Uefa euro2004 newsletter 3 by Bruno Manuel dos Anjos Marques Albano

3 UEFA EURO 2004â&#x201E;¢ NEWSLETTER MARCH 2003

“As mascot of the tournament, I want UEFA EURO 2004™ in my native Portugal to be the one that no football fan will want to miss.” KINAS

This Newsletter is published by Euro 2004, S.A. Avenida da República, 53 PT-1050-188 Lisboa Portugal Phone: (+351) 21 799 2004 Fax: (+351) 21 799 2099 Editor: Frits Ahlstrøm Senior Writers: Graham Turner and António Florencio Acknowledgements: Ana Gonçalves, Jacinta Johnston and Fabienne Lima Design: EURO RSCG DESIGN (Lisbon) Layout / Setting: Strøm & Streg (Helsingør) Printing: TEXTO EDITORA (Cacém) Front Cover: KINAS - the official UEFA EURO 2004™ mascot – created by Warner Bros.

4 KINAS – the Official Mascot

6 Pinocchio and all the other happy souls

CONTENTS 12 The Lisbon Derbies at Estádio José Alvalade

19 The ABC of EBU 25 The BIG MAtCh 31 www.euro2004.com Insert: The Tournament Schedule

before he learned to walk. As he grew up and began playing football with his friends, the magical celestial gift continued to grow, too. Every time a famous footballer executed a great move on a football field – anytime or anywhere – it automatically became part of the awesome repertoire of KINAS and his galactic skills. Spectacular overhead kicks, unbelievable volleys and inspired through passes were all fed into the KINAS range of talents, making him a bigger, better, and stronger player.

KINAS

In his village, KINAS would play football anytime and anywhere: in the playground at school, on the local pitch, in the street with his friends, using school-bags for goalposts.

- the official UEFA EURO 2004™ MASCOT Once upon a time – but not so very long ago – there was a special event in a small, remote Portuguese village. A boy was born who was destined for greatness. For on the day he was born, all the constellations came together in the heavens and agreed to bestow upon him a very special gift – the talent and knowledge of all the greatest footballers, past and present, throughout the history of the sport. In naming him KINAS, the boy’s parents wanted to recognise their son’s special gift, while also selecting a name that shared a close link to a significant Portuguese symbol, namely the five shields in the country’s coat of arms. It was such a special name that, in a short time, it became a registered trademark and started to be written as KINAS. At a very early age, genius began to manifest itself as KINAS began to show all the characteristics of a great footballer. He carried a football with him everywhere he went and began kicking it around even

At night, while lying in bed, KINAS would dream of becoming a hero like his idols, Eusébio and Figo. Just thinking about them would bring a smile to his face. Once in a while, he would make his way on foot to the nearest stadium, sneaking in without being noticed. There, standing alone on the pitch, he would close his eyes and dream

conflict, not creating it. That’s what makes him the ultimate mascot for UEFA EURO 2004™ in Portugal! KINAS expresses the spirit of European football and aims to raise the sport he loves to a new level where it can help to bind all countries and peoples together.

of someday playing on that field. He could practically hear the roar of the cheering crowd calling his name. KINAS was quick to realise that it is playing the game of football – not winning or losing – that matters in the end. His amazing ability and good sportsmanship were a model to everyone who watched him play. He showed that great football demands concentration, dedication and determination but, most of all, he proved that football should be fun for everyone, both the players and the fans, on and off the field.

KINAS embodies the hospitality, historic traditions and the warm, friendly cultural spirit of Portugal. As the symbol of the international dynamics of UEFA EURO 2004™, he wants to possess a broad multinational appeal that is appreciated by people of all ages, cultures, and nations. The passion, the cheering, the applause, the shouts, and the joyous singing of the fans sustain him and add to his energy. He feels strong enough to make the enthusiasm, the skill, the challenges and the fun all come together at UEFA EURO 2004™. As mascot of the tournament, KINAS wants this championship, in his native Portugal, to be the one that no football fan will want to miss.

On one hand, he believes that football is more than just a game. It is a means of transmitting friendship, goodwill, understanding, and peace across political and cultural boundaries. He knows that one of the most wonderful aspects of football is that no matter where you play, you are linked by football to fans all over the world. On the other hand, he also possesses enough good sense to know that, even though football is a great sport, it is only a game and should be enjoyed as such. For KINAS, the football field is a metaphor for resolving

Pinocchio - and all the other

happy mascots

Remember Pinocchio? Not Carlo Collodi’s story written in 1883, but the tournament mascot when the UEFA European Championship finals went to Italy almost a century later. The long-nosed wooden figure with a football at his feet and Europa 80 on his cap went into the history books as the tournament’s first-ever mascot. Pinocchio was added to the competition logo to give the final tournament a recognisably different image – and one which could be associated with the host country. The idea caught on and the five European Championships that have been played since the finals went to Italy in 1980 have all been accompanied by a chirpy, happy soul who has tried to reflect all the fun and enjoyment of Europe’s premier footballing event.

Four years after Pinocchio poked his nose into European Championship history, Peno welcomed the fans to the EURO 84 finals in France. He took the unmistakable shape of the Gallic cock that symbolises the nation and adorns the national team’s shirt. Peno was appropriately dressed in the famous blue shirt, though one could argue that the size of his boots might have prevented him from equalling the subtle skills displayed by Platini, Tigana & Co. For the tournament, the French football federation also produced a set of nine posters, each of them by a different designer. The series included an overall tournament poster, one for the final in Paris, and one for each of the seven venues used during the UEFA European Championship finals.

When the finals moved to Germany in 1988, the competition’s longest-living mascot was born. Berni was a fast-moving, hard-shooting rabbit who had been created in the Walt Disney studios and who could therefore claim to be football’s answer to Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Rumour has it that he was baptised Berni because UEFA’s headquarters was, at that time, in the Swiss city of Berne. Wearing the tournament logo on his chest, Berni made his debut on 24 January 1988 when the official mascot was presented to millions of viewers during ARD’s big sports show.

In 1988, Berni had openly declared that he would be more than willing to become the permanent mascot of the UEFA European Championship finals – and the Swedes certainly took up his offer. For EURO 92, Berni simply changed his playing strip from German to Swedish colours. However, UEFA gave the Swedish Football Association permission to produce an official poster. Ardy Strüwer who was born in Indonesia in 1942, grew up in the Netherlands and moved to Sweden in 1962, was offered the job, and he came up with a colourful collage of flags. “Europe is gradually merging together. Football should be a game without boundaries, a game of colour and celebration,” Ardy Strüwer said. “That’s why I produced a design with a number of different flags surrounding the Swedish flag in the middle.”

In 1996, when ‘football went home’ to England, the hosts didn’t take as much of a fancy to Berni as the Germans and Swedes had done. In fact, they initially felt inclined to let the logo, rather than a mascot, do the talking. But it was agreed that it would be a pity to let the tradition drop. So Goaliath was born. As his name might suggest, he was a huge lion, designed by a London company called MCW to tie in with the three-lions motif on the England crest. It also tied in nicely with a song called ‘Three Lions’ which became the unofficial anthem for England fans during EURO 96.

The mascot for EURO 2000 had a similar lion-like face but was reported to be an animal that was spotted from time to time deep in the forests that join Belgium and the Netherlands. It was the first time that the final tournament had been cohosted by two nations – and the first time that the public was invited to choose the name of the mascot. In fact, it was McDonald’s who ran a competition to put a name to the face, with a sixman jury deciding which of the names submitted would be declared the winner. The successful idea was made by Jurrian Reurings from Utrecht and, at an official ceremony held on Sunday 7 February 1999, Benelucky was presented to the public.

FLASH NTT/VERIO

to spin the web

Portugal can win the 2004 European Championship under new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, says Brazilian World Cup-winning full back Roberto Carlos. As Brazil coach, Scolari took a side in danger of not qualifying for the 2002 World Cup finals to victory in Japan last year. “I believe he will do the same for the Portuguese team, so as to enter Portuguese history,” says Roberto Carlos. “I know very well what Portuguese players are worth and I know how Luiz Felipe Scolari works. Above all, Portugal already has a team set-up, which might change one player or another, but what it really needed was a coach with a different and stronger personality. “Big Phil”s working practices will now make Portugal, who normally play entertaining football understand that they can be European champions.”

BONIEK leaves

Pole position

UEFA treasurer Mathieu Sprengers flanked by Shuji Tomita (right) and Alexandre Fourtoy, CEO of uefa.com, at the ceremony in Tokyo.

GALP help to fuel the passion

PHOTO: FRANCISCO PARAISO

Roberto Carlos added that he had already discussed Scolari’s coaching methods with his Real team-mate and Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo. “I told him that Scolari is a tough taskmaster when he’s working but a great friend of the players. I am absolutely certain that Figo will be Big Phil’s key for Portugal being able to become European champions.”

PHOTO: ALBERTO SABATTINI

“Portugal can win EURO 2004”

The NTT/VERIO brand will become a familiar name during the final tournament. In February, NTT Communications Corporation – more widely known as NTT Com – signed up as official IT partner for UEFA EURO 2004™ and, as the official website hosting partner, will provide technology infrastructure for the tournament’s official website. “This partnership will be a great opportunity for NTT Com to demonstrate its future effort and its supporting technology to customers around the world,” commented the company’s Senior Executive Vice-President, Dr. Shuji Tomita at the announcement ceremony in Tokyo. “UEFA and NTT Com promise to co-operate towards the same goal of making the tournament a great success.”

PHOTO: KAORI UMEDA / NTTCom

Roberto Carlos:

The agreement between Euro 2004, S.A. and GALP was signed by (from left to right) Gilberto Madail, António Mexia and Lars-Christer Olsson.

Although a number of substitutions were made immediately after last summer’s FIFA World Cup finals, the major change to be made since national teams have been en route towards Portugal has been the departure of Zbigniew Boniek from the helm of the Polish national team – one of the European qualifiers for last year’s event in Japan and Korea. The former Polish international has decided to resign from the post.

In February, GALP Energia became the second Portuguese sponsor for UEFA EURO 2004™. The fuel company which has some 1,400 filling stations in Portugal, has already established links with the Portuguese national team, the Portuguese League and, more specifically, with Luís Figo. As António Mexia, president of the GALP Energia Executive Committee, said during the official ceremony, the company fully identifies with “the positive energy associated with sports”. GALP plan to express this energy through entertainment initiatives and will also be establishing a close relationship with another of the event’s sponsors, Hyundai. GALP will be fuelling the official vehicles supplied by the car company.

PHOTO: NUNO ALEGRIA

Camacho impressed by construction work

The Swedish delegation at Estádio José Alvalade, headed by Lars-Åke Lagrell (second from right), chairman of the Swedish Football Association.

Swedes

Following a training session in the morning, SL Benfica’s Spanish head coach José Antonio Camacho took his players to the new Estádio da Luz. They were very impressed by the construction work done so far. “The infrastructure that is being put in place for EURO 2004™ will benefit Portuguese football for the next 50 years as the stadiums will be some of the best in Europe,” said José Antonio Camacho.

already in Portugal

PHOTO: A BOLA / ASF

tion outside Sweden for their annual Strategy Meeting. This year, they chose Portugal as the ideal venue and made full use of their time by taking a look at the preparations for next year’s big event – and hoping that they’ll be back to take an even closer look.

PHOTO: MIGUEL BARREIRA / RECORD

Their national team may not have qualified yet, but the Swedish national association have already sent a reconnaissance party to look at the preparation work for UEFA EURO 2004™. It is one of the Swedish FA’s traditions that the board and the General Secretary head for a destina-

Fair Play award for Eusébio Eusébio is busy representing UEFA EURO 2004™ as one of the ambassadors for the tournament to be held in his own country. But the international appreciation of one of the game’s living legends was underlined when he was recently invited to Paris in order to receive the Jean Borotra Award from the International Committee for Fair Play in conjunction with UNESCO. The Portuguese ambassador in Paris, Marcello Mathias enthusiastically applauded a delighted Eusébio.

Volunteers Programme

On Track! The Volunteers programme is forging ahead with just over 2,000 people registered to work on one of the most exciting sporting events ever. Headed by Ana Santos at UEFA/Euro 2004, S.A. the programme is being promoted along with the Instituto Português Da Juventude (Institute for Portuguese Youth), on whose website potential volunteers are being recruited. The basic requirements are to speak one foreign language (English, French or German) and be computer-literate. The programme is also open to international people, who need to have a basic understanding of the Portuguese language. In return, the volunteers will treasure this once-in-a-lifetime experience as well as obtaining a Participation Diploma.

Estádio José Alvalade –

the venue of

Unforgettable LISBON Derbies On 23rd December 1956, Sporting Clube de Portugal beat SL Benfica (1-0) in the first “derby” between these two eternal rivals in the ‘Estádio de Alvalade’, inaugurated that same year on 10th June. Throughout the years, the stadium has staged dramatic and emotional confrontations, up until Benfica’s victory at the end of 2002.

Estádio José de Alvalade, 23 -12-1956 Attendance: 60,000 Sporting – 1

Benfica – 0

Carlos Gomes Caldeira Pacheco Perides Passos (cap) Osvaldinho Hugo Gabriel Pompeu Travaços Martins

Bastos Calado Ângelo Pegado Artur (cap) Alfredo Isidro Coluna Águas Salvador Cavem

Coach: Abel Picabêa

Coach: Otto Glória

Referee: Inocêncio Calabote 1-0 Hugo (17)

Manuel Passos beats goalkeeper Carlos Gomes, with Mário Coluna looking on, during the derby played on 23 December 1956.

The opening ceremony at the Estádio José Alvalade on 10 June 1956.

PHOTOS: A BOLA

The new Estádio Alvalade is being built next to the old one.

PHOTO: TONY MARSHALL / EMPICS

7th December 2002

Jorge Cadete leads the Sporting Clube team out for the match against SL Benfica on 18 December 1993.

SL Benfica’s Miguel shields the ball from Sporting attacker Cristiano Ronaldo.

The last Sporting-Benfica match to be played in the present Alvalade stadium, culminated in Benfica scoring two goals (Zahovic and Tiago) and achieving an important victory. The new stadium, where UEFA EURO 2004™ matches will be played, will be inaugurated in August this year, and from then on nothing will be the same. Comfort, technology and security are vital in addition to the emotion, the love for football and dedication to the clubs.

Going back in time it is almost impossible to choose the most memorable moment. Sporting’s amazing win in 1986 (7-1) or Benfica’s spectacular triumph (6-3) in March 1994, which notably motivated the team to win their last national title up until now, are only two occasions out of many which set the scene for these two rivals in European football. After the inauguration, which took place two days before Christmas and at which Vasco de Gama was the guest of honour, the first encounter resulted in Sporting selling a total of 500,000 escudos worth of tickets(!). In a full house, the 10,000 Benfica fans were distraught at having lost due to Hugo’s goal and Carlos Gomes’ perfect goalkeeping skills. “An exceptional goalkeeper guaranteed an indisputable win,” wrote Aurélio Márcio the next day in ‘A Bola’. Afonso Lacerda, referring to the new stadium and Sporting’s play, stated “The old lion roared, the ‘monument’ (i.e. the stadium) shook.”

PHOTOS: FRANCISCO PARAISO

Sporting’s Ricardo Quaresma holds off a challenge from Benfica’s Simão Sabrosa.

Sporting’s Paulo Bento and Benfica’s Tiago engage in seemingly painful aerial combat.

This rivalry started at the beginning of the 20th Century and up until December last year, has provided moments that have become part of Portuguese football history. Some good, others bad, but all indicative of a certain way of life. Peter Schmeichel, Sporting Clube’s Danish goalkeeper, throws the ball out, watched by SL Benfica forward Nuno Gomes, during the Cup match on 26 January 2000.

Argel, Mário Jardel, referee Paulo Paraty and Cristiano Rocha summarise the passions of the Lisbon derby.

Estádio José de Alvalade, 07-12 - 2002 Attendance: 30.272 Sporting – 0

If the last encounter goes down in the history books as being the last before the new stadium opens, three other matches merit special reference to a history which, fully complete, would need a whole book dedicated to it and not a simple, evocative article: Two, the result of which surprised everyone, and the other, which took place 25 days before the 1974 revolution, contradicted the old principle that sport and politics should never mix.

Benfica – 2

Nélson Quiroga Hugo Contreras Rui Jorge (cap) Rui Bento *** Paulo Bento * Cristiano Ronaldo ** João Pinto Toñito Jardel

Moreira Miguel Argel Hélder Cristiano Petit Tiago * Mantorras *** Zahovic ** Simão (cap) Nuno Gomes

* Niculae ** Quaresma *** Pedro Barbosa

* Andrade ** Andersson *** Armando

Coach: Laszlo Bölöni

Coach: José A. Camacho Referee: Paulo Paraty

0-1 Zahovic (15) 0-2 Tiago (42) Yellow cards: Contreras (Sporting); Toñito (Sporting), Petit (Benfica) Red cards: Quaresma (Sporting), Petit (Benfica)

SL Benfica’s Spanish coach, José Antonio Camacho, gives instructions to Simão Sabrosa during the last derby at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Benfica’s captain Simão Sabrosa and Sporting’s João Vieira Pinto in a touchline tussle during the last derby.

PHOTOS: FRANCISCO PARAISO

Sporting Clube’s Chilean defender Pablo Contreras powers away from Zlatko Zahovic and Petit in the last home derby against SL Benfica.

31st March 1974

Estádio José de Alvalade, 31- 03 -1974 Attendance: 60,000 Sporting – 3

Benfica – 5

Damas (cap) Manaca Bastos Alhinho Carlos Pereira Vagner Nelson Dinis ** Marinho Yazalde * Dé

José Henrique Artur Humberto Barros Adolfo Toni Vítor Martins Simões (cap) Nené * Jordão Vítor Baptista

* Chico ** Dani

* Nené

Coach: Mário Lino

Coach: Fernando Cabrita

“Not even Nazaré’s penalties could stop the ‘monsters’” stated journalist Alfredo Farinha concerning Benfica’s unexpected and clear victory (5-3) one very hot afternoon during which the penalties for Sporting, fair and given by the referee Raúl Nazaré, had no effect on the game. What has remained part of history was the incredible booing heard when Marcello Caetano, President of the Council of Ministers, entered the stadium. By the 25th April Portugal reverted to being a democratic country. The greatest event of the day, apart from the numerous spectators, Sporting’s courageous resistance, an emotional and intense 90 minutes, and the imminent visit of the English national team to the ‘Luz’ stadium three days later, was the uncomfortable and problematic presence of the Head of Government in the Alvalade stadium.

Referee: Raúl Nazaré

Héctor Yazalde scores from the penalty spot during the derby played on 31 March 1974.

PHOTO: A BOLA

1-0 Yazalde (9) 1-1 Humberto (14) 1-2 Nené (33) 1-3 Nené (36) 2-3 Yazalde (41 - pen) 2-4 Jordão (60) 2-5 Vítor Martins (67) 3-5 Dé (85 - pen)

Manuel Fernandes scores one of his four goals in Sporting’s astonishing 7-1 win on 14 December 1986.

PHOTO: A BOLA

PHOTO: NEAL SIMPSON / EMPICS

Benfica’s Brazilian defender Mozer is challenged by Sporting Clube’s Bulgarian forward Ivailo Yordanov in the Lisbon derby on 21 March 1993.

14th December 1986

Estádio José de Alvalade, 14 -12-1986 Attendance: 60,000 Sporting – 7

“A team reduced to nothing in one long painful afternoon” was how Joaquim Rita described Benfica’s disastrous game. Even today the 7-1 result in Sporting’s favour, is mentioned on the eve of every Lisbon derby.

Benfica – 1

Damas Virgílio Gabriel Venáncio Fernando Mendes * Oceano Litos ** Zinho Mário Jorge Manuel Fernandes (cap) Meade

Silvino Dito Veloso Oliveira Álvaro Diamantino Carlos Manuel Shéu (cap) * Chiquinho Rui Águas Vando

* Duilío ** Silvinho

* Nunes

Coach: Manuel José

Coach: John Mortimore

On that day Sporting were untouchable and could do no wrong. Everything was going their way with the invaluable Manuel Fernandes, captain and forward who scored four times, going down in the history books. The opposition, on the other hand, were “unable to mark well, with no logical play, no offensive solutions, without any belief in themselves, no football, no nothing – the reds were nothing but a shadow of themselves.”

Referee: Vítor Correia 1-0 Mário Jorge (15) 2-0 Manuel Fernandes (50) 2-1 Vando (59) 3-1 Meade (65) 4-1 Mário Jorge (68) 5-1 Manuel Fernandes (72) 6-1 Manuel Fernandes (83) 7-1 Manuel Fernandes (86)

True to Portuguese style, the anecdotes started immediately, the cafés packed with proud Sporting fans, happy at the misfortune of the ‘enemy’. The whole of Lisbon was left open-mouthed.

Benfica’s Swedish midfielder Stefan Schwarz tackles Luís Figo in the Lisbon derby on 18 December 1993.

PHOTO: TONY MARSHALL / EMPICS

Yellow cards: Carlos Manuel (Benfica), Nunes (Benfica), Veloso (Benfica)

Estádio José de Alvalade, 14 - 05 -1994

14th May 1994

Attendance: 50,000 Sporting – 3

Benfica – 6

Lemajic Nélson Valckx Vujacic Paulo Torres * Paulo Sousa Capucho Figo Balakov Cadete (cap) Iordanov **

Neno Veloso (cap) Mozer Helder Kenedy Abel Xavier Vitor Paneira Isaías * Schwarz João Pinto ** Ailton

* Pacheco ** Poejo

* Rui Costa ** Rui Águas

Coach: Carlos Queirós

Coach: Toni Referee: António Marçal

1-0 Cadete (7) 1-1 João Pinto (30) 2-1 Figo (35) 2-2 João Pinto (37) 2-3 João Pinto (44) 2-4 Isaías (47) 2-5 Isaías (56) 2-6 Helder (74) 3-6 Balakov (80) Yellow cards: Schwarz (Benfica), Veloso (Benfica), Paulo Sousa (Sporting), Capucho (Sporting)

“João Pinto – the perfect prince.” The Benfica forward, having played for Boavista beforehand, came from the ‘golden generation’ of Portuguese football, which won the Under-20 FIFA World Cup twice, in 1989 and 1991. The small football player participated on those magical occasions alongside Nelson, Paulo Torres, Paulo Sousa, Figo, Capucho, Poejo, Abel Xavier and Rui Costa, all of whom also played this match. On this particular night João Pinto destroyed, almost single handed, Carlos Queirós’ dreams. Not only did João Pinto play beautifully in front of Queirós, who incidentally had been his mentor and trainer for successful international games, but then also winked cheekily at the Sporting bench when he came off the pitch for a substitution. João Pinto scored three goals, leading Benfica to a 6-3 win and the national title, which they have not won since. Now at Sporting and predominant in last season’s national championship win, the Portuguese ‘international’, with his talent, has managed to assert himself at his new club. Who would have thought, after what he did at the Alvalade stadium nine years ago …?

PHOTO: A BOLA

There are less than 500 days to go till the kick-off of the UEFA European Football Championship at the Antas stadium. Until then, other stadiums will be replaced improved state-of-the-art arenas, which will provide a host of other stories and anecdotes.

SL Benfica’s João Pinto bursts between Sporting Clube’s Luís Figo and Fernando Nelson during the derby played on 14 May 1994.

PHOTO: MICHAEL STEELE / EMPICS

A Sporting supporter applauds a good move.

But in Portuguese football, nothing can compare with the Benfica-Sporting duels, similar to what happens between Atlético and Real Madrid, Milan and Inter, Celtic and Rangers, to mention present day examples. These sons of the cities, bring together the passion and emotion that make football unique in today’s society.

Sponsor on Board

Canon join the big guns After Carlsberg, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and JVC, Canon became the fifth official partner of UEFA EURO 2004™ at the end of January. The deal was announced by UEFA’s Chief Executive, Gerhard Aigner, and Hajime Tsuruoka, president and CEO of Canon Europe, who commented “football is a highly visual sport and, as Europe’s leading imaging experts, we are delighted to continue our long-term association with football. The partnership with UEFA EURO 2004™ strongly supports Canon’s ‘You Can’ philosophy, which enables people to realise their personal creative ambitions through the use of digital technology.”

Hajime Tsuruoka, president and CEO of Canon Europe.

Canon have become official partners in the fields of digital cameras, copiers, faxes, printers and scanners. Founded in Tokyo in 1933, Canon produced the first domestically-made 35mm camera a year later; made the world’s first electronic desktop calculator in 1964; launched the world’s first personal copying machines in 1982; launched the world’s fastest continuousshooting digital camera (eight frames per second) in 2001; and, with 203 group companies, currently employs over 93,000 people.

Gerhard Aigner and Hajime Tsuruoka after having signed the agreement for UEFA EURO 2004™.

Gerhard Aigner, present one of the UEFA trophies to Hajime Tsuruoka and Dr Gilberto Madail, chairman of Euro 2004, S.A.

PHOTOS: FABIO BOZZANI

Canon are now returning to the football fold after missing EURO 2000. They had previously been sponsors at the event in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996. Apart from UEFA EURO 2004™, Canon will also be official partners at the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championships and the 2005 UEFA European Women’s Championship. UEFA Chief Executive, Gerhard Aigner, tests a Canon camera.

PHOTO: EBU

The ABC

of EBU The European Broadcasting Union is born. The ‘midwives’ posed for a group photo after the historic meeting in the English seaside town of Torquay.

In the year 2000, UEFA’s Executive Committee took on the challenging task of selecting a buyer for the broadcasting rights to UEFA EURO 2004™. Some succulent tenders were submitted but, by the time the Executive Committee sat down for final discussions in Holland, the contenders had been reduced to a short-list of highly attractive propositions. UEFA’s decision was to accept the offer from the European Broadcasting Union – more widely known as the EBU – not because it guaranteed the highest amount of income but because it permitted UEFA to offer maximal amounts of free-to-air TV coverage to football fans throughout Europe. To most of the public, EBU is a familiar name. But how much do you know about the organisation

that will distribute sound and pictures from UEFA EURO 2004™? The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world. Founded in February 1950, the EBU merged with the OIRT – the former union of Eastern European broadcasters – in 1993. In Geneva, the Union negotiates broadcasting rights for major sports events; operates the Eurovision and Euroradio networks; organises programme exchanges; stimulates and coordinates co-productions; and provides a full range of other operational, commercial, technical, legal and strategic services for its members. In

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EBU has 71 active Members in 52 countries of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East plus 45 associate Members in 28 countries further afield

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EBU’s annual budget for 2002 was over 605 million Swiss francs

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300 staff are employed in Geneva, Brussels, New York, Moscow, Singapore and Washington

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In TV, up to 50 digital satellite channels relay more than 105,000 transmissions per year including 25,000 news items and 11,000 hours of sports and cultural programmes

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EBU’s potential audience is 640 million viewers

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In radio, two satellite channels relay 4,500 concerts and operas; 400 sports fixtures and 120 major news events every year

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The potential radio audience is 400 million listeners

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In 2001, EBU covered 967 events with 18,296 participants

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2.4 million e-mails were received and 13,000 pages were consulted every day on www.ebu.ch

PHOTOS: EBU

As many as 50 satellite channels relay 105,000 transmissions per year.

Brussels, the EBU office represents the interests of public service broadcasters before the European institutions. The EBU works in close collaboration with sister unions on other continents: Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union, North American Broadcasters’ Association, Union of National Radio & Television Organizations of Africa, Arab States Broadcasting Union, and Organización de la Televisión Iberoamericana. A familiar sight on TV screens all over Europe – the EBU graphics.

What’s more, the European Broadcasting Union’s history represents over half-acentury of pioneering work in international broadcasting. Here are some of the most salient landmarks: 12 February 1950 EBU is founded during a European Broadcasting Conference in Torquay, England June 1953 First live multinational television transmission – the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II June 1954 First Eurovision transmission – the Narcissus Festival in Montreux 1955 Opening of Eurovision programmeexchange coordination centre in Brussels David Trezeguet celebrates his “golden goal” in the final against Italy at EURO 2000.

Programme production at the EBU headquarters in Geneva.

May 1956 First Eurovision Song Contest is staged in Lugano, Switzerland

EBU also covered the Final Tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands.

October 1958 First experiments with television news exchanges May 1961 Start of daily television Eurovision news exchanges (EVN) January 1962 Launch of Telstar, the first telecommunications satellite 1967 Television becomes global with the launching of satellites over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans August 1967 First Eurovision transmission in colour July 1969 First major Mondovision transmission – man on the moon September 1970 EBU opens an office in New York 1978 EBU moves into new headquarters in Geneva

PHOTOS: EBU

March 1987 EBU opens an office in Washington

PHOTO: EBU

The key players in EBU’s UEFA EURO 2004™ team: Marc Jörg (left), Amanuel Abate and Director of Operations, Stefan Kürten.

February 1989 Launch of Eurosport

October 1995 Worldwide DAB office set up at EBU

1990 EBU Marino Charter defines EBU as an association of public service broadcasters

1998 Eurovision goes digital

September 1991 EBU opens an office in Moscow January 1992 Launch of Euroradio satellite network July 1992 EBU opens an office in Brussels January 1993 Merger of EBU and OIRT Launch of EuroNews December 1993 The EBU Technical Centre moves from Brussels to Geneva January 1994 Worldwide DVB office set up at EBU headquarters 1994 EBU commercialises Eurovision Network Services

1999 Launch of Eurosonic 12 February 2000 EBU celebrates its 50th birthday 1 January 2001 Arne Wessberg succeeds Albert Scharf as President and Jean Stock becomes Secretary General

PHOTO: ALBERTO SABATTINI

Zinedine Zidane, challenged by Spanish midfielder Josep Guardiola, played a major role for France at EURO 2000.

Dutch winger Marc Overmars jumps high as Danish defender Søren Colding stumbles at EURO 2000.

PHOTO: BONGARTS SPORTFOTOGRAFIE

PHOTO: MONTE FRESCO / POPPERFOTO

EBU established its first protocols with UEFA as early as 1956, when the continent’s administrative body was only two years old. The two parties have had a working relationship since 1960 and EBU has been deeply committed to coverage of the UEFA European Football Championship. During EURO 2000, EBU provided 1,961 hours of live coverage plus 383 hours of additional programming and this figure is likely to be exceeded during UEFA EURO 2004™, as EBU is committed to offering its members sharply increased amounts of additional material. On-site preparations for the coverage of the final tournament are in the hands of a custombuilt company called Euro Broadcast Services (EBS) headed by leading experts from the Portuguese network RTP. But that’s another story for a future issue …

We bring you the event to your home L’événement chez vous

Sergio Conceição, followed by Lothar Matthäus, scored a hat-trick in Portugal’s 3-0 win against Germany at EURO 2000.

European Broadcasting Union • Union Européenne de Radio-Télévision

HMC’s football ambassador Johan Cruyff and Dong-Jin Kim lift the Trophy at the Car Expo in Geneva.

Sponsor on Board

Hyundai drive into Portugal

As part of the deal, Hyundai will provide the official vehicles during the final tournament in Portugal. Dr. Gilberto Madaíl, president of the Portuguese FA and chairman of the Euro 2004, S.A. board, commented “I had the chance to have a sneak preview of the new Hyundai XG which will be the official car used by the organisation next summer. I was very impressed and I look forward to seeing these cars being used throughout Portugal.” The role is not a new one for Hyundai. They already got into top gear by providing the official vehicles for the EURO 2000 finals in Belgium and the Netherlands. “It’s an extraordinary privilege for Hyundai to strengthen its partnership

with UEFA by sponsoring UEFA EURO 2004™,” commented Dong-Jin Kim. “I am very pleased and proud that we are supporting one of the most popular sports events in the world.”

PHOTOS: FABIO BOZZANI

Dong-Jin Kim and Gerhard Aigner signed the agreement for UEFA EURO 2004™.

During a ceremony at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon at the beginning of March, the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) officially set the UEFA EURO 2004™ wheels in motion by signing as official automotive partner for the final tournament. Apart from UEFA’s Chief Executive, Gerhard Aigner, and HMC President & CEO Dong-Jin Kim, the ceremony was attended by Johan Cruyff, HMC’s ‘football ambassador’.

UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner received the delegation from Hyundai Motor Company, headed by president and CEO Dong-Jin Kim, at his office in the House of European Football.

The BIG MAtCh

PHOTO: FABIO BOZZANI

established a broad and long-standing involvement with football over the years. Why? For a start, we have been deeply involved in community football. Each store does its own marketing plan focused on its circles of influence and purchasers and many stores elect to sponsor and support football within their local community. But, in order to give them the optimal platform for their own initiatives, it has been important for us to wave the McDonald’s flag on a worldwide basis – and our involvement with football has enabled us to do this very effectively.”

Jeff Wahl, Senior Director of Worldwide Marketing of McDonald’s, is ready for UEFA EURO 2004™.

After a nice cold beer, some good hot food. In April 2002, McDonald’s jumped aboard the good ship UEFA EURO 2004™ hot on the heels of Carlsberg and became the second official sponsor not only for the final tournament in 2004 but, like the Danish brewers, also for the event in 2008. McDonald’s are no strangers to the world of football but, for a company with such a strong American flavour, the obvious question to ask Jeff Wahl, Senior Director of Worldwide Marketing, was why McDonald’s are so keen to play a starring role in the European Football Championship. “McDonald’s has a long-standing involvement with football on a national, regional and grassroots/local store level” he told us. “The relationship really got into gear on a larger scale in 1996 as a sponsor of EURO 96, as well as with FIFA, but it’s been important for McDonald’s to have

Does this mean you consider UEFA EURO 2004™ as a family event rather than the traditional view of football as a man’s game, bearing in mind that McDonald’s aims to appeal to the entire family? “While McDonald’s actually has a number of key target groups, it is correct that the family target group is very important to us. Families represent a critical part of our overall volume, and it’s important that we begin to build brand loyalty with kids when they first visit McDonald’s so that this stays with them as they grow older. But we also have a number of other target groups – and they vary according to regions or geography. For example we also target teens and young men, who represent a critical part of our business. They visit us quite frequently and their average spending is quite high – so we need to ensure we meet their needs. Sponsorships like UEFA EURO 2004™ are a great way to accomplish this.” It’s maybe premature to discuss detailed plans for UEFA EURO 2004™ but what is McDonald’s overall objective in being a part of the event? “Overall, our key objective in our sports sponsorships, whether that’s a EURO, the World Cup or the Olympic Games – the

three most important events in world sport – is to encourage a stronger affinity and connection with the McDonald’s brand both with our consumers as well as with our in-store personnel, who we refer to as the “crew”.

PHOTOS: McDONALD’S

We have an exceptionally large consumer base with 30,000 restaurants worldwide serving 46 million visitors to McDonald’s every day. Not every year, not every month, not every week, but every day. We want to encourage brand loyalty. While we already have exceptionally strong brand loyalty among these consumers, ensuring that we

McDonald’s is serving 46 million visitors in 30,000 restaurants around the world.

further strengthen the emotional bond between them and the McDonald’s brand is important, as consumers who love the brand with both head and heart are not tempted to visit our competitors. Then we come to the second group I mentioned: our in-store personnel. That, believe it or not, is a worldwide family of 1.3 million. We want to instil a love for the brand McDonald’s and to ensure that McDonald’s is a pleasant place to work. We want them to feel happy in their jobs and help us to ensure food quality and service to the consumer. Being associated with top sporting events, and developing motivational programmes based upon these events which target our crew is in fact a key reason we choose to conduct these sponsorships.”

Knowing McDonald’s, your plans for UEFA EURO 2004™ won’t be limited to simply having your advertising boards at venues … “That’s right. Traditionally we have had three strategic platforms behind our sports sponsorship. The first is branding. So we will be aiming to further build the already strong McDonald’s brand by transferring the positive aspects of the event and our relationship with UEFA and EURO 2004™ to the McDonald’s brand. But we will also implement a host of other activities. For example, we are working in the new media arena and if you access euro2004.com you can find our Fantasy Football button, where we are already working to further the McDonald’s brand image with the event. Another key tactic to build our brand image with the important families/kids target group is our Player Escort Programme. This is a wonderful programme which definitely builds an emotional connection between McDonald’s and our young consumers. The children get a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to enter the pitch holding the hands of their heroes at the beginning of each match as well as taking part in the festivities. I like to think that the Player Escort Programme is not only beneficial for McDonald’s, but also for UEFA and for the game itself, as it helps the children to establish emotional links with the players, the teams and with football.” Has the new structure, based on the joint venture between UEFA and the Portuguese hosts, helped to improve the scenario for sponsors? “I see UEFA’s new structure for the European Championship as exceptionally productive. I definitely see the benefits of easing the communication lines and keeping us much closer together. I’m very excited about the new structure and I believe it will add to increased productivity and satisfaction for all involved.”

You mentioned that McDonald’s are sponsors at the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. So why sponsor UEFA EURO 2004™? “When I first came on board, I asked myself that question. And I realised that the properties complement each other beautifully. All three are global in nature but they differ in terms of their target group and geographical appeal; as well as associated equities in the minds of consumers. In broad terms, the Olympics have their strongest appeal in the USA, in Canada, in Japan and in Australia. Football is also a worldwide property but it has a very strong following in South America and Europe. Then we could say that football has great appeal among the young male population. There are more associations with national feeling, commitment, will-to-win and competitiveness. The Olympics are associated with different values and different target groups within society. It’s the perfect mix.” It’s a difficult question to answer in a few words, but what would constitute ‘a successful event’ for McDonald’s?

McDonald’s is sponsoring a huge number of football activities for children.

PHOTOS: McDONALD’S

“To put it concisely: A successful event and sponsorship would be one that develops a stronger loyalty to the McDonald’s brand with both consumers and crew – resulting in better business performance.”

Pelé and Eusébio MasterCard team

“We’re finally in the same team!” an emotional Pelé exclaimed when introducing Eusébio as the new MasterCard Ambassador for UEFA EURO 2004™. The announcement took place on a sunny afternoon, in the elegant surroundings of the Hotel da Lapa, in Lisbon.

UEFA President Lennart Johansson and Pelé wish each other a successful EURO 2004™ after the agreement was signed. On the left, John Stuart from MasterCard.

Pelé, interviewed by John Stuart during the ceremony in Berlin, has been a global spokesman for MasterCard International since 1991.

MasterCard received a Special Award from FIFA, UEFA and CONMEBOL during the announcement of the “Global Football Alliance” in Berlin. From left to right: Eugenio Figueredo (Vice-President of CONMEBOL), Joseph S. Blatter (President of FIFA), Lennart Johansson (President of UEFA), Pelé, Peter Hoch (President of MasterCard Europe) and John Stuart (Senior VicePresident of MasterCard International).

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, from Três Corações in Brazil, considered the best footballer ever, gave a hug to Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, born in Maputo. The two living legends have been rivals on the pitch, true friends off it and sportsmen who have always valued fair play. I’ve always considered Pelé as my brother,” Eusébio confessed. “I clearly remember our first meeting in Paris, when Benfica were playing against Santos. I was 19 at the time and Pelé was 20. So our friendship has lasted for more than 40 years”. Gilberto Madaíl, president of the Portuguese Football Federation and chairman of the Euro 2004, S.A. board, couldn’t help but indulge in dreaming of the impossible. “If Eusébio and Pelé were in our team for 2004, we would, without a shadow of doubt, be champions of Europe!”

The idea of teaming them up came from MasterCard who, on 12 March in Berlin, confirmed their status as official partner for UEFA EURO 2004™ and also for the next three UEFA Champions League campaigns. The deal was announced by UEFA’s president, Lennart Johansson, and MasterCard’s senior vice-president, John Stuart, along with the company’s chief marketing office in Europe, Arjen Krüger, who commented “I’m delighted that MasterCard is sponsoring UEFA EURO 2004™. I am proud that we are showing continuous support to this fantastic sports event – one of the most popular in the world. As the largest sponsor of European football, MasterCard will use this unique platform to continue its successful marketing activities. It is an exceptional stage on which to reinforce our brand image and awareness.” “We’ve definitely joined a winning side,” Eusébio grinned. “And I would like to thank MasterCard for having thought of me and for having the idea of teaming me up with Pelé.”

PHOTOS: PER KJÆRBYE

join forces in the

Arjen Krüger, Chief Marketing Officer of MasterCard Europe, flanked by UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner and UEFA President Lennart Johansson with the trophies for the European Championship and the UEFA Champions League.

PHOTO: FRANCISCO PARAÍSO

From left to right: Pedro Monteiro (ICEP), Rui Valente (General Director of Tourism), Vasco Lynce (Portugal 2004, S.A.) and Dr Gilberto Madaíl (Euro 2004, S.A.) signing the protocol of UEFA EURO 2004™.

FLASH Portugal hopes for Portugal plans to use its hosting of the 2004 European championships as a launchpad to promote more travel to the country. “We want to strengthen our image as a great Atlantic nation, stimulate interest in Portugal as a travel destination and increase average revenue per tourist,” Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis Arnaut says. Speaking after the nation’s trade office, tourist department and UEFA EURO 2004™ organisers had signed an agreement to work together to promote Portugal, Arnault said the government hoped the tournament would also help the country attract visitors from a wider variety of nations. “The European football championship is an excellent opportunity to project the image of the country,” he added. The government has set aside five million euros ($5.3 million) to promote travel to Portugal, using the Tournament as main element of the campaign. Tourism is a key sector of the Portuguese economy, employing some 10 per cent of all workers and accounting for eight per cent of the country’s gross national product. Portugal received 27.1 million visitors last year, making it one of the 20 most visited nations in the world.

PHOTOS: FRANCISCO PARAÍSO

Tourism Boost

Playing for Promotion Portugal is already established as an attractive tourist destination but UEFA EURO 2004™ is an excellent pretext for doing some serious promotional work for the tournament itself and for the country.

Luiz Felipe Scolari and Eusébio met at the Centro Cultural de Belém, in Lisbon, where the protocol for the promotion of UEFA EURO 2004™ was signed.

Hugo Viana and his girlfriend listen to Luiz Felipe Scolari.

A major step forward in this direction was made when representatives from ICEP (the Portuguese Institute of Foreign Commerce), the Portuguese National Tourist Board, Portugal 2004, S.A. and Euro 2004, S.A. got together at the Centro Cultural in Belém to

sign the protocol relating to the joint promotional campaign. Pedro Monteiro, Rui Valente, Vasco Lynce and Gilberto Madaíl were the key players at an event which the Deputy Prime Minister described as “the kick-off for a game that Portugal will surely win”. The guest list certainly looked like a winning team, with UEFA EURO 2004™ ambassadors Eusébio and Hugo Viana in the line-up, along with Portugal’s new national team coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Secretary of State for Youth & Sport, Herminio Loureiro, the President of the Football League, Valentim Loureiro, the president of SL Benfica, Manuel Vilarinho, and the president of the National Institute for Sport, Manuel Constantino.

Work is racing ahead at the new Antas stadium in Porto and Monday 17 February saw the start of a new phase in the construction schedule. On that day, a special ceremony on the site was attended by representatives of FC Porto, the media and the EuroAntas project, whose spokesman, Eduardo Valente confirmed that construction work is running on time and that the new stadium will be completed by September. The ceremony was to mark the erection of the first of the forest of pillars that will support the translucent roof at the new stadium or, as the locals call it, ‘the veil’.

PHOTO: JORGE AGUIAR / O JOGO

Raising the Veil

The Official

UEFA EURO 2004™ Website

www.euro2004.com

The major part of the UEFA New Media team is based in Nyon, headed by Alexandre Fourtoy, Chief Executive Officer (in the middle of the front row), and David Farrelly, Editor-in-Chief (far right).

The last edition of the Newsletter featured the “men at work” on sites across Portugal in preparation for UEFA EURO 2004™. This month the focus is on the work currently under way on another type of site – the official UEFA EURO 2004™ website, www.euro2004.com, which is poised to go on line. UEFA New Media has been covering qualifying matches and the build-up to the Final Tournament on its hugely popular www.uefa.com site and, on 4 March 2003, a site dedicated solely to UEFA EURO 2004™ was launched. The site has been created by UEFA New Media staff in Nyon and London, while two Portuguese journalists based in Lisbon, working in close association with the Euro 2004, S.A. media department headed by António Florencio, will keep users across Europe up to date with all the news from the host country.

The Portuguese connection is crucial, as one of the aims of the site is to let fans behind the scenes to see what is involved in organising the world’s third largest sporting event. So there will be regular updates and photographs of work in progress at the stadiums, interviews with key figures and the thoughts of Portuguese internationals on what hosting the event means to them. As well as providing comprehensive information on qualifying matches, from live coverage to injury news, the site will enable fans to apply for tickets for the UEFA EURO 2004™ Final Tournament and even book their accommodation. Like the stadiums, the website will develop over time and the site unveiled in March is the foundation of what will become during the Final Tournament the biggest sports event website ever. UEFA New Media CEO Alexandre Fourtoy is relishing the task ahead: “Creating euro2004.com is an

exciting challenge for us as we are committed to deliver to the football world the best interactive experience on the web around the tournament.” The www.euro2004.com site will certainly be the place to visit during the Final Tournament, with a 40-strong team of journalists and technicians on site in Lisbon plus correspondents posted with all 16 teams and at all venues providing news, reports and live coverage from Portugal. For the first time, fans will experience the tournament through a whole set of multimedia elements using the latest technologies.

A sample of the design of the euro2004.com website.

interactivity to the fans to give them a real feeling of being there as, for example, there will also be video coverage from behind the scenes and from reporters travelling with supporters throughout Portugal.”

Alexandre Fourtoy adds: ““Live 4 it” will be our motto in providing audio, video and

UEFA New Media’s Editor-in-Chief David Farrelly says the aim is to make www.euro2004.com the best sport-event site ever. “UEFA has had a new media presence since 1998, and our coverage of EURO 2000 and last year’s FIFA World Cup proved hugely popular. Now, we want to use our experience and the unique resources at our disposal to deliver the best-ever online football product to our users. We want fans to experience all the colour and excitement of the tournament in Portugal via our website.”

The UEFA New Media team in London which deals with purely editorial matters.

David Farrelly adds the finishing touches to another piece to be published on the official website of UEFA.

Staff Members Last Name

First Name

Job position

Nationality

Achkar Infantino Agnew Ashby BaĂąo Baudry Billington Chaplin Demetriou Farrelly Fourtoy Frandsen Gognidze Gonnella Haefliger Hanshaw Hart Hart Harte Hunte Klein Malkoc Marion Masnjak Moger Monney Nixon Onofre Peaker Matos Pereira Plattet Rees Robertsson Sergi Szreter ValfrĂŠ di Bonzo Williams Wirth

Lina Jim Kevin David Vincent Sebastien Mark Greg David Alexandre Svend Pavels Massimo Sandra Joe Patrick Simon Adrian Alex Robert Kadira Daniel Igor Neil Amanda Paul Costa Graham Rui Judit Arne Tomas Giancarlo Adam Roberto Luke Jim

Office Administrator Live Editor Sub-Editor Multilingual Editor Systems Administrator CRM-Advisor Chief Writer Sub-Editor Editor-in-Chief Chief Executive Officer Features Sub-Editor Multilingual Editor Multilingual Editor Business Dev. Secretary/Ass. Multimedia Producer Language Sub-Editor Chief Sub-Editor Special Features Editor Head of Production Manager Sales & Marketing Language Sub-Editor Head of Technology Head of Creative Design Designer Editorial Assistant Multimedia Producer/Sub-Editor Multilingual Sub-Editor Production Technician Euro2004.com coordinator CEO Personal Assistant Head of Business Development Multimedia Producer Projects & Relations Manager News Editor Manager Business Development Sub-Editor Special Features Sub-Editor

Lebanese Irish English Spanish French Swiss English English Irish French Danish Latvian Italian Swiss English English English Irish English Swiss Yugoslav Swiss Croatian British Swiss English Portuguese New Zealander Portuguese Swiss German English Swiss English Italian English English

The editorial team at work in their offices in Nyon.

FLASH

HELLO -

Hosts name

Portugal Telecom joins the Partners

PHOTOS: FRANCISCO PARAÍSO

Good News

NEW General Secretary

The ceremony at Exponor was presided by Gilberto Madaíl, President of FPF and Euro 2004, S.A. (ind the middle), flanked by (on his left side) Mathieu Sprengers, member of UEFA’s Executive Committee and Vice President of Euro 2004, S.A, and Lars-Christer Olsson, Director of the UEFA’s Professional Football & Marketing Division and member of the Board of Euro 2004, S.A.; and (on his right) Hermínio Loureiro, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports; and Diogo Gaspar Ferreira, President of the Portuguese Stadia Association.

The Portuguese Football Federation has appointed Manuel Quaresma as its new General Secretary. Manuel, born in Vila Nova de São Bento in the Alentejo region on 4 October 1954, is a familiar face to members of the European football family, having joined the Football Federation in 1977 and been a member of the Sports Department since October 1991. He has been a regular member of the Portuguese ‘squad’ at age-limit tournaments in recent years and, last year, he took on the role of Director for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship which is being staged in Portugal. A year earlier, he had also been appointed Deputy Tournament Director for UEFA EURO 2004™ and the role of General Secretary has now been added to his extensive ‘job description’!

Grounds for Satisfaction What? The stadium contracts signed with well over a year to spare? There were certainly grounds for satisfaction when, at Exponor, near Porto, representatives of Euro 2004, S.A. and UEFA met with the UEFA EURO 2004™ stadium owners to sign the contracts for the final phase of the UEFA European Championship. The fact that, for the first time in the history of the competition, the contracts were signed with over a year to spare demonstrates that Portuguese wheels are not only in motion but are moving at speed.

PHOTO: FABIO BOZZANI

Diogo Gaspar Ferreira, President of the Portuguese Stadia Association, expressed his satisfaction with the agreements, with Hermínio Loureiro also underlining the importance for Portugal of the new sports infrastructures and the vitalisation of different sectors of the country. Mathieu Sprengers stressed that one of the main reasons why Portugal won its bid to stage the tournament was the plan to construct or renew ten stadiums and that the signing of the contracts was crucial to success. “This is the first step,” he commented, “in the organisation of one of the best-ever sports events”.

Manuel Quaresma (left) and Dr. Gilberto MadaÍl during a visit to UEFA in Nyon.

Portugal Telecom (PT) has been appointed as Official Telecommunications Partner of the UEFA European Football Championship 2004. Portugal Telecom will provide valuable services and support in ‘hard wired’ voice and data communications, fixed line telephone hardware, Local Area Network and Wide Area Network communications as well as internet access connections for the tournament. Commenting on the latest partner for UEFA EURO 2004™, UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Portugal Telecom on board. Providing the correct hardware installations and having a fully functioning and modern telecommunications network is a key requirement for staging such a football tournament.” Miguel Horta e Costa, Executive President of Portugal Telecom Group, said: “UEFA EURO 2004™ will allow us to demonstrate our ability to successfully organise such huge international events. As the biggest economic Portuguese group, the PT Group has a responsibility to actively participate in the organisation of UEFA EURO 2004™, as it did successfully in Expo 98 and Porto 2001 - Cultural European Capital.” “As Portugal Telecom is in possession of the most advanced technology, I am sure that the UEFA European Football Championship is now richer and better equipped,” Gilberto Madaíl, Chairman of the Board of Euro 2004, S.A., added.

CARTOON: SILVAN WEGMANN

Some of the most interested spectators at UEFA EURO 2004™ will be the representatives from Austria and Switzerland, the two countries who are taking up the challenge of hosting the 2008 finals. It will be the second time that the final tournament has been co-hosted but the venues could hardly be more different from the flatlands of Belgium and the Netherlands. We can only hope that the route to goal isn’t quite as uphill all the way …