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In Romania, during the 2004 Special Olympics European Football Week, close to 130 players between the ages of 12 and 21 from all over the country participated in a tournament in Bucharest (photo). Earlier in the week, 480 Special Olympics footballers participated in local events in 10 towns throughout Romania. For about 60 of the players, the day-long competitions were the first time they had participated in any sports or social activity outside the grounds of the institutions where they live.
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The fifth annual Special Olympics European Football Week will be held 23 April-1 May 2005. A record 40,000 players with intellectual disabilities will participate in football events in more than 50 countries throughout Europe/Eurasia.
"Each year, and with the tremendous support of the entire football family, we continue to see the expansion of the Special Olympics European Football Week," said Michael Smith, Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia. "The legacy of Football Week will be a greater understanding of the gifts and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities throughout Europe."
This year's events will include those that combine the application of Special Olympics Get Into It (SO Get Into It™), the Special Olympics school curriculum that encourages understanding, tolerance and acceptance among young people, and Unified Sports® football, in which players with and without disabilities play on the same team. In addition, there will be further emphasis on grass-roots football development, particularly in Eastern Europe.
View schedule of events for European Football Week
Read about 2005 European Football Week events:
 Football Week is one of the highlights of the Special Olympics football development project that aims to increase the number of players to 50,000 by 2005. The project is supported by UEFA, the European football governing body.
"UEFA is pleased to continue to support the Special Olympics European Football Week," said Lars-Christer Olsson, Chief Executive, UEFA. "Football Week has proven to be a highly inclusive initiative that brings many new opportunities to players with intellectual disabilities. Without a doubt, clubs and federations have been instrumental in ensuring that UEFA's partnership with Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia adds great value to the development of football for all."
 The Johan Cruyff Foundation has confirmed its ongoing support of Football Week. Through his foundation, Johan Cruyff, considered one of Europe's greatest football players, is dedicated to supporting sports projects for underprivileged children, with a particular emphasis on projects for children with disabilities.
Cruyff said: "My first experience with Special Olympics is way back to the years I played football in America. That's why it's very special for me, together with my foundation, to be involved with this project for the fourth year running. I believe that you can't do anything alone; you have to do it together. It is the same as football. Together you play, win and lose — in the streets, on the field, everywhere."
This year, the Cruyff Foundation is focusing its support on Special Olympics initiatives in East Europe that involve school-age players. "We hope the involvement of the Cruyff Foundation in East Europe will encourage the youth-based development, expansion and promotion of the Special Olympics European Football Week and year-round activities," said Carole Thate, Director, Cruyff Foundation.
"Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia greatly appreciates the continued support of the Cruyff Foundation," said Smith. "Through its support, young people with intellectual disabilities are being given opportunities to be more valued and included in their communities."
For more information on Football Week, contact: Miroslaw Krogulec, Coordinator, Sports and Programs, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, at mkrosoee@it.pl. | 
