Having ended a 36-year wait for a FIFA World Cup qualifying victory by beating Switzerland 2-1 in Zurich, Luxembourg’s players returned home as heroes, with the team coach hosting one of the best parties in the Grand Duchy’s history.

Inauspicious start
Beaten 3-0 at home by Greece in their opening Group 2 qualifier, little was expected of Guy Hellers’s side as they headed for the Letzigrund Stadion on 10 September, but the outcome was something incredible as goals from Jeff Strasser and Alphonse Leweck saw Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland humiliated. “It is just a great day for us and we are absolutely thrilled,” said Strasser.

‘I am proud’
Hellers, who turns 44 on 10 October, paraded around the pitch in triumph after the final whistle and said: “Today we saw a team that definitely wanted to get a good result. Thanks to their resilience, they earned this victory. As opposed to the game against Greece, we did not give anything away and did not make any major mistakes in defence. I am proud of my team.”

Glorious journey
The 600km journey home was to be a major party, with players singing and dancing their way back, finally arriving in Luxembourg at 6.00CET the following morning. Leweck had not tired of reliving his goal, however, saying: “The free-kick trick was something spontaneous between Jeff Strasser and me. The pass was perfect and I just got on to it. When I saw the ball go in it was an indescribable feeling.”

Remarkable performance
Hellers added: “My players, all of whom I congratulated individually, played well above themselves. Given that we played with just two professionals and five Under-21 players our success is even more outstanding. We are still in the process of making changes, but we have shown that with a real team performance we can do something every now and again against a favoured side.”

The 2008/09 edition of the European Football Yearbook, published in association with uefa.com, is a unique and comprehensive work of reference that will appeal to everyone with an interest in European football.

Packed with information
Running at over a thousand pages, the yearbook covers the whole spectrum of the continental game. There is full-colour coverage of all UEFA competitions backed with official statistics, from UEFA EURO 2008™ and the UEFA Champions League to women’s, youth and futsal events. Each of the 53 UEFA member associations has its own chapter containing a narrative review of the season and statistical analysis of the national team and all top-division clubs. Final league tables, top-scorer listings and domestic cup information are also included. The top 100 players of the season chapter is also sure to stimulate debate among readers.

Sir Alex’s approval
In his foreword, Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson called the yearbook “a magnificent work of reference”. He continued: “Page by page, you can track how clubs and national teams have pursued their objectives and succeeded or failed to live up to expectations which vary a great deal. [United] were fortunate enough to win the domestic title and to be champions of Europe. The objectives at other clubs may focus on promotion, staying in the top division or qualifying for Europe – and this book helps to tell all those stories.”

Best yet
The first edition of the European Football Yearbook was published back in 1988 but Mike Hammond, the book’s editor throughout its lifespan, believes the 2008/09 edition is the best yet. “I am delighted with this year’s edition – the second produced in association with uefa.com,” he said. “While I was very proud of the 2007/08 edition, I believe we have made several significant improvements this year – both in terms of design and ease of reference. All in all, I think this is the best European Football Yearbook yet. There is something in it for everyone, from the dedicated professional to the casual European football fan.”

The new season in Georgia finally got under way at the weekend, and while FC Dinamo Tbilisi endured an early setback, coach Rainer Zobel is still “aiming for the league title and the Georgian Cup”.

Ameri withdraw
The season had been due to begin on 23 August, but political instability in the former Soviet republic saw kick-off put back to 13 September, with eleven teams competing – down from 14 last season. The plan had been for 12 teams to be involved, but FC Ameri were forced to withdraw before the start of the campaign with financial problems.

Dinamo changes
Reigning champions Dinamo, who took their 13th title last time around, remain favourites to claim the championship despite losing their opening game 2-1 at promoted FC Gagra. The club have seen some major changes over the summer, with former FC Bayern München midfielder Zobel taking over from Czech Dušan Uhrin as coach. Australian defender Ned Zelic retired, last season’s top scorer Mikheil Khutsishvili joined Azerbaijan’s FK Olimpik Bakı, Czech defender Roman Dobeš returned home and reserve goalkeeper Soso Grishikashvili teamed up with Armenia’s FC MIKA.

Double ambition
The returns of Giorgi Kavtaradze and Donald Jius from loan at FC Borjomi helped swell the ranks, while Zobel has promoted a number of other players up from the youth system, though his side will not be at full strength until midfielder Giorgi Merebashvili returns from injury. “We are aiming for the league title and Georgian Cup,” said Zobel, undeterred. “We have the strength to battle for two trophies.”

Main rivals
FC Zestaponi look like their biggest rivals on both fronts. Led by Temur Makharadze for the last five years, they continue to benefit from the presence of Cameroonians Eric Chassem and Fridolin Boyomo, though Gabonese stars Etienne Bito and Paul Kesanny have yet to return. “We have a decent team,” said Makharadze. “The young players, like Beka Gotsiridze and Niko Kvaskhvadze, performed very well last season, while I am also very happy with Fridolin and Chassem’s contribution.”

Hopeful upstarts
Champions in 2007, FC Olimpi Rustavi also have title aspirations after Khvicha Kasrashvili assembled an almost whole new squad over the summer. “We were fifth last season but such a result would not be good enough this time,” said Kasrashvili. “We are ready to play for the top spot.” They are not the only side with such aspirations, with Nestor Mumladze’s steady FC WIT Georgia, FC Lokomotiv Tbilisi and 2006 champions FC Sioni Bolnisi, under former Dinamo star Otar Korgalidze, still hoping.

Joachim Löw believes it speaks volumes for the “continuity and good work” of German football that the Mannschaft are the only team to reach the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ having done likewise at the FIFA World Cup two years ago.

‘Very special’
Four European countries contested those last-four ties – Germany falling to eventual winners Italy and France defeating Portugal – yet only the ever-reliable Germans are still in contention here. Les Bleus failed even to progress from their group while the Azzurri lost their quarter-final to Spain and Portugal were beaten by Germany. Löw, a wily deputy to Jürgen Klinsmann in 2006, said: “For a coach, it is something very special to be in a semi-final with your team. You don’t experience this every day. We are the only side from the semi-finals in 2006 to have reached the semis here. That speaks for continuity and good work.”

Relaxed
Löw was in relaxed mood at Germany’s base camp in Tenero on Monday, overseeing “an intensive training session” featuring all 23 of his players as Torsten Frings looks to have overcome a rib injury. “Having everyone involved helps to increase the excitement ahead of the semi-final,” said the 48-year-old, before turning his attention to Wednesday’s opponents at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. “Every team that are in the semis have proved their class over a number of games. The Turkish are euphoric and consequently dangerous once they get going. That’s why we have to be careful. For me, they are much more unpredictable than the Portuguese. It’s 50-50.”

Fighting spirit
Turkey will be depleted by injury and suspension, so may have to rely on their famed fighting spirit if they are to reach a first final. “We’ve seen how long they keep pushing before winning games,” continued Löw. “Therefore we have to concentrate fully until the final whistle regardless of the score. They always come back when nobody expects it, but we’re aware of this and will take measures to prevent it. We want to do everything we can to reach the final and certainly won’t be careless in our preparations.”

“I don’t want revenge, I just want to win,” Russia captain Sergei Semak told euro2008.com ahead of Thursday’s rematch with Spain.

Reversal of fortune
Russia lost their opening UEFA EURO 2008™ Group D game 4-1 to Spain but victories against Greece, Sweden and, in quarter-final extra time, the Netherlands have taken Guus Hiddink’s side to the last four, where they will face their first opponents again in Vienna. However, if thoughts of avenging their Innsbruck reverse preyed on the Russia players’ minds when they watched Sunday’s quarter-final, Semak stated: “It’s not that important whether it was Spain or Italy, the most important thing is that it’s a semi-final.”

Mistakes
The 32-year-old midfielder also reminded his team-mates why the first match against Spain was lost. “The number one reason was individual mistakes, and of course when they were 2-0 up it was much easier for them to play,” Semak said, adding that despite the scorching heat in their Basel base, the team have recovered well from the Netherlands game on Saturday. “Our conditioning is good, our morale is good. There is still time to prepare, so everything will be OK.The heat doesn’t really bother us – in the end, both teams face similar conditions.”

Injury concerns
In a light session at Basel’s Rankhof Stadium, midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, forward Ivan Saenko and defender Aleksandr Anyukov all trained apart. “All of them have slight problems and I can’t tell you whether they will play against Spain,” said coach Guus Hiddink, although no more details were revealed. Bilyaletdinov is already thinking about Spain after watching their encounter with the Azzurri, won on penalties after a 0-0 draw. “It was a boring game, though I only saw the second half,” he said. “The Spanish were trying to be careful, but against us they played much more attacking football. I was interested to see what happened. It was a dramatic match, with not many chances, but tactically a good contest.”

Realism
He also reiterated that the errors committed a fortnight ago against Spain will not be repeated. “So far we are concentrating on ourselves and we have not talked about Spain,” the 23-year-old revealed. “But I do not think we will repeat the mistakes we made in the first game. The coaching staff will get us right for this match.” For all the great strides Hiddink’s men have made here, they still seem to be taking it one step at a time along the road to EURO glory. “I don’t know if we can win the tournament,” Bilyaletdinov added, “because to do that we need to win two more games, two very difficult games.”

Germany v Turkey may not appear a local derby, but in a way that is exactly what Wednesday’s UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final in Basel resembles.

Strong ties
Around seven million foreign citizens live in Germany, and two million of them are Turkish, with 400,000 others having similar roots. In the 1960s the booming West German economy produced a labour shortage, prompting a stream of Turkish arrivals. In reverse, four million German tourists flock to Turkish beaches annually. Ties are strong between the two countries, but the relationship has not always been easy between communities, as is often the case with mass immigration. Things have changed for the better though in recent years. Third and fourth-generation Turkish-Germans have founded successful companies in their new home country, creating jobs and making an important contribution to the gross national product. Integration is now strong.

Footballing links
Football has also played its part in bringing together the two cultures. Turkey squad members Hamit Altıntop and Hakan Balta were born in Germany, with hundreds of thousands of others of similar extraction playing at all levels. This has led the Turkish Football Association to open an office in Germany, scouting heavily for future Altıntops and Baltas, something which bore fruit in the 2005 UEFA European Under-17 Championship when Ludenscheid-born Nuri Şahin was the inspiration for Turkey’s triumph. Others of Turkish decent, such as Mehmet Scholl, have represented Germany while the German Sepp Pontiek played a crucial role in Turkey’s international rise when he was national coach, assisted by one Fatih Terim.

Indescribable scenes
In 2006, when Turkey failed to reach the FIFA World Cup finals, many Turkish-Germans started openly supporting the hosts for the first time, flying combined flags from their cars, homes and business. At UEFA EURO 2008™, they have been spoilt for choice. “I talked to my girlfried in Berlin,” said Germany defender Arne Friedrich after Turkey’s quarter-final win, “and she told me that the Turkish celebrations in the streets were indescribable. It will be a very special football party on Wednesday.” His sentiment has been shared by Turkish callers to German radio. “This will be the game of the century for us,” stated one.

All winners
About half a million people are expected to flock to the Fan Mile in Berlin on Wednesday night for the match. “It couldn’t have been better for Berlin than these two teams meeting,” said Fan Mile spokesman Michael Wirtz. Kenan Kolat, chairman of the Association of Turkish Communities in Germany added: “We are already in the final. By this, I mean Germany and Turkey. My car flies both flags. Germany is the fatherland, Turkey the motherland. Both are in our hearts and this is a positive way of showing it.”

The UEFA Appeals Body has rejected the appeal made by the Turkish Football Association (TFF) following the Control and Disciplinary Body’s decision to ban goalkeeper Volkan Demirel for two matches for his red card against the Czech Republic.

Decision upheld
Consequently the decision of UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body is upheld, and with Volkan Demirel having already served one part of the two-match ban during Turkey’s quarter-final against Croatia, he will complete the suspension in Wednesday’s UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final against Germany. Turkey’s first-choice goalkeeper at the finals, he was sent off late in his team’s third Group A game, against the Czech Republic on 15 June.

Turkish FA fine
The Appeals Body also upheld the fine imposed on the TFF, amounting to CHF44,000 (€27,000), for crowd disturbances and the improper conduct of the team and officials.

Having taken charge of the opening game of UEFA EURO 2008™, Italian referee Roberto Rosetti will also bring the tournament to a close after being appointed for Sunday’s final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna.

Semi-final appointments
As well as Switzerland’s opening loss to the Czech Republic, the 40-year-old was in the middle for the quarter-final between Turkey and Croatia. He will be accompanied by compatriots and assistants Alessandro Griselli and Paolo Calcagno for the final, with Swedish referee Peter Fröjdfelt acting as fourth official. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Massimo Busacca will take charge of the semi-final between Turkey and Germany in Basel on Wednesday, while Belgian Frank De Bleeckere has been chosen for Thursday’s other last-four meeting between Russia and Spain in Vienna.

‘Delighted’
Rosetti told euro2008.com: “This is a great satisfaction for me, I’m delighted. I would like to share this moment with all Italian referees as well as with those who are close to me. However, this is not only my appointment – it’s the appointment of a team together with my assistants Alessandro and Paolo. We’re all looking forward to the final with all of its emotion and atmosphere.”

Rapid rise
He received his FIFA international badge in 2002 and that spring Rosetti first tasted continental competition at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where he refereed the final between Switzerland and France, and has enjoyed a rapid rise to the very highest levels of football. That was underlined when he was one of the European referees chosen for the 2006 FIFA World Cup where he took charge of four matches, including the second-round meeting between Spain and France, and at 1.90m was the tallest official at the finals. Rosetti had earlier refereed at the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup – where he was again given responsibility for the final involving Brazil and Spain – and then, in summer 2005, had three games at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany.

Highly regarded
The Turin-based hospital manager, who speaks English and French and enjoys playing tennis in his spare time, has been a highly regarded match official in Italy for several years. Now a regular in the UEFA Champions League, he was the referee for last season’s semi-final second leg between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge.

He is watching a tournament for the first time since 1994 and former French international Zinédine Zidane is thoroughly enjoying UEFA EURO 2008™, although he freely admits to not having the first idea who will win.

‘Fan’s eyes’
“It’s been a wonderful tournament with fantastic matches,” Zidane, 36 today and who retired two years ago following his side’s defeat by Italy in the FIFA World Cup final, told euro2008.com. “I’ve really enjoyed watching the games. It’s the first tournament for a while in which I’ve not played so I have been following it from the outside and enjoying it with my family. I look with a fan’s eyes and I really enjoy watching these games because they are top-level matches.”

Arshavin admiration
One of football’s foremost creative talents during his glittering career, it is no surprise that Zidane – in Vienna to hold a coaching clinic for children as part of his role as an adidas ambassador – focuses mainly on the aesthetic side of the game, with one player in particular catching his eye. “In the game [against the Netherlands] the Russia No10, [Andrei] Arshavin, impressed many of us. Everything he does is surprising. He is very young and it’s his first major tournament, so to be able to play the way he does is surprising enough to talk about.”

Les Bleus let-down
A European champion with France in 2000, Zidane could only watch as Les Bleus lost to the Netherlands and Italy to fall at the first hurdle this time round, although he pinpoints the opening draw with Romania as the crucial factor. “The problem was that we had to win the first game,” he explained. “It’s so important to start well in such a competition – we had to beat Romania because the following matches were the Netherlands and Italy so we had to win that one. I’m disappointed, of course, because as a fan and ex-national team player I had big expectations. I expected them to do better, it didn’t work out, but I am sure the France team have a bright future, especially for the 2010 World Cup.”

Portugal praise
France aside, Zidane professes to a particular affection for a side who lost in the quarter-finals, saying: “My favourite team were Portugal, but unfortunately they’re not in the tournament any more. They were a complete team. They have many good individuals who are very strong technically and they are also strong in defence. It’s always important to have good individual qualities and good forwards, but it’s even more important not to concede goals – and Portugal had this potential before the quarter-final against Germany. Of course they played against a very strong Germany side who hadn’t done so well in their previous matches, but who played a perfect game against Portugal.”

Tough call
Germany will meet Turkey in the semi-final in Basel on Wednesday with Spain taking on Russia in Vienna a day later, yet Zidane remains reluctant to single out a team as likely champions. “Germany are always there for important matches, they’re always among the last four and [Michael] Ballack leads his team in a great manner. Russia have proved that they have great quality as a team, especially against the Netherlands. They’re physically well prepared and that allowed them to beat the Netherlands – they were a lot fresher in extra time. There are still some really good teams and in such tournaments there are always surprises. I hope they will be great matches. I have no idea who’ll win, so my prediction wouldn’t be correct anyway.”

As Cesc Fàbregas walked up to face Gianluigi Buffon – and strike the penalty that would put Spain into their first senior semi-final for 24 years – what was running through his head was the fact he had not taken a proper spot-kick since he was 15.

Mental obstacle
If only Buffon had known. Eventually the ball went one way and Italy’s goalkeeper the other. Spain had defeated the world champions and rid themselves of many of their notorious mental obstacles to success. But that was not the whole story, not by a long way. Firstly, the midfielder almost missed. “It’s true this was the first senior competitive penalty of my career,” he grinned. “But when I practise, I have a tendency to put it to the keeper’s left. However, this time, and I don’t know why, I just hesitated a split-second longer than usual before pulling the trigger and I sensed Buffon moving to his left. I changed my mind, struck it to his right and the fact he’d just moved, momentarily, did the job. I just wanted to score, to finish them off. Life sometimes presents you with the challenge of your country needing you and that was mine.”

Assured performance
Not only did Fàbregas win the match and end Spain’s seemingly perpetual block at playing Italy competitively, at getting past the quarter-finals of tournaments and at winning penalty shoot-outs; he also performed with energy and assurance when he came on for Xavi Hernández after 60 minutes. Some judges would now find a way to break up Luis Aragonés’s winning XI and make sure the Arsenal FC man plays no matter what. Yet even in the euphoria of sharing the post-match dressing room with King Juan Carlos of Spain, who came in to celebrate with the squad, Fàbregas played a blinder, saying: “There has been so much talk about my being a substitute, about my attitude and my form, but all I want is to help my country. If the boss wants to go with the same starting lineup, if he wants me on in the first minute or the last, for extra time or penalties, I’ll be there for him, ready to contribute. And if he decides to leave me out because he thinks that’s what is needed, I won’t change my attitude either.”

Final goal
Aside from his innate talent and what Arsène Wenger has managed to impart to him at Arsenal’s training ground, one of the 21-year-old’s most valuable assets is a tremendous hunger for success. With the talk of jinxes having been scrapped, the Catalan is clear about what should happen next. “Neither Spain nor I came to this tournament simply to get the monkey off our backs regarding quarter-finals. We are here to win and we think we can do it. This is just one tiny step forward and anyone who believes they are going to see the same sort of Russia performance as in the first game is very much mistaken. There’s lots still to be done.”