Focus on statutes and 2012

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Proposed amendments to the UEFA statutes and the selection procedure for the UEFA EURO 2012™ hosts are on the agenda for an extraordinary meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee in Nyon, Switzerland next Monday.
President in the chairThe meeting at UEFA's headquarters will be chaired by UEFA President Michel Platini, who was elected to European football's helm at the XXXI Ordinary Congress in Dusseldorf in January.
Extraordinary Congress in MayThe proposed statutory changes will be decided on by the committee, and be subsequently presented for approval by UEFA's 53 member associations at an extraordinary UEFA Congress to be held in Zurich on Monday 28 May. The agenda for the May Congress will also be decided in Nyon next Monday.
2012 procedureUEFA's supreme executive body will clarify procedure-related matters for the choice of the UEFA EURO 2012™ hosts, which will be made in Cardiff, Wales next month. Three candidates - Croatia/Hungary, Italy and Poland/Ukraine - are in the running to stage European football's blue-riband national team event in six summers' time.
Cardiff decisionThe candidates are scheduled to make their final presentations to the UEFA Executive Committee on 17 April, with the committee due to reassemble at Cardiff's City Hall the following day, when the final decision on the 2012 hosts is set to be announced.
Press conferenceUEFA said the Nyon talks next Monday are scheduled to commence at 11.00CET and finish around 16.00CET. There will be a press conference immediately following the conclusion of the meeting. Media representatives wishing to attend the press conference are requested to send an email to accreditations@uefa.ch with the words "UEFA Exco" in the subject header, no later than Friday 23 March (17.00CET).
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Drenthe 'proud' of Feyenoord deal

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Feyenoord defender Royston Drenthe has described his pride at signing a two-year contract extension, after agreeing to remain at the "club of his heart" until the summer of 2011.
Heartfelt delightDrenthe was committed to Erwin Koeman's side until 2009 but a string of consistent performances have prompted the Rotterdam-based outfit to tie the left-back to a longer deal. "I am proud of myself because I see this as a reward," said Drenthe. "Now I will be able to stay at the club of my heart for even longer." A product of Feyenoord's academy, the 19-year-old made his debut in January 2006 and has gone on to become a regular under Koeman this season, making 22 Eredivisie and four UEFA Cup appearances. Drenthe is also a member of the Netherlands Under-21 squad.
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Espanyol lose David García

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
RCD Espanyol will have to do without defender David García for the UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg at home to SL Benfica on 5 April after he tore ankle ligaments.
Difficult seasonThe 26-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at Espanyol, was hurt in the 4-0 victory against Maccabi Haifa FC last Thursday that sealed the Barcelona club's place in the last eight of the European competition. Tests confirmed the extent of the damage although it is thought he could be fit for the return against Benfica in Lisbon on 12 April. García, who signed a new two-year contract last month, has already missed three months of the season with a left-knee injury sustained in September.
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Albania plan Baric tonic

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
by Fatjon Pandovskifrom Tirana
Albania hope the absence of coach Otto Barić will motivate their strikers against Slovenia on Saturday as they chase a first UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying win.
Shock departureThe loss of centre-forward and captain Igli Tare - ruled out due to a lack of playing time at S.S. Lazio - looked like being the big story when Austrian-born Barić named his squad for the week's Group G qualifiers at home to Slovenia and away to Bulgaria, until the coach himself was forced on to the sick list. The former Croatia boss has temporarily handed the reins to his assistants Slavko Kovačić and Shpëtim Duro after suffering heart and breathing problems. The 74-year-old had only just announced his selection when doctors told him to take it easy and miss both matches.
'Otto Maximum'Appointed following the departure of Hans-Peter Briegel last June, Barić has pledged to revive Albania's fortunes. "I have been around for 35 years as a coach, and won nine titles and seven cups in 18 years in Austria," he said. "I have also reached two European club finals - that's why they call me 'Otto Maximum'." However, his presence is yet to bring the positive results Albania supporters yearn for. A 2-2 draw in their Group G opener in Belarus preceded defeats by Romania and the Netherlands, while a recent 1-0 home friendly loss to F.Y.R. Macedonia meant more disappointment.
Hitting formSadly, the coach's lay-off appears to have coincided with a good run of form for Albania's front men. With Erion Bogdani, Hamdi Salihi, Edmond Kapllani and Alban Bushi all on song, the 33-year-old Tare suddenly seems almost surplus to requirements. Likely to start against Slovenia in Shkoder, Bogdani has scored four goals in his last four Serie A games for AC Chievo Verona. Meantime Salihi shows promise with SV Ried in Austria, Karlsruher SC's Kapllani is the leading marksman in Germany's 2. Bundesliga and Bushi is catching the eye at Greek club Apollon Kalamarias FC.
Bushi's medicationAt 31, Bushi is no youngster, but five strikes in his last five league appearances tell their own story, and he is eager to partner Bogdani against Slovenia. "If I play and score, my goal will be like medication to help the coach get better," he said. A win against Slovenia would doubtless have Barić on his feet and celebrating, doctor's orders or otherwise.
©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Cech expresses Slovakia concern

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
by Paul Saffer
Slovakia face make or break trips to Cyprus and the Republic of Ireland in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group D, but defender Marek Čech is pessimistic after their results last autumn.
Wins and lossesIt looked good in September when Slovakia began the section with an impressive 6-1 win against Cyprus in Bratislava, but four days later the Czech Republic crossed the border and triumphed 3-0. Slovakia again hit form the following month with a 5-1 victory in Wales, only to return home and lose 4-1 to Germany that midweek. Ján Kocian's side now trail the Germans and Czechs by four points, and perhaps only a maximum haul from Nicosia on Saturday and Dublin next Wednesday would put fourth-placed Slovakia back into contention.
'Very difficult'"It is looking very difficult as we have the Czech Republic and Germany in our group," Čech, 24, told uefa.com. "They have got in front and we have dropped points against both of them so it's going to be very difficult to qualify. It would be great to go to Cyprus, get a victory, and start a winning run. We had a good chance at the start, but now it is not looking so good."
Czech derbyThere is an extra incentive for Slovakia - if they can turn their results around, they might just be in the hunt by the time their penultimate fixture, a trip to the Czech Republic, comes around in November. "It's a derby just like Spain against Portugal or Brazil against Argentina," Čech said. "For us the Czechs are big rivals and we want to beat them."
Porto exitČech has suffered disappointment with his club side recently, narrowly losing a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie 3-2 on aggregate to Chelsea FC, before going down 1-0 to Sporting Clube de Portugal at the weekend to allow SL Benfica to reduce Porto's lead to just one point. "I think over the two games we proved that we could match Chelsea, and maybe with a little bit of luck for us things would have been different," the full-back continued. "We now have to make sure we win the Portuguese championship. We are clear but it is still going to be difficult because Benfica are also a very good team. It is proving to be a hard season."
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Pereplotkins ready to give his all

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
by Mihail Korolevfrom Riga
One of three players recently granted Latvian citizenship, Skonto FC winger Andrejs Pereplotkins is ready to make his international debut against Liechtenstein.
Parliamentary decisionPacy and skilful, the 21-year-old has made waves in Latvian football since his arrival at Skonto in 2004 via the youth academy at English side Southampton FC. Now he has benefited from a parliamentary decision - along with fellow Skonto players Andrejs Kostjuks and Ivans Sputajs, both 19 - and is set to appear in the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Vaduz a week today.'Big surprise'With his new passport came a change of name, with the Russian Andrei Pereplyotkin being transformed into the Latvian equivalent in an instant. "It was a big surprise when I was granted citizenship," he said. "I had not prepared for either outcome - I just had to wait and see what parliament decided. Now I'm really happy. I expect that it will only finally hit home that I'm a Latvian citizen when I take to the pitch in the kit of the national team. The invitation to play for Latvia is a wonderful chance."
Home from homePereplotkins insisted that he was not under pressure to apply for a new passport as UEFA EURO 2004™ finalists Latvia look to build on the three points from their first three Group F games. "The decision to change citizenship was my idea," he said. "I have an opportunity to play at a higher level for Latvia and I like the country a lot. This is a country where a person can realise their potential. I still cannot believe what is happening and don't know how to react. I just can't wait to get started."
Exciting occasionExpected to be used in left midfield in place of the injured Andrejs Rubins, Pereplotkins was concerned that he was "too excited" about his international debut, but is hoping that the sheer number of Skonto team-mates in the squad will help keep him anchored in Vaduz. "I have seen lots of Latvia games - it is only natural given how many of the players are my friends," he said. "I want to be of use and win the admiration of Latvian fans." If he can replicate his Skonto form in his new shirt, that should not be a problem.
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In-form Germany reward fans

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Germany showed why they are being tipped for success in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship as they picked up a comfortable victory against Greece in their opening Elite round Group 1 fixture in Osnabruck.
Kroos doubleA packed crowd of 5,000 came to see a team that last month won the prestigious Algarve Tournament, and within two minutes Germany were ahead through their sole survivor from the squad that reached the 2006 semi-finals in Luxembourg, Toni Kroos. The FC Bayern München playmaker turned in a Sascha Bigalke corner and struck again on the quarter-hour from a free-kick.
Greek hopes dashedMarvin Knoll and Henning Sauerbier had further first-half chances, but Greece held out and pulled one back in the 64th minute through substitute Eleftherios Kanatas. However, three minutes later Sauerbier combined well with Kroos for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker to restore the two-goal cushion, and with six minutes left Bigalke's replacement Richard Sukuta-Pasu completed the victory. The German campaign for a place in the Belgium-hosted finals continues against Scotland in Rheine on Friday while Greece meet the Republic of Ireland in Schuttorf.
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Daly goals good news for Ireland

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Two goals from Manchester City FC striker Ian Daly gave the Republic of Ireland victory against Scotland on the opening day of UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round Group 1.
Daly doubleWith host nation Germany having beaten Greece 4-1 earlier, both teams knew that victory in Emsdetten would be invaluable to stay in the hunt of the one available finals place in Belgium; each side is hoping to qualify for the U17 showpiece for the first time. Daly put Ireland ahead in the fifth minute and struck again just before half-time. The lead was reduced on 58 minutes but Ireland held out for victory, and take on Greece on Friday in Schuttorf after Scotland face Germany in Rheine.
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Hellers hopeful for Luxembourg

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Luxembourg coach Guy Hellers has named the squad he hopes will get his side off the mark in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying.
Profligate to dateGroup G's bottom team have yet to score a goal, having lost their first three fixtures, but are aiming to break that duck against Belarus at the Stade Josy Barthel on Saturday before the trip to Piatra Neamt to face Romania next Wednesday. The squad, featuring four foreign-based players, will have a tricky task as both Belarus, in fourth place with four points, and Romania, third with seven, have hopes of reaching the finals in Switzerland and Austria.
Luxembourg squadGoalkeepers: Jonathan Joubert (F91 Dudelange), Stéphane Gillet (FC Racing Union Luxembourg).
Defenders: Jacques Plein (FC Etzella Ettelbrück), Eric Hoffmann (FC Etzella Ettelbrück), Mario Mutsch (TSV Alemannia Aachen), Kim Kintziger (FC Swift Hesperange), Jérôme Bigard (F91 Dudelange), Clayton De Sousa (AS Jeunesse Esch), Claude Reiter (AS Jeunesse Esch), Jeff Strasser (RC Strasbourg).
Midfielders: René Peters (FC Swift Hesperange), Sébastien Remy (F91 Dudelange), Claudio Lombardelli (AS Jeunesse Esch), Carlos Ferreira (FC Etzella Ettelbrück), Ben Payal (AS Jeunesse Esch), Dan Collette (AS Jeunesse Esch), Marc Binsfeld (FC Etzella Ettelbrück), Gilles Bettmer (SC Freiburg).
Forwards: Chris Sagramola (AS Jeunesse Esch), Daniel Huss (CS Grevenmacher), Aurélien Joachim (TSV Alemannia Aachen).
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Russia one step closer to finals

Wednesday, 21 March 2007
UEFA European Under-17 Championship holders Russia look in a good position to return to the finals after victory against Northern Ireland in Elite round Group 6 today.
Two-point leadRussia, like Northern Ireland, drew on Matchday 1 in Portugal so were keen to pick up a maximum haul again. As Portugal's match with Iceland today finished goalless, the Russian victory takes them two points clear with only Saturday's fixtures remaining.
Win enoughOn that day Russia take on Iceland in Caldas da Rainha knowing victory would guarantee them a place in May's finals in Belgium, the first defending champions to qualify since 2003/04. Northern Ireland, however, have only pride to play for against Portugal in Peniche.
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