CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"><head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://ac.uefa.com/","20120229231225","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1330557145"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/><meta name="robots" content="NONE,NOARCHIVE"/><link rel="icon" href="/web/20120229231225im_/http://ac.uefa.com/static/accessible/images/favicon.png"/><link rel="shortcut icon" href="/web/20120229231225im_/http://ac.uefa.com/static/accessible/images/favicon.png"/><title>UEFA.com (UEFA.com)</title><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231225cs_/http://ac.uefa.com/static/accessible/stylesheets/reset.css?1328874001"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231225cs_/http://ac.uefa.com/static/accessible/stylesheets/accessible.css?1328874001"/><link media="only screen and (max-device-width: 480px)" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231225cs_/http://ac.uefa.com/static/accessible/stylesheets/mobile.css?1328874001"/><meta name="viewport" content="width=480"/></head><body><div id="header"><h1 id="top" class="box"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/"><span class="hide">UEFA.com - The official website for European football</span></a></h1><div id="accessibility" class="box"><h3>Accessibility links</h3><ul><li><a href="#content">Skip to content</a></li><li><a href="#local">Skip to page navigation</a></li><li><a href="#footer">Skip to UEFA.com navigation</a></li></ul></div><div id="channels"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/">All news</a><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/livescores/">Fixtures and results</a></div><div id="breadcrumb" class="box"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/" title="">UEFA.com</a></div><div id="local" class="box"><h2>Page navigation</h2><ul><li><a href="./#newsbox_latest_news">Latest news</a></li><li><a href="./#newsbox_bc_uefa">UEFA</a></li><li><a href="./#newsbox_ucl">UEFA Champions League</a></li><li><a href="./#newsbox_nav_uefaeuropaleague">UEFA Europa League</a></li></ul></div></div><div id="content"><div class="box" id="newsbox_latest_news"><h1>Latest news</h1><div><p class="news_category">European Championship</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/1760911/">International friendlies: matchday updates</a></h3><p class="date">Wednesday 29 February 2012 23.35 CET</p><p class="teaser">It is 100 days to go until UEFA EURO 2012 begins and all 16 contenders were in action tonight. UEFA.com's team of reporters bring you all the latest from across Europe.</p></div><div><p class="news_category">European Championship</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/1761324/">Cox comes good as Ireland hold Czechs</a></h3><p class="date">Wednesday 29 February 2012 23.21 CET</p><p class="teaser"><b>Republic of Ireland 1-1 Czech Republic</b><br/>Substitute Simon Cox extended Ireland's unbeaten run to 12 games as their fellow UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers failed to build on Milan Baroš's opener.</p></div><div><p class="news_category">European Championship</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/1761281/">Greece find Belgium a tough nut to crack</a></h3><p class="date">Wednesday 29 February 2012 23.13 CET</p><p class="teaser"><b>Greece 1-1 Belgium</b><br/>Dimitris Salpingidis gave the hosts an early lead, but they could not restore their advantage against ten men after Nacer Chadli levelled.<b><br/></b></p></div><div><p class="news_category">European Championship</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/1761274/">Larsson double gives Sweden victory in Croatia</a></h3><p class="date">Wednesday 29 February 2012 23.05 CET</p><p class="teaser"><b>Croatia 1-3 Sweden</b><br/>Substitute Sebastian Larsson scored twice, but it was a superb display from Zlatan Ibrahimović that drove Sweden to an impressive win in Zagreb.</p></div><div><p class="news_category">European Championship</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/1761289/">Giroud puts France on way to Bremen success</a></h3><p class="date">Wednesday 29 February 2012 23.00 CET</p><p class="teaser"><b>Germany 1-2 France</b><br/>Olivier Giroud scored on his full debut and Florent Malouda also scored as Les Bleus made it 18 matches unbeaten in impressive fashion.</p></div><div><p class="news_category">European Championship</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/1761286/">Dempsey condemns Italy to defeat</a></h3><p class="date">Wednesday 29 February 2012 22.55 CET</p><p class="teaser"><b>Italy 0-1 United States<br/></b>Clint Dempsey struck the only goal ten minutes into the second half as Cesare Prandelli's side suffered a third defeat in five friendly games.<b><br/></b></p></div><a class="next" href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/"><span class="arrow">></span><span class="text">More news</span></a><div class="clear"></div></div><div class="box" id="newsbox_bc_uefa"><h1>UEFA</h1><div><p class="news_category">European Championship</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefa/news/1758145/">Elite referees prepare for EURO spotlight</a></h3><p class="date">Wednesday 29 February 2012 10.29 CET</p><p class="teaser">The 12 referees chosen to participate at UEFA EURO 2012 took time out from a get-together in Turkey to give UEFA.com an insight into what it takes to be a top-class match official.</p></div><div><p class="news_category">European Championship</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefa/news/1761054/">Polish, Ukrainian talents begin training for EURO</a></h3><p class="date">Wednesday 29 February 2012 10.00 CET</p><p class="teaser">The UEFA EURO 2012 Host Broadcast Talent Programme has launched with the first training workshops for the Polish and Ukrainian students who will be working at the tournament.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefa/news/1760798/">UEFA and ECA move close to new agreement</a></h3><p class="date">Tuesday 28 February 2012 15.53 CET</p><p class="teaser">UEFA and the European Club Association have reached a provisional agreement regarding the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the two bodies.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefa/news/1758181/">Portugal posts mini-pitch project success</a></h3><p class="date">Monday 27 February 2012 12.25 CET</p><p class="teaser">The UEFA HatTrick programme has assisted in the construction of over 200 mini-pitches in Portugal since 2007, giving more youngsters the chance to play football in a safe environment.</p></div><div><p class="news_category">Congress</p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefa/news/1759552/">UEFA Congress agenda announced for Istanbul</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 10.47 CET</p><p class="teaser">The annual UEFA Congress meeting – the official gathering of UEFA's 53 member associations – will take place this year in Istanbul on Thursday 22 March, with a busy agenda in prospect.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefa/news/1759515/">XXXVI Ordinary UEFA Congress in Istanbul</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 9.28 CET</p><p class="teaser">012 - UEFA Congress on 22 March 2012 to follow UEFA Executive Committee on 20/21 March</p></div><a class="next" href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefa/news/"><span class="arrow">></span><span class="text">More news</span></a><div class="clear"></div></div><div class="box" id="newsbox_ucl"><h1>UEFA Champions League</h1><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/1759784/">Zenit take Arshavin back to Russia</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 22.57 CET</p><p class="teaser">Andrey Arshavin has returned to Russia and hometown club FC Zenit St Petersburg after the 30-year-old forward agreed a loan deal until July from Arsenal FC.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/1759619/">Ranocchia missing for Italy and Inter</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 12.56 CET</p><p class="teaser">Andrea Ranocchia will miss Italy's friendly against the United States and the second leg of FC Internazionale Milano's tie against Olympique de Marseille after suffering a thigh injury.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/1758282/">Maicon knee injury a worry for Inter</a></h3><p class="date">Thursday 23 February 2012 16.44 CET</p><p class="teaser">FC Internazionale Milano's Brazilian international right-back Maicon is expected to miss the round of 16 decider against Olympique de Marseille with a strained tendon in his knee.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/1758281/">UEFA Champions League by numbers</a></h3><p class="date">Thursday 23 February 2012 16.40 CET</p><p class="teaser">UEFA.com looks at the key facts and figures from this week's ties including Chelsea FC's home woes, PFC CSKA Moskva's unbeaten run and the possible end of an era for England.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/1758028/">Bayern's Lahm rues ill-luck after Basel loss</a></h3><p class="date">Thursday 23 February 2012 9.22 CET</p><p class="teaser">While captain Philipp Lahm blamed missed chances and misfortune for FC Bayern München's loss at FC Basel 1893, keeper Manuel Neuer mused: "It's just not happening for us."</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/1740236/">Basel braced for Bayern power show</a></h3><p class="date">Thursday 23 February 2012 9.16 CET</p><p class="teaser">FC Bayern München's run of 11 wins in 12 UEFA Champions League home matches suggests FC Basel 1893 will have their work cut out despite a 1-0 first-leg victory.</p></div><a class="next" href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/"><span class="arrow">></span><span class="text">More news</span></a><div class="clear"></div></div><div class="box" id="newsbox_nav_uefaeuropaleague"><h1>UEFA Europa League</h1><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/1759408/">Hat-trick man Huntelaar hails Schalke teamwork</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 9.30 CET</p><p class="teaser">Klaas-Jan Huntelaar may have hit a hat-trick but he paid tribute to his FC Schalke 04 team-mates for pulling together to edge out FC Viktoria Plzeň in extra time and reach the last 16.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/1759391/">De Gea: United almost paid for complacency</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 9.27 CET</p><p class="teaser">Manchester United FC may be through to the round of 16 but goalkeeper David de Gea admitted they "relaxed a bit" as AFC Ajax almost overturned an aggregate deficit at Old Trafford.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/1759403/">Atlético warming to UEFA Europa League task</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 9.15 CET</p><p class="teaser"><b></b>Goalscorer Diego Godín said "we really like this competition" as he and Paulo Assunção talked UEFA.com through Club Atlético de Madrid's round of 32 success over S.S. Lazio.<b><b><br/></b></b></p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/1759510/">Xandão grateful for Sporting birthday present</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 9.09 CET</p><p class="teaser"><b></b>Sporting Club de Portugal defender Xandão was grateful his 24th birthday wish for a win against Legia Warszawa came true, even if goalscorer Matías Fernández admitted it was "not vintage".</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/1759397/">AZ thank lucky stars for Anderlecht win</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 8.25 CET</p><p class="teaser">Niklas Moisander admitted AZ Alkmaar "were lucky" to survive early pressure at RSC Anderlecht and reach the last 16 with a second 1-0 win, leaving their hosts looking to the Belgian league.</p></div><div><p class="news_category"></p><h3 class="news"><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/1759414/">Djebbour, Carroll give all for Olympiacos</a></h3><p class="date">Friday 24 February 2012 8.21 CET</p><p class="teaser">Rafik Djebbour<b></b> scored to ensure Olympiacos FC eliminated FC Rubin Kazan and said he is enjoying his most "complete season" while Roy Carroll kept a clean sheet despite injury.</p></div><a class="next" href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/"><span class="arrow">></span><span class="text">More news</span></a><div class="clear"></div></div></div><div id="footer"><h2>UEFA.com navigation</h2><div class="menu-level-3" title=""><h3>Channels</h3><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/news/">All news</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/livescores/">Fixtures and results</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-3" title=""><h3>About UEFA</h3><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefa/news/">News</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-3" title=""><h3>Member associations</h3><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/">News</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-3 solo"><h3>Competitions</h3></div><div class="menu-level-4" title=""><h4>Clubs</h4><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/">UEFA Champions League</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/">UEFA Europa League</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefasupercup/">UEFA Super Cup</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-4" title=""><h4>National</h4><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/uefaeuro2012/">UEFA EURO 2012</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/worldcup/">FIFA World Cup</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/under21/">Under-21</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-4" title=""><h4>Youth </h4><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/under19/">Under-19</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/under17/">Under-17</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/regionscup/">Regions' Cup</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-4" title=""><h4>Women</h4><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/womenseuro/">UEFA Women's EURO</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/womensworldcup/">Women's World Cup</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/">UEFA Women's Champions League</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/womensunder19/">Women's Under-19</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/womensunder17/">Women's Under-17</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-4" title=""><h4>Futsal</h4><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/futsaleuro/">Futsal EURO</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/futsalcup/">Futsal Cup</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-3" title=""><h3>Change language</h3><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/">English</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/fr/">Français</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/it/">Italiano</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/es/">Español</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/pt/">Português</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/de/">Deutsch</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/ru/">Русский</a></li></ul></div><div class="menu-level-3" title=""><h3>UEFA.com</h3><ul><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/page/terms-and-conditions/">Terms and Conditions</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/page/faq/">Help / FAQ</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/page/uefa-and-accessibility/">UEFA and accessibility</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120229231225/http://ac.uefa.com/page/contact-uefa/">Contact us</a></li></ul></div><div class="box"><p><a href="#top" class="skiptop"><span class="arrow">^</span><span class="text">Skip to top</span></a></p><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231225/http://en.uefa.com/">Switch to standard site</a></p><div class="copyright-footer">© 1998-2012 UEFA. All rights reserved.</div></div></div><script type="text/javascript">var s_account = "uefageneralprod"</script><script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231225js_/http://ac.uefa.com/static/omniture/stats.js?1328874001"> </script><script type="text/javascript"></script><noscript><div><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231225/http://www.omniture.com/" title="Web Analytics"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231225im_/http://metrics.uefa.com/b/ss/uefageneralprod/1/H.20.3--NS/0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0" alt=""/></a></div></noscript></body></html>