No 48 – April 2006 in Greece projects HatTrick: League Champions and the Rosenborg in Madrid conference Futsal football women’s UEFA and in Greece projects HatTrick: League Champions and the Rosenborg in Madrid conference Futsal football women’s UEFA and 4.06 Including 12 10 08 03 12 10 08 03 COVER IN THIS ISSUE Eleven questions for Viacheslav Koloskov 09 In the last 16 of the UEFA Champions UEFA Champions League: the example of Rosenborg 10 League, FC Barcelona had their revenge Twenty-five years since HatTrick programme over Chelsea FC, who knocked them the first meeting of the Women’s out of the competition at the same stage projects in Greece 12 Football Committee 05 last year. Giovanni van Bronckhorst Looking ahead to EURO 2008 14 stops Joe Cole getting through. Futsal conference in Madrid 08 News from member associations 15 PHOTO: L.GENE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

PassionEditorial and reflection

A year with a World Cup final round on the calendar is always an impor- tant year in football. We are just over two months away from the tournament in Germany, but supporters in Europe have already been in the grip of football fever since the start of the year, with the draw for the EURO 2008 qualifying round and the resumption of the UEFA Cup and Champions League, as they move closer to their respective finals in Eindhoven and Paris. So there will be no lack of emotion in our stadiums. Once again football will be an almost daily companion for its millions of fervent fans. While passion and reflection do not necessarily go hand in hand, 2006 offers opportunities for both to be the focus of attention: the European club competitions and the World Cup in the first case, a wide-ranging review of European football in the second. The review, launched at the initiative of the United Kingdom while it still occupied the presidency of the European Union and supported by the football authorities, may not have the media profile or emotional impact of big matches but it may prove vitally important for the future of European football. Chaired by Portuguese ex-minister José Luis Arnaut, the independent review aims to look at the whole current situation of European football on the basis of a broad consul- tation in which all stakeholders, supporters included, can express their views. The review should then make it possible to determine the best means for managing European football in the spirit of the Nice Declaration of December 2000, which recognises the specific characteristics of sport. The politicians and the football authorities have gone their separate ways for so long that it would be impossible not to give this joint initiative the warm welcome it deserves. It also comes at a good time, since many rules which have been in force for a long time have been challenged and sport is making an appearance in the courts far too often, a place where it certainly does not belong. If the independent review helps to give a clear and universally recognised foundation back to sport, it will certainly prove to be one of the key features of this year, both for football and for sport in general.

A special website Lars-Christer Olsson has been set Chief Executive up where fans can express their opinions as part of the independent review of European football.

EMPICS we care about football

02 uefadirect 4.06 UEFA’sWomen’s commitment –football how it began

The Women’s EURO 2005 in was an excellent showcase for women’s football. GETTY IMAGES

IT WAS AT THE EXTRAORDINARY UEFA CONGRESS IN MONTE CARLO IN 1971 A lull in the proceedings THAT WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IN EUROPE FIRST CAME UP FOR DISCUSSION. The committee met again in 1974 but without taking any important The then vice-president and five in a European women’s club decisions, and the initiative came to a Sandor Barcs made a speech on the competition. It was decided that the standstill. subject and the Congress passed national associations should incorporate The committee was discon- a resolution calling for a special women’s football as part of their struc- tinued in 1978, but that same year, women’s football committee to be tures, thereby preventing any splinter another survey revealed an increase in created. groups and uncontrolled growth, as women’s football activities in England, experienced in Italy at that time, where France, the Netherlands, Norway and First women’s football conference three different organisations were Sweden. In Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, In 1973, the first European chasing women’s football, for commer- Romania, Switzerland and Yugoslavia, women’s football conference was held. cial motives above all. meanwhile, the situation had stag- Among the associations invited to Before and after the conference, nated, while in Austria, the DDR, Fin- attend were Czechoslovakia, England, the Women’s Football Committee also land, Italy and Luxembourg, interest France, Italy, the Netherlands and met. Back then, it had only one woman was declining. Women’s football was Switzerland. A survey conducted prior among its members, Kerstin Rosén from still non-existent in Cyprus, Greece, to the conference revealed that seven Sweden. The committee decided to sub- Malta, , Spain and the USSR. associations ran national women’s mit the policy on women’s football to championships and another seven the Executive Committee for approval Second attempt regional women’s leagues. Five associ- as a matter of urgency. In contrast, the On 19 February 1980, UEFA ations were interested in a European introduction of a European women’s held another women’s football con- women’s national team competition competition could wait. ference. This time, 18 of its then 34

03 First Meeting Sweden won committee of the the first UEFA discussions Women’s competition on women’s Football for women’s football Committee teams in 1984. in Rome in Geneva in 1971. in 1984. UEFA UEFA BILDBYRÅN

member associations attended. Their representatives called for a serious commitment by UEFA to women’s football and were in favour of the intro- duction of a European women’s national team competition. As a result, it was decided to revive the Women’s Football Committee.

Standing committee since 1981 On 17 March 1981, the UEFA’s Women’s Football Committee met for the first time in its current capacity. It decided that a women’s national team competition should be launched, provided that at least 12 associations entered. The committee drew up the competition format and regulations, ACTION IMAGES

The 1998 conference in London.

and submitted its recommendation to the An international match calen- Executive Committee for approval. dar was established, and a first round table with national coaches was organ- More activities on the agenda ised in 1999. A second round table In the years that followed, the took place two years later, and since organisation of this competition was high 2004, there has been a UEFA forum for

UEFA on the Women’s Football Committee’s women’s national team coaches. The Women’s Football Committee for 2004-06, agenda. Gradually, other competitions with representatives of the UEFA administration. were introduced – for the Under-18s and In the top drawer since 2005 clubs. The discussions widened, and in Last year, the top women’s UEFA’s Women’s 1991 possible topics for another women’s competitions, i.e. the European football conference were discussed. In Women’s Championship and the UEFA Football Committee 1992, it was recorded in the minutes of Women’s Cup, were transferred to In 1981 the committee’s meeting that that com- UEFA’s professional football division, mittee’s activities should in future go while the European Women’s Under-19 Chairman: Louis Wouters (BEL) beyond the organisation of competitions. Championship remains with the Foot- Members: Patricia Gregory (ENG) In 1998, UEFA staged its third ball Development division. With this Bronislaw Kolodziej (POL) women’s football conference. Since then, move, UEFA is reaffirming its intention Carl Boedker Nielsen (DEN) Hannelore Ratzeburg (GER) conferences have been held in 2001 to promote women’s football and raise and 2005. the status of its top competitions. and in 2006 Chairwoman: Karen Espelund (NOR) Number of associations taking part Vice-Chairwomen: Susanne Erlandsson (SWE) in national team competitions Hannelore Ratzeburg (GER) Members: Lidia Borska (POL) Natalina Ceraso Levati (ITA) Maria Rosario Garcia (ESP) ■ Ray Kiddell (ENG) participating Nikol Misic (SCG) ■ Aleksandra Nikolovska (MKD) non- Serghiy Storozhenko (UKR) participating Bontcho Todorov (BUL) The members of all UEFA’s committees are appointed by the Executive Committee on the nomination of the CEO for two-year terms. Number of associations

04 uefadirect 4.06 One of UEFA’s prime objectives The immediate was that the national associations challenge for should take charge of women’s the national teams: football, which was not the case, qualification for example, in England at the time for the 2007 of this cup match in 1977 between Women’s World Cup Dartford College and Bracknell Ladies. (Finland v. Spain). EMPICS/ALPHA MANTYLA/LEHTIKUVA/AFP

25 years on the Women’s Hannelore Football Committee Ratzeburg – WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IN EUROPE IS BLOSSOMING FROM A CONCEALED WALLFLOWER Her life INTO AN ESTABLISHED AND RECOGNISED DISCIPLINE. and career Twenty-five years ago, on in 1981, the committee declared itself A social worker by profes- 17 March 1981, UEFA’s Women’s Foot- in favour of a national team competition. sion, Hannelore Ratzeburg has ball Committee assumed its present At the time, we spoke about “national been involved in women’s foot- role. Hannelore Ratzeburg, who comes representative teams”, which reflected from the German FA (DFB), has been the fear that the competition wouldn’t ball since 1970, as a player, coach, on the committee since its creation. last. We fought shy of talking about referee and volunteer, as well Answering our questions, she considers national teams. running various committees. how women’s football has developed How was this first compe- since then. tition put together? Hannelore Ratzeburg, you’ve Everything moved really fast. been on UEFA‘s Women’s Football The decision was taken in 1981 and the Committee for 25 years. What has first matches were already played the women’s football achieved in Europe next year. The fact that 16 associations in the last quarter of a century? entered in such a short space of time Absolutely everything that has was brilliant. In Germany, the DFB been set up in women’s football at Euro- entered the competition first and then pean level. Before that, there were no I had to set about creating a national structures at all and it was only with the women’s team afterwards. We even “I can still clearly remember the first meeting of FIFA’s Women’s Football creation of the Women’s Football Com- had to postpone our first match, Committee. I was the only woman, mittee that UEFA started to do something against Belgium because we still didn’t the youngest, and was wearing a gold-coloured silk jacket. I stood out concrete for women’s football. have a team. by a mile on the photos!” Such as? What were the Women’s Creating a competition, for Football Committee’s main tasks Since 1974: chairwoman of example. At its first meeting, in Lisbon after that? the women’s and girls’ football committee in Hamburg. Since 1977: heavily involved in the development of women’s football at DFB level (competi- tions committee, women’s foot- ball committee, girls’ football committee and DFB board). Since 1980: member of UEFA’s Women’s Football Committee; vice-chairwoman since 1990. Since 1990: member of FIFA’s Women’s Football Committee. 1996: honoured by the DFB The Germans with its golden pin award for her won their first European title services to women’s football in in 1989, beating

Norway in the final. IMAGES BONGARTS/GETTY Germany.

05 An Under-17 friendly Switzerland v. match between Sweden Hungary in the and Germany. European The introduction of a world Women’s Under-19 championship for this Championship. category is sure to have an impact on women’s youth football in Europe. UEFA

associations to support our plans. What challenges lie ahead? That’s why we felt it was premature to At European level, we have to think about introducing a club com- do more for girls. In particular, in view of petition back in 1981. the introduction of a FIFA U-17 Women’s

BOGREN/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES BOGREN/BONGARTS/GETTY What does the Women’s World Championship, we have to devise Football Committee typically do? a corresponding UEFA competition that We spent a lot of time fine- Basically we want everyone’s will also serve as the qualifying compe- tuning the competition. For instance, needs to be met. We’re always asking tition for the FIFA event. What’s the best groups were formed according to geo- ourselves what is in the interests of way to organise it? A European Cham- graphical criteria to begin with, for the majority of associations and what pionship with a final round? Regional financial reasons. But then the Scandi- is most important for the women tournaments? And what about the for- navian countries got fed up with this and girls. mat? Etc. system because they always ended up In this respect, we tried to And in Germany we have the facing the same opponents in the limit the gap between the associations problem that the number of girls interested that were strides ahead in terms of in football has grown so fast that we women’s football and those that were don’t have enough people to take care of just starting out in this sector. Results them, women coaches in particular. in double figures, like 12-0, do no one What is the motivation for any favours. The clearly superior team your lasting commitment to women’s is not challenged enough and the football? losers are frustrated. What’s more, Pure selfishness to begin with. results like that do nothing for the over- I wanted to play football but no one had

Hannelore all image of women’s football. Limiting a clue how that could be done. And since Ratzeburg this gap was a major challenge, and I’m a doer by nature, I pursued it, got the introduction of two divisions was involved with the Hamburg association a minor revolution. and built up something small. In 1977 qualifiers. There was always something to discuss and improve: the duration, the format, the match dates, infrastruc- ture, regulations, and so on. What were the biggest difficulties that women’s football faced in the beginning? Women’s football was not accepted right off. There were a lot of reservations in the way. Football was still very much a man’s game and the latest developments in women’s foot- ball were regarded aloofly. When I tell girls today that we were laughed at in my time for playing football, they find it hard to believe. Nowadays you no longer hear anyone saying that football isn’t for girls. And then there was the finan- cial uncertainty. We never knew how far we could count on the national

06 uefadirect 4.06 The final of the German women UEFA Women’s Cup referees in is an all-German training under the affair this year after supervision of the semi-final victories of former FIFA referee Turbine Potsdam over Hellmut Krug. Djurgarden/Älvsjö (photo) and 1. FFC Frankfurt over Montpellier. HEIMANN/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES HEIMANN/BONGARTS/GETTY

The German example As reigning world and European champions, Germany is the

IMAGES leading nation when it comes to women’s football in Europe, not only in terms of titles; the statistics speak for themselves as well. In 1973, of the Federal Republic of Germany had some 110,000 women members, and by 1978 that figure had more than tripled (380,000). The latest statistics (from 2005) show EKSTROMER/AFP/GETTY that 857,220 women are registered with the German FA (DFB). If only regular players are counted, the increase has been from 43,530 in 1990 to the DFB asked me if I wanted to take on 113,350 in 2005. Only England can boast a higher number, with 131,378 responsibility for the development of women players in 2005, an amazing increase from only 36,000 five years women’s football. Three years later, UEFA earlier! Norway has also passed the 100,000 mark (104,597) and several other associations also witnessed spectacular growth between 2000 and came knocking, and then FIFA ten years 2005, such as Denmark (from 44,182 to 93,929 women players) and France after that. (from 33,610 to 76,901), or, on a smaller scale, the Czech Republic (from I think it’s great that these organ- 5,000 to 12,412) and the Republic of Ireland (from 5,252 to 12,500). Across isations have taken notice of us women. Europe, there has been a 236% growth rate in women’s football, and, The introduction of the different competi- with just one exception, all the UEFA member associations have women tions has awakened the interest of the players on their books, which was not the case for about a dozen media, and thanks to the increased cover- associations ten years ago. age the women’s game is getting these days, its acceptance has grown enor- Women referees mously. It’s a very dynamic game that has As far back as 1978, Germany already ruled the statistics in terms developed immensely. I’m thrilled to have of the number of women referees, with 1,000 “women in black” in West been involved in that process and proud Germany. The Netherlands had around 230 women referees and Austria of what we have achieved so far. 175. And Germany is still in the lead, with last year’s figure standing at 1,531. Not far behind are Italy, with 1,230, followed by Sweden, with 800, and England, with 792 women referees. The European Women’s Under-19 The number of women referees still varies enormously from one Championship UEFA member association to another, and some still had none last year. final round was staged in Hungary last year. Consequently, the first editions of UEFA’s women’s national team competition ran into the problem of not being able to find suitable women referees, forcing UEFA to put male referees in the middle of the field. It was not until the 1997 European Women’s Championship final round in Norway and Sweden that all the matches were refereed by women.

Number of women players registered in Europe Number of Players UEFA

07 A big Petr Fousek, audience chairman for this of the Futsal conference. Committee.

as many as 39 member associations nd expressing a desire to take part. With the European futsal 2 UEFA Futsal family steadily increasing, there were new faces at the conference in Madrid. Which meant they were all ears when experienced campaigners such as Dutch national team coach, Conference Vic Hermans, Spain’s world champion Javier Lozano and Russia’s Semen Effervescence in Madrid Andreev took the stage to discuss the mechanics of futsal at elite, elite- UEFA’S 52 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MET IN MADRID youth and grassroots levels. FROM 13 TO 15 FEBRUARY WITH ONE ITEM ON THE AGENDA: PLOTTING Andy Roxburgh, UEFA Tech- THE FUTURE OF FUTSAL. nical Director, gave a presentation on how UEFA’s pioneering work over the For sheer hustle and bustle, past progress, consolidating the pres- last decade or so has laid the founda- few conferences could outdo the 2nd ent and encouraging more countries to tions for today’s success. The parti- UEFA Futsal Conference, organised by jump on board. This one is about the cipants in Madrid agreed that rapid UEFA’s Football Development division future.” Two days later, the plethora of growth generates challenges such as and hosted by the Spanish national as- proposals prompted him to comment the development of facilities and infra- sociation at its magnificent ‘Ciudad del “the key now is to sift through all the structures at the same pace. Apart Fútbol’ on the outskirts of Madrid with ideas and to draw up a list of priorities. from reviewing and enhancing com- its president, Angel María Villar Llona – There are a lot of exciting ideas and petitions at national and international a long-standing champion of the futsal challenges but we mustn’t fall into levels, there is a great deal of work cause – very much in the vanguard. The the trap of thinking that we can do to be done in fields such as the edu- presence of coaches and administrators everything at once. The important cation of coaches and referees, the from all of UEFA’s member associations thing is to do some rational forward establishement of futsal via school- meant that the conference was rich planning.” orientated programmes, the develop- in texture and bursting with ideas and So the subjects referred to ment of branding and promotional visions for a discipline that is enjoying UEFA’s debating tables in Nyon included material, the preparation of event a period of explosive growth. basic issues such as the expansion manuals, or helping women’s futsal As Petr Fousek, chairman of of the European Futsal Championship to get off the ground. UEFA’s Futsal Committee, pointed out finals in order to give more than In Madrid, UEFA was asked when opening the proceedings in eight teams a chance to sample life at to lend further support via panels of Madrid, “our first conference in Flo- the top, and the possible introduction instructors, workshops or seminars rence in 2002 was all about reviewing of an under-21 competition – with and the dissemination of promotional and educational material. One of UEFA’s significant moves has been to The best place to learn: welcome futsal under the professional on the pitch. football umbrella, and Giorgio Mar- chetti, director of UEFA’s Professional Football division, pointed out in Madrid that this is helping to define

PHOTOS: UEFA business plans, to analyse the poten- tial for women’s futsal, to upgrade final tournaments in terms of sponsor- ship and promotion – starting with the 2007 European Championship finals in Portugal and a new-look UEFA Futsal Cup incorporating the concept of a Final Four at a single venue. The event in Madrid demon- strated that futsal is not only on the move but moving very quickly indeed.

08 uefadirect 4.06 VIACHESLAV KOLOSKOV Member of the UEFA Executive Russia Committee since 1994. 15.6.1941 FIFA vice-president from 1980 to 1996, member of the FIFA Executive Committee from 1996 to 1998 and from 2000 until now. PORTRAIT

Eleven questions for the Executive Committee members Viacheslav AFTER THE FOUR VICE-PRESIDENTS AND THE TREASURER, IT IS THE TURN OF THE OTHER EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO ANSWER OUR ELEVEN QUESTIONS IN THE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER IN WHICH THEY WERE ELECTED. Koloskov

Your first contact with football? A memory linked to a 1945. FC Dynamo Moscow UEFA activity? travelled to England to play four matches. Parrots. One of the UEFA Christmas I heard the sportcasts of the matches by dinners arranged by Rudi Rothenbuhler our most famous radio commentator, with performances by each of the Execu- Vadim Siniavsky. His account of the games tive Committee members when we created the impression of being present sang our famous Russian song in the stadium. The tour took place right “Sten’ka Razin”, but the highlight after the end of the World War II, and of the party was the unexpected it was my brightest impression at the time, appearance of artists with over- compared to all the horrors that the war sized parrots which flew across had brought to my country and the rest the dining hall and finally chose of Europe. As for my own first contact to land on my good friends with football, it was at the age of six, and colleagues Geoffrey Thomp- when I played football with local children son and Giangiorgio Spiess. the whole day long in total self-oblivion. I remember the expression of First experience of UEFA? confusion in their eyes and the 1994. By then I had already been mirth of the rest of us. a FIFA vice-president for 14 years, and Defender or attacker? I joined the UEFA Executive Committee, I have played in defence replacing Nikolay Ryashentsev, who had all my life, as a central midfielder. been a member for 25 years. Egidius And in general I believe that a Braun introduced me to the world of man’s role in life is to defend and European football, since I had had no protect his family, those he loves previous experience or any acquaintances and cares for, his country, his views, in the UEFA Executive Committee. to defend the world against meanness A player? and treachery. , of course; the best We give you a ball, what goalkeeper in the world, a winner of do you do with it? the Golden Ball trophy, an idol for all the Look for company to play football youth of the Soviet Union who cared with – at least 2 v. 2. about football, and not only for them, A town? since he embodied great sports skills, Moscow. I was born there, I know generosity, openness; he was a most the intricate history of the city and admire brilliant representative of his people and the courage displayed by the Muscovites; a true gentleman. And this is something I also admire the city’s beauty, grandeur I was privileged to experience and see and rich history. for myself during our joint activities in Detective story or economic the USSR football federation. treatise? A memorable match? Neither. I prefer historical novels. There are two. The final of the Sea or mountains? 1988 European Championship in Ger- Mountains. many between the USSR and the Nether- A dream? lands, the magnificent goal scored by My dream is for football to Van Basten – a true masterpiece in become a uniting rather than a dividing performance. And the final of the 1988 force, so that, through football, different

Olympic football tournament in Seoul nations would close ranks, live in PHOTOS: UEFA when the USSR defeated Brazil. peace and friendship and be happy.

09 Rune , The Bratseth the Rosenborg Rosenborg (left) playing No. 6, scores coach, for Norway against Per-Mathias against Real Madrid Høgmo, the Republic in the UEFA conducts of Ireland. Champions a training League session. last October. EMPICS ??????????????? MARCOU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES MARCOU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

beaten. You mustn’t be overawed by your opponents. Above all, you Rosenborg BK mustn’t dwell on problems. You can Ten seasons always find plenty of reasons and in the UEFA Champions League excuses: Norway is a small country, there isn’t much back-up, there aren’t THE CITY OF , HOME TO MANY-TIMES NORWEGIAN CHAMPIONS many foreign players in the domestic

ROSENBORG BK, WAS BURIED IN SNOW WHEN THE CLUB FACED league, etc. I look at it this way: What’s the key to being competitive FC ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG IN THE LAST 32 OF THE UEFA CUP AFTER FINISHING at the highest level? What can we THIRD IN THEIR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP. do with our resources? We have to focus on our strengths – in a nutshell, we have to be positive.” Rosenborg play in one of the technical director in 1994, in the twi- “small” leagues with limited human light of his career. Since then, he has Challenges, not problems and financial resources. They also have been seeking to pass on the experi- is enterprising to cope with a harsh climate, which ence he accumulated during 11 years and bold, just like his club, which condemns them to a long winter of European Cup likes to play attacking football, usually break. However, having been Norwe- experience and play- with a 4-3-3 formation. What about gian champions 13 times since the ing in the . Rosenborg having to play in the UEFA early 1990s, they have taken part in Some of the foot- Cup in the middle of the winter 10 Champions League campaigns. balling minnows may break? “It’s not a problem but a chal- They got through the first phase in feel the Champions UEFA lenge. We were happy to be still in 2000 and even reached the quarter- League is out of their reach, but there contention! We’ve got all the infra- finals in 1997. was one big lesson that Rune Bratseth structure we need to train, anyway.” Rune Bratseth, the former learned during his career. “In Germany But in essence, what are Werder Bremen player, became their I learned that anybody could be Rosenborg’s strengths? “The team is very well organised. It may not have any individual stars but it’s a tightly- knit unit. The players’ level of fitness is excellent. This is an aspect that we can work on, just like tactics and set-plays. Heading is also an impor- tant part of the game. Although the senior team plays 4-3-3, we try to teach our youth players as many sys- tems as possible. It’s clear that the standard in the Champions League keeps rising all the time and even though we can’t buy a lot of players, unlike certain other clubs, we can help to make up for that with con- Rosenborg have produced some excellent performances stant, sharply focused work and lots in their Champions League campaigns, such as their 2-1 victory

over AC Milan away from home in December 1996. EMPICS of enthusiasm.”

10 uefadirect 4.06 Rosenborg’s Lekendal stadium often draws good crowds. EMPICS EMPICS

Rosenborg themselves have improved as a result of their European “Tactics make up campaigns, adds Bratseth. “It’s difficult to pinpoint how we’ve progressed. for lack of technique” We’ve gained experience, we’ve Norwegian player Trond Sollied does not usually show his feelings, learned how to handle certain kinds but when Olympiacos, his club since the start of this season, were put of matches and certain match situa- in the same Champions League group as Rosenborg, he was unable to tions, and we’ve discovered what repress a shudder. Memories of his younger days came flooding back: we’re capable of. Continuity is a he played for Rosenborg and coached them from 1994 to 1998, before trump card for Rosenborg; we rarely moving on to Ghent and Club Brugge in Belgium. make changes of coach or manage- No stranger to the Champions ment at any level.” League, Trond Sollied saw his team’s involvement in the competition ended A break in continuity by Rosenborg, who finished third in This continuity is about to be the group on four points. “Norway is interrupted with a year-long break: making good progress, even though Rosenborg finished seventh in the last domestic championship. They do not the national champions always have to know yet how they are going to fill this qualify via one or even two prelimi- absence from the European scene, but nary rounds. When you’re not sure of once again Rune Bratseth emphasizes qualifying, making transfers is a tricky the positive points. Skiing may well business. Even so, I don’t think the have a devoted following in Norway, competition is becoming inaccessible. but football has become the number You can make up for lack of technique 1 sport. Rosenborg regularly draw or talent with clever tactics. And crowds of 10,000 and can rely on cov- anyway, what’s technique without erage in the media. “The Norwegian physique? The two aspects form a championship is on the up. This is whole. Everything is about work: you positive for us too since there’s more have to keep on with the tools at GORM/AFP/GETTY IMAGES KALLESTAD, competition. The clubs are in a healthy your disposal until using them becomes totally instinctive. A coach has state, so they have more potential, to instil a sound general basis in his players. On the pitch, they have and now any team can beat any of everything they need to cope with all possible scenarios, and then it’s up the others. Everything has become to them to show creativity, to bring in “added value.” more professional.” Rosenborg’s Rosenborg have not changed their playing style over the seasons. sporting director is satisfied with the “They use a 4-3-3 formation, they always try to attack, even playing away evolution of the club but he prefers to against Real Madrid or AC Milan. They believe in themselves. And they’re look to the future. “We’ve grown, quite right: over a long campaign like the Champions League group we’ve become more professional. We phase, it’s important to be yourselves and not to pay too much attention want to remain the best in Norway to the opponents, while still being aware that form on the day – which is and qualify systematically for the always unpredictable – can tip the balance in a match. In this little world Champions League. We also want to of ours, everybody knows how other teams play. But football is about go a step further by making our mark more than tactics. It boils down to this: How can you create chances dur- in it, not just taking part.” ing the match itself?” Pascale Pierard P. P.

11 A panoramic A seminar view of the room in training centre the centre in Viotia. in Viotia. The mini-pitches are on the right.

“I am certain that the young people of the area will make the most of UEFA HatTrick this facility. I wish to congratulate the HFF on this project and on the construction of the training centres programme for the use of its regional associa- Projects in Greece tions.” As it has done for all mem-

THE “NEWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS” SECTION OFTEN CONTAINS REPORTS bers associations, UEFA has allo- cated funding of CHF 1 million to ON NEW ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS, TRAINING CENTRES AND MINI-PITCHES the Greek FA for mini-pitch construc- WHICH HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED AS A RESULT OF CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE tion. What is particularly significant

UEFA HATTRICK PROGRAMME. BELOW WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT GREECE here is that the HFF not only plans to build 40 1,000 m2 mini-pitches HAS ACHIEVED THROUGH THIS PROGRAMME SO FAR. but also intends to combine it with another major project: the two-phase The UEFA HatTrick pro- Lefkaritis visited the town of construction of 42 training centres gramme includes investment and Aspropyrgos to the west of Athens, across the country for the use of the mini-pitch components, and these where the Hellenic Football Federa- regional associations. are the two key aspects of the tion (HFF) has constructed its The UEFA delegation also project in question from the prototype mini-pitch. As part visited the already completed centre country of the reigning Euro- of its golden jubilee, UEFA gave in Viotia. Thanks to the grant of pean champions. each of its member associa- CHF 2.5 million under the HatTrick In December 2005, a tions such a pitch. At the investment programme, the centre UEFA delegation led by Executive inauguration of the pitch Marios comprises a number of pitches of Committee member Marios N. N. Lefkaritis said to those present: different sizes, a stand and an office and teaching block. The centre will be used by 20 amateur clubs and

The inauguration of the some 2,000 children in the 8-16 mini-pitch in Aspropyrgos. age group. The training centres are a major step forward for the Greek FA. Youth player development had always been lacking the necessary resources until now, and this was primarily due to high infrastructure costs arising from expensive turf maintenance in the dry climate of Greece. Thanks to the financial con- tributions from UEFA, all pitches can be laid with state-of-the-art arti- ficial turf, thus ensuring that training with high-quality facilities can go

PHOTOS: HFF ahead throughout the year.

12 uefadirect 4.06 The Saying “no” Champions to racism League before the Italy draw in Paris. v. Germany match. OESER/AFP/GETTY IMAGES SABATTINI Report from Competitions Brussels The European Parliament’s Declaration on Racism in Football, which UEFA fully supports, has and other activities become the most successful declara- A Latin flavour tion in the history of the parliament. On 15 February in Strasbourg, the THE UEFA CLUB COMPETITIONS RESUMED IN FEBRUARY. declaration received its 367th signa- ture, giving it majority support In the UEFA Champions In the UEFA Intertoto among the 732 members of the par- League, the outcome of Cup, the new format liament. By the beginning of March, the matches of the first adopted this season 420 MEPs had put their name to the knockout round, played seems to have gone text and set a new record. on 21/22 February and down well since all 50 8/9 March, gave a dis- associations entitled UEFA vice-president Per Ravn tinctly Latin flavour to the final phase of to a place, except Portugal, have Omdal helped to launch the decla- the competition, with the elimination announced that they will take part, ration in November 2005. This sig- of title-holders Liverpool and the qualifi- with more than half of them request- nalled the start of a tense race cation of Juventus and AC Milan from ing an additional berth. This season’s against time: the supporters of the Italy, Barcelona and Villarreal from Spain, Intertoto Cup will have only three declaration had until 28 February Olympique Lyonnais from France and rounds and will enable 11 clubs to 2006 to obtain the 367 signatures Benfica from Portugal. At the time of qualify for the second qualifying round from their fellow MEPs. If the total the draws for the quarter-finals and of the UEFA Cup. Previously clubs had not been reached in that time, order of the semi-finals, one unknown had the possibility, through the Inter- the declaration would have failed. factor remained because of the post- toto Cup, of qualifying directly for ponement of the return leg between the first round of the UEFA Cup but, UEFA supported the campaign Inter Milan and AFC Ajax until 14 March. with only three places available, these from start to finish, producing The outcome of the draw for were nearly always monopolised by leaflets to explain why the decla- the quarter-finals, to be played on 28/29 clubs from the “big” associations. ration was necessary, and contacting March and 4/5 April, was as follows: The new format therefore gives repre- key MEPs to win their support. In 1. Arsenal FC v. Juventus sentatives of other associations a January, a personal letter from the 2. Olympique Lyonnais v. AC Milan better chance. UEFA president went out to all ■ 3. FC Internazionale v. Villarreal CF In the UEFA Futsal Cup, Interviu 732 MEPs, encouraging them to 4. SL Benfica v. FC Barcelona. Boomerang and Kairat Almaty, on the sign the text. In the semi-finals (first legs to one hand, and Dinamo Moscow and The most important part of the be played on 18/19 April, return legs Shakhtar Donetsk, on the other, on 25/26 April), the winner of quarter- qualified for the semi-finals after the declaration reads as follows: final 1 will play the winner of quarter- second qualifying round mini-tourna- “The European Parliament: final 3, while the winner of quarter-final ments. Belgian title-holders Action 21 ■ Commends the excellent work 2 will face the winner of quarter-final 4. Charleroi, however, failed to go For the first time, the above through. that various organisations, including draws and the equivalent for the In the semi-finals, to be played UEFA and FARE, have done in tack- UEFA Cup took place in the cities which in March, Shakhtar Donetsk will face ling these problems. will host the finals, namely Paris and Interviu Boomerang and Kairat Almaty ■ Calls on all those with a high Eindhoven respectively. In Paris, the tra- will play Dinamo Moscow. profile in football, above all players ditional cup handover ceremony had ■ In Florence on 1 March, before the and coaches, to speak out regularly a special flavour since a brand new tro- start of the friendly match between against racism. phy was on show, the previous one Italy and Germany, FIFA paid tribute to ■ Calls on national football having been kept by Liverpool FC after former UEFA president Artemio associations, leagues, clubs, players’ winning the flagship competition for Franchi, who died in an accident in the fifth time. And it was one of the August 1983. He was posthumously unions and supporters’ groups to victors of the 1956 final, Francisco awarded the FIFA Order of Merit. draw up action programmes to com- Gento, who handed the trophy over In connection with the match, bat racism and to apply UEFA best to the mayor of Paris for safekeeping the Italian FA also organised a number practice, such as the UEFA Ten-Point until this year’s final. of anti-racism events. Plan of Action. ➜

13 Olwyn Butler, Wendy Quinn and Bridget O’Reilly, ➜ ■ Calls on UEFA and all other compe- three members of the Special tition organisers in Europe to ensure that Olympics Irish women’s seven-a-side team, referees have the option, according to show off their caps. clear and strict guidelines, to stop or abandon matches in the event of serious racist abuse. WWW.SPORTSFILE.COM ■ Calls on UEFA and all other com- petition organisers in Europe to consider the option of imposing sporting sanc- Award for Special Olympics women’s football tions on national football associations The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has long been associated with the Special and clubs whose supporters or players Olympics Ireland programme, through its coach education programme, providing referees for matches, making facilities available for training and competition, and offering professional commit serious racist offences, including support for the development of the game, including, latterly, the development of women’s the option to remove persistent offend- football. ers from their competitions.” Recently, the Special Olympics Ireland women’s football team that competed so successfully in the Special Olympics European women’s tournament last year became the first Having won a convincing majority, ever Special Olympics athletes to receive international caps from the FAI. They were presented the declaration now becomes a formal with their caps by former international goalkeeper Packie Bonner and FAI vice-president Maurice Resolution of the European Parliament. Fleming at an award ceremony on 24 February marking the very first cap presentations to inter- The resolution is not legally binding, and national athletes within the Football for All programme. They are: Olwyn Butler, Bridget O'Reilly, Charlotte Martin, Christine Carr, Ann Brennan, Grace Nolan, Ann Marie Byrne, Regina Rattigan, no organisation in European football is Wendy Quinn and Mary Strain. The FAI has taken a leading role in recognising all players equally obliged to take specific action. None- in football, and in particular should be commended for setting a new standard in giving special theless, the text sends a strong political recognition to the skills, talents and achievements of those with disabilities. signal that the European Parliament will support UEFA’s efforts to combat racism. Obituaries youth football, for which he received the The declaration campaign has ■ Maurice Burlaz, a member of the UEFA UEFA Order of Merit in Ruby in 2002. As strengthened the relations between UEFA circle of former committee members, passed a further tribute, his name was given to and the European Parliament. UEFA away on 6 March at the age of 84. A member the trophy awarded every two years to the has demonstrated to an important stake- of the UEFA Youth Football Committee from national association obtaining the best holder that it takes the problem of 1982 to 1988 before his stint as vice-chairman results in UEFA youth competitions. from 1988 to 1996, he acted as special adviser ■ Werner Müller, a member of the racism seriously, is willing to take action, to the committee from 1996 to 1998. Referee Observers Panel, died suddenly and will cooperate with the political Vice-president of the French Football Fed- on 2 March at the age of 56. A former authorities to achieve a common goal. eration from 1985 to 1995, Maurice Burlaz FIFA referee, he was in charge of Switzer- accomplished a great deal in the service of land’s elite referees. PREPARING FOR EURO2008

●●● The EURO 2008 host nations are getting things ●●● Meanwhile, the Swiss FA (SFV) has set up an advisory moving. On 2 March, the Austrian FA issued an invitation to the body under the chairmanship of SFV honorary president Marcel Mathier presentation of the club “2008 – Austria On the Ball”, and every- and composed of Anton Felder, chairman of the board of Coop one turned up. Austrian President Heinz Fischer: “I’ll be on the side Switzerland; Walter Berchtold, CEO of Credit Suisse; Oscar winner of everyone who gives their wholehearted support to the EURO Arthur Cohn; former Swiss Olympic chairman Walter Kägi; Günter 2008 project”. Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel: “We want the tour- Netzer; MP Maximilian Reimann; SFV president Ralph M. Zloczower; nament to be organised to perfection – and with enthusiasm!” general secretary Peter Gilliéron; and Euro 2008 SA’s tournament Former Vice-Chancellor and director for Switzerland, Christian current Wüstenrot managing director Mutschler. More members will join in Susanne Riess-Passer will serve as the course of this year. chairperson of the club. “We want to The purpose of the body is to show that we cannot only organise promote EURO 2008 in the political, first-rate international winter sports economic, cultural, sporting and social events but that we can do the same in arenas and point out the numerous summer too,” Susanne Riess-Passer opportunities that the tournament declared. The main purpose of the opens up for Switzerland in particular. club is to take care of cultural, corpo- In addition, for projects that the SFV rate and social actions related to implements, well-known Swiss person- EURO 2008 as well as to promote the alities will serve as ambassadors.

event at both national and interna- ÖFB/GEPA The chairperson of “2008 – Austria on the ball”, Susanne Riess-Passer, flanked by the Austrian President and Chancellor, tional level. with ÖFB president Friedrich Stickler and honorary president Beppo Mauhart alongside.

14 uefadirect 4.06 BELGIUM News A new website On 17 January, the revamped from member associations website of the Belgian Football Association became operational. The website (www.footbel.com) has been completely restructured, is more user-friendly and more attractive, and meets the needs of the target groups in question. for fully at the going rate instead of being AUSTRIA performed free of charge at least some of the time, football would have to find an extra EUR 306 million to cover the cost, Volunteers make the difference corresponding to 11,800 jobs! The full No other sport stirs people in version of the IHS study is available on Austria like football does, as a recent study www.oefb.at. commissioned by the Austrian FA demon- Ronald Gollatz strates convincingly. Week in, week out, hundreds of thousands of people in Aus- tria are involved in football in one way or another. BELARUS

International tournament The Belarus Football Federation (BFF) started the new season by organising its second international youth tournament, for which prizes were offered by the BFF

and the city of Minsk. The tournament took URBSFA place from 1 to 5 March. During the open- A new strip for the Red Devils. ing ceremony, the participants were ad- dressed by the UEFA Chief Executive, Lars- Out on the pitch, the Belgian Christer Olsson (by video), BFF chairman national Under-18 team won its first match Gennady Nevyglas and the Belarus national in an international tournament in Portugal team players. (Castelo Branco), beating the host country Six teams participated in the 2-1. The second match, against Romania, Under-17 tournament: Azerbaijan, , finished with the same score, again in Lithuania, Poland and two teams from the Belgium’s favour. In the last match, the

GEPA-PICTURES host nation – one an Under-17 side and the national team could not match their oppo- ÖFB president Friedrich Stickler receives other an Under-16 side. The Minsk football nents physically (losing 2-1 the results of the study. hall was the venue for the event. to Denmark) but they still The Belarus Under-17 team won emerged as tournament win- Austria boasts some 592,375 the tournament, beating ners, ahead of Denmark, Por- registered players and 2,211 football clubs, Poland 3-1 in the final, which tugal and Romania. and one in three young men belongs to was broadcast live on national On 1 March, the senior a football club, which is an extremely high radio and TV. national team played ratio compared with other countries. Apart from a trophy Luxembourg, in their first From a health policy point of view, for the winning team and medals international match with the economic advantages of playing foot- for the winners and runners-up, coach René Vandereycken ball are astounding compared with the dis- prizes were also awarded to in charge. Apart from hav- advantages of doing nothing by way of the best players of the tour- ing a new coach, the “Red sport: playing football with a club produces nament in each position Devils” were also sporting their an estimated gross health-cost advantage (goalkeeper, defender, brand-new shirts from the Nike of EUR 104.1 million in terms of lower midfielder, forward) and “retro” collection for the first treatment costs, hospital care, etc. In con- the top scorer. In view time. The new strip was trast, playing football produces direct and of its success and pop- unveiled to the media at the indirect economic benefits of about EUR ularity, the organisers Stade Roi Baudouin on 27 27.1 million a year, corresponding to a net have promised to February, on the occasion of advantage of some EUR 77 million! maintain the the first training session run Moreover, football has an impor- youth tourna- by René Vandereycken. tant place in social life and as an integration ment as a tradi- Looking back to last year, tool. In this respect, voluntary involvement tional fixture. Sergio Conceiçao of Standard Liège in football is closely interrelated and under- Alexander Leshchik was the winner of the 2005 Golden estimated in terms of its economic and Boot. This informal award made at social impact. The captain the end of every year goes to the If all voluntary activities – from of the winning team, best player in the Belgian champ- youth work to refereeing – had to be paid Pavel Grechishko. ionship, as voted for by the national BFF

15 press and various leading personalities in On the field of play itself, the sec- our partnerships with Botswana, Lesotho Belgian football. Conceiçao took the award ond half of the season has already started and Malawi – and I am sure it has enor- ahead of two Anderlecht players, Vincent and will continue at a faster rate than usual mous potential in the Oceania region. It is Kompany and Christian Wilhelmsson. because of the forthcoming World Cup in an exciting prospect.” David Deldicq Germany. The last round of matches is Representatives of the Fiji and scheduled for 13 May. Solomon Islands federations will be invited Looking ahead to the EURO 2008 to England to discuss the content of the BOSNIA AND qualifiers, the representatives of the FF BHZ programme, which is due to start in the HERZEGOVINA visited Istanbul for a meeting to try and latter part of 2006. This agreement is one agree on the schedule for Group C. Unfor- of five confederation agreements which Club licensing seminar tunately, the representatives of Greece, form the core of The FA’s International Turkey, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Development Programme. Just like last year, a club licensing Hungary, Malta, and Moldova could not Nada Grkinic seminar was organised for all clubs just reach agreement, leaving the schedule to before the beginning of the second half of be decided by means of a draw. the season. The representatives of all clubs Blaz Sliskovic, head coach of the in the attended the seminar national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, FINLAND except for Orasje. First division clubs Velez is very satisfied with the result of the draw. from Mostar and Borac from Banja Luka His team will play in Malta first, and then 110,000 registered players were also present. The seminar was run by welcome Hungary, then go to Moldova, FF BHZ General Secretary Munib Usanovic and after that welcome European champ- The historic 110,000 registered and Talat Sulejmani, head of the club licens- ions Greece. player mark was reached on 6 February, ing department. Josip Katalinski and Danijel As part of their preparations for when eight-year-old Erkki Härkönen from Piric, experts on the sport criteria, also gave their EURO 2008 qualifying campaign, Kajaani received his player’s licence. presentations, along with Savo Kosoric Bosnia and Herzegovina played a friendly Even though the birth rate in Finland has (administrative criteria), Jasmin Bakovic (legal match against Japan in Dortmund, Ger- decreased in the last seven years, the criteria), Nihad Hodzic (infrastructure crite- many, on 28 February, coming away with number of footballers has been going up. ria) and Miodrag Kures (financial criteria). a 2-2 draw to their credit. In 1999, when the Finnish FA launched Fuad Krvavac its “All Stars” programme, there were 88,000 registered football players. The dropout rate was 29%. Today, there are 110,000 players and the dropout rate is ENGLAND 24%. The “All Stars” programme created new rules for different ages. World of Renewal of the cooperation Play (7-11 years old), World of Friends (12-15) and World of the Future (16-20) with Oceania all have their own rules, objectives and The Football Association showed content, to take better account of the its continued commitment to developing different periods in a child’s development. football around the world by discussing the At the same time as the “All Stars” pro- renewal of The FA Cooperation Agreement gramme was introduced, a huge step in with the Oceania Football Confederation youth football was taken by hiring youth F. KRVAVAC (OFC). directors for each of the football associa- The club licensing seminar. FA Chairman Geoffrey Thompson tion’s 12 districts. They have the important met OFC President Reynald Temarii and role of making sure that youth football is Talat Sulejmani explained the General Secretary Tai Nicholas at The FA’s going in the right direction in their respec- licensing process for 2006/07 season and offices in central London last month to assess tive districts. Also, the quality club system, also the new UEFA club licensing regu- the needs of their confederation and to which guarantees a certain level of club lations which will come into force from identify ways in which The FA could assist activity, has been an important factor in 2008/09. At the end of the seminar, Munib the development of football in that region. being able to keep more children and Usanovic congratulated the speakers on The revised cooperation agreement youngsters involved in football. There are their informative and comprehensive presen- will see The FA partnering the national 38 quality clubs in Finland at the moment, tations, which had provided the participants associations of Fiji and the Solomon Islands, with around 30,000 children and young- with everything they needed to know about mirroring the structure of the former UEFA- sters playing at these clubs. their club licensing obligations. CAF Meridian Project where all European Another major reason for the The club representatives, for their football associations could choose to join increase in the number of footballers is part, indicated their willingness to approach forces with one or more African nations. the rising popularity of football among girls the licensing project seriously and do what With Australia having left the and women. The “All Stars” programme they were supposed to, by the deadlines. OFC to join the Asian Football Confedera- also has a girls’ and women’s programme For the domestic competitions, tion, New Zealand are now the top-ranked called FUN (Futaa = play football, Unelmoi the FF BHZ’s club licensing deadline is 30 May, nation in the region. Fiji and the Solomon = dream and Nauti = enjoy). This pro- while the clubs have to fulfil their obliga- Islands are ranked second and third respec- gramme was launched in 2001, since when tions a month earlier for UEFA competitions, tively in the OFC, and The FA is keen to the number of girl and women players i.e. by 30 April. help the islands’ football development. has increased by almost 50%. Last year, Sarajevo’s premier “I was particularly impressed by Football has a good position in league clubs FK Sarajevo (domestic cup Mr Temarii’s proposal that England be part- Finland as the most popular sport as far winners) and FK Zeljeznicar (championship nered with two of the OFC member coun- as the number of registered players goes. runners-up) could not participate in the tries,” said Chairman Geoffrey Thompson. A government survey revealed that almost UEFA Cup, having failed to meet the licens- “This approach has proved to be successful 500,000 people are involved in football ing requirements. for us in Africa – where we are retaining each week, which means that 10% of

16 uefadirect 4.06 Finnish people play, coach or are actively especially Scotland, are also very competi- involved in football in some way or another tive and strong. Nevertheless, Georgian HUNGARY every week. fans hope that their national team, under Jukka Salasuo the supervision of the new head coach, will succeed in the forthcoming competi- István Kisteleki leads tions and they will actively support them Hungarian football GEORGIA at home and away. At an extraordinary congress Bakar Jordania held on 27 February, the Hungarian Foot- ball Federation (MLSZ) elected István Top results with Toppmöller Kisteleki as its new president, awarding Since the new elected leadership GERMANY him 66 votes (the other candidate, took over at the Georgian Football Federa- Péter Pellady, received 30 votes). Kisteleki tion (GFF), there have been several impor- has been involved in football in a tant staff changes, the most important of A new director of sport variety of ways over the years, first as which has been the appointment of Klaus As from 1 April, Matthias a player, then later as a first division Toppmöller as national coach. The football Sammer will be the new director of sport coach and subsequently as a successful community and the government widely at the German Football Association sports businessman, becoming presi- supported the idea of inviting a highly (DFB). The decision was taken by the DFB dent of the Hungarian Football League qualified and greatly experienced foreign board at an extraordinary meeting in in 2005. coach to take on this job. Now, Georgian Frankfurt on 8 February. The former coach He is known for welcoming football fans have renewed hope that of Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund reform and relentlessly fighting injustice their national team will succeed at inter- and VfB Stuttgart will sign a five-year and financial imprecision. The MLSZ national level at last. contract. membership valued this philosophy and In this newly created post, Sam- consequently chose him as the man in mer will be the head coach for all national charge of Hungarian football at the end youth teams up to the Under-20s and of February. will oversee the DFB youth coaching staff, ”I want to see hard work from as well as being responsible for the pro- everyone in the background – not just gramme for the development of talented from myself. We need clear situations, young players, the creation of more elite order and good work in the future in football academies and the establishment order to start lifting up football in this of coaching programmes that include the latest sports science know-how. Other- country,” Kisteleki stated after the elec- wise, Sammer is to work together with tion. ”Also, after 30 years of inefficiency, senior national team coach Jürgen Klins- I would like to see new energy, some mann to devise a uniform playing philo- kind of happiness and positive thinking, sophy for all national youth teams and which has almost disappeared from football in recent years. Be tired because

GFF undertake intensive consultations on the of hard work but not because of end- Klaus Toppmöller (left), with the GFF president aims, achievements and cost of the DFB’s Nodar Akhalkatsi, identifies with the Georgian youth player development work. less fighting.” style of play. Following the decision to appoint With his skills and mentality, him, Matthias Sammer said: “I see foot- István Kisteleki deserves to be a success- However, there is still much to ball as a process. In the medium term, ful new leader of the MLSZ in the next be done. We must create an efficient and I’d like to build things up and help five years, but for football in Hungary to strong team which is able to compete talented young players develop. As direc- improve, the football family needs to and achieve good results. The Georgian tor of sport responsible for the national start cooperating again, and the differ- national team is in the process of rebuild- youth teams up to the Under-20s, I’ll be ent parts of the machine should work ing. Young new players are being selected travelling a lot and watching internation- together in harmony and peace. on a trial basis. With a view to selecting al games. That’s a great prospect! Help- Márton Dinnyés the right promising new players, Klaus ing to develop young talent is what Toppmöller has been attending domestic motivates me.” championship matches. Several interna- Maximilian Geis tional friendly matches involving the young LITHUANIA players alongside experienced senior counterparts are scheduled. New training programme Toppmöller likes the Georgian style of football, which is one of the rea- for clubs sons why he agreed to coach our national The Lithuanian Football Feder- team. As he says, Georgian players have ation (LFF) recently invited all Lithuanian a very good technique and prefer an attack- club coaches to attend a course on a ing style of play. And if you look at the special football training programme. teams coached by Klaus Toppmöller in the This included a lecture given by a guest past, you see that they have all played in from Germany, Richard Saller, the owner this way. of sportswear company Sport Saller. Georgia’s EURO 2008 qualifying The new training programme is available group is one of the strongest since it to coaches in both schools and clubs. contains three teams from this year’s World Following the event, the LFF Cup finals, including two former world ÖSER/AFP/GETTY IMAGES signed two new contracts, one with Sport champions. The other teams in the group, Matthias Sammer. Saller, the other with the firm UPS.

17 before playing in the strong leagues of prevent them getting involved in such countries such as Germany, Italy, Turkey undesirable practices. and Russia, and I believe that the nation- Starting at a gradual pace, this al team can beat any opponents. I am commendable MFA programme will be convinced that Katanec is the right extended to the younger sectors of Mal- choice. It is our duty to provide the best tese football when the time is ripe. conditions and then it is up to the tech- Another MFA initiative was nical staff and the players,” said Hadzi- launched in women’s football, where Risteski. pioneering measures were taken with For Katanec himself, the appoint- regard to playing conditions. A few weeks ment comes as a great honour, and ago, arrangements were made for home despite saying during his first meeting national-team matches to be played on with the media that he cannot promise a grass pitch, which has been made avail- miracles, he is still optimistic. able by top-division club Floriana FC. “The composition of the group, This should enhance the level of with England, Russia, Croatia and Israel, football in this category, which has been

LFF is a great challenge for me. The great attracting increasing interest in Malta over Signature of contracts with Sport Saller and UPS. wish of every coach is to play at Wemb- the last few years. The national team is ley. From now on, my thoughts will be competing in the preliminary stage of the The Lithuanian national team entirely on the games to come. I will ask Women’s World Cup, and the group of will start the new season wearing a new the players to be aggressive and focused players under coach Pierre Brincat have strip provided by Sport Saller. on their tasks, and the rest will follow,” shown great enthusiasm and dedication. Youth, women’s and children’s said Katanec. Playing regular football on natu- teams will also be kitted out by the com- Zoran Nikolovski ral grass is another major step forward for pany. women’s football. Company head Richard Saller Alex Vella is a well-known figure in football. Apart from participating in youth player devel- MALTA opment programmes, he has written an essay entitled “Football – willpower” New initiatives NETHERLANDS and has made a film about football. His motto is: instead of giving Looking after the social and children money, let’s build their charac- educational welfare of young footballers Football plays major role ters by means of football. in addition to honing their technical skills in integration campaign Vaiva Zizaite is of the utmost importance. Like other associations, the Malta FA is working Football is to play a major role along these holistic lines. in a campaign to integrate immigrant The latest initiative was an- youths in Dutch society. The campaign FYR MACEDONIA nounced earlier this year when the coun- runs until 2010. The Football Federation cil of the Maltese association approved of the Netherlands (KNVB) has signed new regulations regarding the preven- an agreement with the Ministry of Sports, A challenge for Srecko Katanec tion and treatment of drug and alcohol the Ministry of Integration, the four After the poor results in the abuse. These form part of a programme largest cities in the country, as well as the previous World Cup qualifying campaign, of education, prevention and treatment Foundation, to make sure which saw the replacement of three sen- in this field intended to protect players in that the targets set will be reached. ior national team coaches, the Football the national youth squads who may be The ministries concerned have Federation of FYR Macedonia (FSM) has at risk. noticed that football already plays a key decided to appoint a well-known figure Each squad will have a focus part in the integration of immigrants in with the right credentials for the EURO person assigned to oversee the youths’ Dutch society. Football is the sport where 2008 qualifying round. welfare. The aim is to raise the young the overall constitution of the population The appointment of Srecko players’ awareness of the inherent pitfalls in a city is reflected in the composition Katanec, who has a rich football pedi- of drug and alcohol abuse and help to of local teams. This reflection is typical of gree as both player and head coach, was football in the Netherlands but has not greeted with unanimous approval. For yet reached other popular team sports the federation’s executive management, such as hockey, volleyball or tennis. In the the most important thing is that Katanec next five years, the Ministry of Sport is not only played a successful part in two providing EUR 64 million to several sports top footballing events – EURO 2000 in associations (judo, boxing) in order to the Netherlands/Belgium and the 2002 realise a programme to ensure that immi- World Cup in South Korea/Japan – but grant youths become fully accepted citi- did so with Slovenia, a small country zens in every sense of the word. like FYR Macedonia. Sports associations and local The satisfaction at the appoint- governments will be asked to propose a ment was emphasized by FSM president number of clubs and schools for this Haralampie Hadzi-Risteski, who expects project, which is aimed mainly at facilitat- that under the leadership of Katanec, ing partnerships and endorsing the coop- FYR Macedonia will show its real poten- eration between them. The partners can tial in European football. D. AQUILINA choose their own approach as long as it is “I think that we now have Women’s World Cup qualifying match along the lines proposed by the national more national-team players than ever between Malta and Croatia. government.

18 uefadirect 4.06 an SOS Children’s Village in Livingstone, “With this mini-pitch project, Zambia. The children’s village will house UEFA is giving the Portuguese Football 180 children and also include a school Federation and the Portuguese govern- for 720 pupils, a kindergarten for 90 ment a good opportunity to develop children, a social centre for 1,000 fami- sport in general and, at the same time, lies, a medical centre with a capacity to provide youngsters with a constructive to treat 20,000 patients a year, and, of way of occupying their free time. The course, a football pitch. The NFF will mini-pitch programme has been enjoying also help organise football activities and enormous success all over Europe and train coaches. I’m sure Portugal is following the same

KNVB In order to achieve this, the path. We mustn’t forget grassroots foot- Signature of the agreement concerning NFF will mobilise its 1,800 member ball. A love and passion for sport and the integration of immigrants. clubs in different activities to collect a football is something that children devel- minimum of NOK 15 million (EUR 2 mil- op at a very young age and they – espe- The first aim is to get immigrant lion) in 2006. The clubs will do jobs cially the less well-off – deserve the sup- youths more involved in sport. Compared for local companies, organise lotteries, port of the football family,” said Gilberto to native youths, only 70% of immigrant competitions, football tournaments, Madaíl, who is also a co-opted member youths are involved in sport, whereas the and so on. One good example of such of UEFA’s Executive Committee. average for native youths is 85%. Further- a fundraising initiative is the Under-14 more, the project aims to protect vulner- girl’s team of the Sandviken club, who able immigrant youths and try to make organised a night football cup for them citizens who participate in society. young boys and girls all by themselves. Of course, the policy aims to ensure that The NFF finds it very motivat- these youths do not end up in social isola- ing to be a part of such a meaningful tion. For this purpose, 500 sports clubs project. “We have a responsibility to help will be selected. Thirdly and lastly, the pro- people in countries who do not share gramme wants to make sure that immi- our standard of living, and with a little grant youths will not become dropouts. effort from everyone in the football They can become integrated with the help family, we can help many people cover of sport and thereby change their attitude basic needs like housing, education and and behaviour drastically. health care,” says the NFF’s general In recent years, the Johan Cruyff secretary, Karen Espelund. FPF Foundation has built artificial mini-pitches In Zambia, the average life Signature of the agreement for the funding in the largest cities in the country where expectancy at birth is less than 40. Out of mini-pitches. children can play and can learn how to play of a population of 11 million, nearly better with the help of professional one million are infected with AIDS. The “I’d like to thank UEFA and the coaches. The ‘More Than Football’ foun- infant mortality rate is nearly 10%, the FPF for raising the idea a few months dation, which coordinates the social in- unemployment rate is 50%, and around back, which we accepted immediately. volvement of professional clubs, will pro- 80% of the population lives below the Football has an important social mission vide well-known professional players, who poverty line. to fulfil and this initiative is a compliment will take turns on a regular basis to serve Roger Solheim to all those involved in Portuguese foot- as role models during the campaign. ball,” declared Laurentino Dias. For all parties involved, it is Onofre Costa clear that sport is the major binding factor in Dutch society. The simple rules of the PORTUGAL game make sure that there is no distinc- REPUBLIC tion between the social, cultural and reli- Mini-pitches across the nation OF IRELAND gious backgrounds of players. By organ- ising the events that will follow on The Portuguese Football Feder- Recognition awards ation (FPF) and the Portuguese Sports from this initiative, immigrant and native for volunteers and clubs youths will meet constantly during sport Institute (IDP) have signed an agreement The Football Association of activities which will also involve their regarding state funding of mini-pitches Ireland (FAI) has announced two new parents. all over the country, with the aim of giv- football recognition awards in association The KNVB wants to make sure ing youngsters the opportunity to get with the Irish Daily Star and Citywest that the EUR 5.4 million that will be allo- involved in different kinds of sport. Hotel, which will honour those who serve cated on an annual basis can be used as The mini-pitches are being built the game at grassroots level. of next year to endorse 25 football clubs within the framework of UEFA’s mini- The Service to Football Award and 50 schools that will be picked for pitch project, which was set up to help will recognise and honour the significant this occasion. national associations in their efforts to Rob de Leede develop grassroots football. and valued contributions of individuals The agreement was signed by at all levels of the game who devote Gilberto Madaíl, president of the FPF, their time and effort voluntarily to foot- Luís Sardinha, president of the IDP, and ball and the development of the game NORWAY Laurentino Dias, Portuguese State Secre- in Ireland. tary for Youth and Sport. Volunteers may be nominated The installation of the 21m x for outstanding service or contribution to Football aid for Zambia 13m mini-pitches, intended for sports football at club, local, league, provincial, The Norwegian Football Federa- like football, basketball, volleyball and national or international level. The awards tion (NFF) has launched a project with gymnastics, will require a global invest- will be made following adjudication by SOS Children’s Villages in Norway to build ment of over EUR 1.5m. an independent panel in July.

19 The Club of the Month Award UEFA to organise other mini-tournaments Kamenica, near to Novi Sad, who Miha- will recognise the contribution and sig- at various levels. jlovic has helped in so many ways dur- nificant achievements and performances Indeed, 2006 will be a busy ing the last decade, not only by provid- on and off the pitch and contribution year for the Romanian FA. Preparations ing money, toys and presents, but also to football and the community by ama- are well under way for the second quali- by visiting whenever he can. He has teur and professional football clubs in fying round of the European Women’s never talked about his deeds, but the Ireland. Under-19 Championship, to be held “Decje selo” community decided to sur- The selected clubs will be out- between 25 April and 1 May. The prise him and spoke to the officials in standing role models to others and will matches will be hosted by the National Novi Sad, since Sremska Kamenica is inspire others to higher achievements at training centre and football academy in geographically and administratively part both recreational and competitive level. Mogosoaia and the village of Otopeni of Novi Sad. There will also be a Club of on the outskirts of Bucharest. Both loca- Mihajlovic joined FK Vojvodina the Year Award, which will be presented tions offer very good pitches and facili- (two-times former Yugoslav champions, at the FAI AGM in July. An independent ties. Apart from that, all three guest in 1969 and 1989) in 1987. He spent judging panel will select the Club of the delegations (England, Denmark and two and a half seasons there, before Month and Club of the Year Awards. Iceland) will stay at the national training moving to FK Crvena Zvezda. His good Republic of Ireland Under-17, centre hotel, thus having excellent works for “Decje selo” and his spell at Under-18 and Under-19 manager Sean accommodation and also the use of a FK Vojvodina were enough for the local McCaffrey was a popular choice as training pitch, fitness centre, etc. This is government to decide to make him a Special Merit Award Winner at the 16th further proof of the excellent invest- freeman of the city. Before the ceremo- eircom/FAI International Soccer Awards, ment made by the Romanian FA in ny, Mihalovic held a press conference broadcast live. building the training centre. and said: McCaffrey’s Under-17 and Preparations have also begun “This is something special for Under-19 sides have qualified for the for the youth mini-tournaments which me. To be made a freeman of Novi Sad elite phases of their respective UEFA will take place in the autumn. Between is a phenomenal personal honour for championships. 25 and 30 September, the Group 3 me. It’s something I’ll never forget. Novi Others who were honoured matches of the first qualifying round of Sad means something really special to on the night included international goal- the European Under-17 Championship me. I came here as a young 18-year-old. keeper Shay Given (Senior Player Award), (France, Lithuania, Iceland and Romania) Vojvodina and Novi Sad made me the Stephen Elliott (Young Player), Kevin will be played, while from 4 to 9 October player and the person I am today. Doyle (Under-21 Player) and Mick Martin the Group 4 matches of the first quali- Now I have a much stronger connection, (Hall of Fame). fying round of the European Under-19 which will stay with me all my life; Former FIFA referee Pierluigi Championship (Belgium, Georgia, Collina was awarded the International Northern Ireland and Romania) will take Personality Award but unfortunately place. The national training centre will could not attend on the night as his wife also be the main venue for the matches, had been involved in a car accident in but some matches are also likely to be Italy the previous day. played in the area around Bucharest. Eighty-one players from the With these preparations, the FAI’s Football for All Programme (FFA), Romanian FA is seeking to create full- under National Coordinator Phelim scale footballing events with appropriate Macken, received international caps media coverage. And as further items recently. Those receiving caps were from on this year’s busy agenda, the national the following teams: association will also be hosting qualifying ■ Special Olympics women’s matches for EURO 2008 and the Euro- seven-a-side team – European pean Under-21 Championship. runners-up 2005 Paul-Daniel Zaharia ■ Irish deaf team – 4th at Deaflympics 2005 ■ Cerebral palsy team – 5th at the SERBIA AND 2005 World Championships MONTENEGRO ■ FFA schools’ team ■ Irish blind futsal team Special award ■ Irish street league (homeless) for Sinisa Mihajlovic team. The event follows the FAI taking Sinisa Mihajlovic, 37, FC Inter- a leading step in giving the FFA pro- nazionale Milan defender and former gramme full affiliation to the association Serbo-Montenegrin international, has and a seat on the FAI National Council. received the greatest possible personal honour in his whole life. He has been Pat Costello made freeman of Novi Sad (a city in northern Serbia, in an area called Voj- vodina, and the second most important ROMANIA city in Serbia, after Belgrade). He received his award there at the end of February. A. SABATTINI A busy year ahead The local government may Following the successful organ- have taken the decision, but the idea isation of previous mini-tournaments, came from orphans living at “Decje Mihajlovic: A great personality, the Romanian FA has been authorised by selo” (“Children’s Village”) in Sremska not just a footballer.

20 uefadirect 4.06 wherever I am, my heart will always be in Novi Sad. My parents and brother live here, which is another reason for my attachment to this place.” Talking about the “Decje selo” children, Mihajlovic added: “I am happy when I can help someone, particularly youngsters. “Decje selo” is part of me. I’ve never spoken about it because it hasn’t been neces- sary for our cooperation. People might think I’m doing so for public attention. But that’s not true; I’m a footballer and I am already in the spotlight. But as a person, I’m very sad when children are sad, when life is cruel to them. I’m proud when I visit them, when I play with them, or just talk with them. Now that our relationship is public knowledge, TFF I want to say thanks to them – for their New management for the Turkish FA. attention, smiles, nice words... We are one big family. I also hope that some Czech Republic received the fair play Kyiv. Having won the last two tourna- other important person will support this trophy. ments, the Kyiv team were defeated by project and that we can really do some- The TFF’s medical committee, the visiting Russian team on penalties this thing good for these youngsters.” under the leadership of its chairman, Dr time. The motto of the tournament is Finally, Mihajlovic said: Mehmet Binnet, participated in a sports “Replace minefields with football fields”. “As a player, I have won 14 medicine seminar in Azerbaijan last This event brings together people who trophies. As a person, this is my first. month. Turkish FA doctors gave advice have endured the horrors of war, mental And it’s bigger than all the rest com- to the Azebaijani national team doctors and physical anguish, but who are not bined. Now I can maybe think that I am and informed them about changes in broken by the experience. a good person.” sports medicine. Valeriy Nykonenko Sinisa Mihajlovic has five chil- Ilker Ugur dren – three sons and two daughters. But the “Decje selo” children are also like family to him. Aleksandar Boskovic UKRAINE Various competitions TURKEY At the beginning of February, the Ukrainian Under-16 team returned from Turkey as winners of the Aegean A new board Cup. It is the first such trophy in the Haluk Ulusoy was elected Ukrainian trophy cabinet. The team president of the Turkish FA for the third coached by Yuriy Kalitvitsev beat the time in a very close election campaign. Czech Republic 4-3 on penalties in the Ulusoy got 109 votes and Ayhan Bermek final. In the semi-final, the winners’ 102. Haluk Ulusoy is returning to the fate was also decided on penalties, president’s seat after an absence of with hosts Turkey being eliminated 18 months. by Ukraine. Kemal Kapulluoglu and Affan In February, the final M. Kececi become vice-presidents. The round of the sixth national stu- other members of the board are Rafet dents’ futsal championship was Kirgiz, Tahir Kiran, Süheyl Önen, Galip held in Kyiv. Sixteen universities Asal, Mehmet Kemal Ünsal, Ender competed for the title in a hard- Alkoçlar, Mustafa Urhan, Metehan Berk- fought contest. The students of the tas, Ibrahim Usta, Turan Özen, Cihangir Dnipropetrovsk state financial academy Onger and Erdal Batmaz. emerged as winners of the competition On the field of play, the Turk- and will now represent Ukraine in the ish FA has hosted the traditional Aegean students’ world futsal championship in Cup. In addition to the host nation, Poland in August. Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Nether- Within the framework of lands, Norway, Romania, Scotland and events dedicated to remembering mili- Ukraine took part. Ukraine won the final tary operations and the 17th anniversary against the Czech Republic on penal- of the Soviet troops’ withdrawal from ties. Turkey finished third by defeating Afghanistan, the third international fut- the Netherlands 2-1. Daley Blind was sal tournament for amputees took place declared the most valuable player and in Kyiv on 15 February. Four teams from The Ukrainian Sercan Yildirim of Turkey won the golden Ukraine and Russia took part. In the final, Under-16 coach, boot with his tally of four goals. The FC Olimpro Moscow met FC Salang FFU Yuriy Kalitvitsev.

21 The Latvian General secretary national Janis Mezeckis, team in their national team coach new strip. Jurijs Andrejevs and his assistant Vladimirs Serbins. ??????????????? LFF LFF

After hours of debate, LFF general 100 years of secretary Janis Mezeckis made a few suggestions. As a result, the group calendar for Latvia turned out to be Latvian football broadly similar to the one for EURO 2004, when Latvia went through to Activities galore the finals. The senior national team

THE SNOW IS STILL ON THE GROUND, BUT FOOTBALL IS ON THE UP will play their first and last qualifying IN LATVIA, WITH THE JUBILEE YEAR OF THE LATVIAN “LMT VIRSLIGA 2006” round matches against Sweden and four of the last five qualifying games DUE TO START ON 8 APRIL. will be away from home. Now Latvia The Latvian Football Fede- Platini is due to arrive to open a is seeking opponents for the free ration (LFF) is working hard to prepare three-day FIFA course in . The friendly match dates in the 2006/07 the 100th anniversary of football’s first course will cover discussions and deci- season. mention in the national media. In sion-making involving government addition to publishing the second vol- and media representatives, LFF partners Baltic Cup ume of the “Latvian Football History” and the LFF itself. Ministers of sport, LFF president Guntis Indrik- series, the LFF is organising its annual finance, education, culture and health sons has been appointed to the FIFA conference in Riga on 31 March. are invited, as well as other govern- Club World Cup Organising Com- Then, on 11 April, FIFA and UEFA ment representatives involved in the mittee for a second term. In the Executive Committee member Michel promotion of sport in Latvia. capacity of UEFA delegate, LFF general secretary Janis Mezeckis went to Five matches without defeat Kazakhstan to meet the country’s FA The country’s participation in EURO 2004 in Portugal After winning the King’s Cup in connection with the organisation of remains the benchmark for Latvian football. Vitalijs in Thailand on New Year’s Eve, the work and other issues. Also as a UEFA Astafjevs (left) in an aerial duel with Edgar Davids Latvian senior national team played delegate, Mezeckis played a part in of the Netherlands. the German Under-21 team. Their run the Barcelona v. Chelsea UEFA Champ- of success continued with a third win ions League match on 7 March. in a row and a fifth match without Apart from that, the LFF is proud of defeat. They had also received the the fact that Latvia is in fourth place new national strip from adidas, which in the UEFA fair play ranking. Other sports the colours of the Latvian flag recent news can now be found on (dark red and white). Striker Maris our website (www.lff.lv). Verpakovskis of Dynamo Kiev was the The general secretaries of all first to try out the new strip during the Baltic football federations met in training before the match against the Riga on 2 March to discuss the organ- German Under-21 side. isation of the Baltic Champion Clubs Cup. It was decided that the three top EURO 2008 qualifying round national league winners would meet calendar in the 2006 edition of the cup, and Just before the game in the regulations will be established soon Germany, there were robust discus- by a working group from the three sions to clarify the EURO 2008 qualify- countries.

EMPICS ing round calendar for Group F. Martins Hartmanis

22 uefadirect 4.06 UEFA

New publications 50 XPRONIA UEFA Communications The 50th anniversary of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup/Champions League Birthdays – Calendar has generated a number of publications, including a magazine by Greek journalist Manos Staramopoulos. Containing a preface by UEFA CEO Lars-Christer Olsson and lav- ishly illustrated, the publication provides a Many happy returns! history of the competition, details of all the finals, the top scorers, a selection of the Jacques Devismes (France), member of the ● Morgan Norman (Sweden, 22.4) best goals and players, plus all the results Technical Instructors panel, celebrates his 70th ● Martin Bodenham (England, 23.4) recorded by Greek teams. The UEFA Cup and birthday on 8 April. Meanwhile, Arie van ● Roland Tis (Belgium, 23.4) the Cup Winners’ Cup round off the maga- Eijden (Netherlands), member of the Club ● Mehmet S. Binnet (Turkey, 23.4) zine, which is published in Greek. (Manos Competitions Committee, turns 60 on 5 April. ● Roy Millar (Northern Ireland, 25.4) Staramopoulos. Fax: +30 – 21-993 67 24). Jean-Paul Houben (Belgium), member of the ● Ole Myhrvold (Norway, 25.4) Administrative Experts Panel, joins him at that ● Philippe Verbiest (Belgium, 25.4) WOODBRIDGE FOOTBALLS particular milestone on 14 April. Reaching the ● Daniel Ryser (Switzerland, 25.4) Anniversaries being the occasion for retro- half-century mark is Lennart Wangel (Finland), ● Alfred Sengle (Germany, 27.4) spectives or nostalgia, a limited series of member of the Youth & Amateur Football ● Jan Carlsen (Denmark, 27.4) hand-sewn footballs (and Committee, whose birthday is on 5 April. UEFA ● Henk van de Wetering (Netherlands, 27.4) rugby balls) from the 1930 would like to wish them all a happy birthday ● Alexander Tukmanov (Russia, 28.4) to 1950 period, based on and also extends birthday greetings to: ● Zdzislaw Krecina (Poland, 28.4) the manufacturing methods and know-how of John ● ● Gudmunder Ingi Jonsson (Iceland, 29.4) Carlo de Gaudio (Italy, 1.4) Woodbridge & Son, has ● Jan Peeters (Belgium, 2.4) ● Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (Portugal, 30.4) been put on the market to ● Kaj Østergaard (Denmark, 3.4) celebrate part of football’s colourful history. ● Dennis Cruise (Republic of Ireland, 3.4) (Distributed by [email protected]). ● Yoav Strauss (Israel, 3.4) Upcoming events ● Christian Kofoed (Denmark, 4.4) Communications ● Jan Ekstrand (Sweden, 5.4) Meetings ● William Attley (Republic of Ireland, 5.4) 6.4.2006, Luxembourg An extraordinary congress of the Hungarian FA ● Aleksandra Nikolovska (FYR Macedonia, 5.4) Draw for the final round of the 2005/06 has elected István Kisteleki as president of the ● Damir Matovinovic (Croatia, 6.4) European Under-17 Championship association, which has moved to: ● Isak Mikladal (Faroe Islands, 7.4) 7.4.2006, Nyon Kánai út 314/24 – HU-1112 Budapest – Hungary. ● James Fleeting (Scotland, 8.4) Stadium and Security Committee ● Zoran Petrovic (Serbia and 10.4.2006, Nyon Montenegro, 10.4) Draw for the UEFA Intertoto Cup Match agents ● Vlastibor Minarovjech jr (Slovakia, 10.4) ● Umberto Gandini (Italy, 11.4) 24.4.2006, Nyon Medical Committee The Licensed UEFA Match Agents Panel has ● Eduard Dervishi (Spain, 11.4) granted licences to two new agents: ● Rodger Gifford (Wales, 12.4) Competitions ● Viktor Derdo (Ukraine, 12.4) Francesco Moretti and Wolfgang Vöge 4-5.4.2006 ● Olí Holm (Faroe Islands, 15.4) Both have the same address: ● Georgios Bikas (Greece, 15.4) UEFA Champions League: quarter-finals International Football Management GmbH ● (return legs) Werner Hackmann (Germany, 17.4) Schaffhauserstrasse 2 ● 6.4.2006 Charles Schaack (Luxembourg, 17.4) CH-8401 Winterthur – Switzerland ● Peter Buckley (Republic of Ireland, 17.4) UEFA Cup: quarter-finals (return legs) ● Oguz Sarvan (Turkey, 18.4) 18-19.4.2006 Phone: +41-52 212 47 70 ● Jean Appietto (France, 20.4) UEFA Champions League: semi-finals Fax: +41-52 212 47 77 (first legs) ● George Frank (Israel, 20.4) [email protected] ● Jean-Luc Veuthey (Switzerland, 20.4) 20.4.2006 [email protected] ● Ronnie Lundqvist (Sweden, 20.4) UEFA Cup: semi-finals (first legs) ● Paolo Bergamo (Italy, 21.4) 25-26.4.2006 The panel has also renewed the licence ● Vitor M. Melo Pereira (Portugal, 21.4) UEFA Champions League: semi-finals of Stephen Da Costa (England) for eight ● Alexandru Burlac (Moldova, 21.4) (return legs) years. Agents Antonio Rosellini (Italy) and ● Patrick Fenech (Malta, 22.4) 27.4.2006 Johannes Korevaar (Netherlands), on the ● Jan Damgaard (Denmark, 22.4) UEFA Cup: semi-finals (return legs) other hand, have surrendered their licences.

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL Editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications and Public Affairs Division Editorial deadline: 14 March 2006 source is indicated. UEFA Route de Genève 46 Union des associations CH-1260 Nyon européennes de football Switzerland Phone +41 848 00 27 27 Fax +41 848 01 27 27 .com