Darul Ihsan

Ramona Petzelberger has fond memories of 2011 but captaining Germany to UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship glory has only fuelled her drive for further success. The 2011 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship finals was a memorable tournament for those that witnessed it first hand, but for Ramona Petzelberger it represented a coming of age.

In the build-up to the finals in Italy, the SC 07 Bad Neuenahr forward was billed as Germany's brightest prospect. In a country where women's football carries widespread national interest, considerable pressure was brought to bear on the young Germany No10 to bring home a trophy that had eluded the favourites for four years.

The 18-year-old did not disappoint, showing a maturity that belied her age with a series of outstanding displays, captaining Germany to victory, and scoring in the stunning 8-1 final defeat of Norway. "It was a great feeling," Petzelberger, now 19, told UEFA.com. "We prepared very well, and managed to show everything we'd learned and practiced in training. You dream a lot about winning a title, and we made it happen again, and it was great."

If Germany was well-drilled for the task in hand credit is due to their coach Maren Meinert, who cut short her maternity leave in time to inspire the squad to victory. "Her influence was very important," said Petzelberger. "She brings personal experience, she won titles herself, and she just embodies that winning spirit."

Meinert was not the only secret to Germany's success. "On the one hand I think we had a great team spirit, which helped us on and off the pitch," continued Petzelberger. "We had not just technically strong but also physically strong players. So we had everything in the team. We just wanted to win this title, and that's why I think that the spirit we had was our strength."

The 8-1 final defeat of Norway in Imola was not the first time Petzelberger had tasted international glory, however. In 2009 she was in the Germany side that claimed the Women's U17 crown with a similarly emphatic 7-0 win against Spain; an experience she believes was invaluable in whetting her appetite for further silverware – beginning with her nation's defence of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

""When you know what it feels like to win a title, you then get hungry for more success, you just want to feel and experience it again". It [the U17 finals] was a different level, no question about that, and this was more difficult, but that first win helps you a lot.

"If we stay together like this we can achieve a lot. You could see that already at the European U19 Championship. We have to continue to be hungry for success and work hard, and not relax and settle for the titles we have won, because then we won't make it very far, and all the other nations will overtake us."

Though polite and easygoing on the outside, there is a clearly an inner determination that is driving Petzelberger on to bigger and better things, and the precocious teenager hopes to emulate the likes of Alexandra Popp and Kim Kulig, who at the age of 20 and 21 years respectively, featured in this summer's FIFA World Cup.

"They are young, they are hungry and they just want to win," said Petzelberger of the two players she regards as role models. "I think they really embody the sport they live for. They [Popp and Kulig] are players who are close to us, because they are our age, maybe just a bit older, and it just shows that younger players can also make it into the senior team."


source : by Mark Chaplin & Richard Aikman (http://www.uefa.com)

FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has said that he will "share this award with Xavi" after claiming the FIFA Ballon d'Or for the third year in succession.
FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has been awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or for the third year in succession.

The Argentinian international, who was voted the inaugural winner of the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for the season 2010/11, and who also won the now-merged FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or awards in 2009, said "it's a great pleasure for me to win my third award" after receiving the trophy from former Brazil striker Ronaldo.

"It's an amazing honour," Messi told delegates at the Zurich Kongresshaus, after pipping shortlisted candidates Xavi Hernández and Cristiano Ronaldo to the prize. "I want to thank everyone who voted for me: my friends, my team-mates from Barcelona and the Argentinian national team, my coach, the trainers, the physios; everyone who have been involved with Barça. It's a very special trophy for me.

"I'm going to share this with Xavi," he added. "It's the fourth time we've been here in Zurich; it's a great pleasure to play alongside him. Xavi, you deserve the trophy just as much as me. Without you I wouldn't have won and I want to thank you for being such a good friend."

Messi excelled once again for the Blaugrana last season, scoring 31 goals in as many Liga starts – and 53 overall – to help Barça claim their third league crown in succession, and the fifth of his career. The 24-year-old also produced another stellar UEFA Champions League campaign, top scoring in the competition for a third year running with a record-equalling 12 strikes in 13 appearances, including a goal in the final. He was voted man of the match after inspiring Josep Guardiola's charges to a second European Champions Club's Cup success in three years.

The Barça No10, who was also on target in his side's 2-0 UEFA Super Cup triumph against FC Porto last August, capped a momentous year with two goals in the 4-0 defeat of Santos FC as the European Champions lifted the FIFA World Club Cup in Yokohama, Japan. He has already mustered 17 league goals in 17 league appearances so far this term and co-leads the UEFA Champions League scorers' charts with six goals in the group stage.

His coach, Josep Guardiola, was also honoured at the ceremony, receiving the FIFA Men's Football Coach of the Year award for leading Barcelona to five trophies. "I would like to share this award with José Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson and all the coaches around the world who share this passion," said Guardiola. "It is a privilege to be part of such an incredible club. Finally, I would like to dedicate this award to Tito Vilanova, my assistant, my colleague, my friend who can't be here tonight."

The FIFA Women's World Player of the Year was won by Homare Sawa, who lifted the FIFA Women's World Cup as captain of Japan, coached by Norio Sasaki, who received the FIFA Women's Football World Coach of the Year award. The FIFA Puskás Award for 2011's best goal was taken by Neymar for his wonderful solo effort for Santos against Brazilian top-flight rivals CR Flamengo in July, while the Presidential Award went to Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Messi was one of five Barcelona players named in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI.

The full lineup is:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF); Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF), Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona), Nemanja Vidić (Manchester United FC); Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid CF), Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona); Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United FC).


source : http://www.uefa.com