The official UEFA Futsal EURO 2016 programme is available to download now, featuring a full preview of the tournament and the lowdown on all 12 teams.Among the interviews, Serbian football legend Dejan Stanković gives the inside track on host city Belgrade while Brazilian ace Alex Teixeira explains how playing futsal helped him hone the skills that have made him such a UEFA Champions League success. Roberto Menichelli, meanwhile, warns his Italy team that defending their title will be even harder than winning it in Antwerp last time around.Features on the key players to look out for in Belgrade, a review of the greatest ever UEFA Futsal EURO games and team profiles on the 1...
Football Update
Osorio: The Mexico job excites me
On 14 October, Mexico brought their long search for a new coach to an end with the appointment of the Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio, a development that caused no little surprise among Tri fans. After all, Osorio was far from one of the leading contenders for the job and was a virtual unknown in Mexico, where his only previous coaching experience came in a brief spell with Puebla in 2012. When you consider his record, however, the choice seems a perfectly sound one. The winner of four Colombian titles with Atletico Nacional of Medellin, whom he also steered to a runners-up slot in last year’s Copa Sudamericana, the 54-year-old is as experienced and well-travelled as...
UEFA Executive Committee unanimously backs Gianni Infantino for FIFA presidency
006 - Use of goal-line technology approved for UEFA EURO and UEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Executive Committee yesterday held its first meeting of the year at the House of European Football in Nyon and unanimously decided to back the candidature of Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential elections (see media release 005).The UEFA Executive Committee decided there will be no UEFA presidential election scheduled until the sports justice appeal bodies, including potentially the Court of Arbitration for Sport, have taken a decision regarding Michel Platini’s suspension (see media release 004).The use of goal-line technology was approved for the final tournament of UEF...
Goal-line technology for UEFA EURO 2016
006 - Use of goal-line technology approved for UEFA EURO and UEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Executive Committee yesterday held its first meeting of the year at the House of European Football in Nyon and unanimously decided to back the candidature of Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential elections (see media release 005).The UEFA Executive Committee decided there will be no UEFA presidential election scheduled until the sports justice appeal bodies, including potentially the Court of Arbitration for Sport, have taken a decision regarding Michel Platini’s suspension (see media release 004).The use of goal-line technology was approved for the final tournament of UEF...
Gent leave it late, Juventus through, Barcelona win
THURSDAYGent 2-1 Club Brugge (Dejaegere 59, Kums 90+2; Diaby 38)Sven Kums struck in added time to give Gent victory against Club Brugge in the first leg of their Belgian Cup semi-final. Despite Dian Cools's 23rd-minute sending off, the visitors took the lead before half-time through Abdoulay Diaby. However, Brecht Dejaegere deflected in a Lasse Nielsen shot in the 59th minute to equalise and Kums's well-placed shot ensured Gent will be ahead of the holders for the second leg on 3 February.Luzern 1-2 Dynamo Kyiv (Schachten 42; Júnior Moraes 22 33)Two Júnior Moraes goals ensured Dynamo bounced ba...
What José Peseiro can do for Porto
With Porto having appointed José Peseiro as their new coach on an 18-month deal, UEFA.com's Pedro Marques profiles Julen Lopetegui's replacement and asks whether the 55-year-old is the man to bring success back to the Estádio do Dragão.What is his background?Peseiro has a degree in physical education from the same university in Lisbon where José Mourinho gained his. He started coaching in the lower leagues before taking charge of Nacional, steering them into the Portuguese top flight in 2002. He worked as Carlos Queiroz's assistant at Real Madrid in 2003/04, returning home after a season to lead Sporting CP.
Juventus into last four, Barcelona close on semis
WEDNESDAYAthletic Club 1-2 Barcelona (Aduriz 89; Munir 18, Neymar 25)Holders Barça are well placed to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals, though they are not quite as comfortable as they might have been due to Aritz Aduriz's late effort for Athletic in the opening instalment of this last-eight tie. Munir El Haddadi and Neymar – with his 20th club goal in 25 appearances this season – gave the visitors a two-goal cushion inside 25 minutes. However, Aduriz, joint-leading scorer in the UEFA Europa League group stage, gave Athletic, who go to the Camp Nou next week, hope at the death.Celta Vigo 0-0 Atlético Madrid...