UEFAdirect-77-Sept•E 19.8.2008 14:56 Page 1 9.08 First women’s title for Italy 03 End of a long wait for Germany’s U19 men 05 HatTrick II gets under way 08 Anti-doping measures at EURO 2008 1011 No 58 – Février 2007 77 September 2008 UEFAdirect-77-Sept•E 19.8.2008 14:56 Page 2 Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president A change that heralds more to come After 14 seasons, the UEFA Intertoto Cup has reached the end of the road. The discontinuation of this traditional season opener heralds changes that will be introduced next year, in particular the new UEFA Champions League format, which makes the competition accessible to clubs from a greater number of national associations. Combined with automatic UEFA Champions League qualification for three clubs from each of the top three associations in UEFA’s rankings, this change will also affect the domestic championships that are getting under way for another season. As you know, widening the door to the UEFA Champions League was one of the main objectives of my election manifesto, so, naturally, I am very pleased that it has been achieved so soon. This could not have been done so smoothly and quickly without the cooperation of the clubs, who were willing to discuss and IN THIS ISSUE seek solutions with us. First women’s title I thank them for this positive attitude, which football needs to maintain for Italy 03 its extraordinary popularity and vigour. Other important subjects remain on the agenda Germany win the and I am counting on this willingness continuing so that, by coming together men’s U19 Championship 05 around the same table, mutually suitable and acceptable solutions can be found for New step forward for the club all these important issues, such as sorting out the financial situation of the clubs. licensing system 07 As we embark on a new UEFA club competition season, let us remember HatTrick programme moves how EURO 2008 captivated football fans in June. It is this spirit that I would like to into its second period 08 carry into the new season, with a focus on attacking and entertaining play, but at the Anti-doping measures at EURO 2008 10 same time respecting the rules, the referees, opponents and the fans, who deserve Artemio Franchi memorial exciting, top-quality matches in return for their loyal support. match in Florence 15 News from member associations 16 Michel Platini COVER UEFA President Germany had been waiting for a youth football title since 1992. Now it is in the bag, after winning the U19 Championship in the Czech Republic. Photo: Sabattini 02 uefadirect 9.08 UEFAdirect-77-Sept•E 19.8.2008 14:56 Page 3 European Women’s Under-19 Championship FirstFirst women’swomen’s titletitle forfor ItalyItaly Sportsfile AFTER FINISHING TWICE AS RUNNERS-UP IN THE SENIOR EUROPEAN WOMEN’S vent them finishing top of Group A. The runners-up spot went to Norway CHAMPIONSHIP, ITALY FINALLY WON THEIR FIRST WOMEN’S TITLE AS THEIR UNDER-19 thanks to their result against France, SIDE EMERGED VICTORIOUS IN TOURS (FRANCE) ON 19 JULY. who needed to win the match in order to qualify. The Norwegians managed It was the first time the Ital- Corrado Corradini. “We hope this vic- to open the score, but could not stop ians had reached the final of the Euro- tory will help women’s football in Italy. their opponents from equalising in the pean Women’s Under-19 Champion- I hope soon we can have professional second half. However, they valiantly ship and they made the most of the women’s teams in Italy.” held out under French pressure to opportunity by beating Norway secure the draw they needed to go thanks to a second-half penalty con- Easy qualification through. verted by Alice Parisi. The victory Italy actually finished was deserved, even in the opinion the tournament just as they Germans true to form of Norwegian coach Jarl Torkse: had started it, as they had In Group B, Germany, win- “I don’t think we created one beaten Norway by the same ners of the previous two editions of chance. How can you win like that? scoreline, 1-0, in their open- the European Women’s Under-19 All credit to the Italian team as they ing match. A win over tournament Championship, lived up to their role deserved to win, definitely.” hosts France then guaranteed them a as favourites by beating England in “We’ve worked hard for place in the semi-finals after just two their first match, but were then held three years and we’ve been improving games and even their defeat to Spain to a draw by Sweden. They took their all the time,” said Italian coach in the final group match could not pre- revenge on Scotland, beating them 03 UEFAdirect-77-Sept•E 19.8.2008 14:56 Page 4 Sweden Germany’s Spain’s (Emmelie Josephine Henning Melanie Konradsson) tries to get past Serrano got as far Norway’s Ingvild tries to get as the Landvik Isaksen but the ball semi-finals. it was Norway that off France’s had the final say Gwenaëlle in the semi-finals. Butel. tournament, which was played in the is going to be our day’ – and it Loire region of France from 7 to 19 was,” said a delighted Jarl Torske, July, was undoubtedly the semi-final while his German counterpart Maren between the reigning champions and Meinert lamented: “We were on Norway, a match that was broadcast top for 120 minutes but anything can convincingly in their last group match. live by Eurosport, along with the final. happen in a knockout game… Behind the holders, Sweden deservedly The Germans maybe found it all too Maybe we were not fresh enough in took second place after easy at the start of the match against extra time.” defeating Scotland and a nervous Norwegian side, taking the The first semi-final, mean- drawing with England lead in the opening minutes. while, was a stroll in the park for Italy, to add to the point However, a defensive mis- who made short work of Sweden, they had won against take exploited by Norway’s Elise Enget opening the score at the end of the Germany. seemed to knock the Germans out first half before adding three more of their stride and gave new confi- goals in the second period. Contrasting semi-finals dence to the Scandinavians, who The end of Germany’s domi- One of the had adopted a more attack-minded nation of this competition will no highlights of this attitude. As they had already done doubt help to strengthen the ambi- against France, they managed to tions of their rivals in the next edition, hold their nerve as the Ger- which will start in September for 44 mans dominated the latter of the 46 teams involved. Twenty- stages, reaching the end three countries will go through to the of extra time without second round, where they will be conceding again before joined by Germany, who have quali- winning the subsequent fied automatically. The seven best penalty competition. teams will travel to Belarus next sum- “During the penal- mer to contest the European crown ties, I thought ‘this alongside the host nation. Results Group A 07.07 Italy – Norway 1-0 07.07 France – Spain 1-0 10.07 Spain – Norway 1-2 Norway’s 10.07 France – Italy 1-3 Ingrid Ryland 13.07 Norway – France 1-1 (in red) 13.07 Spain – Italy 3-0 against Italy’s Eleonora Bussu in the Group B final. 07.07 Sweden – Scotland 2-1 07.07 Germany – England 2-0 10.07 Sweden – Germany 1-1 10.07 Scotland – England 1-3 13.07 England – Sweden 1-1 13.07 Scotland – Germany 0-7 Semi-finals 16.07 Italy – Sweden 4-0 16.07 Germany – Norway 1-1** ** 4-2 after penalties Final Photos: Sportsfile 19.07 Italy – Norway 1-0 The fair play trophy was won by Scotland, who topped the rankings ahead of France. 04 uefadirect 9.08 UEFAdirect-77-Sept•E 19.8.2008 14:56 Page 5 Germany’s Hungary’s Germany’s Savio Nsereko Vladimir Richard goes to Koman Sukuta-Pasu tackle the beats Italy’s scores the Czech Fernando second goal Republic’s Forestieri of the final. Lukas to the ball Marecek. in the semi-finals. Sportsfile Sportsfile Sabattini the tournament. This was a worthy final, with the drama of the yellow and European red cards and the late goal for the Ital- ians, but my players really fought for the title. They really showed how much they wanted to win today, and that gives me Under-19 a lot of pride,” said a delighted Hrubesch, who was famous for his aerial prowess as a player. Italian coach Francesco Rocca Championship was not so pleased: “I’m not happy of Germany’s youngsters course, because we didn’t play the way I wanted to – we just weren’t really on our end long barren spell game tonight at any point. Germany were better than us, and that’s a big WITH A 3-1 WIN OVER ITALY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, THE GERMAN regret – we played against ten players UNDER-19 TEAM WON THEIR COUNTRY’S FIRST UEFA YOUTH TITLE SINCE for a long time but we never really got into the match. Congratulations to THE 1992 EUROPEAN UNDER-16 TOURNAMENT. Germany because they were better tonight but we could have played a lot “This victory means a lot for 78th minute through Silvano Raggio.