Liga Prvakov

The eighth and last UEFA Women's Cup before the introduction of the UEFA Women's Champions League ended like the first edition, and three of the others, with German victors: FCR 2001 Duisburg.

There can be few more remarkable success stories than that of ÍA Akranes, the team from a tiny Icelandic fishing port which has produced over 40 top-level players. Training Ground investigates.

There were contrasting fortunes for the Premier League's Italian bosses as Carlo Ancelotti endured a rare blank, Gianfranco Zola enjoyed a rare win and Roberto Mancini hit the ground running.

In his editorial column in the latest edition of the UEFA publication uefadirect, UEFA President Michel Platini looks back at events in 2009 and hopes football fans will enjoy a memorable 2010.

After two years of Russian domination, it was Spain's turn to shine again in 2009 as Interviú Madrid returned to the UEFA Futsal Cup and became the first side to win a third edition of the competition.

The year 2009 proved to be another hectic and memorable period for UEFA – on and off the field – as the organisation remained true to its central role as the parent body of European football.

ACF Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetić has been named the 2009 Montenegrin Footballer of the Year. "I hope it's only the beginning and that next year will be even better," said the 20-year-old.

Germany took the UEFA European Under-21 Championship title for the first time with a 4-0 win against England to bring June's memorable tournament in Sweden to a fittingly eye-catching close.

Paul Wood is one of the world's top freestyle footballers but he has gone back to basics for the Training Ground with a series of guides to some fundamental skills and our special Christmas challenge.

UEFA Champions League hopefuls PFC CSKA Moskva have made two signings, sealing 'long term' deals for FC Moskva defender Kirill Nababkin and FC Sibir Novosibirsk goalkeeper Sergei Chepchugov.

LOSC Lille Métropole and Montpellier Hérault SC beat AS Nancy-Lorraine and Olympique Lyonnais respectively to move second and third in Ligue 1 but FC Girondins de Bordeaux still lead the way.

Vicente del Bosque will be in charge for Spain's title defence at UEFA EURO 2012™ after signing a two-year contract extension following an impressive 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Craig Levein has been confirmed as George Burley's successor as Scotland national coach, signing a two-and-a-half year deal that sees him charged with negotiating UEFA EURO 2012™ qualifying.

SL Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira confirmed that the Lisbon giants have signed 20-year-old striker Alan Kardec from Brazilian side CR Vasco da Gama, promising another new arrival within days.

Victory at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ in Finland confirmed once more that Germany cast a long shadow over the female game in Europe as uefa.com reflects on their remarkable achievements.

Former Manchester United FC outside forward Albert Scanlon, who was among the survivors of the 1958 Munich air crash that claimed eight of the 'Busby Babes', has died at the age of 74.

UEFA Training Ground has underlined its position as one of the world's most extensive grassroots football resources, with training and tactical guides from a host of top names like Xavi Hernández.

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed SC Braga full-back João Pereira for a fee of €3m, with the 25-year-old promising: "I will give my life for the club, fighting to the death for a win in every game."

1. FC Nürnberg have confirmed the appointment of former Hannover 96 coach Dieter Hecking as Michael Oenning's successor, with the new boss "really looking forward to this new task".

UEFA Europa League round of 32 contenders FC Shakhtar Donetsk have made their first acquisition of the winter, signing CR Vasco da Gama's 19-year-old midfielder Alex Teixeira on a five-year contract.