7.02 Review of the World Cup 03 European Leagues’ share of the revenue 07 Disciplinary cases on the increase 12 New UEFA Champions League format 15 no. 04 – july 2002 COVER IN THIS ISSUE Disciplinary cases and appeals 12 Germany turned out to be the best World Cup 03 New UEFA Champions European team in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but they Leagues’ revenue 07 League format 15 could not stop Brazil from winning their UEFA Champions League News from fifth world title, despite the best 08 member associations 18 efforts of Miroslav Klose, who here is in the East outmanoeuvring Brazil’s Roque Junior. Meridian Project 11 Calendar 23 PHOTO: EMPICS confirmationeditorial and questions The World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan, involved two of the most respected teams in world football, despite repeated upsets to the favourites from the opening match onwards. The fact that known quantities ultimately reached the final should not lull us into underestimating the lessons to be learned from this first World Cup to be played on Asian soil. Without going into detail or drawing peremptory conclu- sions, we can still say that, while it confirmed a gratifying trend, the tournament in Japan and Korea also raised many questions. It confirmed that football has become a truly global affair and that standards outside the traditional continents have definitely improved. The results achieved by the host nations, and by South Korea in particular, are certainly due in part to them having the home advantage, but, most of all, the quality of play displayed by these teams is clear proof that the efforts undertaken in recent years to improve standards of play, often under the guidance of European coaches, have well and truly paid off. The number of surprises thrown up by the competition should leave us to reflect on possibles causes. A congested calen- dar which left many star players tired when it came to the World Cup? A real levelling out in terms of quality? Mental exhaustion on the part of players who are so used to major competitions that they were unable to drum up special motivation for the World Cup? Refereeing, and in particular the problems encountered with the assistant referees? All these questions, and more besides, need to be discussed by all interested parties. However, it would be wrong to suggest that the tournament asks serious questions about European participation, technical abililty or standards. Indeed in some respects, most notably refereeing, it confirmed the importance of our framework. Nethertheless, there is a healthy debate to be had in Europe about the challenges ahead and the importance of developing an approach which gives the right balance to club and national team football and takes seriously the development of the star players of tomorrow. Gerhard Aigner Chief Executive Kim (foreground) shows that Korea were RICHIARDI not phased when faced with European opponents. we care about football 02 uefadirect 7.02 revolution meetsWorld with traditionCup The closing ceremony in Yokohama. AFP AT THE END OF A WORLD CUP WHICH PROVOKED MANY DISCUSSIONS the shoulders of Bebeto and Romario, ABOUT THE REFEREEING (WHICH WILL BE DEALT WITH IN THE NEXT ISSUE), within a team of many ball winners (Dunga, Mazinho and Mauro Silva). THE BEST TEAM WON. BRAZIL WON THEIR FIFTH WORLD CUP, THANKS To provide an outlet for all his ABOVE ALL TO THEIR SKILLS IN ATTACK. striking potential, Scolari actually did something revolutionary and, for the Luis Felipe Scolari, who is nor- denying that victory was bestowed first time in history, Brazil played with mally renowned for his down-to-earth on the team that sought it the most. three men in defence! A break in tra- nature, has adopted the philosophy of The re- dition which turned his famous predecessor, Vicente Feola placement of Jun- out to be more (World Cup winning coach of the inho with the ex- advantageous than “Auriverde” in 1958): “The first thing cellent Kleberson Lazaroni’s innova- I do when I have to select my team is (as good at retriev- tion in 1990 with to line up all my best players. Then ing as he is at creating – unquestion- the use of a libero (Mauro Galvão). I think about how to get them to play ably one of the revelations of this World They may not have enthralled together.” Applying this rule, “Felipão” Cup) for the last three matches does as in 1970, but Brazil still created put six real attacking players onto the not change the analysis. Scolari never many opportunities, and the technical field for the first four matches: the played defensively. Even when Brazil skill of their players in retaining the three strikers, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and were leading 1-0 in the semi-final, he ball ensured that they were never Ronaldinho, the number 10, Juninho did not give up his three strikers, sub- really in danger, even in the quarter- Paulista, as well as the backstage stituting Edilson and Ronaldo by Denil- final against England, when they players Cafu and Roberto Carlos, who son and Luizão. In terms of spirit and had to play 10 against 11 for almost often played as wingers. If, on top of entertainment, the current world cham- all the second half. that, you count that two of the three pions are far removed from the Brazil At the end of the day, individ- defenders, Edmilson and Lucio, are which won the World Cup in 1994, ual talent made the difference, start- quick to join the attack, there is no when all the attacking efforts rested on ing with Ronaldo, who scored eight Ronaldo’s first goal in the final. Three finals in a row BONGARTS and two trophies for captain Cafu. goals, including two in the final, Valiant finalists despite not yet being as fast as he used Germany also deserve credit. to be. Something of a fairy story, after Before the start of the competition, four years of anguish, which started the bookmakers were offering odds of during the 1998 World Cup in France. 100-1 for Rudi’s Voeller’s men to reach Rivaldo was also an indisputable asset, the final. What a far cry from the time despite his tendency to simulate. when England’s gentleman striker His goal against Belgium in the first Gary Lineker described football as knock-out round was fabulous and, as “a game of 11 against 11 in which the well as the five goals he scored himself, Germans always win!” he was instrumental in the two goals It is true that Germany hardly in the final. Then there is Ronaldinho, looked in top form. Defeated by Eng- whose technical ease and vision land 5-1 at home, they had to contest of the game were a dream to behold. the play-offs to earn a place in the At just 22 years of age, he has quite a finals. And even before the tournament future ahead of him. Apart from got under way, they had to pull out those three outstanding individuals, three of their best players, Nowotny, there was Roberto Carlos, with his goal Scholl and Deisler, because of injury. against China, dangerous shots and And yet, the coach was confident, lightning sprints, adding to the theory firmly believing that a real team had that the “R factor” was crucial to the come together right at the moment of Brazilian victory. the play-off matches against Ukraine. He was right. While their foot- ball was not spectacular, the Germans displayed great solidity and team spirit every step of the way. A few individuals also stood out, like Kahn, the first RICHIARDI BONGARTS A scene from the final. 04 uefadirect 7.02 FLASH PRESS BONGARTS FLASH PRESS FLASH PRESS goalkeeper to be named best player that for some years now top Turkish a real centre forward in his line-up, the of the tournament, Schneider, Klose players have been readily going abroad Batavian coach favoured extremely fast (especially in the first half of the tourna- to play. Their experience of difficult one-two play with his versatile players. ment), Neuville (in the second stage) European championships has definitely Their opponents never knew what to and Ballack, who scored in the quarter- borne fruit. Though the expected stars expect. And it is not by chance that In- final and semi-final but was suspended like Bastürk and Hakan Sükür did not ternet users elected South Korea as the for the final itself. There is no doubt really shine, others, like Rüstü, Emre most entertaining team of the compe- that Germany will be a force to be and Hasan Sas had an excellent tourna- tition by an overwhelming majority. reckoned with in four years’ time when ment. But it was the team as a whole Senegal, appearing in the they host the World Cup. who won everyone over with their tech- World Cup finals for the first time ever, nical play, on-the-ground passing com- clearly enjoyed themselves on the field Revelations bined with brilliant forward runs. and were delightfully refreshing to Taking part in the World Cup Even if South Korea were given watch. Their exploits in the opening finals for the second time only (their an advantage by the refereeing, notably match against France will go down in first appearance was as long ago as against Italy and particularly against history in the same chapter as 1954), Turkey were attractive and well Spain, the progress achieved by the Cameroon’s victory over Argentina in worthy of third place. The clear progress best Asian nation under the leadership the 1990 finals.