3.03 including Coach educators inin thethe AlgarveAlgarve 03 ItalyItaly crownedcrowned European Futsal champions 05 Online accreditation 11 Unite against racism 12 no. 12 – no. march 2003 12 COVER IN THIS ISSUE Anti-racism conference FC Barcelona’s string of wins Coach educators’ course in the Algarve 03 in London 12 in the UEFA Champions League has EURO 2004 match calendar 14 Italy sail through in Futsal 05 taken them through to the quarter- News from finals. (Javier Saviola, left, and Assault or unsporting behaviour? 09 Gamarra in the FC Barcelona vs member associations 16 Internazionale match.) Online accreditation 11 Announcements 23 PHOTO: ALBERTO LINGRIA a tasteeditorial of EURO The first European title of the year has just been bestowed on Italy, who won the 3rd European Futsal Championship in a tournament that they also hosted. Next it will be the turn of the youth players in both the men’s (Under-17 and Under-19) and women’s categories (Under-19) to compete for European honours from May to July, when the final rounds of their European champion- ships will be taking place. At senior level, however, the players only have European club competition medals to contend for this year. The national teams are not dormant though. At the end of March, the UEFA EURO 2004 qualifiers move into their criti- cal phase and, come autumn, the 15 teams who will join hosts Portugal in the final round next year will be known. There could be a lot of drama to come. I am happy to report that with UEFA EURO 2004 only 15 months away, preparations are well advanced, and EURO 2004, SA, the joint operation set up by UEFA and the Portuguese Football Federation, is running at full speed. Work on the stadiums is progressing at a good rate and all the other elements needed to guarantee a successful event are gradually being put into place, from the broadcasting of the matches to arrangements for taking care of the supporters and ticket sales. On the commercial front, almost all the sponsorship contracts have been signed, the tournament logo was presented last year and the mascot will soon be unveiled too. Ambassadors – famous names from Portuguese football: Eusebio, Figo and Hugo Viana – have also been appointed to help promote the tournament. In another important step, the match calendar for the tournament has just been established, breaking new ground by scheduling the four quarter-finals over as many days. The event might be over a year away but, just as spring arrives in the air, the scent of UEFA EURO 2004 is starting to tickle the fans’ taste buds and that foretaste will certainly be heightened by the excitement of the forthcoming qualifying matches. It promises to be a great summer of football in Portugal next year and we wish all our member associations well in their forthcoming qualifying matches. Vive o 2004! Gerhard Aigner Chief Executive Come autumn, Portugal (Armando Teixeira) will know who will be joining them for the EURO 2004 finals. EMPICS we care about football 02 uefadirect 3.03 UEFA course for coach the art of teachingeducators talents The coach educators in the classroom. UEFA THE 13TH COURSE FOR COACH EDUCATORS, ORGANISED BY UEFA'S FOOTBALL – the many successes of the Portu- DEVELOPMENT DIVISION IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE PORTUGUESE guese youth teams speak volu- mes in this connection, and the FOOTBALL FEDERATION, TOOK PLACE IN VILAMOURA, PORTUGAL FROM Portuguese youth development pro- 10 TO 14 FEBRUARY 2003. gramme has a first-rate reputation. The course participants received During four days, prominent part – the finale – will be the EURO an insight into this programme speakers and personalities, including 2004 final round itself. When the first through the Portuguese contribu- members of UEFA's Technical match in EURO 2004 kicks off, tions by Portugal's current Under-20 Development Committee and Jira the art of our game will experience head coach, Rui Caç,ador, and Project Panel, gathered together with another highlight. current Manchester United first- coach educators from all 52 UEFA The art of the game is also team coach, former coach of member associations and representa- reflected in the design of these the Portuguese national team and tives of the continental confederations courses for coach educators. former youth world champion, in Vilamoura, in the vicinity of the The theme of Act III of “The Art Carlos Queiroz. Faro/Loulé EURO 2004 stadium. of Football” – following on from Act I This event was part of a trilogy. in Coverciano in 2001 and Act II Interesting contributions The second part will follow from in Barcelona in 2002 – was the educa- Other renowned speakers 7 to 17 May this year, when the tion and teaching of talents and contributed to what was an excel- European Under-17 Championship how this transfers into coach educa- lent opportunity to review this is played in Portugal, in the regions tion. It seemed such an obvious important field of development. of Viseu and Vila Real. The third idea to address this topic in Portugal Willi Ruttensteiner (Technical Demonstrations Group work on the field. favours exchanges of views. UEFA UEFA Director of the Austrian FA) and his colleague Gerhard Hitzel (Coach Education Director) shed light on the new Austrian talent development programme “Challenge 2008” and its impact on coach education. The role of an academy coach was the topic addressed by Ipswich Town Academy Director Bryan Klug. The two contributions by fitness specialist Roger Spry on “Fluid Movement” and “Creative Technique” also generated considerable interest. In his presentations, UEFA Technical Director Andy Roxburgh took up the keynote theme of this event, “Teaching Talents”. In another presentation he also gave an update on the art of reading the game. A busy agenda It was a busy agenda, split into theoretical presentations, practical sessions and finally also discussion groups, to give the participants the opportunity to voice opinions regarding the keynote theme of this event. The discussions logically focused on the education of young prospects and the teaching of future youth coaches, who will provide youngsters with the essential knowledge they need to become tomorrow's stars. In conclusion, the course participants agreed that a youth coach should not only be a role model but also an expert in his domain. He should preferably be a former player and he should have a wide range of skills, encompassing communication, analysis, organi- sation, leadership and motivation. Next year's edition of the Coach Educators' Course will most probably again take place in February. The exact date and venue will be fixed at a later stage. Carlos Queiroz (left), currently with Manchester United, meets up again with Roger Spry, UEFA with whom he worked in Portugal. 04 uefadirect 3.03 A scene from The finalists the final shake in front of hands. the Ukrainian goal. UEFA UEFA UEFA Spain is now on a level par with the Brazilians and other countries UEFA European are reaching the same standard as Spain. This just shows what progress is being made in Europe. FutsalItaly Championship sail through Portugal is the country which plays in a style most similar to ours. So I hope we end up with THE FINAL ROUND OF THE 3RD EUROPEAN FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP a Spain vs Portugal final!” WAS HELD IN CASERTA AND AVERSA NEAR NAPLES, ITALY, As the tournament pro- gressed, however, it was clear this was FROM 17 TO 24 FEBRUARY. THE SEVEN WINNERS OF THE MINI-TOURNAMENTS not to be the case, with Portugal fail- HELD LAST NOVEMBER JOINED HOSTS ITALY IN THE FINALS. ing to qualify for the semi-final stage The eight finalists were divided Group A into two groups of four and the matches were played at the 6,500-capacity Aversa 17.02.03 Czech Republic – Russia 2-1 Palamaggio Hall in Caserta and Aversa 17.02.03 Italy – Slovenia 2-1 the 1,500-seater Palazzo dello Sport Caserta 18.02.03 Slovenia – Russia 3-4 in Aversa. Caserta 18.02.03 Italy – Czech Republic 5-1 Aversa 20.02.03 Russia – Italy 0-1 The tournament got off to an Caserta 20.02.03 Slovenia – Czech Republic 3-8 exciting start with the Belgium vs Ukraine encounter in Caserta finishing Played W D L F A Points 7-2 in favour of the Ukrainians, who, Italy3 300 829 right from the start, proved they were Czech Republic 3 2011196 to be a Futsal force to be reckoned with. Russia 3 1 0 2 5 6 3 Italy's opening game against Slovenia 3 0 0 3 7 14 0 debutants Slovenia was cheered on by a packed Aversa arena, and the Group B Italians ran out 2-1 winners, despite Caserta 17.02.03 Belgium – Ukraine 2-7 going behind in the fifth minute. Caserta 17.02.03 Spain – Portugal 3-3 UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner Aversa 18.02.03 Portugal – Ukraine 4-7 was present to witness the opening Aversa 18.02.03 Spain – Belgium 1-1 game in each group. “It has been Aversa 20.02.03 Ukraine – Spain 0-3 a pleasure to see the enthusiasm Caserta 20.02.03 Portugal – Belgium 3-2 of the Italian public here in Caserta Played W D L F A Points and Aversa, and this only serves Ukraine3 2011496 to prove the popularity of this exciting Spain 3 1 2 0 7 4 5 and skilful game, which UEFA conti- Portugal3 11110124 nues to develop and support”, he said. Belgium 3 0 1 2 5 11 1 Portugal held titleholders Spain to a 3-3 draw in their opening game Semi-finals in Group B, which prompted Spanish Caserta 22.02.03 Italy – Spain 2-1 coach Javier Lozano to remark after Caserta 22.02.03 Ukraine – Czech Republic 5-1 the game on the improving standard of Futsal among European nations.