Estonia will be without star striker Andres Oper through injury as they head for Wembley to take on England in a UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier on 13 October.
Absent forwards
Oper has been ruled out for two months with a hamstring problem and has not been named in coach Viggo Jensen's 21-man squad for the match, while the absence of injured FC Torpedo Moskva forward Vladimir Voskoboinikov and the retirement of Indrek Zelinski have further weakened the Dane's attacking options. Kristen Viikmäe has been called up to fill one of those attacking slots while Oliver Konsa, Sergei Terehhov and goalkeeper Mart Poom have also returned to the fold. Following their trip to Wembley, Estonia meet Montenegro in a friendly game in Tallinn on 17 October.
Estonia squad
Goalkeepers: Mart Poom (Watford FC), Pavel Londak (FK Bodø/Glimt), Mihkel Aksalu (FC Flora Tallinn).
Defenders: Teet Allas (FC Flora Tallinn), Andrei Stepanov (FK Khimki), Raio Piiroja (Fredrikstad FK), Urmas Rooba (FC TPS Turku), Enar Jääger (Aalesunds FK), Dmitri Kruglov (FC Torpedo Moskva), Alo Bärengrub (FC Flora Tallinn).
Midfielders: Martin Reim (FC Flora Tallinn), Joel Lindpere (Tromsø IL), Taavi Rähn (FK Ekranas), Aleksandr Dmitrijev (FC Levadia Tallinn), Ragnar Klavan (Heracles Almelo), Sergei Terehhov (FC TVMK Tallinn), Aivar Anniste (FC TVMK Tallinn).
Forwards: Tarmo Kink (FC Levadia Tallinn), Oliver Konsa (FC TVMK Tallinn), Kristen Viikmäe (FC Flora Tallinn), Kaimar Saag (FC Levadia Tallinn).
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Stars gather for Vienna celebration
The UEFA European Championship trophy was one of the star guests as delegates from all four Austrian host cities attended Vienna's Day of Sports on Saturday.
'Simply unique'
Austria's largest open-air sports festival, held in the city's Heldenplatz, attracted more than 300,000 visitors, many of whom gathered to see the trophy that will be awarded to the winners at UEFA EURO 2008™. Euro 2008 SA chief operating officer Martin Kallen, who took the cup to Vienna, was impressed with the festival, saying: "This is simply unique. This sets a high standard."
Tickets raffled
Austrian Football Federation president Friedrich Stickler was also present and praised "the Austrians' positive outlook towards football and their own international team". Along with Austrian tournament director Christian Schmölzer and his Swiss counterpart Christian Mutschler, Stickler helped raffle off three sets of two tickets for UEFA EURO 2008™ matches in Austria.
Honoured guest
The event received the official seal of approval as Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer held a reception on stage for the prominent football figures in attendance, including Stickler, Kallen, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger and UEFA EURO 2008™ ambassador Andreas Herzog. He presented the guests with a special cake to commemorate the upcoming finals.
'Simply unique'
Austria's largest open-air sports festival, held in the city's Heldenplatz, attracted more than 300,000 visitors, many of whom gathered to see the trophy that will be awarded to the winners at UEFA EURO 2008™. Euro 2008 SA chief operating officer Martin Kallen, who took the cup to Vienna, was impressed with the festival, saying: "This is simply unique. This sets a high standard."
Tickets raffled
Austrian Football Federation president Friedrich Stickler was also present and praised "the Austrians' positive outlook towards football and their own international team". Along with Austrian tournament director Christian Schmölzer and his Swiss counterpart Christian Mutschler, Stickler helped raffle off three sets of two tickets for UEFA EURO 2008™ matches in Austria.
Honoured guest
The event received the official seal of approval as Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer held a reception on stage for the prominent football figures in attendance, including Stickler, Kallen, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger and UEFA EURO 2008™ ambassador Andreas Herzog. He presented the guests with a special cake to commemorate the upcoming finals.
Rushfeldt comes to Norway's rescue
Sigurd Rushfeldt has ended a long absence from the Norway national team to replace John Carew in the squad to take on Bosnia-Herzegovina on 17 October.
Veteran returns
Second in the section, but level on points with third placed Turkey having played a game more, Åge Hareide's men need a win in Sarajevo to maintain the pressure on their Group C rivals, and the 34-year-old Rushfeldt, who won the last of his 35 caps for Norway in October 2005, has been called in to provide attacking threat in the absence of the injured Carew. "He is an experienced forward with an eye for goal," said Hareide. "He may have an important part to play." Midfielder Alexander Ødegaard also gets a call after some impressive displays for Viking FK.
Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Rune Almenning Jarstein (Odd Grenland), Thomas Myhre (Viking FK), Håkon Opdal (SK Brann).
Defenders: Erik Hagen (FC Zenit St. Petersburg), Brede Hangeland (FC København), Frode Kippe (Lillestrøm SK), John Arne Riise (Liverpool FC), Jarl-André Storbæk (Vålerenga IF), Vidar Riseth (Rosenborg BK).
Midfielders: Martin Andresen (SK Brann), John Anders Bjørkøy (Fredrikstad FK), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Bjørn Riise (Lillestrøm SK), Jan Gunnar Solli (SK Brann), Lars Iver Strand (Tromsø IL), Fredrik Strømstad (IK Start), Petter Vaagan Moen (SK Brann), Alexander Ødegaard (Viking FK).
Forwards: Daniel Braaten (Bolton Wanderers FC), Christian Grindheim (Vålerenga IF), Thorstein Helstad (SK Brann), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK), Sigurd Rushfeldt (Tromsø IL).
Veteran returns
Second in the section, but level on points with third placed Turkey having played a game more, Åge Hareide's men need a win in Sarajevo to maintain the pressure on their Group C rivals, and the 34-year-old Rushfeldt, who won the last of his 35 caps for Norway in October 2005, has been called in to provide attacking threat in the absence of the injured Carew. "He is an experienced forward with an eye for goal," said Hareide. "He may have an important part to play." Midfielder Alexander Ødegaard also gets a call after some impressive displays for Viking FK.
Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Rune Almenning Jarstein (Odd Grenland), Thomas Myhre (Viking FK), Håkon Opdal (SK Brann).
Defenders: Erik Hagen (FC Zenit St. Petersburg), Brede Hangeland (FC København), Frode Kippe (Lillestrøm SK), John Arne Riise (Liverpool FC), Jarl-André Storbæk (Vålerenga IF), Vidar Riseth (Rosenborg BK).
Midfielders: Martin Andresen (SK Brann), John Anders Bjørkøy (Fredrikstad FK), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Bjørn Riise (Lillestrøm SK), Jan Gunnar Solli (SK Brann), Lars Iver Strand (Tromsø IL), Fredrik Strømstad (IK Start), Petter Vaagan Moen (SK Brann), Alexander Ødegaard (Viking FK).
Forwards: Daniel Braaten (Bolton Wanderers FC), Christian Grindheim (Vålerenga IF), Thorstein Helstad (SK Brann), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK), Sigurd Rushfeldt (Tromsø IL).
Belarus try out fringe options
Bernd Stange has left a number of established names out of his Belarus squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Luxembourg on 13 October and the friendly against Israel.
Experimental selection
Stange once again ommitted the experienced Sergei Shtanyuk, Aleksandr Kulchiy and Vitali Bulyga while there is also no place for Vladimir Gaev, Yan Tigorev, Aleksandr Yurevich, Denis Kovba, Gennadi Bliznyuk or Artyom Cheladyinskiy. The German coach said: "I've said before many times that we are trying to check all the candidates right now to have at least two quality players for each position. That leads to experiments." Sixth in Group G, Belarus play Luxembourg in Gomel before meeting Israel in a friendly in Ramat Gan four days later.
Belarus squad
Goalkeepers: Vasili Khomutovski (FC Tom Tomsk), Yuri Zhevnov (FC Moskva), Anton Amelchenko (FC Moskva).
Defenders: Artyom Radkov (FC BATE Borisov), Sergei Omelyanchuk (FC Rostov), Pavel Plaskonny (FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Yegor Filipenko (FC BATE Borisov), Kiryl Pavlyuchek (FC Dinamo Minsk), Dmitri Molosh (FC Dinamo Brest).
Midfielders: Vladimir Korythko (FC Chornomorets Odesa), Timofei Kalachev (FC Rostov), Aleksandr Hleb (Arsenal FC), Maksim Romashchenko (FC Torpedo Moskva), Nikolai Kashevski (FC Metalurh Zaporizhya), Aleksei Skverniuk (FC Krylya Sovetov Samara), Igor Stasevich (FC BATE Borisov).
Forwards: Sergei Kornilenko (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Roman Vasilyuk (FC Gomel), Vitali Kutuzov (Pisa Calcio), Vitali Rodionov (FC BATE Borisov), Dmitri Mozolevsky (FC Dinamo Brest).
Experimental selection
Stange once again ommitted the experienced Sergei Shtanyuk, Aleksandr Kulchiy and Vitali Bulyga while there is also no place for Vladimir Gaev, Yan Tigorev, Aleksandr Yurevich, Denis Kovba, Gennadi Bliznyuk or Artyom Cheladyinskiy. The German coach said: "I've said before many times that we are trying to check all the candidates right now to have at least two quality players for each position. That leads to experiments." Sixth in Group G, Belarus play Luxembourg in Gomel before meeting Israel in a friendly in Ramat Gan four days later.
Belarus squad
Goalkeepers: Vasili Khomutovski (FC Tom Tomsk), Yuri Zhevnov (FC Moskva), Anton Amelchenko (FC Moskva).
Defenders: Artyom Radkov (FC BATE Borisov), Sergei Omelyanchuk (FC Rostov), Pavel Plaskonny (FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Yegor Filipenko (FC BATE Borisov), Kiryl Pavlyuchek (FC Dinamo Minsk), Dmitri Molosh (FC Dinamo Brest).
Midfielders: Vladimir Korythko (FC Chornomorets Odesa), Timofei Kalachev (FC Rostov), Aleksandr Hleb (Arsenal FC), Maksim Romashchenko (FC Torpedo Moskva), Nikolai Kashevski (FC Metalurh Zaporizhya), Aleksei Skverniuk (FC Krylya Sovetov Samara), Igor Stasevich (FC BATE Borisov).
Forwards: Sergei Kornilenko (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Roman Vasilyuk (FC Gomel), Vitali Kutuzov (Pisa Calcio), Vitali Rodionov (FC BATE Borisov), Dmitri Mozolevsky (FC Dinamo Brest).
Get closer to Austria and Switzerland
With less than 250 days to go until the finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ begin in Austria and Switzerland, uefa.com's guide to the eight host cities has been launched.
Exhaustive guide
A number of events on Sunday marked the fact that there were only 250 days left until the first match kicks off in Basle on 7 June 2008. Getting into the spirit, today sees the launch of uefa.com's exhaustive guide to Austria and Switzerland, which includes plenty of fascinating facts about the two host countries and lots of useful information for fans who are eager to experience UEFA EURO 2008™ at close quarters. With guides to what to do in all eight host cities, on matchdays and on days off, it promises to be an essential resource for those wishing to get to the heart of the tournament.
Exhaustive guide
A number of events on Sunday marked the fact that there were only 250 days left until the first match kicks off in Basle on 7 June 2008. Getting into the spirit, today sees the launch of uefa.com's exhaustive guide to Austria and Switzerland, which includes plenty of fascinating facts about the two host countries and lots of useful information for fans who are eager to experience UEFA EURO 2008™ at close quarters. With guides to what to do in all eight host cities, on matchdays and on days off, it promises to be an essential resource for those wishing to get to the heart of the tournament.
EURO draw details confirmed
Media details have been released for the draw for the UEFA EURO 2008™ final tournament at the Culture and Convention Centre in Lucerne, Switzerland on Sunday 2 December (12.00CET). Media accreditation requests can be made from today.
Draw procedure
Under the draw procedure, host associations Switzerland and Austria are automatically qualified and will be allocated into positions A1 and B1 respectively. The other 14 teams will be split into four pots. Pot 1 will comprise the reigning European champions Greece, if they qualify, as well as the nation with the highest coefficient. The other teams will then be placed in the three remaining pots, based on the coefficient obtained in the qualifying competitions for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2008™.
Filling first positions
The draw will start with Pot 1 in order to fill the first position in each group. A first ball will be drawn from Pot 1 and the drawn team placed into the first position in Group C. Thereafter, the second ball from Pot 1 will be drawn and the respective team will be placed into the first position of Group D.
Draw continues
The draw will then continue with Pot 4 and end with Pot 2. A ball will be drawn from Pot 4 and placed into Group A. In order to determine the position of the team within the group and the fixtures order, a ball will be drawn from Pot a (either A2, A3 or A4). Moving to Group B, another team will be drawn from Pot 4. Once again, to determine the position of the team within the group, a ball will be drawn from Pot b (either B2, B3 or B4). The same procedure will be repeated for Group C and D (in consecutive order) until all balls from Pot 4 have been drawn and positioned in each group. The same procedures will be followed for Pot 3 and Pot 2.
Press conference
The draw will be followed by a photo shoot on stage with the coaches of the qualified teams and UEFA President Michel Platini, and by a press conference for each of the four groups.
Media accreditation
Media representatives wishing to apply for accreditation for the UEFA EURO 2008™ final round draw must apply directly to UEFA and can do so as of today via the online accreditation service on www.uefa.com. All media representatives and/or their companies need to be registered in FAME before they can apply for accreditation. Individual media representatives can register at https://tinyurl.com/2ltrb2.
CFOU policy
Non-rights-holding medium and large-scale media, broadcasters and radio stations are invited to contact Euro 2008 SA’s media accreditation department for details about the CFOU policy (person responsible for entering and managing all accreditation requests for a company with more than five media event staff).
Accreditation deadline
The deadline for accreditations is Friday 23 November, thereby allowing media representatives from countries whose national team only qualifies in November to apply. Confirmation/rejection emails will be sent out on 26 November.
In case of cancellation
Applications received after the deadline may not be considered. In case of cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances, please immediately advise UEFA Media Accreditation Services by writing to fame_accreditations@uefa.ch. No-shows will be taken into consideration for future UEFA events.
EXCO meeting
The next meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee will also take place in Lucerne on Friday 30 November and Saturday 1 December. More details on the agenda and the accreditation procedure for this meeting will be announced in due course.
Draw procedure
Under the draw procedure, host associations Switzerland and Austria are automatically qualified and will be allocated into positions A1 and B1 respectively. The other 14 teams will be split into four pots. Pot 1 will comprise the reigning European champions Greece, if they qualify, as well as the nation with the highest coefficient. The other teams will then be placed in the three remaining pots, based on the coefficient obtained in the qualifying competitions for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2008™.
Filling first positions
The draw will start with Pot 1 in order to fill the first position in each group. A first ball will be drawn from Pot 1 and the drawn team placed into the first position in Group C. Thereafter, the second ball from Pot 1 will be drawn and the respective team will be placed into the first position of Group D.
Draw continues
The draw will then continue with Pot 4 and end with Pot 2. A ball will be drawn from Pot 4 and placed into Group A. In order to determine the position of the team within the group and the fixtures order, a ball will be drawn from Pot a (either A2, A3 or A4). Moving to Group B, another team will be drawn from Pot 4. Once again, to determine the position of the team within the group, a ball will be drawn from Pot b (either B2, B3 or B4). The same procedure will be repeated for Group C and D (in consecutive order) until all balls from Pot 4 have been drawn and positioned in each group. The same procedures will be followed for Pot 3 and Pot 2.
Press conference
The draw will be followed by a photo shoot on stage with the coaches of the qualified teams and UEFA President Michel Platini, and by a press conference for each of the four groups.
Media accreditation
Media representatives wishing to apply for accreditation for the UEFA EURO 2008™ final round draw must apply directly to UEFA and can do so as of today via the online accreditation service on www.uefa.com. All media representatives and/or their companies need to be registered in FAME before they can apply for accreditation. Individual media representatives can register at https://tinyurl.com/2ltrb2.
CFOU policy
Non-rights-holding medium and large-scale media, broadcasters and radio stations are invited to contact Euro 2008 SA’s media accreditation department for details about the CFOU policy (person responsible for entering and managing all accreditation requests for a company with more than five media event staff).
Accreditation deadline
The deadline for accreditations is Friday 23 November, thereby allowing media representatives from countries whose national team only qualifies in November to apply. Confirmation/rejection emails will be sent out on 26 November.
In case of cancellation
Applications received after the deadline may not be considered. In case of cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances, please immediately advise UEFA Media Accreditation Services by writing to fame_accreditations@uefa.ch. No-shows will be taken into consideration for future UEFA events.
EXCO meeting
The next meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee will also take place in Lucerne on Friday 30 November and Saturday 1 December. More details on the agenda and the accreditation procedure for this meeting will be announced in due course.
Luck's out for Luxembourg
Yet to pick up a point in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying, coach Guy Hellers is hoping for a change of fortune as Luxembourg face Belarus on 13 October.
EURO washout
Luxembourg have had some encouraging results in friendlies in the last 12 months, not least a 2-1 win against Gambia, but when it comes to competitive games the EURO campaign has been a washout. Hellers' side have lost all nine of their games, scoring just once and conceding 20 times, with three of those goals coming in the recent 3-0 defeat against Bulgaria.
No match
An inexperienced side, with an average aged of 26 and a half, found themselves no match for Bulgaria. Hellers said: "Bulgaria were superior in running as well as in their fighting spirit. We had big problems with the exceptional player Dimitar Berbatov who scored twice. I am disappointed with the performance of some of my players, whose way of playing I did not like at all."
Friendly game
On Wednesday, Luxembourg will host Belgian top-tier team KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen in a friendly in Koerich hoping to restore some composure ahead of the upcoming qualifier in Gomel. However, the feeling is that - for all of Hellers' efforts - not much can be done to raise the standard of the national team's performances until more local players move abroad.
Simple fact
Paul Philipp, president of the Luxembourg Football Federation and a former professional player and national team coach said: "The spine of the national team can only be strengthened if we have four or five players who play for foreign clubs." At the moment Hellers has only two professionals at his disposal: Jeff Strasser from FC Metz and Mario Mutsch from FC Aarau.
'More training'
While Luxembourg have no illusions as to their place in European football, the nation - which includes 30,000 licensed players - perhaps should be getting better results. Philipp is certainly eager to grab something from their remaining three qualifiers, but added: "The current situation can only be changed with more training."
Limited incentive
The question is where that training will come from. In an ideal world, players would be training with professional clubs every day, but the majority of local players are semi-professional. Turning professional means moving abroad, but with players able to earn good wages from their clubs to add to their everyday earnings, there is arguably not enough incentive for them to head away.
EURO washout
Luxembourg have had some encouraging results in friendlies in the last 12 months, not least a 2-1 win against Gambia, but when it comes to competitive games the EURO campaign has been a washout. Hellers' side have lost all nine of their games, scoring just once and conceding 20 times, with three of those goals coming in the recent 3-0 defeat against Bulgaria.
No match
An inexperienced side, with an average aged of 26 and a half, found themselves no match for Bulgaria. Hellers said: "Bulgaria were superior in running as well as in their fighting spirit. We had big problems with the exceptional player Dimitar Berbatov who scored twice. I am disappointed with the performance of some of my players, whose way of playing I did not like at all."
Friendly game
On Wednesday, Luxembourg will host Belgian top-tier team KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen in a friendly in Koerich hoping to restore some composure ahead of the upcoming qualifier in Gomel. However, the feeling is that - for all of Hellers' efforts - not much can be done to raise the standard of the national team's performances until more local players move abroad.
Simple fact
Paul Philipp, president of the Luxembourg Football Federation and a former professional player and national team coach said: "The spine of the national team can only be strengthened if we have four or five players who play for foreign clubs." At the moment Hellers has only two professionals at his disposal: Jeff Strasser from FC Metz and Mario Mutsch from FC Aarau.
'More training'
While Luxembourg have no illusions as to their place in European football, the nation - which includes 30,000 licensed players - perhaps should be getting better results. Philipp is certainly eager to grab something from their remaining three qualifiers, but added: "The current situation can only be changed with more training."
Limited incentive
The question is where that training will come from. In an ideal world, players would be training with professional clubs every day, but the majority of local players are semi-professional. Turning professional means moving abroad, but with players able to earn good wages from their clubs to add to their everyday earnings, there is arguably not enough incentive for them to head away.
Wales gamble on Bellamy fitness
Wales have problems in attack after naming their squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Cyprus and San Marino.
Bellamy included
Captain Craig Bellamy, who inspired a 5-2 win in Slovakia last month, is included by manager John Toshack even though he has missed West Ham United FC's last three games with a groin strain. The manager's other options – Freddie Eastwood, Robert Earnshaw and Jermaine Easter – are all out of favour at their clubs. Wigan Athletic FC midfielder Jason Koumas is included after missing the Slovakia trip through injury. Wales play Cyprus in Nicosia, on 13 October and face San Marino in Serravalle four days later.
Wales squad
Goalkeepers: Danny Coyne (Tranmere Rovers FC), Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Lewis Price (Derby County FC).
Defenders: Danny Gabbidon, James Collins (West Ham United FC), Steve Evans (Wrexham FC), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby County FC), Craig Morgan (Peterborough FC), Sam Ricketts (Hull City AFC), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Neal Eardley (Oldham Athletic FC).
Midfielders: Simon Davies (Fulham FC), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City FC), Jason Koumas (Wigan Athletic FC), Andrew Crofts (Gillingham FC), Mark Jones (Wrexham FC), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace FC), Carl Robinson (Toronto FC), David Vaughan (Real Sociedad de Fútbol).
Forwards: Craig Bellamy (West Ham United FC), Robert Earnshaw (Derby County FC), Freddy Eastwood (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Jermaine Easter (Wycombe Wanderers FC).
Bellamy included
Captain Craig Bellamy, who inspired a 5-2 win in Slovakia last month, is included by manager John Toshack even though he has missed West Ham United FC's last three games with a groin strain. The manager's other options – Freddie Eastwood, Robert Earnshaw and Jermaine Easter – are all out of favour at their clubs. Wigan Athletic FC midfielder Jason Koumas is included after missing the Slovakia trip through injury. Wales play Cyprus in Nicosia, on 13 October and face San Marino in Serravalle four days later.
Wales squad
Goalkeepers: Danny Coyne (Tranmere Rovers FC), Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Lewis Price (Derby County FC).
Defenders: Danny Gabbidon, James Collins (West Ham United FC), Steve Evans (Wrexham FC), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby County FC), Craig Morgan (Peterborough FC), Sam Ricketts (Hull City AFC), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Neal Eardley (Oldham Athletic FC).
Midfielders: Simon Davies (Fulham FC), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City FC), Jason Koumas (Wigan Athletic FC), Andrew Crofts (Gillingham FC), Mark Jones (Wrexham FC), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace FC), Carl Robinson (Toronto FC), David Vaughan (Real Sociedad de Fútbol).
Forwards: Craig Bellamy (West Ham United FC), Robert Earnshaw (Derby County FC), Freddy Eastwood (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Jermaine Easter (Wycombe Wanderers FC).
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