkeepers into the team functions. We have five key steps in the learning circle This places greater emphasis on collective work at the heart of our methodology: analysing with field players and the coaching staff as a the game, planning a training session with whole but does not eliminate individual work. Packie Bonner and Shay Given at specific objectives based on the analysis, We say that the role of the goalkeeper has seen the play-offs for the 2010 World Cup. The psychological support then transferring it to the pitch in a realistic an evolution rather than a revolution, and the provided by goalkeeper coaches manner and, most importantly, evaluating goalkeeper coaching is exactly the same. is a crucial part of modern training. Getty Images

34 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 THE TECHNICIAN

EDUCATING THE EDUCATOR

The third and final module of a goalkeeper coach educator development course took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 2 to 5 May. Participants from Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia joined the hosts to complete the course, which was designed to help the associations implement goalkeeper coach education at national level and eventually introduce UEFA Goalkeeper A licence courses. The programme featured match analysis-based practical sessions in which the participants, all of them goalkeeper coach educators in their respective countries, guided club coaching staff through demonstrations. The primary focus was on the goalkeeper coach’s ability to carry out his role, as both goalkeeper coach and member of the wider coaching team. Brane Elsner, head of coach education at the Football Association of Slovenia, was enthusiastic about the course and the future of goalkeeper coach education. “We are teaching the new generation of coach educators how to organise themselves, prepare themselves, how to be good speakers, how to motivate and how to ask the right questions at the right time,” he said. Munir Talović, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation’s education director, echoed the views of his Slovenian counterpart: “This is a great chance for us to share opinions, pick up best practice examples and have the best UEFA experts teach us and show us the way.” This three-part course, with previous modules delivered in Croatia and Serbia, marked a new level of cooperation between the participating associations. This is also something that Talović believes can be developed further: “I think that the way we’re doing it here can be transferred to other areas to help us develop the sport and coach education in the future.” UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 35 SPECIAL FEATURE Getty Images

PLANETS ALIGN FOR ALBANIA Albania’s qualification for UEFA EURO 2016 in France – the first time they have ever qualified for a major tournament – is reward for more than 50 years of trying and is due to a number of contributing factors.

36 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 Albania captain Lorik Cana. Getty Images

AN – TAS – TI – CO!” bellowed the “He sacrificed things in order to achieve Albanian bench, seconds after the final something great in Albania, and it hasn’t just whistle had blown on Albania’s famous had an effect on the team; it’s also had an victory in Yerevan last October. That effect on the way we work. He has taught us 3-0 win over Armenia was the most a lot. We’ve all bought into his project.” Fsignificant result in the history of Albanian That project has come against the backdrop football: after more than half a century of of the diaspora of the 1990s, with significant battling through European Championship and numbers of Albanian players being born or World Cup qualifiers, they had at last reached moving abroad. Many of the earliest émigrés the final round of a major competition by have now returned home to coach, including qualifying for EURO 2016. Erjon Bogdani, De Biasi’s assistant. Bogdani For Albania, one of Europe’s smaller nations, is Albania’s all-time leading scorer with 18 the road to France this summer has been a long goals and spent over a decade playing at the and winding one. UEFA members since 1954, highest level in Italy. “Teamwork has been they first took part in qualifying for the 1964 our watchword throughout this campaign,” European Championship, and there have been says Bogdani. “Team over individuals.” a few high points in the intervening years – Cana, who plays for FC Nantes in France, most notably, knocking West Germany out of following spells in England, Turkey and Italy, the 1966–68 European Football Championship says: “De Biasi tried to change the way with a goalless draw in Tirana (which remains new players were brought in after an older the only time that Germany or West Germany generation had left the team, and he had a have failed to qualify for a major tournament). clear idea as to how he would do that. He tried A number of planets have had to align in to adapt to the Albanian mentality, but he also order for Albania to take the final step and took the best parts and got rid of the worst. qualify themselves. That was a huge factor.” The emergence of other talented individuals De Biasi builds a team who were born or have been playing abroad In December 2011, Giovanni De Biasi, a has strengthened the national team and, at naturalised Albanian of Italian heritage, was the same time, established a bond between appointed coach of the national side. There all Albanian supporters around the world. “Our team has were promising early signs during the 2014 “Things have got better,” says experienced become one, World Cup qualifying campaign, with victories midfielder and fan favourite Andi Lila. “Our and our fans at home to Cyprus and Slovenia and – most team has become one, and our fans have have become notably – away to Norway. But De Biasi’s team become one. We are an emerging team, one. We are an really announced their arrival on the big stage one that has improved a lot.” emerging team, in their first qualifying match for EURO 2016, beating Portugal 1-0 away. They have not Home sweet home one that has looked back since. Something else that helped their cause improved a lot.” “When he started coaching Albania, De Biasi was the construction of a new stadium, the Andi Lila regarded the job as a personal challenge,” says Elbasan Arena, an hour’s drive south of the Midfielder defender Lorik Cana, who captained Albania capital. Faced with the prospect of playing for Albania in all eight of their EURO 2016 qualifiers. their home matches outside Albania, a joint

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 37 “The young players have made great progress, and the future is expected Young players to be even brighter.” train at the FK Partizani Sulejman Mema academy. Coach of the KF Tirana Gent Shkullaku Under-19 team project involving the Albanian government, the number of foreign players per team should Football Federation of Albania (FSHF) and UEFA be reduced from four to three, or maybe even ensured that a UEFA-approved stadium was two. There may be downsides in the short term, ready in time for the first home match of their but it will be beneficial for the development of qualifying campaign for EURO 2016, against youth players in the long run. Denmark. “I enjoy playing at our new home,” “Another problem is coach education. says Lila. “It’s a very cosy and modern stadium, The FSHF is working very hard to improve and it has brought us luck.” clubs’ infrastructure, and its coach licensing The national team are not the only ones to department is always running UEFA B, A and have benefited from the new stadium. The Pro diploma courses, yet the level of education 2014/15 league champions, KF Skënderbeu is still not improving quickly enough,” says from the southeast of the country, used it for Tomorri, who holds a UEFA Pro licence. their home matches in UEFA’s club competitions Ledio Pano is the son of the famous this season (including their 3-0 UEFA Europa Panajot Pano, whom the FSHF voted the most League victory over Sporting Clube de Portugal, outstanding Albanian footballer of the previous which lifted them 52 places to 190th in the 50 years as part of UEFA’s jubilee celebrations in UEFA club rankings. “It was a pleasure to play 2004. Ledio Pano, who holds a UEFA B licence, at such a great venue,” said their Albanian played 11 times for Albania at senior level and international defender Kristi Vangjeli. played for every national youth team. A former “We need more venues like this one. We teammate of Tomorri, both men now work need to improve our facilities, because playing at the FK Partizani academy. “Coaches have a in a great stadium is like adrenaline for the better understanding of the game now, but it’s players. It makes us feel good when we take still very hard for us to convey that knowledge to the pitch and compete. Playing our Europa because we spend more time managing the League home matches at the Elbasan Arena team than coaching,” Pano says. was a great experience for us, and it’s been a “We have to organise the kit and the lucky venue for the national team.” games, find places to practise and deal with other logistics. It used to be different when Building a youth movement we played. Coaches coached, and there were But despite the achievements of Skënderbeu pitches everywhere. Every club had pitches to EURO 2016 and the national team, some former practise on at their own training ground. Now ALBANIA’S QUALIFYING internationals coaching youth teams in they’re almost non-existent at most clubs, with CAMPAIGN Albania are concerned about a lack of talent the exception of a few like Apolonia or Tirana.” at that level. “Youth football in Albania is not While conditions for the development of Portugal 0-1 Albania developing at the same rate as the domestic young players may not be perfect, the FSHF Albania 1-1 Denmark professional league,” says Genc Tomorri, and the clubs are working hard to find a system coach of the national Under-19 champions, that works, and they are on the right track. Serbia 0-3 (f) Albania FK Partizani, who are about to establish “Academies have started to produce young Albania 2-1 Armenia a modern football academy thanks to the players in Albania, supplying not only the Super Denmark 0-0 Albania personal investment of the club’s owner. League, but also the various national youth Albania 0-1 Portugal “The Albanian Super League has grown teams,” says Sulejman Mema, another former stronger, but the young players are not quite international, who now coaches the KF Tirana Albania 0-2 Serbia ready because of a lack of technical and tactical Under-19 team. Armenia 0-3 Albania skills. Elite teams dominate, and they don’t pay “I think this process is only just beginning. much attention to young players. I think the In the very near future, there will be an increase (f): Match forfeited

38 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 SPECIAL FEATURE

in quality that will benefit not only the Albanian clubs, but also the national team. The young players who are currently coming through have made great progress, and the future is expected to be even brighter with all the improvements in infrastructure and quality that have taken Getty Images place in Albania recently.”

Women’s football on the rise The rapid social and economic development seen in Albania has also led to other changes, including a rise in the number of women playing the game, especially in the north of the country. “In the last five years, we have seen the expansion of the women’s league, the establishment of a women’s national team and, just in the last couple of years, the creation of a women’s Under-19 team,” says Nevil Dede, who was capped 30 times by Albania and now coaches that newly formed youth team. “At the moment, the desire is there, but there’s a lack of people investing in the women’s game. Apolonia are one of the very few professional clubs that have a women’s team in the national club competition, but Teuta and Skënderbeu are starting to set up their own teams, and they will also take THE MAKING OF A NEW HOME part. This is a positive step that will help the development of women’s football and help the The redevelopment of Stadiumi around the clock in order to get the women’s national team.” Ruzhdi Bizhuta in Elbasan was a stadium ready in time for the EURO Albina Rrahmani has played for Albania since joint undertaking by the Albanian 2016 qualifying match at home to the establishment of the women’s national government, UEFA and the Football Denmark on 11 October 2014. In team, and she is very optimistic that the Federation of Albania. This made just seven months, Stadiumi Ruzhdi number of girls playing the game will continue it possible for Albania to carry on Bizhuta – now called the Elbasan to rise. “The level of play has gone up, more playing their home matches in their Arena – had been redeveloped to clubs have been formed, and girls are starting own country, as otherwise they meet international standards. The to play at a young age,” she says. “Parents risked having to play abroad on stadium now hosts international are abandoning the traditional view that account of the lack of stadiums that matches, as well as UEFA club football is a boy’s sport and becoming more met all international requirements. competition matches. supportive – not just at home, but also in the The government covered the cost Following the success of the stadium. But there is still a lot of work to be of all public works, the building Elbasan Arena project, the Albanian done in this regard.” of the structure and all necessary government has decided to invest equipment, while the FSHF paid for a significant amount of money in The KF Tirana all TV and media facilities. UEFA the north of Albania in order to Under-19s in training. helped with the upgrading of the build a second stadium that meets floodlights to 1,400 lux with uniform international standards. The plan is coverage of the field of play for the to redevelop Stadiumi Loro Boriçi in EURO 2016 qualifiers, as well as the Shkoder, 115km from Tirana. Shkoder installation of a suitable pitch for the is one of the largest cities in Albania, Albanian national team’s matches. with a population of 136,000, and UEFA did not just provide financial the most important city in the north support; it also provided in-house of the country. expertise, supplying pitch and UEFA will be involved again, as floodlighting consultants. The local HatTrick funding has been requested council owns the new venue, but for this project. Time will tell whether the FSHF will manage it until a new the Albanian government will also national stadium is built. give the go-ahead for the renovation Work started in April 2014, and of the old Qemal Stafa national the construction team worked stadium in Tirana.

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 39 Gent Shkullaku SPECIAL FEATURE

ARMAND DUKA ‘WE HAVE NO INDIVIDUAL STARS, BUT WE ARE A STAR TEAM’

For the president of the Football Association of Albania, the Eagles’ qualification for UEFA EURO 2016 is the greatest success in the history of Albanian football.

Albania have qualified for their first- out how to lead, motivate and get the ever EURO. How has this changed most out of this great group of players the image of Albania in Europe and deserves the utmost admiration. the rest of the world, especially in football? Now that Albania have reached Our qualification showed how magical and the final tournament, what is UEFA unpredictable football is, and how even the big the goal? and powerful teams can be beaten. Albanians Of course, reaching the final tournament is a turned their attention to football [during the great, historic achievement. I would rate it as qualifying campaign], and our beloved sport the greatest in the history of Albanian football. became a focal point in their everyday lives. We see this accomplishment as another Echoes of Albania’s footballing achievements opportunity to give the sport a push and raise also extended beyond the borders of our our performance to the next level, through country, and it is now entirely normal to hear a comprehensive strategy aimed at ensuring the world’s most prestigious media speak the continuity of results, instead of settling positively about Albanian football. But not only for just being in France. We have no individual football. The media are talking about Albania stars, but we are a star team.It will be a great as a country, our cultural history and our values. experience on which we would like to build, The image and popularity built on the success and with which we would like to increase the of our national team is on a scale we could not number of people playing the game – from previously have imagined. primary school, middle school, high school and college to professional level. Since you were elected president of the FSHF in 2002, you have appointed What has been done so far to only foreign coaches to lead the introduce football in schools? national team. Why is that? A series of activities and tournaments have I don’t put foreign coaches in charge of the been organised at primary schools in the national team because I don’t have confidence different regions, and about 1,000 children in the technical skills of Albanian coaches, but have taken part. This number is expected to because foreigners have other advantages double in the next editions. The elementary over natives – not least the winning mentality and middle schools championship is growing that foreign coaches have, and their better in many regions and, fuelled by the FSHF, it international image. is expected to very quickly extend all over Albania. We are also in discussions with the And have they fulfilled your ministry of education and sports to introduce expectations? football to the primary and middle school All our coaches have done a great job on curriculum, whereby we would provide support the whole but, of course, what [Gianni] De in terms of materials, infrastructure and staff Biasi has done to understand and figure training programmes.

The national team line up before playing Georgia in November 2015.

40 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 Getty Images SPECIAL FEATURE Gent Shkullaku Gent Shkullaku

Are you making any changes to difficulty in this regard, with women’s football. The future of Albanian football: children improve football in secondary schools? The work we have done so far has created the train at the FK Partizani academy (left); and the Apolonia women’s team, in This year we are launching a high schools foundations for the future and we will work green, greet the players of Juban Danja championship. We are still in the negotiations quickly to achieve even more. after a match (right). phase but very soon we will have a system in place that will provide yet more innovative When you were first elected president opportunities for this all-important age group. of the FSHF 14 years ago, you promised that you would change the What is the FSHF doing to help and image of Albanian football and make improve conditions at club academies? the FSHF a modern organisation, We have always been active in our support and while your personal goal was for the encouraged the creation of club and private national team to reach the finals of academies. Our policy is to encourage the a European Championship or a World establishment of these ‘football nurseries’ to Cup. How satisfied are you with what help develop and prepare talented players. has been achieved? However, the development of young players I am very satisfied with what has been should be the responsibility of the clubs. As achieved, but we still are a work in progress. regards what we can do, we have opened more We started with offices in the basement training grounds, but despite our intervention of Qemal Stafa Stadium, and with UEFA’s and the evident improvement in terms of help we now have our own state-of-the- playing fields, more is always required. We need art office building, with all the necessary more coordinated cooperation between the equipment, software and office supplies. We FSHF, central government, local government, have a modern management structure and local communities and private initiatives. have created optimum conditions for all our Only then can we secure the future growth employees. Reaching the EURO is an absolute of Albanian football and its talented young success, but our work doesn’t end there. We players. This is one of our most important goals are always looking for improvements. in the long term. Where do you think improvements Albania has had a women’s are imminent? national team for the last five years. First, in terms of our infrastructure. We have How has the women’s game developed accomplished a lot but still more is needed. and improved domestically in that Many stadiums (Elbasan Arena, Loro Boriçi, time? Qemal Stafa, etc.), training grounds and We have had a senior national team for five playgrounds have been rebuilt on the initiative years and an Under-19 team for a couple of of the FSHF and with the help of the UEFA years, which is a relatively short length of time HatTrick programme and local government. for getting positive results. We are just focused Second, in terms of training. The level of on development at this point. It will require training has to get better. We have done quite time and a lot of dedication before we start well here, but we must keep up to date with to see results. We are aware of this and we coach education and licences at all levels. are working on some comprehensive And third, in terms of organising clubs. This is programmes. But let’s remember that there the weakest point, and little has been achieved are many big footballing countries that have so far.

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 41 Scottish FA

Kieran Martin and David McArdle FROM MODERN APPRENTICE TO SCOTLAND INTERNATIONAL Kieran Martin is on the Modern Apprenticeship scheme at the Scottish Football Association, but one day in January of this year the 17-year-old’s life changed. The association’s disability development officer, David McArdle, spotted during a staff match that, unbeknown to him, Kieran had a medical condition which made him eligible to play for the national cerebral palsy team. Here, Kieran recounts his journey, which has seen him go from an apprentice to an international footballer.

n April I made my international debut. he had noticed something in my running style Representing your country is every young at the Christmas match and had kept an eye Iboy’s dream. The thing is, I don’t play for a on me. It turns out that the lack of full rotation club and stopped playing football for four years in my right arm and a right leg that seemed to at school because my legs hurt so much after swing were not just weakness, but a medical matches. I thought my legs were weak, but no condition that I had not even been aware of. matter how hard I trained (my top half seemed He then asked if I fancied playing for to sprout OK), it never made a difference. In Scotland. I was taken aback when he explained fact, it made it worse. that I was eligible for the national cerebral Then I joined the Scottish FA as a modern palsy team. I am conscious that such terms can apprentice and got invited to the Wednesday come with a stigma, but if anything it helped to staff game at Lesser Hampden. It all started explain all the physical ailments I had had since back in January. Scottish FA national I was a kid, but put down to physical weakness. development manager David McArdle came It all made sense. over to watch the game. He brought me into his I spoke to my family. My mum, not office afterwards for a quick meeting – which I surprisingly, was as shocked as I was by a thought was to help with football development diagnosis on a football pitch. The more as part of my work duties at Hampden. He said I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it: Scottish FA

42 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

to play football at the highest level I could; It is understandable that some people have to play for my country; to play in finals. responded differently – maybe getting angry, Also, without sounding clichéd, to maybe annoyed or upset and saying that there is help other people who have experienced the nothing wrong with me. Today, I am a 17-year- pain I have had and never really understood old who works in Scottish football and plays for what it meant, and to show them that it does his country. There is not a lot wrong with that. not need to hold you back or stop you fulfilling The last few months have been a your potential. rollercoaster: I went from playing a weekly game with my work colleagues to making my international debut. On the last weekend in April, I earned my first two caps for Scotland in a double-header against Northern Ireland, and now I have the prospect of going to Denmark for the next international.

‘The lads made me feel welcome’ As you can imagine, going to my first training camp and walking into a dressing room full of boys that I had never met left me feeling a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. I’m not going to lie – it was scary at first. But the lads were brilliant. They made me feel welcome as soon as I walked in. They are always having a laugh and always helping you to improve, giving you tips on what you could have done better and what to do the next time. Any nerves I had about meeting them were gone in the first couple of minutes. The training camp was superb. We typically got up at around 07.00, had breakfast by 08.00 and then left for training at 09.00. We had two training sessions a day on the Friday and Saturday, and then only one on the Sunday. What I loved most about the camp was how motivated everybody was. Everyone wanted to get better. The coaches helped a lot. Even when you weren’t having the best of days, they always managed to get your chin up and get you going again. Thankfully, I performed well enough at the training camp and was selected to play in the friendlies against Northern Ireland. On the weekend of my debut, we met up on the Friday afternoon for training and then left for the hotel. When I woke up on the Saturday morning, the nerves were really starting to kick in. Walking into the dressing room, seeing all the jerseys hanging up and knowing that you “The sense of will be playing for your country … I’m not sure there is another feeling quite like it. The sense pride you feel of pride you feel when stepping onto the pitch when stepping is incredible. on to the pitch We dominated straight from the kick-off and is incredible.” managed to win 5-1, followed up with a 5-2 victory the following day. I have to admit that Kieran Martin I didn’t score, but thanks to a chance meeting

Member of the Scottish FA Scotland cerebral with David and an open mind, I have now set palsy football team some goals that I never thought possible.

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 43 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ALBANIA www.fshf.org NEW NATIONAL STADIUM IN THE PIPELINE

TRITAN KOKONA

An agreement was recently and graphs to provide an overview of the concluded between the Football projects already completed by the FSHF. Federation of Albania (FSHF) and In his speech, the Albanian prime minister, the company Albstar for the construction Edi Rama, stressed the importance of sport of a new national stadium in the country’s for the social fabric of the country. He

capital city. A signing ceremony was held praised the various efforts made by the FSHF FSHF at the Sheraton Tirana Hotel, where details and its president with a view to improving of the project were presented. the country’s infrastructure. He also stressed the country will soon have another modern The FSHF’s president, Armand Duka, the importance of building a new stadium, sports facility. Important details regarding talked about the investment that the which would, he said, represent a new the project were presented to the public by association had made in the country’s beginning for Albanian football. architects Marco Casamonti and Giovanni football infrastructure: “We realised that, UEFA was also represented at the Polazzi, co-founders of the renowned Italian without infrastructure, there can be no ceremony and welcomed the significant studio Archea. The ceremony culminated in development and no improvement in the progress made by Albania in terms of the signing of the construction agreement quality of football. For this reason, we its infrastructure. UEFA has assisted, by Armand Duka and a representative of have invested in many projects, and their monitored and supported the FSHF in all the company Albstar (photo above) in the impact is already visible.” He used figures its construction projects and is thrilled that presence of all participants.

AUSTRIA www.oefb.at AZERBAIJAN www.affa.az NEW FUTSAL U17 EURO FINALS ARE A HIT CHALLENGE FIRUZ ABDULLA

CARMEN REDL

The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) recently launched an exciting new competition, the ÖFB Futsal Challenge, which represents a new approach to futsal in Austria. In this competition, clubs are only permitted to field regular futsal players – i.e. people who only ever play futsal or are at least predominantly futsal players. A further point of contrast with the existing ÖFB Futsal League (which has been running for a number of years) is the fact that individual matches are staged, rather than AFFA mini-tournaments. Teams play two halves of 20 minutes each, with the clock only counting As Azerbaijan prepared to host broadcast many times on various TV down while the ball is actually in play. In the the final round of the European channels in Azerbaijan. At the same time, ÖFB Futsal League, that only applies in the last Under-17 Championship from promotional videos made for the AFFA five minutes. As well as offering an exciting 5 to 21 May, the Association of Football were shown on local TV channels, as well new club competition, it is hoped that this Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) made as on the internet. new initiative will pave the way for an Austrian sure the tournament received the widest In the lead-up to the tournament, national futsal team. In its inaugural season, possible publicity. An official tournament members of the local organising the ÖFB Futsal Challenge features six teams anthem, ‘Biz qalib olmalıyıq’ (We must committee visited schools in Baku, from the ÖFB Futsal League – four First Division win), was recorded as a duet by the encouraged by the ministry of education. teams (1. FC Allstars Wiener Neustadt, Stella championship ambassador, renowned Röya Aykhan, Azerbaijan’s Under-17 Rossa Wien, Futsal Klagenfurt and 1. FC Futsal Azerbaijani singer Röya Aykhan, and captain Elchin Asadov and Under-21 Innsbruck), plus FC Internazionale Wien 2012 Miri Yusif, an Azerbaijani singer and women’s player Amina Heydarova joined from the Second Division South and SC Vienna rapper, and a favourite of young people the tour, during which schoolchildren Walzer from the Second Division North. especially. The video of the song was heard all about the tournament.

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BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA www.nfsbih.ba

and Herzegovina won that tournament, CONNECTING beating FYR Macedonia 2-0 in the final. In the semi-finals, Bosnia and WITH Herzegovina beat Belgrade 7-6 on penalties following a 0-0 draw, while WOMEN’S FYR Macedonia beat the team from Sarajevo and East Sarajevo 2-0. The FOOTBALL third-place play-off was contested by a FUAD KRVAVAC team representing the Serbian capital, Belgrade, and a team representing Before the recent Women’s Sarajevo and East Sarajevo, with the EURO 2017 qualifying match team from Serbia prevailing 5-2. The against England, the Bosnia award for the player most reminiscent of and Herzegovina Football Federation Josip Katalinski went to Amar Lukovac of (NFSBiH) organised an event for local Krvavac F. Bosnia and Herzegovina. schoolchildren at its training centre in Finally in April, the National Deaf Zenica. About 1,000 pupils from the city’s primary schools had the opportunity Futsal Championship was staged at the primary schools took part in the initiative, to meet the players and find out about Juan Antonio Samaranch Olympic Hall which was organised in partnership women’s football, and then they came in in Sarajevo. This tournament was held with the FARE network and the Ebbe large numbers to support us in our crucial under the auspices of the NFSBiH as part Comms communications agency. The qualifying match.” of UEFA’s grassroots programme, which women’s national team and head coach Bosnia and Herzegovina also played advocates football for all, regardless Samira Hurem showed the children host to a UEFA development tournament of gender, age, ability, ethnicity and how they train and chatted with them for women’s Under-16 teams in April, religious/racial background. The about football. with matches being played in Zenica and tournament was contested by teams Two days later, the training centre was Vogosca. Slovenia won the tournament from Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Mostar, packed with supporters for the match with three straight wins, while the hosts Brcko, Zenica and Vitez. It was won against England. Although Bosnia and finished second with six points, ahead of by Mladost (from Sarajevo), who beat Herzegovina suffered the narrowest Lithuania and Montenegro with three and Neretva (from Mostar) 4-2 in the final. of defeats, losing 1-0, it was a great zero points respectively. The team from Banja Luka finished third. game and they produced one of their The 5th Josip Katalinski Škija Memorial The tournament’s top goalscorer was best performances of the campaign so Tournament for men’s Under-16 teams Djordje Kremenović from Banja Luka, far. Samira Hurem said: “I think this is was recently contested in Zenica and while the award for the best goalkeeper an excellent idea. Children from local Grbavica (a suburb of Sarajevo). Bosnia went to Mladost’s Halil Čehić.

BULGARIA www.bfunion.bg BULGARIAN GIRLS WIN DEVELOPMENT TOURNAMENT

YORDAN GROZDANOV

The Bulgarian Under-16 girls’ tournaments in Bulgaria in 2014 and 2015 team, led by coach Troyan – took place between 17 and 21 April. Radulov, recently won a UEFA Once again, the teams were very satisfied

development tournament in Albena on with the tournament’s organisation, and BFU Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. After defeating we saw that performance standards had Georgia 4-1 and beating Romania 7-6 on risen further since the 2014 and 2015 in May and August respectively. UEFA penalties, Bulgaria needed a win against events. The Bulgarian Football Union tried has introduced these tournaments as a Croatia in their final match to secure to make the teams feel at home, using just way of giving talented young players an victory. Mariela Nedeva scored the winning two stadiums for matches and ensuring additional opportunity to play competitive goal as Bulgaria triumphed 1-0 and won that the teams’ hotels were situated very international matches. There is a focus on the tournament. close to the training facilities and stadiums. Under-16 teams, as UEFA believes this to The tournament – which followed Bulgaria will be hosting two more UEFA be a crucial stage in the development of two other UEFA women’s development women’s development tournaments elite players.

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 45 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

CROATIA www.hns-cff.hr

top-division clubs, who were joined by A SUCCESSFUL 12 MONTHS the country’s national team coaches for a two-day seminar on technical trends in TOMISLAV PACAK European and Croatian football. “I firmly believe that our coaches are one of the The Croatian Football Federation project has the HNS’s full support.” key reasons for the success of Croatian (HNS) held its annual general meeting Among the guests at the general meeting football. Stars like Modrić and Mandžukić in April, giving its president, Davor was the newly decorated ‘French knight’ were developed by our coaches, and it’s Šuker, an opportunity to look back with Josip Skoblar. The famous goalscorer, who important for us to share our experience, pride at the previous year: “Our national won the European Golden Boot while playing knowledge and opinions at gatherings such teams achieved excellent results, led by our for Olympique de Marseille, was recently as this workshop,” said Ante Čačić, coach senior men’s team, which qualified for EURO presented with a prestigious French award of Croatia’s senior men’s national team. 2016 in France. At the same time, I am very in recognition of his contribution to French Among the guests at the workshop was pleased with our overall performance as an football, with HNS management present in Zoran Mamić, who had just guided GNK organisation. All of the HNS’s committees Marseille to witness the achievement. “This Dinamo Zagreb to their 11th consecutive and bodies worked very hard and achieved recognition means a lot to me, and I am domestic crown. The HNS has taken part in their objectives.” overwhelmed with this show of respect from various other activities and events recently, Šuker was especially proud to be my French friends,” Skoblar said on receiving including a CAFE Week of Action in April announcing a major new project: “The the award. “I would also like to thank Davor (the first time it had participated in the HNS will be a key partner of the new IPTV Šuker and the rest of the HNS delegation for initiative), promoting access to football for channel, HNTV (Croatian Football Television). being here to show their support.” Skoblar people with disabilities. As in previous years, HNTV will broadcast many football matches, will be an HNS ambassador during this the HNS also celebrated International Roma covering futsal, women’s football and summer’s tournament in France. Day, supporting a dedicated football event our youth teams. It will be a great way of Meanwhile, the HNS recently organised as part of its commitment to tackling racism, promoting football in Croatia, and this unique a workshop for the coaches of Croatia’s discrimination, violence and poverty.

ENGLAND www.thefa.com GIRLS’ FOOTBALL WEEK SURPASSES ALL EXPECTATIONS

CATHERINE STEWART

The Football Association (FA) figures on 27 April at a special event on New facilities and recently organised another Girls’ Palace Yard at the Houses of Parliament. confidence to Football Week, and the event was a Schoolgirls from Saint Fidelis School in Bexley The FA play, and we’re resounding success, with more than twice and Royal Park School in Sidcup took part in committed to providing these and increasing the targeted number of players taking part. sessions led by FA Skills coaches, with MPs the number of girls who play football.” Close to 40,000 girls aged between 5 dropping in to watch. This year, following the success of last and 16 played football as part of the week’s Baroness Campbell said: “These numbers year’s Girls’ Football Week, there will also activities, easily surpassing the initial target are great news for women’s football and be a second event in the autumn (10–16 of 17,340. In addition, 10,254 women also show just how much appetite there is for girls October) with a view to further increasing took part in the event, which is aimed at to play the game. We’d like to thank all of the participation levels. That event will focus on encouraging schools, clubs, community schools, groups, clubs, teachers and coaches higher and further education establishments. groups and other educational establishments who have taken the time to put on football The FA’s Girls’ Football Weeks are delivered to run football sessions for women and girls, sessions and give girls the opportunity to in partnership with the Independent Schools bringing the total number of participants play. Hopefully, these will all prove a big Football Association, the English Schools’ to 49,783. A total of 342 primary schools success and will encourage organisations to Football Association, AoC Sport, British and 106 secondary schools put on sessions continue to provide football opportunities. Universities & Colleges Sport, the Premier for their pupils as part of the event. About We know the challenges that are faced with League and the Football League. Football 16,000 people took part in the 2015 Girls’ girls’ sports participation levels, particularly is the most popular female team sport Football Week (which was itself more than for teenage girls, where drop-out rates in England, with more than 2.89 million three times the initial target for that event). can be high, but initiatives like this are a players. There are more than 5,900 women’s The FA’s head of women’s football, great way to address some of these issues. and girls’ teams competing on behalf of Baroness Sue Campbell, announced the final Girls need to be given the opportunity, affiliated clubs.

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ESTONIA www.jalgpall.ee INTEGRATION THROUGH FOOTBALL

MAARJA SAULEP

The Estonian Football team players Sergei Pareiko and Andrei Association (EJL) has recently Stepanov. The players talked about launched an integration their experience of playing for the project called We Speak Football 2016, national side, answered questions and whereby the EJL invites children from signed autographs. predominantly Russian-speaking regions According to a representative of to national team matches. The project top-flight club JK Sillamäe Kalev, the is funded by the Estonian ministry of event was a great success: “The children culture and the MISA integration and were very excited, because for some of migration foundation. them it was the first time they had been The aim of the project is to get the to watch a match here. The feedback children interested in the national was very positive, and the children team. Russians account for about would love to do it again if they had 25% of the Estonian population, with the chance.” the Ida-Virumaa region having the Grigori Mitsuk, an 11-year-old from largest percentage of Russian speakers. EJL Sillamäe, had never been to a national Consequently, Russians make a major team match before and was struck contribution to Estonia’s football culture, the towns of Sillamäe, Johvi and by how well Estonia played. “They and the EJL sees football as a good way Kohtla-Jarve were recently given the passed the ball and talked to each of fostering integration. opportunity to attend a friendly match other a lot on the pitch. I was most As part of the We Speak Football between Estonia and Norway. The impressed by Ragnar Klavan. He’s a 2016 project, 111 young players from children also got to meet former national very good defender.”

FAROE ISLANDS www.football.fo QUALIFYING MATCHES SOLD OUT

TERJI NIELSEN

There is currently huge demand

for tickets for the Faroese national FSF team’s home matches. Both of their World Cup qualifying matches at home later this year – against Hungary and Portugal – are already sold out. Over the last two years, the Faroese have achieved some very good results on the pitch, including two victories over Greece, and the facilities at the national stadium in Torshavn have improved immensely. These are obviously the main reasons for the huge interest in the national team. The national stadium, Tórsvøllur, has a capacity of around 5,100. It is clearly a small stadium in international terms, but the population of the Faroe Islands is only about 49,000, so the stadium actually holds more than 10% of the country’s population. With more than a tenth of international football is clear for all to see. 3,000 at best, so the trend is very positive. the population attending World Cup Just a few years ago, attendance figures at Now it is up to the team and the crowds qualifying matches, the level of interest in home matches were between 1,500 and to keep it up.

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 47 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

FRANCE www.fff.fr ‘CASAS BLEUES’ TO HOST PRE-MATCH PARTIES AT EURO 2016

LAURA GOUTRY

At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, football-related activities (table football, the French Football Federation freestyle demonstrations, competitions to (FFF) set up ‘Casas Bleues’ – see how hard supporters can shoot, etc.), special venues where French supporters as well as concerts, photo opportunities in Brazil could gather to watch matches and a face-painting stand. There will also together in a carnival atmosphere. In light be a free catering area, with barbecue of the popularity of that initiative, the food and high spirits on the menu. FFF decided to do the same thing for the The main objective of the Casas Bleues team’s subsequent games, in Paris and is of course to bring French supporters around the country. Thus, a Casa Bleue together and get them behind the team. will be set up wherever Didier Deschamps’ However, the FFF is also committed to team play at EURO 2016 (i.e. Paris, giving fans the best pre-match build-up FFF Marseille and Lille in the group stage). possible in order to make their matchday The Casas Bleues, which will be experience truly special and reward their accessible to all members of the national proud support for the national side. • 15 June 2016 – Marseille – Hippodrome team’s fan club (both paying and non- Borély – opens at 16.00 – 3,000 to 5,000 paying members), will allow supporters Casas Bleues at EURO 2016 people expected of the French team to gather several • 10 June 2016 – Paris – Hippodrome • 19 June 2016 – Lille – Hippodrome de hours before kick-off to begin the d’Auteuil – opens at 12.00 – 5,000 to Marcq-en-Baroeul – opens at 16.00 – festivities. There will be a plethora of 8,000 people expected 2,000 to 3,000 people expected

GEORGIA www.gff.ge LARGEST-EVER WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

OTAR GIORGADZE

The 2016 Georgian women’s football championship has kicked off, with a record six teams in the running for the title. All six sides represent different cities, so games will take place across the country. In the past, the women’s championship has taken the form of a single tournament in one city, but the game is now growing and expanding its reach. The main reasons for that are the profile of the Georgian women’s national side and the support provided by the Georgian Football Federation, which established the league. The 2016 season kicked off in Gori. Following a special opening ceremony, FC Iveria Khashuri and 35th Football School

Tbilisi contested the season’s opening GFF game, which the hosts won 3-2. The star of the match was 16-year-old Nino her team and bringing herself to the Championship will comprise ten rounds Chuchulashvili, who scored a hat-trick attention of the national team coaches. of matches, with the champions due to for the home side, securing victory for The 2016 Georgian Women’s Football be crowned on 28 October.

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GIBRALTAR www.gibraltarfa.com FIVE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WELSH FOOTBALL TRUST

STEVEN GONZALEZ

The Gibraltar Football Association instructors who can deliver FAW Level 1, (GFA) has recently announced FAW Level 2 and UEFA B diploma courses. a five-year partnership with the This means that Gibraltarian candidates Welsh Football Trust (WFT), which will will soon be able to take these courses allow Gibraltarian coaches to train and at home in Gibraltar, rather than having

be assessed in Gibraltar up to UEFA B to travel abroad. The agreement will GFA diploma level. That agreement follows also allow Gibraltarian candidates to Gibraltar’s admission to the UEFA take UEFA A and Pro diploma courses in the GFA, via UEFA, to support their Convention on the Mutual Recognition Wales under the auspices of the WFT. In coach education system. We are now of Coaching Qualifications at B level addition, it will allow the WFT to deliver, working together to develop a pool of in 2015. The Football Association of on behalf of the GFA, the first specialist tutors and coaches within grassroots Wales (FAW) has, through the WFT and goalkeeper coaching courses in Gibraltar. football in Gibraltar.” under the auspices of UEFA, offered to This is an extremely important stage in The GFA’s general secretary, Dennis assist the GFA with its coach education the development of coach education Beiso, is delighted with the partnership: requirements, particularly in the context in Gibraltar and the first step towards “This is much needed and something of the GFA’s efforts to set up its own ensuring that Gibraltarian coaches are we have been targeting for some independent coach education structure. able to train and qualify at home. time. This is undoubtedly an extremely The agreement will allow the WFT Carl Darlington, head of coach important step in terms of ensuring to train tutors in Gibraltar with a view education at the WFT, said: “We are the development of Gibraltar’s next to establishing a pool of local coaching honoured to have been approached by generation of football coaches.”

ITALY www.figc.it FOOTBALL FEVER MOUNTS AHEAD OF EURO 2016 DIEGO ANTENOZIO

Italy’s ministry of foreign affairs Marcello Lippi national women’s teams, will be running has called on the Italian Football a training camp for young footballers Federation (FIGC) to harness from Tuvalu in Micronesia. Projects the power of football to promote involving other Pacific nations are also in international cooperation around the the pipeline. In April, Italy’s current head world. The FIGC offers a wealth of coach, Antonio Conte, did his bit for expertise and know-how, in particular international cooperation when he spoke in the field of coaching, to support at Somos Fùtebol (‘We Are Football’), a

the ministry’s diplomatic work in a Getty Images week-long event staged by the Brazilian number of strategically important areas. Football Confederation to exchange ideas Italian football’s history of success a number of national head coaches from on how to further develop organised on and off the field, its reputation the region attended a pair of workshops football in Brazil. in terms of technical education and delivered by 2006 World Cup winning The FIGC’s cooperation with the foreign the organisational structures it has coach Marcello Lippi. Also in attendance ministry forms part of a wider strategy to established make it ideally placed to was Italy’s special envoy to the Caribbean, promote the Made in Italy brand, which initiate dialogue with other countries. Paolo Serpi. involves the national teams and their The first of two activities scheduled for Next month, from 1 to 13 June, Enrico matches, but also the FIGC’s youth and May and June took place from 2 to 5 May Sbardella, head coach of Italy’s women’s schools division and its projects with the on the Caribbean islands of St Vincent Under-19s, and Prof. Stefano D’Ottavio, ministry of education, universities and and Antigua. As part of a wider campaign lecturer at Tor Vergata University in Rome research to improve the education of to promote cooperation in the Caribbean, and head of fitness coaching for Italy’s young players.

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 49 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

LATVIA www.lff.lv NEW FORMAT FOR THE BALTIC CUP

TOMS ĀRMANIS

The 26th edition of Europe’s oldest football tournament for national teams – the Baltic Cup – is set to take place between 28 May and 4 June. This time, however, it will have a new format, with games being played in all three Baltic states. It has been agreed that, from now on, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will share the football festivities on the basis of the ‘week of football’ format, with the first game being hosted by the official hosts of the tournament. Thus, the 2016 Baltic Cup begins on 28 May in Klaipeda, Lithuania, with a match between the Lithuanian and Estonian Under-21 teams, with the two countries’ senior teams facing each other the next day. The Latvian Under-21 team then host their Lithuanian counterparts LFF on 31 May in Jelgava, before the two senior teams compete in Liepaja on the 2016 event. The three participating in Tallinn in 1928, but this tradition 1 June in a repeat of the 2014 Baltic national associations agreed to retain the has endured. The tournament used to Cup final. The tournament’s final games previous logo design, adapting the flags be staged every year, but nowadays will take place in Parnu, Estonia, on of the participating countries accordingly, it is organised every two years, with 3 and 4 June, with the precise venue still in addition to highlighting the name of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia taking it to be confirmed. the competition. in turns to host the event. In 2012 and As Finland (who finished second and This is the oldest tournament of its kind 2014 the tournament was enriched by third in 2012 and 2014 respectively) are contested by European national teams. the participation of Finland, with the not taking part, the organisers needed to The Baltic states have seen great changes competition switching to a knockout agree on a common Baltic Cup logo for since the first tournament was staged format.

LIECHTENSTEIN www.lfv.li COOPERATION ON PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

ANTON BANZER

As of this coming season, professional Daniel between the LFV and Liechtenstein’s only the Liechtenstein Football Sereinig has been professional club is supported by all of Association (LFV) and Swiss hired as the team’s the country’s other clubs and will form a Super League side FC Vaduz are head coach, and cornerstone of Liechtenstein’s elite player professionalising the training of elite he will begin development system. It should also allow players in the principality. Their aim is to working with the identification and exploitation of provide new development opportunities the players this synergies between the LFV and FC Vaduz. in a professional environment to talented summer. Such development opportunities for

footballers who have outgrown the LFV’s LFV This will give young players who wish to play senior Under-18 squad. the players their football at elite/professional level are Specifically, FC Vaduz’s current first taste of life at a senior club and of vital importance, as they have the Under-23 team is to be professionalised allow them to prepare for a move to a potential to put the national team on a as a development squad. Former team in a major league. This cooperation much better footing.

50 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

MALTA www.mfa.com.mt SPORTS MEDICINE CLINIC

ALEX VELLA

The Malta Football Association

(MFA), which has provided D. Aquilina specialised medical services to a wide range of clients at the national stadium for several years now, has recently upgraded its sports medicine facilities to provide bigger premises with better equipment as part of a broadening of the MFA’s areas of operations. The team doctor, or by a private doctor if services include rehabilitation, gym work, aim is to better cater for football clubs the team did not have their own. ECGs, field-based workouts and sports injury but also corporate entities and individual however, constitute only a small part of prevention training. clients looking for diagnostic services, the medical screening athletes require This state-of-the-art clinic run by treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and the new clinic also offers clinical professional medical staff provides a and musculoskeletal disorders. diagnosis, MRI imaging, physiotherapy, comfortable environment, modern Previously, testing was more or less rehabilitation of injuries and balance/ surroundings and a nice atmosphere that restricted to electrocardiograms (ECGs) strength assessments. It is open six meet its clients’ needs and is proving for players registered with MFA clubs. days a week, with specialised services popular among athletes from other These tests would be performed by the available by appointment. Physiotherapy sports too.

MOLDOVA www.fmf.md UEFA SEMINAR FOR FUTSAL COACH EDUCATORS

PRESS OFFICE

The Football Association of Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee), skills and their application in match Moldova (FMF) hosted a UEFA his predecessor Javier Lozano Cid, Italy situations, the coaching of offensive seminar for futsal coach instructors coach Roberto Menichelli, Finland coach situations involving two/three players, in Chisinau from 25 to 29 April, bringing Mićo Martić and former Belgium coach the 3-1 and 4-0 offensive systems, the together UEFA representatives and Benjamin Meurs. There were also sessions fundamentals of defending, the principles experts from the national associations of with futsal experts César Arcones de la of goalkeeping, warm-ups, cooling Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Calle, Antonio Bores Cerezal and Óscar down and stretching exercises, endurance, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Callejo Mardomingo. UEFA’s futsal coach speed, strength and coordination Russia and Ukraine. The seminar involved education programme and the importance exercises, leadership and managing both theory and practical sessions and of having qualified futsal coach educators the team. was run by a distinguished group of futsal were among the items on the agenda “I want to thank UEFA for asking the specialists featuring Spanish national at the seminar. Practical sessions looked FMF to host this very important seminar. team coach José Venancio López Hierro at issues such as offensive and defensive We have done our best to give the event (who is also a member of the UEFA transitions, the coaching of individual the high-level platform that it deserves by providing all the necessary facilities at the FMF Futsal Arena in Ciorescu and the national technical centre in Vadul lui Voda,” said the FMF’s general secretary, Nicolai Cebotari. “All the delegates have been given lots of useful information and will return home with ideas on how to improve the quality of futsal in their countries, for the good of the game and FMF its spectators.”

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 51 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

NORTHERN IRELAND www.irishfa.com CHILDREN GRIPPED BY FUTSAL FEVER

NIGEL TILSON

Across Northern Ireland, children went ahead early in a very tight game, aged 10 and 11 have been but St Bernard’s hit back with two goals embracing futsal thanks to a to claim the first ever Primary Schools new initiative – Spring into Futsal – Futsal Trophy. launched by the Irish Football Association The girls’ competition was also very (IFA). While in countries such as Brazil, keenly contested, with Dundonald Spain and Portugal, futsal is played Primary School playing Belfast’s Christ professionally and has helped to produce the Redeemer Primary School in the some of the world’s biggest football stars, final. The game ended 2-2, with

it is still a relatively new phenomenon in IFA Dundonald prevailing in the resulting Northern Ireland. penalty shoot-out. Primary schools across the country tournaments were then invited to take Jonathan Michael, the IFA’s Football for were invited to take part in regional part in finals at Shankill Leisure Centre All schools manager, said: “Our Spring tournaments – held in Lisburn, Craigavon, in Belfast. into Futsal events were extremely well Omagh and Belfast – to experience the In the boys’ competition, the final attended, and it was fantastic to see so fun of futsal, with separate tournaments was contested by St Bernard’s Primary many boys and girls enjoying the game. for boys and girls. The winners and School from Newtownabbey and Howard The feedback from teachers and players runners-up in the respective regional Primary School from Craigavon. Howard was very positive.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND www.fai.ie CHANGES TO THE YOUTH TEAM COACHING SET-UP

STEPHEN FINN

The Football Association of international football. Among other Ireland (FAI) has announced things, continuity and consistency are some coaching changes for very important in developing our talented its national youth teams. Following young players, and Tom brings both of Paul Doolin’s decision to pursue other those qualities with his experience,” interests, FAI high-performance director Dokter said. Ruud Dokter has confirmed that Tom In addition, the FAI has confirmed Mohan, head coach of the Under-17 team that five former Republic of Ireland until now, will take over as Under-19 players have joined the international coach. Mohan, who has just obtained coaching set-up. Keith Andrews, Kenny

his UEFA Pro licence, was selected at the Cunningham, Damien Duff, Mark Tom Mohan FAI-Sportslife end of a thorough interview process. He Kinsella and Stephen McPhail have all took charge of the Under-17s in 2012 been recruited to help coach the next in the game, which earned them a and has enjoyed tremendous success generation of Irish footballers, through combined total of 265 senior caps. over four European qualifying campaigns, the Player Development Pathway. “The FAI has always sought to develop most notably in 2015, when he took the Duff will work with Colin O’Brien’s talent, whether that is our own coaching team to the European Under-17 finals U15s, McPhail with Paul Osam’s U16s, staff, or, in this case, former players, who in Bulgaria. He was previously assistant Andrews with the U17s, Cunningham have played at the very top level,” said manager to Sean McCaffrey at that level. with Tom Mohan’s U19s and Kinsella with FAI chief executive John Delaney. “I’m “I am very happy with the Noel King’s U21s. delighted to have these big names on appointment. Tom proved to be the The former players have all recently board, and I look forward to watching preferred candidate for the role. He has been involved with the FAI coach them develop their own coaching talents, been with the Under-17s for nine years education programme and will combine as well as observing the development of and has become an expert in underage their new skills with their vast experience the players who they will work with.”

52 – UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ROMANIA www.frf.ro TAPPING INTO THE RURAL TALENT POOL

PAUL ZAHARIA

The Romanian Football Federation pitches. Afterwards, each region selected (FRF) recently launched the most their best player, and the seven lucky important grassroots programme youngsters were invited to the friendly in its history, which aims to discover match between Romania and Spain played and promote young football talents and in Cluj on 27 March to receive awards from increase the football participation rate two Romanian football legends, Miodrag to 1.5 % of the country’s population. Belodedici and Ion Vladoiu. The best three ‘Together we are football’ is an umbrella of these children will join our national team

programme for 11 national projects and FRF at EURO 2016 in France, where they will competitions, including ‘Transform the watch Romania’s second group match, rural street into a stadium’, an innovative ‘Transform the rural street into a stadium’ against Switzerland. new initiative aimed specifically at the started in October 2015. On a weekly basis, Apart from the huge motivation of being country’s more rural communities. the 21 regional coaches of the FRF logged able to attend such a major event, the According to the FRF’s 2015–20 strategic onto a special platform on the ‘Together we best of the three will be registered with plan for developing football in Romania, are football’ website and entered the names one of the FRF’s affiliated youth clubs, one of the association’s main targets is of the most talented country-dwelling while the names of all the other talents to raise the number of players and to children aged between 7 and 10 who were discovered and entered on the website spread football throughout the whole not registered with a club at any level and will be available to all members of the FRF. community. Increasing the number of whom they had picked out after watching These ‘scouting’ activities are clearly in line players means first of all identifying, matches between schools or between with the FRF’s own strategic plan but also selecting and monitoring promising classes in the same school. For the purpose support the youth activities of its affiliated young players in all parts of the country. of this project, Romania was divided into members, especially in those harder to The countryside has always been an seven regions, so that three regional reach regions where talents exist but the important source of talent (almost 50% coaches could cover matches in each risk of them remaining undiscovered is of the Romanian population lives in rural region. Each coach selected four children, substantial. This was only the beginning areas), that, for various reasons, often making 12 per region, who then played of what is intended to be a much more remains hidden. each other in 6 v 6 matches on small-size widespread programme.

SLOVAKIA www.futbalsfz.sk UNITED STATES WIN 2016 SLOVAKIA CUP PETER SURIN

When it was first launched, the Canada, the United States, the United Arab said Milan Malatinský, the coach of the Slovakia Cup – a tournament for Emirates, Australia and Morocco. Ultimately, Slovak team. “The tournament was of a national Under-18 teams – was however, the only non-Europeans at this high standard, with all the teams pushing contested by representatives of 16 different year’s tournament were the United States. themselves to the limit. This has been and countries and accurately described as “Originally, the tournament was based will be a very beneficial experience for Slovak Europe’s unofficial Under-18 championship. in Piesťany. Then it moved to Trencianske football.” All teams played some great Over time, the number of participating Teplice. This year, we based it in Trnava football, not just the two finalists. Every teams has dwindled (with eight countries and Senec, since we wanted to test our team had at least one noticeably talented contesting the 2016 tournament), but operations ahead of the final round of the player. “I’m working with a lot of quality participants have started to come from European Women’s Under-19 Championship, players, and I am certain I will be hearing further afield, with teams from Asia and which we are hosting in July,” said Ján more about them in the future,” said Brad North America taking part. Greguš, the technical director of the Slovak Friedel, the coach of the winning team and The organisers of this year’s tournament Football Association. a former international goalkeeper. He also – the 26th in total – faced a dilemma when The United States won this year’s shared his thoughts on the organisation of sending out invitations, as the level of tournament, beating Russia 2-1 in the the event: “Everything – from logistics to the interest in the tournament far exceeded the final. In the third-place play-off, Slovakia, sporting side of the tournament – was of an budget available. Discussions were had with the 2015 winners, were beaten 1-0 by the exceptionally high standard. Everybody made the national associations of China, Japan, Czech Republic. “We are not disappointed,” us feel very welcome.”

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 53 NATIONAL SPORTING DIRECTOR TEAM APPOINTED SULSER CLAUDIO PITCHES INMORE STOCKHOLM NEEDED PIERRE BENOIT into the city, the need for new housing housing for new need city,into the the 54 –UEFA DIRECT •June 2016 SWITZERLAND NYSTEDT JONAS SWEDEN was away against Sweden in 1986. Sweden against away was side national the for game final his and 1977 Portugal, against game away inan in came debut 13 international His goals. scoring for Switzerland, times 50 capped for GC. also was of 100 goals Sulser (1979/80 1981/82). and atotal scored He occasions separate two on flight top in Switzerland’s goalscorer prolific most Yearthe in1981/82, the being as well as Cup Grasshopper-Club. once, with all Swiss the and four times championship Swiss the – won League Football Swiss of the board the on also is and by trade alawyer now is –who Ticino from old 60-year- The time. of all forwards Swiss best of the one was Stadelmann, Peter director. sporting team national new its to is be Claudiothat Sulser MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS He was crowned Swiss Footballer of Footballer Swiss crowned was He outgoing the Sulser, replace will who more and more people moving moving people more and more With years. inrecent rapidly grown has Stockholm, capital, Swedish The committee has announced announced has committee executive Association’s Football Swiss The not been part of the planning process process planning of the part been not has areas recreational for more need the However, planners. city and politicians for both agenda of the top on been has months ago that he would be stepping stepping be would he that ago months 2016. EURO after position new his up take will He Discrimination. and Racism Task FIFA of the against Force member a and Committee Disciplinary FIFA the (2010–12). of chairman the also is He Committee Ethics FIFA the chaired things, other among has, Sulser Lugano, FC at to end an came career playing his Since

Getty Images afew announced Stadelmann Peter

SvFF more pitches built. pitches more get and gap the to bridge of trying aim the with project athree-year launched have of Stockholm Federation Sports the UEFA and Association, Football Swedish itself. sport inthe interest will so term, longer in the and, wane will levels participation that afear is there demand, to meet unable clubs and shared to be having surfaces playing with but associations, regional Sweden’s 23 than other resources more has Stockholm demand. short-term to meet pitches new 50 approximately needs city the population, current Stockholm’s given that, estimated is It all, at infact. Not extent. same to the at FC St FC at Gallen. positions senior various holding as well as (2004–09), League Football Swiss of the president the been previously Lämmli. Ernst replacing inmid-2009, position that up took Switzerland eastern from lawyer 63-year-old in France. The tournament summer’s this after down In order to improve the situation, the the situation, the to improve order In Stadelmann had, among other things, things, other among had, Stadelmann www.svenskfotboll.se www.football.ch SPECIAL FEATURE BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS

Dušan Savić (Serbia, 1 June) Eduard Prodani (Albania, 18 June) Ekaterina Fedyshina (Russia, 1 June) Elkhan Mammadov (Azerbaijan, 18 June) NOTICES Ferenc Székely (Hungary, 2 June) 50th Tobias Wolf (Germany, 19 June) Ivaylo Ivkov (Bulgaria, 3 June) Maria Mifsud (Malta, 20 June) • At an extraordinary congress Radek Lobo (Czech Republic, 3 June) Michel Platini (France, 21 June) of the German Football Klara Bjartmarz (Iceland, 3 June) Peter Peters (Germany, 21 June) Association, Reinhard Grindel John Ward (Republic of Ireland, 4 June) 60th Zoran Cvrk (Croatia, 21 June) was elected president in place Yauheni Tratsiuk (Belarus, 4 June) Tomasz Mikulski (Poland, 21 June) of vice-presidents Reinhard Jean-Samuel Leuba (Switzerland, 4 June) Paulius Malzinskas (Lithuania, 21 June) Rauball and Rainer Koch, Ludovico Micallef (Malta, 5 June) Ilja Kaenzig (Switzerland, 21 June) who had led the association Jaap Uilenberg (Netherlands, 5 June) Keith Hackett (England, 22 June) ad interim. John MacLean (Scotland, 5 June) David Martin (Northern Ireland, 22 June) • The German Football Maksimas Bechterevas (Lithuania, 5 June) Ante Kulušić (Croatia, 22 June) Association has also Michael Joseph Hyland (Republic of Zvi Rosen (Israel, 23 June) appointed a new general Ireland, 6 June) Vladimir Antonov (Moldova, 23 June) secretary, Friedrich Curtius, Theo Zwanziger (Germany, 6 June) Georg Pangl (Austria, 23 June) in place of Helmut Sandrock. Lars-Åke Bjørck (Sweden, 7 June) Jean-Jacques Schonckert (Luxembourg, 24 June) • The Portuguese Football Michel Sablon (Belgium, 7 June) Gül Keskinler (Germany, 24 June) Federation has a new address: Sandor Berzi (Hungary, 7 June) Renatus Temmink (Netherlands, 24 June) Avenida das Seleções, Onofre Costa (Portugal, 7 June) Jouni Hyytiä (Finland, 24 June) 1495-433 Cruz Quebrada- Johannes Scholtz (Netherlands, 8 June) Arturs Gaidels (Latvia, 24 June) Dafundo, Portugal. Piero Volpi (Italy, 9 June) Mario Gjurcinovski (FYR Macedonia, 25 June) Phone and fax numbers Jesper Møller Christensen (Denmark, 9 June) Foppe de Haan (Netherlands, 26 June) remain unchanged. Antoine Portelli (Malta, 9 June) 50th Barry Bright (England, 27 June) Petri Antero Jakonen (Finland, 9 June) Sigurdur Hannesson (Iceland, 27 June) OBITUARY Jonathan Ford (Wales, 9 June) Eyjolfur Olafsson (Iceland, 27 June) Monica Jorge (Portugal, 9 June) Ruud Dokter (Republic of Ireland, 27 June) Wilfried Straub of Germany, Hans Bangerter (Switzerland, 10 June) José Venancio López Hierro (Spain, 27 June) a member of the circle of former Andrew Shaw (England, 10 June) Wim Koevermans (Belgium, 28 June) UEFA committee members and Eleni Kiriou (Greece, 10 June) Ivan Borissov Lekov (Bulgaria, 29 June) recipient of the UEFA President’s Kyros Georgiou (Cyprus, 11 June) Paul Daniel Zaharia (Romania, 29 June) Award in 2006, passed away Thórir Hakonarson (Iceland, 11 June) Ginta Pece (Latvia, 29 June) on 2 May at the age of 77. Kristinn Jakobsson (Iceland, 11 June) Peter van Zunderd (Netherlands, 30 June) Former vice-president of the Zoran Dimić (Serbia, 11 June) German Football Association, José Luis López Serrano (Spain, 12 June) Straub served as vice-chairman Alain Courtois (Belgium, 12 June) FORTHCOMING EVENTS or member of many UEFA Jørn West Larsen (Denmark, 12 June) committees, including the Iwona Malek-Wybraniec (Poland, 12 June) Competitions Professional Football Committee, Haris Gvozden (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 12 June) 10 June–10 July, France the Non-Amateur Football Roland Coquard (France, 13 June) UEFA EURO 2016 Committee, the Licensed Targo Kaldoja (Estonia, 13 June) Match Agents Committee Matej Damjanović (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 13 June) 28/29 June and the Marketing and Media Galina Doneva (Bulgaria, 14 June) UEFA Champions League: Committee. He also contributed Nuno Castro (Portugal, 14 June) first qualifying round (first legs) to many of UEFA’s expert panels, Ilija Kitić (Slovenia, 14 June) including the panel on transfer Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia, 15 June) 30 June matters, on which he sat from Miguel Galan Torres (Spain, 15 June) UEFA Europa League: 1978 to 1998. Ramish Maliyev (Azerbaijan, 16 June) 40th first qualifying round (first legs) Kepa Larumbe Beain (Spain, 16 June) Michael Joseph Maessen (Netherlands, 17 June) Meetings Rainer Werthmann (Germany, 17 June) 20 June, Nyon www.uefafoundation.org Paolo Rondelli (San Marino, 17 June) 2016/17 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League: Anne Rei (Estonia, 17 June) draws for the first and second qualifying rounds Philippe Piat (France, 18 June) Hannelore Ratzeburg (Germany, 18 June) 24 June, Nyon Ivan Novak (Croatia, 18 June) 2016/17 UEFA Women’s Champions League: qualifying round draw

UEFA DIRECT • June 2016 – 55 No. 158

LE RENDEZ-VOUS France welcomes the biggest EURO ever

#CelebrateFootball No.158 2016 • June THE FUTSAL ORDINARY TECHNICIAN CUP CONGRESS Packie Bonner on the demands A first for Russia’s Kosovo enters on today’s goalkeepers Ugra Yugorsk the fold