MEMORIES FROM OSLO (3)

The second day of the course began with the intervention of Patrick Gaser (UEFA Social Activities), who spoke of "Respect" (for example, the t-shirts exchange campaign) and the related activities (anti-racism, disabled, countries with wars, etc..). He noted the large number of activities that had been made in Poland and Ukraine during the EURO2012.

Then Mary Wilson (Northern Ireland), spoke of football as a tool for integration with the "Football for all" program, to integrate different ethnic minorities, the elimination of racism, the different cultural considerations, homeless, etc..

Sabina Huseynov and Yusif Valiyev (Azerbaijan), spoke of disability football. They began creating deaf futsal teams and, the next step is to introduce in men with brain disabilities and for women. They explained that they meet the classic problems: lack of infrastructure, sponsors, etc.

Finally, Luca Balduzzi (Switzerland), explained the social programs that are made in his country.

After a short break, they talked about the integration between Grassroots and Professional Football. The former player Bodo Menze, now Director of Grassroots at Schalke 04, spoke of the German system. He explained that, after the defeat in the EURO2000, was introduced the system of "Academies" in his country. He explained the structure (training, schools for players, etc). He recalled that players like Neuer (Bayern) or Ozil (R. Madrid), have come out of this Academy. Later, he spoke of the social type projects carried by the Club, as it is in an area with high immigration.

Tarje Jacobsen and Terje Myrseth (Molde FK), explained its structure and operation, taking into account their differences. Molde is a city of about 25,000 people and have managed to involve the entire population with the Club. Again, the role of volunteers is critical. The Board is organized so that each member is assigned a club team, to ensure the smooth exchange of information.

Finally, Hallvar Thoresen (Norway FA), introduced us to the practical session.This was developed in the Heming IL club, a multisport club; the question of the volunteers turned to see again: while the kids were trainng, some parents made coffee, tea and cakes for people who will see training (this is very typical in these countries, I've already lived in Germany when I organized a campus with a colleague).As we said earlier, possession games and the like are present in all training sessions from 7-8 years.

On return, Ottavio and Massimo Steffano Tell (Italy), explained the structure of the youth sector of the FIGC. Right now they have 3 major programs underway:- Football in schools (for children aged 8-10 years)- "Io calcium to 5" (Futsal), for people of 11-14 years (especially girls, because that is where need more quantity)- "Super class cup" of 15-19 years, with school activity league football. The classification depends on sports scores and school activity (50/50).Finally, it was said that there are activities throughout Italy, especially, as has been said, to recruit girls, as only 2% of the football players are girls/women.

The last activity of the day was the Discussion Groups, which I will talk about in the next post. Then, dinner at the Hotel and giant screen to watch Barca v PSG.

MEMORIES FROM OSLO (2)

The first day of the course (Tuesday, 9th), began with Frank Ludolph (Head of Education), explaining what we were going to see these days, from the title of the course (Nurturing The Grassroots Together - The Journey Continues). Afeter him, Ioan Lupescu (Chief Technical Officer), explained the educational priorities for 2013, which are the Futsal, the GKs and the small-sided games (SSG).
He spoke then of the goals achieved in the grassroots, from the questions "Where do we come from?, Where we are? Where we're going?", associated to the values transmitted by Grassroots, to the education, to the social aspect, etc..
Then he spoke about the Star system at the Grassroots Charter, to go to a change in criteria, establishing three categories (Gold, Silver, Bronze); this will be discussed in the Discussion Groups.
Then we proceeded to the Awards Grassroots (Grassroots Day Awards Ceremony), with the presence of the legendary Gianni Rivera, who explained his beginnig as a player on the streets of his town (like many), where there weren't cars and children spent the day playing.
Later, it was said about of all that can be done to promote grassroots football as Activities, Sponsors, Websites, festivals.
The next participant was Per Omdal (Grassroots Ambassador by UEFA), speaking of the football pyramid, with the Grassroots (children, youth, amateurs, veterans, etc.), in the lower part, the Youth Elite (Pro Academies, "U" National Teams) and, at the top of the Pyramid the Elite Football (Clubs and Teams). Omdal spoke of setting priorities, because, currently, the mentality is directed towards the Elite and should be directed towards the players. He spoke that the children begin to play soccer to be with their friends, and they leave because they do not play. He wondered if all these ages should have equal playing time.
In Europe, Omdal said, there are 80 million football players, based on the system of clubs. Now, it's time to increase the number of girls/women who play football and also increase their presence on Boards of FA's, like increasing the number of women managers and referees, etc..
The last interventions in the morning were for members of the Norwegian Federation. Alf Hansen (Director of Development) and Sitg Bjornebye (ex-Liverpool player and now head of development for children and youth), explained that there are about 2000 Clubs in Norway, based essentially on the work of volunteers. Because this, it has been a great effort in the courses "on line" (From end to end the country's more than 2000km away!). He spoke no football "competitive" until 13 years old and the importance of communication. The idea is to reach the maximum (Barca was shown as an example), but, based on the peculiarities of the country (in this case, the Volunteers). The idea is to "involve the maximum number of POSSIBLE people, as long as POSSIBLE, to be the best POSSIBLE." Finally he spoke of the introduction of interactive tools to make all this possible, with a program that started in January 2012, establishing a Web with Intraent applications, where you can download sessions and exercises, while you can keep track players, etc. The idea is based on sessions with 50% of SSG and the other 50% in specific activities, such as the shooting or finishing. This program (S2S), we explained by the Manager of the Company, Tor Ahlgren.
After lunch we attended the practice session 1, in the same Ullevaal Stadium (where Valerenga and the National Team play). I must say that the Hotel where the course is held is at the same stadium. In this session we saw what I talked about in the first entry: possession games of all types: 6V3, 8v2, etc.
Once the session was finished, the following speakers talked about to use the "Momentum" to promote grassroots football. Orit Raz (Israel), spoke about the activities that will be made with the occasion of the Under-21 Finals in her country (Festivals, Tournaments, flyers, TV, etc.). Peter Lànstrøm (Sweden), followed with the Women's Euro in July (as well as Israel, with coaching courses for women, Symposiums, etc..). Alf Hansen spoke of everything that is done in connection with the Norwegian Cup Final (male and female), that are the matches that close the season in the country. Here, there are seminars for parents and specialists, with over 250 participants.
Finally, Willi Hink, Liam MCGroary (Rep. Ireland) and Jim Fleeting (Scotland), spoke to use the "Grassroots Awards" as a way of rewarding effort, as a quality brand, as a way of saying "thank you" to the football people, etc.
The day concluded with a dinner hosted by the Norwegian FA, while watching the Champions League match Borussia vs Malaga.

MEMORIES FROM OSLO (1)

I begin here a series of posts about my trip to Oslo to attend the 10th "UEFA Grassroots Workshop". For those who do not know, "Grassroots" for UEFA, means all the football that is not elite. That is, youth football, women, disabled, etc. It is important to make this distinction, because many people think that "Grassroots" means only, "Football for young".

One important thing to say is that you will not find, now, a collection of exercises and activities that were made. There, yes, but very few and well known by most. What I can say nos, is that the focus of Norway and, in general, the Nordic countries, is changing. Until recently, football was played in that area was quite similar to the British: that is, direct play, long balls, second plays, etc.. This is changing. Now, they are facing south, very to the south. Barca and the Spanish National Team have become reference points and everybody wants to play "possession football". And here also. Everything we saw and explained applied to football for children applied is based on possession: Rondos, possession games, etc.. The only problem I see (or saw) is that their culture tactic regarding this way of playing is still very low, which makes them look many misconceptions regarding its application, from building up with the "lavolpiana" with centre-backs wide, but no one among them or not applying the exchange of positions. But, I guess, as they are intelligent people, that they will know soon how to solve it.

The course has had exhibitions of programs for different groups of people (women, homeless, disabled, etc.,always in the more social aspect), seminars, discussion groups, etc.. It has participating people as Per Omdal (one of the greatest in the field of Grassroots in Europe), Fernando Hierro (ex-Real Madrid player), or Willi Hink (Director of Amateur Football in the German Federation), with guests from Oceania or Africa, in addition to the technical staff of UEFA, with Ioan Lupescu (Chief Technical Officer) or Frank Ludolph (Head of Education).

In the next entries I'll speak of what has been done daily.

THE FIFA VIRUS AND OTHER STUFF

As usual whenever there are National Team matches, the famous and dreade "FIFA Virus" has appeared. What happens is that this is a "virus" invented to do bussiness and, like most diseases, is curable.

Let me explain. If this or that team has to do a lot of kilometers and hours by plane to play a friendly match at the other side of the planet, it is clear that the fault is not FIFA. The fault lies on those who have decided to play this game and have signed the relevant agreements and, if a player is injured, the "blame" is the opponent that made the tackle or, a bad warm-up or any other thing, but not FIFA.

I'll continue to explain. Neither Mr. Blatter and the FIFA Executive Commitee have decided which days there are National Team matches. It has been decided by the General Assembly, that has 208 members and each member has their own organization. Therefore, we must ask each National Federation which is their point of view about the topic. Apparently, for most of the Federations it goes well as it is, because if not, they would have changed it. Let's think about it before criticizing without knowing why things happen, moreover, quite common in football, where decisions and sanctions (or no sanctions), are criticized without knowing the Regulations.

By the way, talking about Regulations, in any part of the LOTG it is said that having the hand separated of the body is a fault. It's a only a fault if the ball is played with the hand in a deliberate manner. Nothing more. Second: a player is booked only if he prevents an opponent the possession of the ball or, if he prevents to score a goal. The other day I heard a commentator saying that "if the referee considered that a handball was volunteer, he had to book the player". What I have not clear is if he was lying or he had no idea (I think the latter).

EVERYTHING IS READY

With almost all national competitions stops due to international matches, it's time to make a review of the National League of Andorra.
At the top (play-off for the title), Lusitans is close to clinch it.. Six-point ahead with 3 games remaining, mean that men of Carlos Sánchez can be champions in the next match. By the way, Sánchez is the 3rd manager so far this season, a very strange thing for a team that has ever been leading. Recall that Marquis Vincente left the team at the end of participation in Europe; Salva Estruch took over and, a few weeks before the end of the regular season was dismissed.
Behind Lusitans is a close fight between the other three teams to decide the second place (and consequentemente, place in Europa League), 2 points separate Sant Julia de FC Santa Coloma and, they are one point ahead of the other "colomenc" team, the UE Santa Coloma. These three teams have made a league quite irregular. For FC Santa Coloma, the lack of scoring this year has made that, even they have lost only one match, like Lusitans, Luis Blanco's men are 8 points away of these, having conceded eight draws. Sant Julià has alternated good games with some not so good, but failed to ever win Lusitans. A victory in the next game (Sant Julia v Lusitans), would open many options for Josep M ª Espot "Canito". Meanwhile, Lluís Aloy team, which has been the only one to win Lusitans (2-1 in Week 2), is doing a pretty weak play-off (1 point in 3 games). Next week we could have a champion or, have it all quite complicated. We'll see what happens.
On the bottom (play-off for the relegation), the only thing that seems to be coming out is Principat. 7 points lead for Raul Cañete over the last (FC Encamp), it seems that they are away from danger, after a season where it seemed that this team had more options. Maybe not to enter the fight for the title, but to be closer to there and not to the relagation. Engordany and Inter have 12 points and Encamp 1 less. Here, the situation is complicated and changes weekly. Inter started with only 6 points but has got two victories. Meanwhile, Engordany and Encamp have added only 1 point each (the match between them, which ended 1-1);  both, Oscar Guerrero as Pepe Mengual must work hard to avoid relegation and promotion places, it seems that Alain Montwani's have a more positive dynamic. In any case, the matchs next week can clarify many things. Losing, for any of the three back would make to be very difficult to remain in First Divisió. Remain in tune!

EPPUR SI MUOVE

"Eppur if muove" (And yet it moves), is the statement attributed to Galileo in reference to the movement of the earth around the sun. The phrase is used nowadays and among other things, to refer to any person, entity, etc.. seem that although there isn't or not doing any business, whether it is actually doing something.

"Eppur if muove" but, can also be applied to Barça. The team of Vilanova-Roura has gone, in a few days, to be finished, tired "physically" out of ideas, out of the Cup with a foot and a half out of Europe, and the League was about to lose the (???), according to some, to get back in shape ("physically"??), by becoming the highest (almost) favorite to win the Champions League and "La Liga" at the point to solve it, since a gap of 13-point lead when they are 10 games to be played.

I do not agree with many of these theories. The last matches of Barça had been a meaningless run, with separate lines, with a lack of judgment rather large. This gave more options than usual to the opponents and Barça matched many goals.

Suddenly, the situation changed. Depor (La Coruña), has not kicked in, and Milan only had a clear one and it was an individual error rather than collective. What happened to arrive here? Well, for me, very easy. Barça returned to take the "Manual of Positional Play" and went back to the balance, to have the lines together, to find space between the lines, to everything.

"The ball give us order" said Pep Guardiola. And the ball is moving. "Eppur if muove"

WELCOME

Welcome to the blog "Futbol Pirineus."
 

A long time ago I do many things in the world of football. For some reason or other, did not have a way to put them all together. With this blog/site, I'll try to explain them a bit, from my activities to my thoughts and ideas about football and everything that surrounds it.

Enjoy it!