No. 177 WELCOME TO KYIV! Ukraine hosts the Champions League finals No.177 • May 2018 No.177 THE TECHNICIAN INTERVIEW #EQUALGAME Michael O’Neill and the Grigoriy Surkis, Turning lives around Northern Ireland miracle UEFA vice-president in the Netherlands EDITORIAL ALL EYES ON THE FINALS here is always a sense of anticipation place in England between 4 and 20 May and in May as the club seasons reach their will give us a chance to gain deeper insight T climax and the first of the summer’s into the terrific youth development work that youth tournaments kick off. The FA have been doing, along with another We are delighted to be returning to Kyiv opportunity to congratulate them on their for the men’s and women’s Champions League incredible recent run of success. finals, with great memories of EURO 2012 Tournaments at this level are all about still fresh in our minds. The stunning NSC equipping young players with the experience, Olim piyskiy Stadium hosted the final that year, knowledge and tools they will need to succeed and it will be a pleasure to be back there, this at the top, but there is nothing like lifting a time to see the European club champions trophy to craft a winning mentality. crowned. This season has produced so much Lithuania will host the women’s event from drama and excitement already, and the eyes 9 to 21 May. It is the first time a Lithuanian of the world will be on Kyiv to see the final women’s team competes in a UEFA final twists and turns. tournament and we wish them the best One abiding memory of Kyiv in 2012 was of luck. As with the Women’s Champions the carnival atmosphere in the city throughout League final in Kyiv, we hope that staging the tournament, notably at the packed fan the tournament will have a lasting impact on zone on Independence Square. With the women’s football in the country long after UEFA Women’s Champions League final taking the tournament. Hosting events like these centre stage on 24 May and the Champions raises awareness and generates interest in Festival keeping fans entertained throughout the sport, ultimately encouraging more the build-up to the men’s final, Kyiv will youngsters to become involved. no doubt rise to the occasion once again. Whether you are in Kyiv, Lyon, Rotherham The same can be expected of UEFA Europa or Marijampolė, or following events from afar, League host city Lyon. Those fortunate enough I am sure you will enjoy the action! to have attended a match at the breathtaking Stade de Lyon during EURO 2016 will know we are in for a treat on 16 May. At the fan zones in both host cities, children will have the chance to get in on the action, with the emphasis on #EqualGame and access for all as we highlight that football truly is for everyone. Before that though, we will be taking a glimpse at Europe’s footballing future at the men’s and women’s European Under-17 Theodore Theodoridis Championships. The men’s event will take UEFA General Secretary UEFA DIRECT • May 2018 – 03 CONTENTS 8 UEFA Official publication of the Union of European Football Associations Chief editor: 16 LFF Emmanuel Deconche Deputy chief editor: Dominique Maurer Chief writer: IN THIS ISSUE Mark Chaplin External contributors: Yuri Maznychenko, FFU (pages 6-7) 6 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 16 UNDER-17 FINAL Stéphane Lanoué, FFF (page 13) FINALS TOURNAMENTS Emily Liles, The FA (page 16) All the stops are being pulled out in England are ready and set to host the Gareth Maher, FAI (pages 26-27) Kyiv to stage the men’s and women’s European Under-17 Championship finals Hjalte Bøgeskov Christensen, DBU (page 40) in May, while Lithuania are primed to Diego Antenozio, FIGC (page 41) Champions League finals. Andreas Høj, DBU (page 40 – sidebar) welcome the Women’s Under-17 final 8 INTERVIEW WITH tournament. Translations: UEFA Language Services GRIGORIY SURKIS UEFA vice-president Grigoriy Surkis 18 #EQUALGAME Production: shares his vision of football. After coming out of prison in the Touchline Netherlands, Jules found a way out through football that also Printing: 13 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE benefits others. Artgraphic Cavin, Lyon and the Stade de Lyon are geared CH-1422 Grandson up for the final. 26 INCLUSION Editorial deadline: 10 April 2018 14 CLUB COMPETITIONS Football is accessible to everyone in the Republic of Ireland. FINE-TUNED Cover photo: Getty Images The Champions League and Europa League regulations undergo some 28 UEFA GROW changes for the new three-year cycle Engagement is a must for national starting in 2018/19. associations. 04 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2018 CONTENTS UEFA 18 34 Getty Images 30 EDUCATION The UEFA Certificate in Football Management is going from strength to strength. 34 THE TECHNICIAN Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill reflects on the task of helping one of Europe’s smaller nations rise up the rankings. 40 NEWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS Sportsfile 26 UEFA DIRECT • May 2018 – 05 2 December 2017. The Champions League trophies are handed over in Kyiv by final ambassadors Iya Andrushchak and Andriy Shevchenko, pictured here with the president of the Football Federation of Ukraine, Andriy Pavelko, and the city’s mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko. FFU/ Pavlo Kubanov 2018 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALS: THE ROAD TO KYIV At the end of May, the Ukrainian capital will be the focal point for European football, hosting both the men’s and women’s Champions League finals. n addition to the two club competition finals, Accommodation is also required for 40,000 Kyiv is hosting a meeting of the Executive or so of the fans travelling to Kyiv to follow ICommittee on 24 May. That same evening, the action from the stands. the 2018 UEFA Women’s Champions League As seen during EURO 2012, when many fans final will take place at the Valeriy Lobanovsky stayed in the dorms of Kyiv, Donetsk, Lviv and Dynamo Stadium, kicking off at 19.00 local Kharkiv universities, dormitory accommodation time. Then, at 21.45 on Saturday 26 May, could be an attractive option for supporters the UEFA Champions League final will kick looking for cheap rooms. off at NSC Olimpiyskiy to conclude the 63rd season of Europe’s premier men’s club football Transport and mobility competition – and the first in which Ukraine Two airports are teaming up to accommodate has hosted the grand finale. all these guests and fans travelling to Ukraine, As would be expected for events of this Boryspil the landing point for the majority of calibre, intensive preparations are under fans and Kyiv receiving charter flights. About way in the Ukrainian capital to ensure an Many organisational meetings 130 charter flights are expected to arrive in unforgettable, enjoyable experience for all have taken place in Kyiv. Kyiv on the day of the final. the fans and everyone else visiting the city for the different events. Accommodation UEFA’s flagship club competition finals have given a fresh boost to the hotel industry in Kyiv, on account of the great number of fans planning to travel to the city from all over Europe and beyond. Some 4,500 rooms are required for staff, sponsors and VIP guests alone, while the teams have been offered accommodation right by the stadiums for maximum convenience and ease of access. FFU/ Pavlo Kubanov 06 – UEFA DIRECT • May 2018 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE A second terminal has been opened at Boryspil International Airport to segregate the supporters of the two finalist teams. Tickets Tickets for the men’s final were sold exclusively on UEFA.com, with fans able to apply for tickets from 15 to 22 March. Where demand for tickets in a certain category exceeded supply, the applicants were entered in a draw, and all were informed of the results by 6 April at the latest. Tickets for the UEFA Women’s Champions League final are available on esport.in.ua, the website of the Football kbp.aero Federation of Ukraine’s ticketing partner. A second terminal will be brought into the Klitschko brothers. This year UEFA Choice ambassadors operation at Boryspil so that the fans plans to invite more big names than ever The ambassador for the UEFA Women’s of the two Champions League finalists and organise an entire mini-tournament on Champions League final, Iya Andrushchak, can be segregated, and airports the pitch set up on Khreshchatyk Street. hopes the showpiece in Kyiv will prove an elsewhere in Ukraine will be called on inspiration for women’s football in Ukraine. to accommodate planes on standby, Volunteer assistance Having played in this competition for to ensure a smooth flow of passengers and steward training FC Legenda Chernigiv, WFC Kharkiv and in and out of the country. Almost 550 volunteers have been recruited WFC Zvezda-2005, the 31-year-old Buses will run from Boryspil airport to to assist with the two finals. They will be Ukrainian international knows that a taste the city centre, where fans will be taken assigned – on the basis of their interviews of the top leaves you coming back for to dedicated meeting points – one at and experience – to various different areas more. She says: “Hosting a final like this Shevchenko Park, and the other on the of operation, such as accreditation, in our country could be a turning point square in front of the Palats Ukrayina hospitality, media operations, ticketing, for the development of women’s football metro station. Both meeting points will venue management, social responsibility, in Ukraine. I hope this event attracts provide luggage storage facilities, toilets, spectator services and more.