No.

10 9 – 06-07/2011

Finale time

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 2

In this issue
Festival of football in London 4
Football fans were spoilt for choice during the
week leading up to the UEFA Champions League
final with a host of activities in connection with

Sportsfile
UEFA Grassroots Day.

First European title

for Olympique Lyonnais 6
Beaten by 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in last
year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League

Sportsfile
final, Olympique Lyonnais turned the tables at
this season’s final in London to win their first
European title.

FC Barcelona show how it is done 7

The 2010/11 UEFA Champions League concluded
with a dream final won by FC Barcelona against

Sportsfile
Manchester United FC.

FC Porto win in Dublin 8

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL FC Porto returned to the top drawer of Euro-
pean football by beating SC Braga in the all-

Sportsfile
Official publication of the
Union des associations Portuguese UEFA Europa League final in Dublin.
européennes de football

Chief editor :
André Vieli
News from member associations 15
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Printing :
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Editorial deadline : 17 June 2011 The UEFA·technician contains an interview with the Australian
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The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the
official views of UEFA. feature of UEFA Pro licence education.
The reproduction of articles published in UEFA·direct is authorised,
provided the source is indicated.
The UEFA European Under-17 Championship
UEFA technical report analyses the final round that
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Cover
Back on the pitch after recent surgery, Eric Abidal celebrates
winning the most coveted club competition trophy.
Photo: Getty Images

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

Editorial
Surtitre 3

A wonderful
advertisement

UEFA
I t is extremely rare for everyone to be unanimous about
an event, especially about its success. For that reason
alone, the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley
were also the order of the day, nor the final of the UEFA
Women’s Champions League, where the players
of Olympique Lyonnais and 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
on 28 May between FC Barcelona and Manchester proved that women’s football can also win over the
United FC is worthy of further mention. masses with its freshness and technical qualities.

That evening, everything came together to produce a Events like these are what makes football magic.
perfect occasion that was enjoyed by all – the teams,
their fans, the tens of thousands of spectators in the
stadium and the millions of TV viewers elsewhere. The
stadium itself was the first factor: a pitch in perfect con-
dition, allowing highly skilful, precise play in a setting
made both mythical by the great matches it has hosted Michel Platini
and bold by its new architectural form. UEFA President

Then there were the finalists, who lived up to their rep-

utations and glorious pasts by going out to attack and
adopting an exemplary attitude, despite the enormity
of what was at stake. While Barcelona demonstrated
the art of combining teamwork and individual brilliance,
Manchester United responded with the quality required
to make this final such an outstanding match. The sup-
porters of both clubs were as one, adding a festive and
colourful character to a general atmosphere of fair play
and respect. There were no incidents and no security
problems – in short, it was a dream for all football fans
and a fabulous advertisement for our game.

I cannot mention the UEFA Champions League final

without also mentioning the UEFA Europa League final
in Dublin, where fair play and a good atmosphere

UEFA•direct | 06-07.11

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

4 Ahead of the UEFA Champions League final

An eight-day
celebration of football
The UEFA Champions League final at Wembley between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC
was the culmination of eight days of activities in London showcasing UEFA’s involvement at all levels of
the game. The Catalan side rounded off the week with a scintillating display to claim their fourth
European champion clubs cup, but three days earlier it was the grassroots game that took centre stage.

T hough Wednesday 25 May was UEFA Grassroots

Day, there were celebrations throughout the week to
mark the occasion. All of UEFA’s member associations
people are encouraged to try things. It’s about trying to
maximise improvement and getting the best out of your
ability whatever that level is.”
came together to celebrate a day which aims to high-
light the importance of tending to the grassroots if the The UEFA Champions Festival kicked off the Satur-
elite game is to flourish. day before the big match at Wembley with the UEFA
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) was one of the Champions League final ambassador, Gary Lineker, and
first to commemorate Grassroots Day with their come- Graeme Le Saux, his UEFA Champions Festival counter-
and-try day in the build-up to the Scottish Cup final part, cutting the ribbon to begin the week-long celebra-
between Celtic FC and Motherwell FC on 21 May. tion of football.
Other events included Open Fun Football School (OFFS) “The festival is about community and interacting with
activities in Ukraine, fun football and street football for the city where UEFA is hosting the Champions League
marginal groups in Slovenia and a girls’ football day in final,” reflected Le Saux. “Grassroots is a huge part
Liechtenstein. of that because it’s about getting young people involved
in football and feeling like doors are open for them to
Champions Festival get involved. As a player you always have to remember
The UEFA Champions Festival, an eight-day celebra- how you felt when you were a young boy growing up
tion of football staged in the same city that is hosting and wanting to be a football player.”
the UEFA Champions League final, was this year held Though it was Barcelona who hoisted the trophy
in Hyde Park and provided the perfect centrepiece for triumphantly at Wembley, the silverware had already
UEFA Grassroots Day. “The focus is on participation,” provided interest aplenty at the festival. As one of the main
said The FA’s director of football development, Sir Trevor attractions, along with its UEFA Women’s Champions
Brooking. “It’s all about the fun element. It’s about trying League equivalent, the European Champion Clubs’ Cup
to develop that skills base but in an environment where stood on a plinth for the duration of the week. Indeed,
on day three of the festival, it was lifted a world record-
breaking 417 times in the space of an hour by fans.

First Women’s Day

Proceeding UEFA Grassroots Day was the first ever
football Women’s Day, which consisted of a series
of mini-pitches for young girls of all ages. “It’s good that
the girls’ and women’s game has its own section be-
cause it shows the rise of the game,” England women’s
captain, Faye White, said. “It allows girls to enjoy the
national game, to play it and to be a part of it. It’s im-
proved a lot since I’ve been involved. It’s healthy – there
are a lot more opportunities for girls and so many more
girls playing than when I started.”
White’s international manager, Hope Powell, added:
“It’s fantastic. Putting on events that are specifically for
D. Aquilina

the women’s game embraces it and gives us a platform.

It will hopefully give the girls something to aspire to. We
The festival was all about young people and football all know they love football and want to be part of it.

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 5

Gary Lineker
and Graeme
Le Saux parade
the UEFA
Champions
League trophy

Getty Images
You need that base of players and the opportunity for all
those players to play. Firstly, it just gives us more players
to choose from and secondly, with things like the govern-
ment agenda on obesity, it encourages activity.”
A number of high-profile ambassadors such as Gian-
franco Zola, Cafu and Giovanni van Bronckhorst also
took part in a series of skills clinics during the course
of the festival. “It was great, I really enjoyed it,” said
former Italy forward Zola. “It is good giving something
back to the younger generation. It’s so important. The
reason I played football is because I saw professionals
playing football. For the kids to interact with us is so

UEFA
important and really pleasant.”
Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA’s director of football development,
Plethora of stars chats to a group of young players
Free entrance throughout ensured a strong turnout at
the park. Attendees were able to test their penalty skills,
watch a dramatic 30-minute film showing classic mo- While former Manchester United striker Andy Cole
ments from European Champion Clubs’ Cup’s history in admitted his “chest was burning after seven minutes,”
the Theatre of Champions, and check out the Museum ex-Netherlands full-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst had
of Champions, which featured rare items from European the final word on a fitting climax. “It’s great,” he said.
football, including shirts, trophies and boots. “It’s with players I saw on TV when I was young, like John
Just a matter of hours before Xavi Hernández, Lionel Barnes. It’s incredible for me and the whole atmosphere
Messi and Andrés Iniesta dazzled under the Wembley at this festival has been amazing. For the fans, for the
arch, a plethora of former stars strutted their stuff under children, it’s perfect to see the players really close.”
a replica on the festival’s main mini-pitch. An England
All Stars team including John Barnes and Paul Merson, Special Olympics activities
coached by Gary Lineker, took on a world selection Also on the final day’s agenda was a five-a-side
comprising the likes of Ronald and Frank de Boer. match between a unified Special Olympics Great Britain
Though the visitors established a healthy advantage, team and a side representing Kick It Out, football’s
the game concluded as ‘next goal wins’, with former equality and inclusion campaign in England. The fixture,
England left-back Chris Powell claiming glory in front part of the 11th Special Olympics European Football
of a packed crowd. “You can see that we made it into Week held from 14 to 22 May, provided a high-profile
a great show,” said Christian Karembeu, two-time UEFA billing for UEFA’s partnership with the Special Olympics
Champions League winner. “We wanted to play and do Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) movement promoting opportuni-
something for the children.” ties for footballers with learning disabilities. ●

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

6 UEFA Women’s Champions League

The revenge
of Olympique Lyonnais
The second UEFA Women’s Champions League final
in London reunited the same teams involved in the
maiden final 12 months earlier – but this time Olympique
Lyonnais emerged as winners, beating holders
1. FFC Turbine Potsdam 2-0 to take France’s first title.

The season began with Olympique Lyonnais,

Potsdam and 2009 UEFA Women’s Cup
winners FCR 2001 Duisburg wearing the
robes of favourites and, just like last year,
the two German sides went on to meet

Sportsfile
in the semi-finals. Potsdam cruised through
to that stage in ominous form, posting three huge aggre-
gate victories by beating Finnish debutants Åland United Olympique Lyonnais get their hands on the trophy
15-0, Austria’s SV Neulengbach 16-0 and Lyon’s French
rivals FCF Juvisy Essonne 9-2. Having needed a penalty headed back to Schelin, whose shot was blocked
shoot-out to see off Duisburg in 2009/10, they then by 2010 final hero Anna Felicitas Sarholz, only for tow-
booked their final ticket when Yuki Nagasato notched ering right-back Wendie Renard to poke in the rebound.
the only goal of the home leg following a 2-2 away Potsdam attempted to rally, but Henry and player of the
draw. Foiled again, Duisburg’s sole consolation was that match Camille Abily held firm in midfield, and goalkeeper
Inka Grings would end the competition as top scorer Sarah Bouhaddi claimed any balls launched into the box.
with 13 successful strikes. Potsdam’s best chances came early in the second
Lyon made excellent progress by seeing off strong half, with Kerschowski and Mittag threatening from close
contenders AZ Alkmaar and WFC Rossiyanka thanks to range, while Bajramaj – in her last game before joining
10-1 and 11-1 aggregate wins respectively, after which 1. FFC Frankfurt – worried Lyon with her rangy runs. Lyon
they dispatched Zvezda-2005 were equal to the physical challenge, however, and
in the quarter-finals, Lara Dicken- with five minutes remaining they hit the clinching goal
mann making the difference at as Eugénie Le Sommer’s ball from the right was gleefully
the Stade de Gerland following buried by fellow substitute Dickenmann.
a goalless draw in Russia. The
competition’s first pre-final crowd Stronger team than last year
Empics Sport

of over 20,000 then witnessed Winning coach Lair was appointed by Lyon after last
the French club seal the first season’s final, and stated bluntly that his aim was to
instalment of their semi-final with secure this title. The signings of Bompastor, Abily and
Wendie
Renard (3) Arsenal LFC 2-0, two early Lotta Schelin goals doing the Le Sommer helped make the side even stronger than
opens the damage ahead of a 3-2 success in London. in 2010, and Lair said: “Emotionally, it’s a great moment,
scoring I think my best as a coach. I’ve enjoyed the whole sea-
Lyon controls son with this wonderful squad.”
Patrice Lair’s side thus headed back to the English Potsdam’s Bernd Schröder added: “We played against
capital to face Potsdam on 26 May, with 14,303 very strong opponents and you have to give them credit
spectators braving torrential rain before kick-off to be for what they’ve done. We didn’t win the final but we
present at Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage. Despite missing can celebrate what we’ve achieved.” ●
Nagasato, Potsdam began brightly and their three-
strong forward line of Anja Mittag, Fatmire Bajramaj and 26 May 2011
Isabel Kerschowski caused problems, but it was not long
Craven Cottage, London – 14,303 spectators
before Lyon asserted control.
Schelin proved a menace up front while Élodie Olympique Lyonnais –
Thomis was dangerous on the right, and it was from that 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam 2-0 (1-0)
flank that the opening goal came 27 minutes in. Sonia Goals: Wendie Renard (27’), Lara Dickenmann (85’)
Bompastor’s corner found Amandine Henry and she Referee: Dagmar Damkova (Czech Republic)

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 UEFA Champions League 7

Barcelona at
the top of their game
FC Barcelona were crowned kings of Europe for the fourth time, securing a third UEFA Champions League
title in six seasons with a dominant display against Manchester United FC at Wembley.

Both teams were back at the scene of their the 2009 final win against United I wasn’t that impressed,
first European Champion Clubs’ Cup tri- but tonight we played much better. What I’m most proud
umphs, United having claimed the crown of is the way we won. This is how I want to play football.”
in 1968, 24 years before Barcelona’s With regular captain Carles Puyol a late substitute,
‘dream team’ – with current coach Josep Xavi wore the armband but the pair stood aside to let
Guardiola a pivotal figure in their midfield Éric Abidal – who had a liver tumour removed in March
– lifted the trophy for the first time. – lift the trophy. “Players are human beings and you need
This time round the 40-year-old guided the Azulgrana to remember that,” Guardiola explained. “Whether
to the final as the winners of Group E, having won four you win or lose, there’s a human quality. Carles made
of their six games, before overcoming Arsenal FC 4-3 a great gesture to Éric which is to his honour and it’s
p

on aggregate in the round of 16 – although the Gunners strengthened all of us.”

did win the first leg in north London 2-1, inflicting what Sir Alex Ferguson could only admire the performance
would prove to be Barcelona’s only defeat in the com- of United’s conquerors, saying: “Great teams go in cycles
petition. FC Shakhtar Donetsk were beaten 6-1 over two and at the moment they’re the best in Europe, there’s no
quarter-final matches before Lionel Messi’s double at the question about that. In my time as a manager this is the
Santiago Bernabéu set up a 3-1 aggregate win against best team we’ve faced. It’s not easy when you’ve been
old rivals Real Madrid CF in the last four. beaten but no one’s given us a hiding like that. It’s a
Guardiola became only the sixth man to be crowned great moment for them and they deserve it because they
European champion as a player and coach with Barce- play
p y the right g way.”y ●
lona’s 2009 win in Rome, and his chances of adding g
another UEFA Champions League title to three successive e
Liga titles improved markedly in the 27th minute of the e
London final. Xavi Hernández played a diagonal passs
for Pedro Rodríguez to open the scoring with a low shot..

Rapid response
United’s response was rapid and within seven minutess
they were level. Rio Ferdinand won the ball from a Barça a
throw-in and Wayne Rooney played a one-two with Michaell
Carrick before swapping passes with Ryan Giggs and d
sweeping a shot high into the far corner of Victor Valdés’ net..
That goal had come largely against the run of play,,
however, and Barcelona continued to dominate in termss
Getty Images

of possession and territory. Early in the second halff

Messi duly drove a low shot past Edwin van der Sarr
– in his final game before retirement – from outside the e
area for his 12th UEFA Champions League goal of the e
season, equalling the mark set by the then United strikerr
Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002/03.
This time Barcelona had no intention of letting their 28 May 2011
lead slip, and victory was assured when a marauding
Wembley Stadium, London – 87,695 spectators
Messi run was only partially halted and Sergio Busquets
kept his head to lay a pass back for David Villa to curl in. FC Barcelona v
Manchester United FC 3-1 (1-1)
Human qualities Goals: 1-0 Pedro Rodríguez (27’), 1-1 Wayne Rooney
Guardiola was typically modest in victory, saying: “I feel (34’), 2-1 Lionel Messi (54’), 3-1 David Villa (69’)
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
privileged to have these players. When I looked back at

UEFA•direct | 06-07.11

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

8 UEFA Europa League

FC Porto back on top

“We grew in confidence as the European campaign
n
went on and that helped us today.”

This post-match quote from FC Porto coachach

André Villas-Boas may not fully explainn his
team’s success, but it certainly providesdes
an accurate reflection of the two clubs’’ re-
spective situations at kick-off: at one end,

Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images
a team which had just been crowned ned
national champions after a season of 34 matches unde- nde-
feated and with a rich international heritage including ding
two European Champion Clubs Cup/UEFA Champions ons
League titles, one UEFA Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and
two European/South American Cups; at the other,r, a
club which was contesting its first European final and d
had just, on the last day of the domestic season, lost third
hird
d
place in the league, a competition in which it had been een
beaten in both matches against its UEFA Europa League gue
final opponents. Hulk of FC Porto (left) and Silvio of Braga compete for the ball

Falcao’s efficiency Colombian striker Falcao had netted more than a

FC Porto were therefore strong favourites, although third (17) of these goals on his own and should there-
SC Braga could pride themselves on having played in fore have been watched particularly closely. However,
the UEFA Champions League earlier in the season and just before half-time, he managed to escape his markers
recorded morale-boosting victories over renowned op- and head in a cross by team-mate and compatriot Fredy
ponents such as Arsenal FC, Liverpool FC, Sevilla FC, Guarín, scoring what turned out to be the only goal
FC Dynamo Kyiv and SL Benfica along the way. And, of the final.
as if to remind everyone that nothing should be taken It was a difficult pill to swallow for the SC Braga players,
for granted, it was SC Braga who created the first op- but it could all have been so different if FC Porto goal-
portunity of the match when Custodio took advantage keeper Helton had failed to deflect Mossoro’s shot away
of some hesitant FC Porto defending and shot menacingly. with his foot after facing him one on one in the opening
However, the Portuguese champions were undaunted minutes of the second half.
and this derby match – the first UEFA club competi-
tion final to be contested by two clubs from Portugal – Exceptional season
remained fairly even, with SC Braga’s concise style of play Having demonstrated their ability to attack, FC Porto
preventing FC Porto from taking advantage of the attack- then set out to prove that they also knew how to defend
ing strength that had enabled them to score 43 goals a lead, and they achieved this superbly, since SC Braga
in the 16 matches played since the play-off round. failed to pose any real threat in the remainder of the match.
Having won the domestic league title and lifted the
Portuguese Cup with a victory over Vitoria Guimarães
just four days after winning in Dublin, FC Porto can look
back on an exceptional season worthy of their past suc-
cesses. They will have a chance to put the icing on the
cake in Monaco in August, when they face the UEFA
Champions League winners in the UEFA Super Cup. ●
Sportsfile

18 May 2011
Dublin Arena – 45,391 spectators
FC Porto v SC Braga 1-0 (1-0)
Goal: Falcao (44’)
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

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 European Under-17 Championship 9

Dutch crowned champions

for the first time
One of the paradoxes in European football was qualified as hosts, maybe lacked big-match experience.
refuted when the Netherlands beat Germany 5-2 In the other group, Germany showed typical resilience. At
in the Serbian city of Novi Sad to win the 2010/11 1-0 down to the Czechs (who went home unbeaten and
European Under-17 Championship. with a World Cup ticket in their pocket), they were down
and out – only for a last-minute equaliser to keep them
Although the Dutch enjoy role-model status alive. A solitary goal against Romania then consigned
in terms of producing top-quality players, the debutants to fourth place and gave the Germans a
they had never reached the final of a semi-final date with Denmark, who, based on their spar-
UEFA youth development competition until kling form during the group stage, started as favourites
2005, when their Under-17s were beaten against a team who had four players suspended. Although
2-0 by Turkey. Four years later they were they produced some delightful approach play, the Danes
in the final again – but had the misfortune of meeting the lacked the cutting edge and were cruelly punished when
German hosts and were beaten 2-1, cruelly conceding two German free-kicks were deflected into their net.
the decisive goal late in extra time.
In Novi Sad, it was third time lucky, with Albert Stunning second half
Stuivenberg’s side coming from 1-0 and 2-1 down to In the other semi-final, the Dutch similarly struggled
register a record-breaking victory. The Dutch became the to find a knockout punch but still managed to defeat
first team to score five times in a final of this 29-year-old injury-hit England thanks to a goal scored, ironically,
competition launched under the Under-16 banner. by Arsenal-based Kyle Ebecilio. It meant that the Dutch,
who had defeated Germany 2-0 in their opening game,
FIFA qualification would face the Germans again in the final. When their
The result provided a spectacular finale to a tourna- opponents twice took the lead, it looked as though it
ment that also went into the history books as the first to be would be third time unlucky for the Dutch. But they came
(impeccably) organised in Serbia, but which had, prior back to 2-2 just before half-time and produced a stun-
to the final, been a low-scoring affair. Maybe the fact ning second-half display which allowed them to climb
that the top three in each group were to be rewarded jubilantly into the stands to collect gold medals from
with FIFA World Cup places encouraged teams to try to Michel Platini – and to reap a much-delayed reward for
avoid fourth rather than throw caution to the wind. One the Netherlands’ youth development philosophy. ●
of the notable exceptions was an exhilarating Dan-
ish team which thoroughly enjoyed their return to the
Under-17 finals after an eight-year absence and proceeded
RESULTS
to beat the hosts, defending champions England and, in Group A
the final group fixture, a talented French team. By contrast, 3.5 Serbia – Denmark 2-3
the six Group B games produced only eight goals – and 3.5 France – England 2-2
the Dutch topped the group without conceding any. 6.5 Serbia – France 1-1
6.5 Denmark – England 2-0
Both groups went to the wire. The English title holders 9.5 England – Serbia 3-0
edged a semi-final place by winning their final group game 9.5 Denmark – France 1-0
3-0 against a Serbian side which, having automatical
automatically
Group B
3.5 Germany – Netherlands 0-2
3.5 Czech Republic – Romania 1-1
6.5 Germany – Czech Republic 1-1
6.5 Netherlands – Romania 1-0
9.5 Romania – Germany 0-1
9.5 Netherlands – Czech Republic 0-0

Semi-finals
12.5 Denmark – Germany 0-2
12.5 Netherlands – England 1-0

Final
15.5 Germany – Netherlands 2-5
Sportsfile

UEFA•direct | 06-07.11

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS
NS I NOTICES
N O ICES

10 European Under-19 Championship

Four sites for

the final round
When UEFA decided to award Romania the right to host the European
op
pea
peean
an U
Under-19
ndeer-19 Ch
C
Championship
am
mp o sh p fin
finall round, the
Romanian FA decided to use four stadiums located in villages around
oun
ou
und
nd Bu
B
Bucharest
ucharest a
and
nd
dnnot
o in th
thee country’s
ountr capital city.

Why? In order to promote football in the national ona

on nalal team
tea
te
eam heldhe
eldd training
rain ngg sessions
ses io s here
e ahead of their
smaller communities and especially among UEFA FA EURO
FA EUR
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RO 2012
20
2012 2 ququalifi
q al fieerr a
against
gain BBosnia and Herze-
children, to share the experience with govina
ovvin
vinna
vi na and and
an d everybody
evve
eryybod dy was
was impressed
impresse by the quality of
the local communities and, last but not thehe
e pitch.
pitc
pi tch
tc
ch.h.
least, to stimulate investment into football Last,
Last
Laast,
as sstt,, bu
b
but
ut by
b no o me
m
means
eanns least,
east, the Romanian FA’s first na-
facilities and infrastructure in general. tional
titio
tioiona
ona
onnalal football
ffo
ootb
oo ba all centre,
ce
entre located
lo
ocaated d in Mogosoaia, has plenty
And, of course, to ensure maximum crowds at the of
of experience
e
exxpxpeperie enncce in hosting
ho
ostingg international
innter friendly and com-
matches. petition
peti
pe ettiti
e ttittio
tiio
on matches
on ma
matcche es in the e U21,
U21 youth and women’s catego-
So, after having visited several towns and villages ries.
rie
rie
riesess.
e
es.
s. Situated
Si
Situ
S uatted d in
i a villa
vvillage
age of 5,500, the centre has two
in the Ilfov district which surrounds Bucharest, the Romanian ann natural
natur
na
nat atu
a tuura al grass
g
gra
rasss pitches,
p
pitc
tchees, one of which has 800 seats and
FA selected Chiajna, Berceni, Buftea and Mogosoaia a to to flflo
oodlights.
o
ooodlig
odl ghts
hts.. Moreover,
More
M reov shortly before the start of the final
host matches and decided to house all eight teams att the tthhe
e tournament,
to
touo rna
ourn ame mentnt, it will
w have a brand new pitch of the highest
Intercontinental hotel in Bucharest, which offers the he
e grea
g
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gre
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at possible
possi
pos sibleble quality.
qua
q
advantage of being no more than 30 to 35 5 mmi
min
minu
minutes
iinnute
inut
nnuutes
uutteess
away from any of the venues. Local
Lo
Loca community involvement
The Romanian FA and its partners have decided to trans-
Four venues form the final tournament into a real celebration, with the
Concordia stadium in Chiajna iss the thhe
he homeho
hhom
om
ome
me of
me of second-
ssec
se
eco full involvement of the local communities and, of course,
division team Concordia, who are aree on
on thetthhe
he verge
verg
ve
ver
erge
ergge ofo their the local councils. Feedback in this respect is encouraging.
first ever promotion to the first stt division.
diivisio
div
d
divi
divis
divisio
ivis
ivi
iivvision
vvisio
vis
isio
sion.
io
onnn.. Chiajna
o
on. Chia
Ch
C hiajn
hia
ajna has only
ajn In addition, training grounds will be made available to
8,200 inhabitants, but a 5,000-capacity 5
5,
5,0
5,00
,0
,000
00
0
000-c
00-c
00
0 0-ca
0 capa
cap
apapacacit
city stadium (ca- all teams thanks, in part, to cooperation with local clubs
tering for over half off the the
th
he p population)
popu
pop
poopula
opupula
ulati
ulat ation
atio
tion
on)
n) a and four training FC Steaua Bucuresti and FC Rapid Bucuresti. Steaua
grounds. This stadium diu
dium um is
iuum
ium is intended
int
in
iinte
nten
tend
ende
nded
nde ded
ed d to host, among others, are providing two training grounds, as are Rapid at their
the opening match ma
mat
matc
atch
at
atc
attch
cchh anand
andd the
th
the nnal.
e fi na
nal own Pro Rapid training centre. Two of the four training
The second
econ
co
con
cond
ond
on
o d venue,
nnd vve
venu
ven
enue
enu e,, Communal
nue,
nue
ue, Co
C
Com stadium in Berceni, grounds built at Chiajna will also be used by participat-
has been
beeeen
eeenn renovated
rre
reno
ren
enov
eno
nova
nov
ovate
ovat
vated
ateded and
ted a enlarged specially for this ing teams. Just like for the stadiums, travel times from the
event,
ve
vent
vent,
ent,
nt,
nt with
t,, wi
w thh new
witith ne
new w stands
sta
sst and modern facilities giving this hotel to the training grounds are all within 30 minutes. ●
4,000-strong
4,00
4,0
4 ,00
000
0000-st
00-s
00-0-stro
0-str ong village a 2,600-capacity stadium. Com-
-stron
-stro
stron
trong
rong
munal
muna
mun
mu
m unal
una
nal stadium hosts the home matches of third-league
al sst
sta Paul-Daniel Zaharia
team
eam ACS Berceni.
tea
tte
ea
Buftea is the biggest of the four U19 venues. With Final round line-up
almost 21,000 inhabitants it is in fact classed as a city.
On 8 June in Bucharest, a draw divided the eight
Thanks to a contract between the Romanian FA and the finalists into the following two groups:
city council, a second football stadium and training cen- Group A: Romania, Czech Republic, Greece,
The stadium at
the Romanian tre has been built in Buftea. One of the pitches has natu- Republic of Ireland
FA’s Mogosoaia ral grass and a 450-seater stand. The U19 final tourna- Group B: Serbia, Turkey, Spain, Belgium
sports centre ment will be the centre’s first official event, but the senior
FRF

UEFADirect109_EN.indd 10 21.06.11 10:42

 European Women’s Under-19 Championship 11

Germans end four-year wait

In European women’s football, German teams wear the mantle of perennial favourites.
But, at Under-19 level, the continental crown had eluded them since 2007 – until this year’s
final tournament played in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

After an effective, rather than brilliant, cam-

paign, Germany suddenly burst into exu-
berant life in the final to set a new tourna-
ment record scoreline. Maren Meinert’s
team beat Norway 8-1.

Competitive nature
The 2011 finals featured only three of the teams
which had contested the Under-19 title a year earlier
in Skopje, with France and England – gold and silver
medallists in 2010 – eliminated during the qualifiers.
The final tournament underlined the competitive nature

Sportsfile
of women’s Under-19 football, with a series of matches
more tightly fought than the final scorelines might sug-
gest. In Group A, the Italian hosts took maximum points
from their three games, yet were made to fight every In the other group, the same honours went to Norway.
centimetre of the way. They clinched a semi-final place Jarl Torske’s team opened with a 3-1 defeat against the
with narrow wins against Russia and Switzerland, both Germans, who sealed their victory during added time.
of whom punished a talented attacking Belgian team for But they bounced back to beat the Dutch 3-0 and, as
a series of costly individual errors. Russians and Swiss the Netherlands v Spain match on the opening day had
faced each other with second place at stake on the ended 1-1, they needed only a draw against Spain to
final matchday, where fine goalkeeping by Pascale secure a semi-final berth. In the event, they went one
Küffer earned Yannick Schwery’s Swiss side the 0-0 better – or, rather, several better. With striker Melissa
draw which secured a place for them in the semi-finals – Bjånesøy, who went on to take the top-scorer trophy with
and in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. seven goals in five games, hitting the net twice, they
posted a 5-1 win which earned second place behind
the Germans. Maren Meinert’s side’s 100% record was
RESULTS maintained by single goal victories against Spain and
the Dutch – the latter beaten by another added-time goal.
Group A
30.5 Italy – Russia 2-1 Thrilling game
30.5 Switzerland – Belgium 4-1 Whereas the 2010 semi-finals had produced two
02.6 Italy – Switzerland 1-0
02.6 Russia – Belgium 3-1 goals, the 2011 equivalents yielded nine. Despite Küffer’s
05.6 Belgium – Italy 1-3 excellence between the posts, the Germans beat the Swiss
05.6 Russia – Switzerland 0-0 3-1 and in, arguably, the most thrilling game of the tourna-
Group B ment, Italy twice came from behind against Norway, only
to be beaten 3-2 when substitute Caroline Hansen bent a
30.5 Germany – Norway 3-1
30.5 Spain – Netherlands 1-1 corner from the left directly into the Italian net.
02.6 Germany – Spain 1-0 The fast-improving Norwegians seemed set to offer
02.6 Norway – Netherlands 3-0 strong opposition to Germany in the final played at
05.6 Netherlands – Germany 1-2
05.6 Norway – Spain 5-1 Imola. But after trailing Maren Meinert’s team only 1-0 at
half-time, they were devastated by the rampant Germans
Semi-finals who, with superb combination play, struck four in ten
08.6 Italy – Norway 2-3 minutes soon after the break and went on to register the
08.6 Germany – Switzerland 3-1 record-breaking win, with striker Lena Lotzen and mid-
fielder Isabella Schmid both scoring twice. “The four-
Final
year wait taught us how hard you have to work to be
11.6 Norway – Germany 1-8 champions,” said Maren Meinert, “so this victory tastes
even sweeter.” ●

UEFA • direct | 06-07.11

UEFADirect109_EN.indd 11 21.06.11 10:42

 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

12 Summer final rounds

WU17
and France will be up against Canada and Nigeria,
while Group B pits England against Mexico, New
Zealand and Japan. In Group C, Sweden will take on

final round in
Colombia, North Korea and the United States, and
in Group D, Norway find themselves alongside Equato-
rial Guinea, Brazil and Australia.

Switzerland The matches will be played in Augsburg, Berlin,

Bochum, Dresden, Frankfurt, Leverkusen, Mönchengladbach,
Sinsheim and Wolfsburg. The quarter-finals on 9 and 10
Like the first three, the fourth edition of the final July will be followed by the semi-finals on 13 July, with
round of the European Women’s Under-17 the third-place match three days later on 16 July, and the
Championship will take place at the Colovray final on 17 July in Frankfurt. ●
stadium in Nyon, Switzerland.

The UEFA administration has once again FIFA U-20 World Cup
been tasked with organising this final round,
which will involve four teams. The holders,
Colombia 2011
Spain, will get the tournament under way in Men’s football also has a World Cup to look for-
the first semi-final against Iceland on 28 July ward to this summer. National Under-20 teams will
before, a few hours later, Germany – the winners of the take part in the competition in Colombia.
first two editions of the tournament – will enter the fray Six European teams earned the right to compete
against France. among the 24 finalists, having qualified last year from
The winners of these two matches will meet on 31 July, the final round of the European Under-19 Championship.
after the losers have fought it out for the bronze medal. The draw has placed the European champions, France,
Various off-field activities are also planned for the tour- in Group A, with Colombia, South Korea and Mali.
nament, including a visit to UEFA headquarters and a In Group B, Portugal will go head to head with Uruguay,
technical skill session. Freebies promoting the competi- Cameroon and New Zealand. Spain, in Group C, will
tion will be handed out to spectators. ● play Costa Rica, Ecuador and Australia. Group D will see
Croatia take on Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Guatemala.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Austria will take on Panama, Brazil and Egypt in Group
E. Finally, in Group F, England will compete with North
Germany 2011 Korea, Argentina and Mexico.
The group matches will take place between 29 July
This summer’s main football event will be in Ger- and 6 August. The round of 16 games will be played on
many, where the world’s best women’s teams will 9 and 10 August, the quarter-finals on 13 and 14, the
by vying for the title of world champions. semi-finals on 17, and the final as well as the third-place
Karla Kick, In a country long committed to the cause of women’s match on 20 August in Bogota. ●
the Women’s football, the participating teams will find the ideal envi-
World Cup
mascot,
ronment in which to give added impetus to the devel- Fair play
paid a visit opment of women’s football, which has been making
to Sweden,
where she met
constant progress in recent years both in terms of quality
and player numbers.
The honours go
UEFA’s honor-
ary president,
The 16 teams have been divided into four groups to northern Europe
Lennart and the group matches will be played between 26 June
Norway, England and Sweden have taken the top
Johansson. and 6 July. In Group A, European contenders Germany
three places in the UEFA Respect Fair Play rankings.
This means that these three associations benefit from
an additional place in the first qualifying round for the
2011/12 UEFA Europa League. This place is to be
awarded to the club which won the respective national
association’s top division fair play competition.
Rankings:
Ask/Bongarts/Getty Images

1. Norway 8.293 points in 66 matches

2. England 8.196 points in 148 matches
3. Sweden 8.180 points in 73 matches
4. Denmark 8.149 points in 85 matches
Iceland 8.149 points in 56 matches
6. Germany 8.145 points in 118 matches ●

UEFADirect109_Anglais.indd 12 21.06.11 12:29

 Executive Committee 13

Back to London in 2013

No one can predict whether the UEFA Champions League final in 2013 will reach the same heights as the recent
show-stopper between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC, but one thing is already for sure: the 2013 final
will again be played at the prestigious Wembley Stadium.

T he UEFA Executive Committee took this decision at its

meeting at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on 16/17
June, chaired by the UEFA president, Michel Platini. This
EURO 2012 bonuses
Still on the subject of EURO 2012, the committee
agreed on the amounts to be distributed to the partici-
decision to ask The Football Association to host the event pating national teams. Each will receive a minimum of
again so soon is due to the fact that The FA – the oldest €8 million (compared with €7.5m in 2008). Apart
national football association in the world – will be mark- from the sum of €1 million which will go to each of the
ing its 150th anniversary in 2013, when it will also be teams that finish third in the groups, all the other amounts
150 year since the Laws of the Game were first drafted are the same as for EURO 2008, i.e. €500,000 for
and approved. To celebrate this double anniversary in a draw, €1 million for a win, €2 million for reach-
a fitting manner, the 2013 UEFA Congress will also ing the quarter-finals, €3 million for getting through to
take place in London, during the week leading up to the the semi-finals, €4.5 million for the losing finalist and
UEFA Champions League final. €7.5 million for the European champions.
Meanwhile, for the 2013 UEFA Europa League final, Moving from one EURO to the next, the committee
the Executive Committee decided to ask the Dutch FA to increased the number of EURO 2016 host cities from 9
host it at the Amsterdam Arena. to 11. Matches will thus be played in Bordeaux, Lens,
Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nancy, Nice, Paris, Paris-Saint
UEFA Super Cup in Prague Denis, Saint Etienne and Toulouse. This expansion is
Still looking ahead to 2013, the committee also due, in particular, to the increase in the number of final
agreed on an important change concerning the UEFA round participants to 24 and the resulting increase in the
Super Cup, which is leaving Monaco, where it has been number of matches, from 31 at EURO 2012 to 51 at
played since 1998, to adopt the form of a travelling EURO 2016.
match. Its first stop will be Prague, in 2013. The other This Executive Committee meeting was the first to
elements of the traditional pre-season Monaco event take place since the elections at the UEFA Congress
will remain loyal to the principality where, in addition in Paris and the committee therefore welcomed three
to the group draws for the two UEFA club competitions, new members – Sergey Fursenko, Peter Gilliéron and
a ceremony will take place to honour Europe’s top Borislav Mihaylov – as well as the four British associa-
player of the season, in place of the current awards tions’ new representative on the FIFA Executive Com-
ceremony. mittee, Jim Boyce. Furthermore, following the de-
Turning to national team competitions, the Executive cision it took at its meeting in Paris, the committee
Committee approved the draw procedure for the play- also welcomed Karen Espelund from
offs to determine the last EURO 2012 participants. The Norway, the new chairman of the
venue for the draw is Krakow and the date 13 October. Women’s Football Committee, who
It also approved the procedure for the final draw in Kiev will now also attend meetings of the
on 2 December. Executive Committee. ●
UEFA

Karen Espelund
and Michel Platini
UEFA

The new UEFA

Executive Committee

UEFA • direct | 06-07.11

UEFADirect109_EN.indd 13 21.06.11 10:42

 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS
NS I NOTICES
N OT C S

14 Football Association of Serbia

New sports centre

tre
re
On 14 May, after 115 years of association history, Serbian ian fo
ia ffootball
oot
o ba l finanally
al y go
gott an n of
officcial
al home
o e
when the sports centre of the Football Association of Serbia
rb bia
bi ia (F
((FSS)
FS
SS) w was
as inaugurated
naugur ted in n thehe p
presence
se
of the FSS president, Tomislav Karadžic’, the UEFA president,
den
de ent,
t, MMichel
icch
hel PPlatini,
a in , th
thee FFIFA
FA ppresident,
re id nt
Joseph S. Blatter, representatives of the national authorities
titie
ies
es an
a
and nd
d gug
guests
ests from
rom o over
ver 2 20
0 Eu
European
opea
national football associations, as well as numerous people
opple
pl le wworking
o king iin
or n fo
football
otball inn SeSerbia.
b a.

he FSS sports

in Stara Pazova, a
T
centre is located
Inauguration
ugu
ug
The
The
Th
ganised.
annis
nis
ni
gur
he in
ise
sed
ura rati
attiio
a

ed. The
onn day
iinauguration
naugurratio
na
T e offi
Th
dayy
on d
o ficcials
day
ayy wa
ia s and
w
wass ccarefully
and guests
ar fu y prepared and or-
gues s had
had a tour through the
town 30km away centre
ent
en re before
ntrtre beffore
be e the e highest
highest offi
officials
cia s planted plane trees
from the capital, ass symbols
sym
syymb mbo bols of o lo long
ong g life and
ife a nd g good
oo luck for the house
Belgrade. It was of
of Serbian
Ser
Se erb bia
bi an football.
fo
oootbba l.
built thanks to invest- During
Dur
Du urinriinngg thethhe ceremony,
c em
cer mony, offi
officials
c also addressed the
ments from the vari- guests
gue
gu
gue
ues ssttss present.
ests p ese
pre ennt. TheT president
p
presid of the FSS, Tomislav
ous different project Karadžic
Kara
Ka
Kar
arraadž
ad džicc’, ’ said:
saaid d: “The e dream
“TThe drea
d of all generations of our
partners: Stara Pa- football
foot
fo
foo
oo
o otb
otbba alll family
fa
am milyy has
h been beeen fulfilled with the opening of this
zova provided the hee centre.
cent
ce
cen
enntre
entre. Itt is the t e base
b of our optimism for the future.
land free of charge, rg
rgege,
ge
ge,
e, I would
would
wo d like
ld likke to tha thank our strategic partners from UEFA
UEFA and FIFA A sig
ssig-
siig
g-
g and
a d FIFA,
an FFIFA
IFA,A, and a also the ministry of youth and sport.
nificantly contrib- contr
co
conontri
ont
nnttrib
tri
tr rib
rib-
ib
b
b- I expect
ex
exp
xpec ect Serbian
S
Ser football to live a better life here and for
A meeting
of presidents: uted to the construction with their programme fund fu
fun
funds
unds
und
unds
nndds and
ds and
an d our
ur children
child
ch to be led down the right path.”
Michel Platini the ministry of youth and sport also contributed,
ibu
buted
bu
but
bute
uutted
ute
ted,
ed
e d, while
d, while
wh hhilee TThe UEFA president, Michel Platini, added: “I remember
(UEFA), Tomis- the FSS provided the greatest investment nt fro
nt ffr
from
rro
rom
om its
om itss ow
o
ownwn
wn well a meeting two years ago when we jointly launched
lav Karadžic’
budget. the project in Stara Pazova. And what more beautiful
(Serbian FA)
and Joseph S. example has there been of cooperation with football
Blatter (FIFA) Multi-functional premises organisations than that of this fantastic city? I am very
The modern, multi-functional onnal
ona
onal
nal
naal centre
cen
cce
cent
ennt
entre
ntrtre
re
e covers
cco
cov
ove
vers an area
ver proud of the job done.”
of 12 hectares and hass six siixx pitches,
pitc
pit
p
pitch
itch
itc
tche
che
hes,
hhes
es,
s, of
of which
w two are The FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter, said: “Today, the
artificial. It also contains tain
tains
aiins
ain
a
ains
iinns
ns a ann 11 11,0
1
11,000m
1,00
1,0,00
000
00m2 hotel complex worldwide football family is proud to have one more
with 64 rooms and nd d 4 suites,
suite
sui
su
suite
uites
ites
tes,
es,
s,, as
as we
well
w as a restaurant and wonderful football centre. We are proud to see the con-
conference facilities.
acil
acili
acilit
cciiilit
cil
cilit
ciliti
cilitie
ililliti
litie
litititi
itie
ties
ies
es.
s.. tribution we are leaving for future generations.”
In the e sports
spo
sp
spo
ports
port
por
orts
rts
tss area, ar
a
area
arerea,
ea,
a,, there
the
tth
ther are eight dressing rooms, At the official dinner, Tomislav Karadžic’ presented
a modernoder
odern
dern
der
de ern
rnn gym
gy
gymm and annd
a d ana exquisite wellness centre. There special awards to his esteemed guests in the form
is also
also
als so
o a multi-functional
multi-f
multi-
multi
mult
mul
mu
multi-fu
lti-fun
ti-func
i-func sports hall, which will be used of official keys to the sports centre.
by
by futsal
fut
fu
ffuts
futsa
utsal
utsa
tsal
sal
all teams
tea
te
tteam for training, but is also equipped to be Serbia has now managed to fulfil a long-time wish – to
used
use
ussed
edd forfo
f other sports activities. provide a home for the most popular sport in the country.
The
TTh sports centre will be a place for all Serbian na- The first users of the centre were members of the senior
tional teams to train and prepare, but it will also be used national team, while the day after the inauguration many
for the education of coaches, referees, medical staff, of the guests, led by the UEFA president, Michel Platini,
members of the FSS administration and all other mem- attended the European Under-17 Championship final
bers of the Serbian football family. Simply put, it will be in Novi Sad. ●
the home of Serbian football. Aleksandar Boskovic
Photos: [Link]

UEFADirect109_EN.indd 14 21.06.11 10:42

 Armenia
[Link]
15

Member associations
Children’s tournament the capital, Yerevan, and Nagorno-Karabakh
participated in the tournament. Each team
The backing and promotion of grassroots consisted of five boys and three girls, all
football has a positive impact on football as of whom proved eager to win.
a whole. Also, by drawing attention to the This huge event involved 424 schools,

FFA
organisation of mass football tournaments 3,400 children and 424 PE teachers. With
and activities, with the aim of attracting as the help of FFA representatives Babken Areni are crowned tournament champions
many children as possible and encouraging Ghaloyan, S. Hakobyan and Lernik Hunanyan,
them to resume their interest in sport, we are the tournament was organised to a high stand-
iPods, balls and awards by the first vice-
supporting the professional game as well. ard and with great success.
president and executive director of the FFA,
The Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) The final and match for third place took
Armen Minasyan, and the general manager
supports all events organised to further the place at the stadium of FC Pyunik, with Charent-
of Coca-Cola Hellenic, Gagik Danielyan.
development of football in the country, increase savan and Ijevan battling it out for third place
In their message to the players and fans, they
interest in the game and raise its profile. and Areni playing Vanadzor for the title.
emphasised the positive impact of the tourna-
From 4 April to 22 May, the FFA and After a very tough match, Areni came out on
ment on Armenian children.
Coca-Cola Hellenic co-organised a football top to become tournament champions.
The final was attended by FFA and Coca-
tournament for 10 to 12-year-olds from schools Brightly coloured sports equipment and
Cola Hellenic officials and school directors,
around the country. The tournament was held kits, happy, smiling children, cheering fans
and it was even shown on Armenian TV.
under the supervision of the FFA grassroots and a concert afterwards helped to create a
department (headed by Marina Tashchyan). festive atmosphere. After the final the win-
Children from the ten provinces of Armenia, ● Lala Yeritsyan
ning teams were given presents of netbooks,

Austria
[Link]

Austria eagerly await U-20 to release at least one player each. The Aus-
World Cup trians could have an excellent squad to pick
from, including a number of players with
By finishing third in their group at the international experience. Players such as
2010 European Under-19 Championship David Alaba (the youngest ever full Austrian
ÖFB

in France, Austria qualified for the FIFA U-20 international, who has already played in the
World Cup for the fourth time, following pre- UEFA Champions League for FC Bayern
vious appearances in 1977, 1983 and 2007. The head coach of the U20s, Andreas Heraf München), Aleksandar Dragovic (with several
There is already a huge sense of anticipation (right), and the team administrator, Walter Konir, senior international appearances under his
ahead of the tournament in Colombia, where alongside former Colombian international belt and recently crowned Swiss champion
the red and whites will face Panama in their Carlos Valderrama at the draw with FC Basel), Andreas Weimann (who has
first match during the night of 29 to 30 July, played in the UEFA Europa League for Aston
followed by games against Brazil and Egypt. team was strengthened, among others, by Roger Villa), Michael Schimpelsberger (who has
The coaches and players are, of course, Spry, the internationally renowned condition- UEFA Champions League experience with
already looking forward to these matches, ing coach from England who helped prepare FC Twente and is now a professional squad
and the same can be said of the fans, who the Austrian senior team three years ago for member at SK Rapid Wien) and Christoph
watched Austrian TV coverage in record UEFA EURO 2008, held on home turf. Knasmüllner (who moved from FC Bayern
numbers four years ago when their team Unfortunately, the make-up of the 21-man München to FC Internazionale Milano in the
reached the semi-finals in Canada. squad for the matches in Cartagena and winter) are all eligible.
In the meantime, preparations for the tour- Barranquilla does not depend on sporting The Austrian Football Association is pub-
nament are in full swing, both on and off the criteria alone. Since FIFA does not require lishing the latest news on the preparations on
pitch. At the beginning of June, a 24-man clubs to release their players for the tourna- its website at [Link]/U20WM.
squad attended a training camp in Marbella, ment, much depends on the clubs’ goodwill.
Spain, where head coach Andreas Heraf’s The Austrian Bundesliga clubs have promised ● Peter Klinglmüller

Azerbaijan
[Link]

Memorandum signed tions will organise joint training courses for ward, UNICEF representative
by AFFA and UNICEF sports school football coaches, with special in Azerbaijan. “Sport is one
emphasis on increasing the number of female of the most powerful ways to
The Association of Football Federations coaches. These courses will include sessions teach young people to play fair.
of Azerbaijan (AFFA) and the United Nations on healthy lifestyles, life skills, children’s rights, It also teaches respect for oppo-
Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are using the etc. Masterclasses for children in all regions of nents, team work, tolerance
power of football to communicate with girls the country are also being given by the and integrity. It helps young
and boys nationwide. Azerbaijan women’s U17 team, while another people to reject corruption,
Following negotiations on UNICEF’s sup- area of cooperation is in supporting girls’ drugs, violence and other dan-
AFFA

port of AFFA projects aimed at developing teams in the U16 UNICEF girls’ league, with gerous behaviour,” he added.
women’s football in Azerbaijan, a memoran- games in different regions of Azerbaijan “AFFA is pleased to cooper-
dum of understanding was agreed on by the encouraging girls to get into sport. Other ate with UNICEF through a The AFFA general
two organisations. It was signed by the AFFA events and activities will include summer number of different activities and events that secretary, Elkhan
general secretary, Elkhan Mammadov, and sports camps and sports festivals aimed at will both raise the visibility and popularity Mammadov (left),
UNICEF’s representative in Azerbaijan, Mark increasing girls’ participation in sport. These of football and contribute to awareness and UNICEF
Hereward, at AFFA headquarters. activities will also increase participation on of healthy lifestyles among young people. representative
According to the memorandum of under- the part of parents and teachers. Definitely, they will also help to attract girls to Mark Hereward
standing, the AFFA and UNICEF will organise “We believe in the power of football. We football,” said Elkhan Mammadov, AFFA seal the deal
a number of projects to increase participation believe that sport helps children not only to general secretary. “This partnership is impor-
in sport among children and young adults, grow physically strong; it also helps to build tant to AFFA, as it is about not only football,
especially girls, and to promote their aware- confidence and self-esteem that will serve but sport and development in general.”
ness of healthy lifestyles. The two organisa- them throughout their lives,” said Mark Here- ● Ulviyya Najafova

UEFA• direct | 06-07.11

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

16 Belarus
[Link]

Football for all of such events for the development of grassroots

on Grassroots Day football.
The school director, Elena Rogovtseva, said: “It
On 25 May, the whole country celebrated is very important for such children to feel attention
Grassroots Day. In each corner of Belarus people and to know that they are not forgotten. Today I
of all ages and all social backgrounds took to the saw some little girls that had never touched a ball
pitch. before. They hadn’t wanted to try before. But the
One of the events that took place in Minsk was spirit of this day was so great that they started to
a visit by grassroots football ambassadors to a run and play with the greatest enthusiasm I’ve
special school for orphans with health problems. ever seen. Their eyes were shining with joy thanks
The delegation consisted of coaches of the to football. And that’s the most important thing.”
national youth teams (men’s and women’s) and On 29 May, Neman Grodno and FC Gomel
was headed by the senior national team head contested the Belarusian Cup final at Tractor sta-
coach, Bernd Stange. For several hours children dium in Minsk. With great support from their
honed their football skills in groups before a foot- fans, who came to Minsk in large numbers,
ball match between two schools took place. FC Gomel scored twice in the second half to win

ABFF
The first vice-president of the Football Federa- 2-0. As the cup winners, FC Gomel will represent
tion of Belarus (BFF), Sergey Safaryan, gave Belarus in the UEFA Europa League next season.
some presents to the school, thanked everyone National team coach Bernd Stange takes
for taking part and stressed the importance ● Yulia Zenkovich part in Grassroots Day

Cyprus
[Link]

Season review in Cyprus The 2010/11 futsal champions are AC Omonia in the field. For the fifth consecutive year, the
Nicosia, while the women’s champions are Apollon league will be played in two phases, with the
The annual awards ceremony on 19 May con- Limassol FC. main competition followed by play-offs.
cluded another football season in Cyprus. The new season will kick off with the super cup In the meantime, the Cyprus Football Associa-
During the ceremony, all clubs, players and match in early August, when APOEL Nicosia FC tion is organising a FIFA women’s coaching
other members of the football family who put on will play AC Omonia Nicosia on Saturday 6th. course in June, followed by a FIFA futsal coach-
distinguished performances throughout the sea- Later in August, more precisely during the week- ing course in July.
son were honoured by and in the presence of the end of 27/28 August, the first matches in the ● Kyriakos Giorgallis
president of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias. 2011/12 season will be played, with 14 clubs
As of 18 May, the Cyprus FA’s prestigious cup
is decorating AC Omonia Nicosia’s showcase.
More than 120 minutes of play at the GSZ sta-
dium in Larnaca were needed to secure the tro-
Czech Republic
phy, with AC Omonia Nicosia and Apollon [Link]
Limassol FC locked in a 1-1 draw even after extra
Success on all fronts
Czech youth and amateur football has enjoyed Finally, the Czech Republic will also be repre-
a very successful 2010/11, culminating in a par- sented in the final round of the UEFA Regions’
ticularly busy spring as three national teams pre- Cup in Portugal in June. This is the reward for
pare to compete for titles in June. players from the Moravian region of Zlin.
The U21s will try to ensure their participation The country’s unique run of success in Euro-
in the 2012 Olympics by competing in the Euro- pean football this year was completed by the
pean Under-21 Championship finals in Denmark, Under-19 team in May when they beat Russia,
where three of the eight participating teams will the Netherlands and Israel in the elite round at
earn tickets to London in 2012. home to reach the final round of the European
In the European Under-17 Championship, the Under-19 Championship, to be held in Romania
Czech Republic knocked out Italy, Slovakia and in July.
Scotland in the elite round and not only gained It is important not to forget futsal when counting
third place in their final round group thanks to the successes, too. The futsal national team has
three draws against Romania, Germany and the qualified for the UEFA Futsal EURO in Croatia,
Netherlands, but also qualified for the FIFA U-17 where they will defend their bronze medals from
CFA

World Cup in Mexico in June/July. This is a his- 2010.

The CFA president, Costakis Koutsokoumnis (left), toric event, it being the first time that the Czech ● Jaroslav Kolár
presents a certificate to Kikis Constantinou, chairman Republic will take part in an U-17 World Cup.
of FC Anorthosis Famagusta, whose team will be
competing in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers

time. Finally the cup went to Omonia after a pen-

alty shoot-out that they won 4-3. This was the
13th domestic cup won by Omonia.
The 2010/11 championship ended with
APOEL Nicosia FC winning their 21st title and
the right to represent our country in the UEFA
Champions League next season.
APOP/Kinyras Peyias FC, Doxa Katokopia FC
and AEP Paphos FC have been relegated to our
second division, while Aris Limassol FC, Nea
Jan Tauber

Salamis Famagusta FC and Anagennisi Deryneias

FC have all been promoted.
AC Omonia Nicosia, Anorthosis Famagusta
FC and AEK Larnaca FC will enter the 2011/12
UEFA Europa League. The U19 national team

UEFADirect109_EN.indd 16 21.06.11 10:42

 Denmark
[Link]
17
Young coaches become role in their job. And because it is a
young leaders huge challenge to be a leader in sport.”
Poul Gilling, head of education at the
A new project in Danish football is helping DBU, explains that they are curious
young football coaches to develop into leaders. about the project. “It has some very inter-
Normally young boys and girls like to spend their esting perspectives in terms of maintain-
weekends relaxing with their friends. But in Den- ing audiences in football and in this case
mark 13 football coaches aged 14 to 19 spent the participants can hopefully turn into
two weekends in March at the headquarters role models for other young people,”
of the Danish Football Association (DBU), learn- Gilling says, adding that the DBU is
ing about how to be good leaders. excited to learn more about the project
Benny Würtz and Peter Wagner, who both because it runs several leadership
work in leadership, started the pilot project courses itself but none for this age

DBU
entitled Teenager, Sport… and Leader? The group.
project includes 13 participants and 6 mentors. And it is not only the DBU that is inter-
The DBU is not organising the course itself, but is Learning to be a leader ested in the initiative; Denmark’s
following it very closely. national broadcaster, Danmarks Radio, is also
“We teach them communication, coaching and tions. It is a good thing for them to put on their following the pilot project closely.
conflict management, and at the same time they CV,” says Benny Würtz. “The focus is on football
get some specific tools useable in everyday situa- coaches because there is a natural leadership ● Maria Bach Jensen / Pia Schou Nielsen

England Iceland
[Link] [Link]

England U17s visit school home stadium facilities for training and prepara- DVD for Grassroots Day
in Serbia tions throughout their time in Serbia.
The Young Lions also met children from local
England’s U17 squad donated a set of foot- school OS Svetozar Markovic Toza as part of the
balls to the staff and players of FK Proleter in Stronger Together campaign initiated by the Ser-
Novi Sad, Serbia, during the European U17 bian FA and supported by UEFA.
Championship finals in May. Aiming to raise awareness against racism,
John Peacock’s team reached the semi-finals chauvinism and intolerance in order to create a
of the competition and had been using FK Proleter’s positive atmosphere at the games, the campaign
also looked to promote Serbian culture and tradi-
tions and to familiarise the local public with the
culture and traditions of the various countries
competing there.
The school created a banner in support of Eng-
land, which was displayed at their games, and

KSI
there was even an exchange of gifts. The Eng-
land squad presented a signed pennant, two
Aron Einar Gunnarsson, who plays for the Icelandic
shirts, pens and pins to the youngsters. In turn,
national team and English club Coventry City,
the school presented captain Nathaniel Chalobah
distributes DVDs to the children of Dalvik
and head coach John Peacock with a commemo-
The FA

rative plaque and the rest of the squad with a

goodie bag each. On 25 May, UEFA Grassroots Day was cele-
England’s U17s and their young Serbian supporters ● Nick Veevers brated throughout Europe for the second time.
The Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ) took
part in the event and released a DVD called
Tækniskóli KSÍ (Technical School of the FA of
Iceland).
Hungary About 100 great technical exercises are
[Link] included on the DVD so that children can practise
on their own with the ball and work on their tech-
Historic victories for Videoton FC Serbian Tomislav Sivic’s side will enter the UEFA nical skills. The DVD features young footballers
and Kecskeméti TE Europa League together with league runners-up performing the exercises with players from our
Paksi SE (also a great result for the Paks-based men’s and women’s national teams, as well as
In 110 years of Hungarian football, Videoton side) and Ferencvárosi TC. interviews with some of Iceland’s finest foot-
FC had never before won the domestic title. ● Márton Dinnyes ballers, giving viewers lots of good advice.
Although the Szekesfehervar-based team are This DVD is being offered as a gift to all foot-
famous for their UEFA Cup campaign of 1984/85, ballers in Iceland aged 16 and under. Players
when they finished runner-ups, this is the first time and coaches from the men’s and women’s senior
the red and blue side have celebrated a national national teams and the men’s U21 team are visit-
championship title. The coach that helped them ing the youngsters during their club training ses-
there, György Mezey, left at the end of the sea- sions to present them with copies.
son and now it is his successor’s job to lead the The aim of the DVD is to have a positive impact
team to the UEFA Champions League group on the lives of children playing in football in Ice-
phase within the next three years, ideally this land, to encourage them to lead healthy lives, to
summer. The new man in charge is Paulo Sousa, give them more exercises to do with and without
the former Portuguese international who won the the ball and to provide visibly healthy role models.
top European title with Juventus and Borussia This project has been received with open arms
Dortmund in 1996 and 1997 and has experi- by promising young players all over the country
ence as a coach working in England. and well-established players and coaches have
[Link]

Kecskeméti TE also achieved something spe- been more than happy to visit the youngsters and
cial this season, when the second-division club talk to them about the benefits of extra training.
won their first ever Hungarian Cup after beating The people Szekesfehervar pay tribute
Videoton 3-2 in the Budapest final. As a result, to the players of Videoton ● Thorvaldur Ingimundarson

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

18 Italy
[Link]

FIGC celebrates 50 years worth it according to Umberto, whose face still

of Panini lights up with the enthusiasm of a man who has
devoted his whole life to the family firm. Gianluigi
The Panini company recently organised a big As far as singling out pictures from the past Buffon topped
party in Milan to celebrate 50 years of produc- is concerned, he particularly mentions that the Top Team
Panini 50 poll

FIGC
tion of its iconic pictures. In the historic, evocative of former Atalanta, Rome, Hellas Verona and
Clerici Palace, the company CEO, Aldo Sallustro, Milan goalkeeper Pier Luigi Pizzaballa. The pic-
paid tribute to the founders of the Panini family ture was so hard to track down it drove collectors
firm. From their kiosk in the centre of Modena, mad, including several of the party guests. The Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who received
brothers Benito and Giuseppe began to give out Panini management maintained that they had more than 20,000.
individual unsold pictures. The kiosk was open all printed equal numbers of every picture, but the The guests were also provided with entertain-
day long, recalled Umberto, the last of the eight cat was finally let out of the bag when the special ment and heard former greats such as Luis Suarez,
brothers, who attended the evening’s celebra- guest of the evening confessed that he had Franco Baresi and Riccardo Ferri reminisce about
tion. The little envelopes, which they made them- bought them all himself and swapped them at a their playing days. The president of the Italian FA
selves, were so successful that they were able to ratio of at least ten to one! (FIGC), Giancarlo Abete, was an enthusiastic
begin producing them as a family business. In The evening provided an opportunity to participant in the evening’s festivities, alongside
1961, the first album and the sale of 15 million present awards to footballing greats past and famous guests including FC Internazionale
packets signalled the start of a huge phenome- present, selected through the Top Team Panini 50 Milano president Massimo Moratti, AC Milan
non that quickly became known throughout the poll launched last year, in which 400,000 peo- CEO Adriano Galliani, Serie A president Maurizio
world and has never stopped since. The first ple from all over Italy and a panel of journalists Beretta and managing director Marco Brunelli,
printed image was dedicated to Inter captain and experts chose their favourite footballers from Serie B managing director Paolo Bedin, new foot-
Bruno Bolchi, remembers Umberto, who joined a list of 300 compiled from 15,000 pictures ballers’ association president Damiano Tommasi
the company in 1963 at the same time as the of Serie A players from 1961/62 to the present and honorary president Sergio Campana. The
fourth brother, Franco. In those days, dealing day. A squad of 18 players was chosen, compris- coaches’ association was represented by Renzo
with the international market meant embarking ing a starting 11 and 7 substitutes. The player Ulivieri.
on very long and expensive journeys, but it was who obtained the most votes was Juventus and ● Barbara Moschini

Kazakhstan
[Link]

President’s Cup in Astana the Football Federation of Kazakhstan (KFF) best. In playing I tried to bring you joy. If a
decided to change the tournament format. Previ- player contributes fully to the game, the stadium
The annual international youth football tourna- ously, the participants were mainly club teams; this will always be full. I wish for players to achieve
ment known as the Kazakhstan President’s Cup year national U17 teams were invited to the Kaza- their full potential and for you, the fans, to come
was held in Astana on 25 to 30 April. This year khstan capital. The eight teams, which were to the stadium and support your teams,” Timur
divided into two groups, represented Kazakhstan, Segizbayev said, before taking the symbolic first
Turkey, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, kick.
Armenia and Iran. Group winners Azerbaijan and The well-known former player, coach and offi-
Ukraine competed in the final, which took place at cial who has held the position of KFF president
Kazakhstan’s national stadium, the Astana Arena, and general secretary in the past accepted heart-
where all tournament matches were in fact held. felt congratulations from his colleagues, friends
10,000 fans witnessed a breathtaking game that and apprentices. The current KFF president,
ended in a 0-0 draw. The penalty shoot-out was a Adilbek Jaxybekov, former USSR national team
success for Azerbaijan, winners of the 2011 Kaza- defender Seilda Baishakov, 1988 Olympic
khstan President’s Cup. In previous years the cup champion Yevgeniy Yarovenko, FC Kairat’s top
was lifted by Besiktas (Turkey), Ole Brazil (Brazil) goalscorer in the USSR championship, Yevstafiy
and the Serbian U17 team. Pekhlevanidi, and many other well-known players
Later, on 12 May, Kazakhstan football stars all made an appearance, to the delight of foot-
played a match to mark the 70th birthday of leg- ball fans. As usual for matches at this level, the
KFF

endary Kazakhstan player Timur Segizbayev. game ended in a draw.

Azerbaijan, winners of the international youth “Dear friends, fans. I am so thankful to all
tournament of you. All that I did on the football pitch was my ● Alexandr Keplin

Latvia
[Link]

First matches abroad In other news, the Aleksandrs Starkovs youth

for journalists’ team talent agency, created by the Nordea Bank and
now housed at the newly built, LFF-owned foot-
Latvia’s national journalists’ football team visi- ball base in Staicele, continued to gather pace
ted Lithuania in May for their first ever away for the second year in a row. Also, earlier in May
games. Journalists from various media travelled the chairman of Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, Juris
to the furthest part of Latvia’s southern neighbour Binde, presented the O!Karte timekeeper at the
for a tournament in Druskininkai, Lithuania. base and a declaration of intent was signed with
Latvia managed to secure five points in the Aloja district council to build social housing for
nine-team round-robin competition, but neverthe- sports veterans in Staicele.
less finished in eighth position overall. This was A ‘football day’ festival took place on 15 May,
the sixth tournament of its kind, but a first for the when the entire Latvian football family was
Latvian team. Teams from Poland, Ukraine, invited to play on the same day in celebration
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia and Lithuania all par- of the LFF’s 90th anniversary.
ticipated in the competition, which the Poles won. The Baltic League final, featuring two Latvian
The Latvian journalists’ team travelled to Lithuania clubs – FK Ventspils and Skonto FC – on 19 June
LFF

with the kind support of Latvian Football Federa- is the icing on the cake for the LFF in its 90th
tion (LFF) sponsors Latvijas Mobilais Telefons and anniversary year. The Latvian journalists’ team compete abroad
Nordea Bank. ● Martins Hartmanis for the first time

UEFADirect109_EN.indd 18 21.06.11 10:42

 Liechtenstein
[Link]
19
Girls on the ball be about to change though, as the LFV wants to
use the Mädchen am Ball campaign initially to
Mädchen am Ball (‘Girls on the ball’) is the strengthen the grassroots of the women’s game in
name of the campaign launched a few weeks Liechtenstein, so as to then create sufficient poten-
ago by the Liechtenstein Football Association tial at the highest levels. As part of the campaign,
(LFV) to promote girls’ football in the country. The girls of primary school age were invited to take
aim of the campaign is to set up girls’ national part in six taster training sessions to get a feel for
teams in the medium term and, as a logical con- the sport without any kind of commitment in the

LFV
sequence, to create a full women’s national team hope that they would then think about joining one
that will take part in qualifying for European of the country’s clubs. Encouraging more girls to play football
Championships and Women’s World Cups. The taster sessions took place between 11 May
Women’s football in Liechtenstein, at least in and 1 June in six different municipalities, under advertising. The LFV is confident of attracting many
terms of international competition, is still in its the supervision of Monika Zuppiger, the LFV’s new female players and, in so doing, of taking a
infancy. Some club teams have been in existence technical director for women’s football. The cam- step forward for girls’ and women’s football in
for many years, but there have never yet been paign is also being supported in the media, both Liechtenstein.
national teams in any age group. That could all through billboard posters and radio and TV ● Anton Banzer

FYR Macedonia
[Link]

New national arena in Skopje waited 33 years for completion, with work resum-
ing in 2009. Investments in the project amounted
On 24 April, Easter Sunday, the new temple to €50 million, €1 million of which was invested
of football in FYR Macedonia, the Filip II Mace- by the Football Federation of FYR Macedonia
donian Stadium, was officially opened. through UEFA and the Win in Europe programme.
In the presence of representatives of the govern- To complete the arena, the south stand had to
ment, headed by the prime minister, Nikola be reconstructed and north, east and west stands
Gruevski, and representatives of the national built. The next phase will involve relaying the
football association, led by its president, Hari football pitch and athletics track.
Hadzi-Risteski, a special programme of events The national arena hosted its first international
was organised for the official opening of the most match following the official opening when the
beautiful stadium in the Balkans, which has a Republic of Ireland visited Skopje for a EURO 2012
FFM

capacity of 32,580. qualifier on 4 June.

The construction of the arena started way back
The Filip II Macedonian Stadium in 1978 but it did not get far. The arena then ● Zoran Nikolovski

Malta
[Link]

More competitions where non-competitive, fun football festivals are to provide youngsters with an opportunity to
for youngsters the order of the day. develop their talent in a team setting and a
However, as of next season the MFA is expand- healthy environment.
The grassroots programme initiated by UEFA ing its competitions to include the Under-13 cat- The MFA is certain that this new venture will be
has had, and continues to have, the full backing egory, by means of a new championship organ- beneficial for the future of the game on the Medi-
of the Malta Football Association (MFA). The aim ised at national level by the MFA and the YFA terranean island. Tomorrow’s top footballers and
is simple: widespread participation in football together. upright citizens are created by such initiatives.
by youngsters. The main aim of this competition, which will
The Maltese youth football association (YFA), a also convey the principle of fun and enjoyment, is ● Alex Vella
member association of the MFA, is fully immersed
in organising festivals and competitions for foot-
ballers from an early age, its mission statement Moldova
being “I love football”.
[Link]
Competitions in the Under-14 category
upwards are held regularly under the auspices
of the YFA, with the MFA taking over for the FC Iskra-Stal big day in the club’s history and I hope we will
Under-18 and Under-19 levels. win Moldovan Cup have more good games and trophies in the
Younger age groups, backed by ‘football nurs- future,” said Iskra-Stal’s coach, Valerii Chalyi.
eries’ organised and licensed according to UEFA The 20th Orange Moldovan Cup final on ● Press office
requirements, are catered for in a separate way, 26 May in Chisinau pitted FC Iskra-Stal against
FC Olimpia Balti. Interestingly, neither team had
ever reached the final before. After a dramatic
match, FC Iskra-Stal came out on top with a final
score of 2-1. The Iskra-Stal goals were scored by
Oleksandr Suchu from Ukraine in the 11th minute
and Moldova’s Eugeniu Gorodetchi in the 25th
minute. Olimpia’s consolation goal was scored
by Gheorghe Ovseannicov in the 22nd minute.
The match was attended by the Moldovan
prime minister, Vlad Filat, and at the official cer-
emony after the match, the Iskra-Stal captain,
D. Aquilina

Nicolae Rudac, was presented with the trophy

by the president of the Football Association
LFF

FMF

of Moldova, Pavel Cebanu.

“We are very happy to have won the final and
The MFA is dedicated to nurturing young players earned a place in the Europa League. This is a FC Iskra-Stal lift the Moldovan Cup

UEFA•direct | 06-07.11

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

20 Netherlands
[Link]

86 years of loyal membership joined the club’s first team only a couple of years
on. Unfortunately, a knee injury prevented him
Aged 96, Jo Witteveen is the longest standing from playing football at top amateur level. For
member of the Football Association of the Nether- two years Jo watched from the sidelines and he
lands (KNVB) on record. He joined his local foot- decided to continue his career in the lower ranks,
ball club, Be Quick Zutphen, 86 years ago and to play sociably at least.
never even thought of quitting. His lifetime spent He played until he was well over 40 and then Jo Witteveen,

KNVB
at the club is exemplary of how many football started doing all sorts of regular club chores. a role model
players grow up with a club and dedicate them- He was appointed to several committees and for club loyalty
selves as volunteers. Witteveen is now 96 but still joined the board. “I have never been a coach
loves the game as much as when he started play- of a team, but all the other jobs in the club hold to watch senior players on Sunday mornings.
ing. “I have grown old. Walking is not as easy as no secrets for me,” he admits with a smile. And then on Sunday evenings he sits down in
it used to be,” Witteveen says ruefully. This most loyal of club members never felt the front of the TV to watch the highlights from the
He started playing football when he was 11. need to even look at what other clubs in the area Dutch premiership. “I still follow the Dutch League
“All the boys from my neighborhood joined the had to offer him. “You know,” he says, “Be Quick and the UEFA Champions League. That’s the best
club so there was little else for me to do.” The is a wonderful club. I have always enjoyed football on offer.”
youngster was apparently a talented player as he myself here.” He still visits the club occasionally ● Rob de Leede

Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland

[Link] [Link]

Branded bibs ing on identifying and coaching talented boys A new mini-pitch in Dublin
for excellence centres and girls throughout Northern Ireland, and com-
panies like Stena Line Irish Sea Ferries help us to The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) wel-
Stena Line Irish Sea Ferries, who operate the ensure our centres go from strength to strength.” comes UEFA’s recent donation of a new mini-
Belfast-Liverpool route, recently presented the ● Sueann Harrison pitch in Dublin.
Irish FA with branded bibs to be used in the six The mini-pitch was donated by UEFA to the FAI
Stena Line Irish Sea Ferries Excellence Centres and Dublin city council to mark their hosting of the
that are located thought the province. 2011 UEFA Europa League final. The pitch is in
The bibs are being used not only at the excel- addition to the 64 mini-pitches which have been
lence centres in Northern Ireland, but also further built in communities throughout Ireland in conjunc-
afield. Already they have been used by repre- tion with UEFA, the FAI, the department of trans-
sentative squads that travelled to Luxembourg to port, tourism and sport and 26 local authorities.
play two games against the Luxembourg U14 The multi-sport facility will be used by the FAI
team, England to play two games against Burnley and Dublin city council’s co-funded development
Youth squads and France to take part in an inter- officers to promote the development of grassroots
national youth tournament. football in the community. The facility is freely
The Irish FA’s county performance manager, accessible to the public and will also be used
Nigel Best, said: “The Irish FA is grateful to Stena by local schools and clubs.
IFA

Line Irish Sea Ferries for providing the bibs for our The FAI’s chief executive, John Delaney, said:
development squads. The excellence centres are Nigel Best, IFA manager, and Diane Poole, head “The mini-pitch programme which has been
a key element in our performance strategy, focus- of passenger services at Stena Line Irish Sea Ferries rolled out nationwide over the past four years
with assistance from the UEFA HatTrick pro-
gramme, the department of transport, tourism
and sport and local authorities has been very suc-
Poland cessful in placing facilities in the heart of com-
[Link] munities the length and breadth of the country.
“The mini-pitch opening in Dublin city, which
Support for Special Olympics organisation of tournaments for disabled people. is being entirely funded by UEFA to mark the host-
Their collaboration has become ever closer and ing of the Europa League final, is another wel-
For many years, the Polish Football Associa- was highlighted this year on 25 May, when UEFA come development and underlines the commit-
tion (PZPN) has supported Special Olympics, an Grassroots Day was celebrated in Poland for the ment of UEFA, and the FAI and Dublin city council
organisation whose mission is to support the second time. as joint bid partners, to leave a legacy for the
development of people with learning difficulties, This year, those working with disabled people people of Dublin.”
among others, through participation in sports were involved in the PZPN’s training of coaches. Meanwhile, ahead of the UEFA Europa League
competitions. “Within the framework of the courses organised final at the Dublin Arena, the Republic of Ireland
A cooperation agreement between the Polish through this programme, we intend to create manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, paid a visit
branch of Special Olympics and the PZPN was exercises which will also take into account disa- to Crumlin Children’s Hospital with the UEFA
signed in April 2008 at a press conference dedi- bled people,” said Tomasz Zabielski, coordina- Europa League trophy, where he met hundreds
cated to the Special Olympics European Football tor of the association’s grassroots programme. of children and their families.
Week. Last year, the chairman of the PZPN, The PZPN want disabled people to enjoy and ● Fran Whearty
Grzegorz Lato, signed a similar agreement with benefit from football too.
the organisers of the Special Olympics European The UEFA grassroots programme, which the
Summer Games. PZPN has been involved in for more than two
One of the ways used to promote the Olympics years, promotes amateur football as a sport that
European Summer Games and the PZPN’s commit- is accessible to all, independent of age, sex, skin
ment is to get children involved in the national colour, social standing, skill and intellect. The
team’s friendly matches by having them accompany PZPN participates in this grassroots programme
the players onto the pitch dressed in Special Olym- because it shares the belief that the prosperity
pics T-shirts and holding Special Olympics flags. of football is tied to its popularity and the ability
In 2010, a Special Olympics representative for everyone to benefit from it. The PZPN’s coop-
spoke at an international coaches’ conference eration with Special Olympics is just one of the
organised by the PZPN on coaching children and measures taken by the association to share foot-
young people in Europe. The PZPN’s regional ball with as many people as possible, including
FAI

coordinators in charge of UEFA grassroots pro- disabled people, by remaining faithful to the slo-
gramme activities regularly collaborate with Spe- gan Together for Football. Giovanni Trapattoni shows the UEFA Europa League
cial Olympics coordinators, in particular on the ● Press Department trophy to a young patient at Crumlin Children’s Hospital

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 Sweden
[Link]
Ukraine
[Link]
21
Media masterclass with
Pierluigi Collina
The Football Federation of Ukraine hosted a
somewhat unique seminar for local TV commen-
tators and journalists at its headquarters at the
end of May, when Pierluigi
Collina, the man charged with
supervising refereeing in
Ukraine, explained to them
the foundations and subtleties
of modern refereeing.
Having analysed Ukrainian
TV and radio commentaries
and articles in the press and
on the Internet, the former top
referee was a little concerned
that representatives of the

FFU
mass media gave mistaken, or
at least very subjective, inter- Pierluigi Collina
pretations of the action of ref- addresses the

SvFF
erees. In his opinion, this diso- media in Ukraine
rientated the Ukrainian fans,
This fan’s violent behaviour in Malmo could earn him a fine and a year-long stadium ban
who trust journalists. As a result, Pierluigi Collina
proposed an open dialogue – the most efficient
Stronger measures against by the police and the courts. It’s time to adopt form of communication – which would, above all,
hooliganism required some of the measures used by other countries enhance the professional standing of the journal-
who have successfully dealt with hooliganism,” ists themselves.
The Swedish FA is pleading with the govern- says the president of the Swedish FA, Lars-Åke Nearly 40 journalists from leading TV stations,
ment for sterner legal measures against hooligan- Lagrell. media companies, newspapers and websites took
ism. Early in the season, two games in the Effective banning orders are a top priority. part in the seminar. During the event, which lasted
Allsvenskan have already had to be abandoned Currently Swedish clubs can apply in court to nearly three hours, the Ukrainian referees’ supervi-
due to crowd trouble and fireworks. Disciplinary have troublemakers banned for a maximum sor presented the FIFA and UEFA recommendations
measures against the clubs involved have failed of one year, but in a catch-22 situation they are on interpreting the Laws of the Game and illus-
to prevent further incidents. not allowed to keep special files on those trated everything he said with videos from Ukrain-
“We need the government’s help now. Foot- banned, which in effect makes the hard-fought ian premier league matches, taking the time after-
ball invests ever increasing amounts of money ban almost impossible to enforce. The Swedish wards to answer all the participants’ questions.
and effort into security measures, but we also government has appointed a special coordinator ● Dmytro Sobko
need the legal means to deal with the kind to investigate the matter and he is expected to
of criminals who don’t care about the harm present his report in 2013.
they cause. Criminals need to be dealt with ● Andreas Nilsson Wales
[Link]

Switzerland
[Link]
Peter Gilliéron, On the road again
president of the
Swiss FA During the summer, the Football Association
Leagues to be restructured of Wales (FAW) will be taking to the road and
from 2012/13 visiting various shows and events throughout the
principality.
At its annual general meeting, the Swiss Foot- A brand new exhibition trailer has been kitted
ball Association agreed, by a large majority, on out to look like part of the team dressing room
a new Swiss league structure from the 2012/13
ASF/SVF

and the latest audiovisual aids will be used to

season. The key change is undoubtedly the help enhance the football experience provided,
reduction of the Challenge League (second divi- while coaches and players also put on coaching
sion) from 16 to 10 teams and the introduction demonstrations. Wales manager, Gary Speed,
of a new 16-team upper first division between will be in attendance at many of the events.
this and the next league down (the classic first clubs and encourage the inclusion of promising Wales has a tradition of outdoor festivals dur-
division). The classic first division will, in turn, be young players in their teams. ing the summer and the FAW will be represented
split into three groups of 14 teams, instead of the The annual general meeting also re-elected at many of this year’s, including the Eisteddfod
current 16. Peter Gilliéron by acclamation for a further two- for youngsters in Swansea, one of the venues for
After next season, which will be a transitional year term as president, a post to which he was the final tournament of the European Women’s
one, six teams will be relegated from the Chal- promoted from that of general secretary two Under-19 Championship in 2013.
lenge League to the new upper first division, years ago when he succeeded Ralph Zloczower. ● Ceri Stennett
where they will be joined by six teams promoted After his election, Gilliéron expressed hope “that
from the classic first division and the four strong- the senior national team will manage to qualify
est Under-21 teams. After this transitional period for EURO 2012”. At the same time, he was hope-
one team a season will be relegated from the ful that the U21 national team would perform
Challenge League, to be replaced by one pro- well at the forthcoming European Under-21
moted side. With the current play-offs between Championship finals in Denmark and thereby
the team finishing second from bottom in the qualify for the Olympic Games, and that the
Super League and second from top in the Chal- women’s U19 team would enjoy success in their
lenge League also being abolished, only one European Championship final round. “We must
team a season will be relegated from the Super also continue to support the clubs in their day-to-
League too, while one team is promoted. day activities and fight against violence with the
These measures are designed to enhance the help of the public authorities,” said Peter Gilliéron,
FAW

Challenge League. The president of the Swiss FA, who intends to continue to put maximum effort
Peter Gilliéron, hopes that they will both improve into both top-level and grassroots football.
the financial situation of the Challenge League ● Pierre Benoit A travelling dressing room to promote the game

UEFA•direct | 06-07.11

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 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES

22 Birthdays, calendar, notices

Birthdays Paolo Pecorari (Italy, 19.7)

Kari Iuell (Norway, 19.7)
Odd Flattum (Norway, 9.8)
Roy Hodgson (England, 9.8)
Alfredo Trentalange (Italy, 19.7) Urs Vogel (Switzerland, 11.8)
Vladimir Radionov (Russia, 21.7) Emil Kostadinov (Bulgaria, 12.8)
BIRTHDAYS IN JULY Boris Voskresensky (Ukraine, 22.7) Jean-Marc Puissesseau (France, 13.8)
Michel Wuilleret (Switzerland, 22.7) Roger Vanden Stock (Belgium, 13.8)

H onorary UEFA member Des Casey

(Republic of Ireland) is turning 80
on 31 July. Raymond Kennedy (North-
Nico Romeijn (Netherlands, 22.7)
Balazs Makray (Hungary, 22.7)
Bontcho Todorov (Bulgaria, 23.7)
Joseph Mifsud (Malta, 13.8)
Cornel Cristian Bivolaru
(Romania, 13.8)
ern Ireland), vice-chairman of the Fair Pavel Malovic (Slovakia, 23.7) Anthony Hickey (Switzerland, 13.8)
Play and Social Responsibility Com- Mario Gallavotti (Italy, 25.7) Patrick Willemarck (Belgium, 13.8)
mittee, is celebrating his 70th on 8 Ferenc Ragadics (Hungary, 25.7) George Pandelea-Dobrovicescu
July. Haralampie Hadji-Risteski (FYR Arno P. Sargsyan (Armenia, 25.7) (Romania, 14.8)
Macedonia), vice-chairman of the Jacob Erel (Israel, 26.7) Jacques Lagnier (France, 16.8)
Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, Alfred Ludwig (Austria, 26.7) Nils Skutle (Norway, 16.8)
is celebrating his 60th on 24 July. And Adilbek Jaxybekov Victor Beceiro (Spain, 16.8)
finally, referee observer Valentin Ivanov (Kazakhstan, 26.7) Bente Skogvang (Norway, 17.8)
(Russia) and Control and Disciplinary David I. Bowen Danijel Jost (Slovenia, 18.8)
Body member Joël Wolff (Luxembourg) (Northern Ireland, 26.7) Vitalijs Liholajs (Latvia, 19.8)
turn 50 on 4 and 31 July respectively. Jeff Davis (England, 27.7) Mordechai Shpigler (Israel, 19.8)
Björn Ahlberg (Sweden, 28.7) Patricia Grégory (England, 19.8)
UEFA also wishes many happy returns Stefan Tivold (Slovenia, 28.7) Johannes Reijgwart
in July to: João Leal (Portugal, 30.7) (Netherlands, 19.8)
Cenk Cem (Turkey, 31.7) Graham Hover (England, 19.8)
Frédéric Thiriez (France, 1.7) Per Ravn Omdal (Norway, 20.8)
Antonie Marinus Verhagen Carmelo Bartolo (Malta, 21.8)
(Netherlands, 1.7) Hasan Ceylan (Turkey, 22.8)
Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium, 1.7) BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST Geoffrey Thompson (England, 23.8)
Marinus Koopman (Netherlands, 2.7) Ioannis Economides (Greece, 23.8)
Domingos Gomes Dias (Portugal, 3.7)
Bertrand Layec (France, 3.7)
Antonio Matarrese (Italy, 4.7)
P larent Kotherja (Albania), referee
observer, turns 60 on 8 August. He
is joined on 19 August by František
Demetrio Albertini (Italy, 23.8)
Enrique Gonzalez Ruano
(Spain, 24.8)
Neale Barry (England, 4.7) Laurinec (Slovakia), member of the David Delferiere (Belgium, 24.8)
Roland Ospelt (Liechtenstein, 4.7) UEFA Executive Committee, and on Nicolae Grigorescu (Romania, 24.8)
Martin Maleck (Switzerland, 8.7) 22 August by Kazimierz Oleszek Thomas Slosarich (Denmark, 24.8)
Paul Allaerts (Belgium, 9.7) (Poland), match delegate. Meanwhile, Bert Andertsson (Sweden, 25.8)
Yordan Letchkov (Bulgaria, 9.7) Piet Hubers (Netherlands), member of Giancarlo Abete (Italy, 26.8)
Murad Mammadov the Grassroots Panel, is celebrating his Regina Konink-Belksma
(Azerbaijan, 10.7) 50th on 6 August. (Netherlands, 26.8)
Nina Hedlund (Norway, 11.7) Alexander Manfré (Malta, 27.8)
Ilija Stoilov (FYR Macedonia, 11.7) UEFA also wishes many happy returns Karl Hopfner (Germany, 28.8)
Edo Trivkovic (Croatia, 11.7) in August to: Joseph McGlue
Günter Benkö (Austria, 12.7) (Republic of Ireland, 28.8)
Carlo Tavecchio (Italy, 13.7) Sheila Begbie (Scotland, 1.8) Vincent Egbers (Netherlands, 29.8)
Maria Teresa Costa (Portugal, 13.7) Kimmo Lipponen (Finland, 1.8) Leo Windtner (Austria, 30.8)
Alex Horne (England, 13.7) Luciano Luci (Italy, 2.8) Charles John Grundie
Elke Günthner (Germany, 14.7) Mehmet Süheyl Önen (Turkey, 2.8) (Northern Ireland, 30.8)
Vladimir Petr (Slovakia, 15.7) Andreas Schluchter (Switzerland, 3.8) Christer Fällström (Sweden, 31.8)
Ben Veenbrink (Netherlands, 15.7) Zdravko Jokic (Serbia, 4.8) Cristel Brorsson (Sweden, 31.8)
Johannes Malka (Germany, 16.7) Lamberto Perugia (Italy, 5.8) Christoph Kollmeier (Germany, 31.8)
Ernst Nigg (Liechtenstein, 16.7) David A. Gill (England, 5.8) Pedro Dias (Portugal, 31.8)
Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden, 16.7) Aleh Chykun (Belarus, 5.8)
Jiri Ulrich (Czech Republic, 16.7) Pierino L. G. Lardi (Switzerland, 7.8)
Giuseppe Mifsud-Bonnici Marcel Vanelshocht (Belgium, 8.8)
(Malta, 17.7) Peter Donald (Scotland, 8.8)
Antonia Kokotou (Greece, 17.7) Olivier Henry (Belgium, 8.8)
Alistair MacLean (England, 18.7) Florian Prunea (Romania, 8.8)
Vicente Muñoz Castello (Spain, 19.7) Nico de Pauw (Belgium, 8.8)

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 23

Forthcoming 19/20.7.2011
UEFA Champions League:
second qualifying round (return legs)
Notice

events 20.7–1.8.2011, Romania

European Under-19 Championship:
■ On 21 May, Peter Gilliéron, UEFA
Executive Committee member, was
re-elected president of the Swiss FA
final round for a further two years.
Meetings 21.7.2011 ■ The suspension imposed on the
UEFA Europa League: Bosnia and Herzegovina Football
6.7.2011, Nyon
second qualifying round (return legs) Federation (NFSBiH) on 1 April was
UEFA Futsal Cup: draws for the preliminary
and main rounds of the competition 26/27.7.2011 lifted by FIFA and UEFA at the end
UEFA Champions League: of May after the NFSBiH adopted new,
15.7.2011, Nyon FIFA and UEFA-compliant statutes.
UEFA Champions League/UEFA Europa third qualifying round (first legs)
League: draws for the third qualifying rounds 28.7.2011
5.8.2011, Nyon UEFA Europa League: Match agents
UEFA Champions League/UEFA Europa third qualifying round (first legs)
League: draws for the play-offs 28–31.7.2011, Nyon UEFA has issued licences to the following
23.8.2011, Nyon European Women’s Under-17 match agents:
UEFA Women’s Champions League: Championship: final round
draws for the rounds of 32 and 16 Antonio Gambardella
29.7–20.8.2011, Colombia TRAVELclub Bern AG
25.8.2011, Monaco FIFA U-20 World Cup Laupenstrasse 20
UEFA Champions League:
2/3.8.2011 3001 Berne – Switzerland
group stage draw
UEFA Champions League: Tel: +41 31 310 02 50
26.8.2011, Monaco third qualifying round (return legs) Mob: +41 79 222 71 88
UEFA Europa League: group stage draw [Link]@[Link]
29–31.8.2011, Nyon 4.8.2011
Summer course for referees UEFA Europa League: Bertrand Lebourg
and assistant referees third qualifying round (return legs) Maison Lardapidia
11-16.8.2011 64780 St Martin d’Arrossa – France
31.8/1.9.2011, Nyon Mob: +33 6 84 48 64 89
Elite club coaches’ forum UEFA Women’s Champions League:
blebourg@[Link]
qualifying round
13–21.8.2011 Thomas Huber
Competitions UEFA Futsal Cup: preliminary round Fidelitas Sports Agentur Ltd.
Hauptstr. 101
16/17.8.2011 76297 Stutensee – Germany
5/6.7.2011 UEFA Champions League: play-offs Tel: +49 7244 6080290
UEFA Champions League: (first legs) Mob: +49 721 470 9229
first qualifying round (return legs) post@[Link]
18.8.2011
7.7.2011 UEFA Europa League: play-offs (first legs)
UEFA Europa League: Benoît Sitbon
first qualifying round (return legs) 23/24.8.2011 38 rue Hoche
UEFA Champions League: play-offs 78800 Houilles – France
12/13.7.2011
(return legs) Mob: +33 6 25 28 15 53
UEFA Champions League: [Link]@[Link]
second qualifying round (first legs) 25.8.2011
14.7.2011 UEFA Europa League: play-offs (return legs) Bruce Tumenta
UEFA Europa League: 26.8.2011, Monaco Rightagent4you
second qualifying round (first legs) UEFA Super Cup 6E Bateman Court, Derby,
DE23 8JQ – UK
Mob: +44 7970 537 619
brucyboy7@[Link]
OBITUARY
Olivier Belesi Djesi
Former Scottish FA secretary Ernest Walker passed away on 14 May at the
16 rue de Polyanthas
age of 82 after a long illness. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career as 93110 Rosny Sous Bois – France
a UEFA official and was acknowledged, in particular, as an expert on stadium Mob: +33 6 34 29 05 66
matters. He was a member of the UEFA Stadia Committee (subsequently the [Link]@[Link]
Stadium and Security Committee) from its creation in 1985, serving as its chair-
man from 1990 to 2004. ‘Ernie’ Walker was also a member of the Board of Ap- Ali Dhrif
9 rue du Pré Botin
peal (1978–82), the Committee for the UEFA Club Competitions ( 1982–92), the 77160 Provins – France
transfer experts’ group (1988–98), the transfer pool (1996–2000), the ad hoc Tel: +33 6 63 39 65 02
board for technical and administrative assistance to East European associations dhrifali@[Link]
(1990–96), the board of the East European Assistance Bureau (1994–98) and
the Development and Assistance Committee (1998–2000). In 2002 he received
the UEFA Order of Merit in Diamond, and in 2004, he was honoured with the In addition, Joachim Schön (Germany)
and Iñigo Ocariz Gaubeca (Spain) have
UEFA President’s Award in recognition of his special contribution to football. had their licences extended for eight
years.

UEFA • direct | 06-07.11

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