The last day of 2022-23 UEFA Nations League group stage.
League B - Group 1
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - Krakow, Cracovia Stadium
UKRAINE - SCOTLAND
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Victor Marius Radu (ROU)
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE)
Assistant Referee 1: Polychronis Kostaras (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Fourth Official: Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (GRE)
Assistant Referee 1: Polychronis Kostaras (GRE)
Assistant Referee 2: Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE)
Fourth Official: Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (GRE)
Video Assistant Referee: Aggelos Evamgelou (GRE)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE)
UEFA Delegate: Victor Marius Radu (ROU)
League B - Group 1
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - Dublin, Dublin Arena
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - ARMENIA
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson (SWE)
UEFA Delegate: Arturs Gaidels (LVA)
Referee: Rade Obrenovic (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordez (SVN)
Fourth Official: David Smajc (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordez (SVN)
Fourth Official: David Smajc (SVN)
Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Arturs Gaidels (LVA)
League A - Group 2
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - St. Gallen, Arena St. Gallen
SWITZERLAND - CZECH REPUBLIC
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Sajn (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Styrbjörn Oskarsson (FIN)
Referee: Irfan Peljto (BIH)
Assistant Referee 1: Amer Macić (BIH)
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo (BIH)
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigovic (BIH)
Assistant Referee 1: Amer Macić (BIH)
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo (BIH)
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigovic (BIH)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Guida (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alessandro Costanzo (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Styrbjörn Oskarsson (FIN)
League A - Group 2
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - Braga, Estádio Municipal
PORTUGAL - SPAIN
UEFA Referee Observer: Kostadin Gerginov (BUL)
UEFA Delegate: Scott Struthers (SCO)
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA)
Fourth Official: Daniele Doveri (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA)
Fourth Official: Daniele Doveri (ITA)
Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Giorgio Peretti (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Scott Struthers (SCO)
League B - Group 2
Match Cancelled
RUSSIA - ISRAEL
League B - Group 4
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - Solna, Friends Arena
SWEDEN - SLOVENIA
UEFA Referee Observer: Igor Satchi (MDA)
UEFA Delegate: Michał Listkiewicz (POL)
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller (GER)
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller (GER)
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Michał Listkiewicz (POL)
League B - Group 2
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - Tirana, Arena Kombëtare
ALBANIA - ICELAND
UEFA Referee Observer: Michael Riley (ENG)
UEFA Delegate: Ghislaine Labbé (FRA)
Referee: Ricardo De Burgos (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Iker De Francisco (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Jon Núñez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Pablo González (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Iker De Francisco (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Jon Núñez (ESP)
Fourth Official: Pablo González (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: José Gonzalez (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Ghislaine Labbé (FRA)
Referee Liaison Officer: Erjon Bastari (ALB)
League C - Group 2
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - Athens, Georgios Kamaras Stadium
GREECE - NORTHERN IRELAND
UEFA Referee Observer: Domenico Messina (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray (HUN)
Referee: Filip Glova (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Peter Bednar (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Polacek (SVK)
Fourth Official: Michal Ocenáš (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Peter Bednar (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Polacek (SVK)
Fourth Official: Michal Ocenáš (SVK)
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins (POR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Luis Godinho (POR)
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray (HUN)
League B - Group 4
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - Oslo, Ullevaal Stadion
NORWAY - SERBIA
UEFA Referee Observer: Shmuel Shteif (ISR)
UEFA Delegate: Rudolf Repka (CZE)
Referee: Antonio Mateu (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Del Palomar (ESP)
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrián (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Del Palomar (ESP)
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Hernandez (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Xavier Estrada (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Rudolf Repka (CZE)
League C - Group 2
27 September 2022, 20:45 CET - Pristina, Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri
KOSOVO - CYPRUS
UEFA Referee Observer: Ian Stokes (IRL)
UEFA Delegate: Tugomir Frajman (SVN)
Referee: Kristo Tohver (EST)
Assistant Referee 1: Silver Koiv (EST)
Assistant Referee 2: Sten Klaasen (EST)
Fourth Official: Juri Frischer (EST)
Assistant Referee 1: Silver Koiv (EST)
Assistant Referee 2: Sten Klaasen (EST)
Fourth Official: Juri Frischer (EST)
Video Assistant Referee: Gianluca Aureliano (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dario Cecconi (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Tugomir Frajman (SVN)
What an image of Mateu! :D
ReplyDeleteIndeed, my first thought was "what an iconic image" :D
Delete@M, with all do respect today I don't agree with you that tonight game will be very challenging for refs, maybe only in Braga can get heated. Yesterday we knew that games in Podgorica and Skopje would be hot mostly because really heavy rain and bad pitch,small stadiums and games between "small" nations that are not broadcasted on big sport channels. Today different story, big nations,big stadiums,famous respected refs. I see today games like games from Euro or World Cups, mostly fair play and lenient approach by refs something like yesterday from Bastien and Makkelie. Only game that I can see where referee can get problem is Tohver if somehow Cyprus take a lead but as home team is huge favorite and needs only point it should not be any problems there. Ofc you never know and if a live result last 15,20 minutes it can get ugly quick. But all in all I do not expect any problems tonight for our big guns as this games are piece of cake for Lahoz,Orsato,Zwayer. Hot atmosphere I expect only in Braga. Ukraine play in Krakow only 50% sold tickets,Sweden to have only sold 40% tickets,Norway fans not fanatic etc.
ReplyDeleteI am also proud that this site, like 90% of members showed huge critic for Makkelies performance yesterday. He is still top 3 referee but as everyone else when he do huge mistakes we should point that out. We had 187 comments yesterday on this blog and I think it is record, great work everyone!
Agree,I said that only in terms of what's at stake and that is that some matches and teams have battle for 1st place,some to escape last place.
DeleteSo therefore,as you said,big guns will deliver,I dont doubt that.
Mateu - The most authentic Elite referee. Can anybody tell how long he will continue in international games?
ReplyDeleteShould be his last season as he will turn 46 in mars 2023.
DeleteJulian Weinberger had a tough game in hard weather condition yesterday which ended 23.00 local time. If my info is not wrong he will referee today Chile-Qatar played in Viena at 19.00 local time. Only 20 hours to rest and trip from Skopje to Viena. Because friendly no problem but still I don't see this as optimal on this level.
ReplyDeleteOFR in Tirana for Dogso. De Burgos took a lot of time in front of monitor. The image from VAR room was not the best one. The replay from broadcast was the best one and much clearer
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/zqz7vh
DeleteIndeed in m opinion replays from VAR don't show a clear evidence of a foul 100% to be punished. Do you have the broadcast replay?
DeleteClear arm above the shoulder-body (evidence of infraction). This kind of actions should be evaluated in dynamic, it´s not like step on foot, low tackle (Makkelie yesterday)... "Dynamics" are so important in football.
DeleteClear DOGSO and RED. Correct decision taken by VAR.
DeleteI actually think there is a foul on the leg/foot, too.
DeleteLooks like De Burgos missed a DOGSO in minute 10' and VAR intervened for the red card.
ReplyDeleteSimulation by Cristiano Ronaldo in 22', he even protested for a penalty...
ReplyDeletePenalty given in Krakow overturned correctly
ReplyDeleteJust wait until you see the clip of this call! Imagine if there was no VAR...
DeleteWhat does Sidiropoulos have to do in order to be demoted from Elite? Punch a player? Have one of the worst UEFA performances I've seen in years (Rangers vs. USG)? Not the second one, you get rewarded with a top clash (UKRSCO) in that case. If not for Vassaras, this guy would be in the SECOND category. Now in he's in the committee (if I understood correctly?), we all know that Sidiropoulos is safe as houses under weak Rosetti. Meritocracy! :D
+1 about Sidiropoulos
DeleteVery, very bad decision. Thank God for VAR. How Sidiropoulos, from his position, deemed this a handball, is beyond me.
DeleteHaving watched many incidents of wrong handball decisions by referees over the years, I draw the conclusion that such mistakes happen because very often a handball is whistled just imagining it, but without seeing it in reality. To avoid such mistakes, a referee should whistle a handball only if 100% clear under his eyes. This, most of the times, doesn't happen, referee just try to understand what has happened and they imagine a phantom handball.
DeleteAgreed. Easily explainable call - he simply thought the ball hit the player's right hand. Of course, you shouldn't award a penalty if not sure about the offence but we all know the reality is different.
DeleteI agree that it's easily explainable, however I strongly think it should not have happened at this level and with the referee in, IMO, a good position to assess the situation. Chefren is right in explaining the process leading to such mistakes, but in this situation it's rather poor: Sidiropoulos had a good sidewise angle and, at the moment the ball touched his head, Stepanenko's arm was clearly and visibly below the ball trajectory (the other player never touched it). Maybe I'm too strict, but this gives a very poor impression for my taste.
DeleteAs others say, I can understand what he thought he saw. Though it's preferable not to guess, of course. So that part isn't good.
DeleteWhat's worse, in my opinion, is the haphazard use of VAR. You can't just look at a still image to annul the call. Watch the video on loop just to be sure you're seeing the whole incident. The nightmare scenario is overturning a call that is actually a good call. Speed is important, but it doesn't have to be 2 seconds. Take the 8-10 seconds just to see it all--it will still be efficient. He took a risk in the way he conducted it.
But what's even worse is the restart. He didn't whistle until the ball was out of play. The Laws support--and the Spirit of the Game demands--a corner kick restart. Because with what he did, he turned a dangerous corner kick into possession for the defending goalkeeper simply because he made an error AND he didn't understand how to restart. THAT is the biggest problem here. Ball was out of play when he whistled. Restart should be corner kick.
You are right, usaref. The restart is maybe the biggest mistake here, I should have emphasised that more. There is no logic in the LOTG not to award a corner kick here. That means the team initially harmed by a wrong decision got harmed again, as a direct result of the referee's error.
DeleteAs for only one still image, you've said it all. Not a wise thing to do, for the referee's own sake.
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ReplyDelete+1 the same feeling
DeleteAgree about Orsato looks like semi injured since the period last year when he had 10 important games in like 30 days.Lucky for him very easy game so far like a friendly.
ReplyDelete@ Anthony, any chance to get some video from Brazil-Tunisia. Cray first half there with 4 yellow cards, 1 red card and penalty. Would like to see this card detection from Buquet as this is only friendly game .
Brazil - Tunisia
DeletePK https://streamable.com/f87uys
RC https://streamable.com/6v92dj (unfortunately no close replay)
Buquet wanted to give yellow card then change his mind , looks like Tunis player push Buquet after he showed him red.
DeleteGood and brave decisions taken by Buquet. Well done!!
DeletePK: Correct decision, IMO.
DeleteRC: It seems like a good decision from live replay, I would have decided the same. And, although I'm certainly not a fan of Neymar, challenging a fellow player like this in a friendly game is a nasty thing to do.
Replay RC
Deletehttps://twitter.com/geglobo/status/1574842039631581216?t=sG-kW0YuCG3cazZsSL_ubg&s=19
Poor Buquet, think how powerless you are as referee in such a synthetic (BrazilGlobalTourTM) + simultaneously tough (North African team in Paris) game... and leadership style is not his strongest suit either. You are basically putting on a referee 'costume', more than kit, in such a match...
DeleteOf course RC is very good decision for challenge as an attack but there is no way he would have given anything other than YC (he even reaches for yellow?) if not for crazy mobbing turned into crazy mass confrontation! :D
Not seen a reply yet but looks like a clear missed 2nd yc for Ukraine by Sidiropolous
ReplyDeleteClear 2nd yc missed,sorry but horrible decisin,letting advantage and not booking player who was already booked,bad game for Tasos...
ReplyDeleteHuge mistake by Sidiripolous again, clear 2nd yc missed. This kind of mistakes can decide result of the game directly. I am sure Borbalán will be very hard here in his rapport but as Mikael said he has now Vassaras behind his back . This is really huge mistakes in such important game.
ReplyDeleteNB: Vassaras is NOT in committee, nobody replaced Dallas.
DeleteBut he has Kuipers still :P.
That action is quite similar than the PK given by Mateu in Glasglow (It was cancel after the OFR). PK given for handball after a cross from the channel. Both PK are whistle by "feeling" (gesture, timing, reaction of the attackers, late movement of the arm of the defender, etc). Crucial mistakes in both cases.
DeleteCrucial OFR in Ireland for Obrenovic: https://streamja.com/JKg1m
ReplyDeleteBefore that, he issued two second YCs to Armenian players.
One was second yellow for handball , other was direct red for protesting if uefa live text is correct.
DeleteThe live broadcast informs of a straight RC to ARM20 for the handball, the footage is not clear (a yellow could have been shown before the red while the replay was running). I can’t imagine a straight RC for the handball so most probably a second YC.
DeleteIn that case both RCs were double cautions, ARM19 for (heavy) dissent.
Good decision after OFR. PK + YC.
DeleteIn the end it seems a YC for ARM19, followed by a straight RC for abusive behaviour, and a second YC to ARM20 for the handball. All correct. A full clip would probably be enlightening (and appreciated)!
DeleteAgreed, correct decision: arm significantly away from the body, enlarging the body surface. Handball preventing the shot on goal, therefore YC.
DeleteI'm presuming that the Ref com assigns all Nations League 'final 4' referees in advance, so the Italian, Dutch and Spanish refs will be OUT for a potential European SF and final in June 2023. Sounds like a good opportunity for Marciniak.
ReplyDeleteMarciniak, Taylor, Oliver will be in.
DeleteI expect Oliver, Marciniak, Vincic.
DeleteFourth name I expect a new Elite, possibly Schärer. But I won't rule out someone like Bastien or Soares Dias
Turpin another option as well.
DeleteThe possible second YC in Ukraine - Scotland:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/w9v86o
No replay, but we can be quite sure it was a very reckless action.
Good advantage but then player had to be booked.
Full sequence of Obrenovic OFR, I really don't understand why he took a so long time in front of monitor, even returning back to rewatch. very unsure body language, not expected by a referee who wants to develop at high level.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/lso5jw
When things are so clear... if you act in this way you contribute in making players agitated in my opinion.
I always looked for an explanation of so long OFRs and referee who are reluctant even in front of very clear footage, I think they want to understand why they missed the incident live, rather than analyzing the incident itself...
The penalty is clear. The OFR lasted 40''. Normally it's not that long but when something is that clear you can't spend 10-15'' in front of the monitor....
DeleteArmenia can't catch a break at the moment...
DeleteThanks for the full clip Chefren. Analysing 'deeper', to be honest it seems like Obrenovič actually had lost the plot by this stage of the game. His insight angle is fine/good and he really ought to see such a clear 'goalkeeper-type save' handball in the box, and then play on call from ARM no.8's kick is crazy, before missing a (very) reckless stamp by IRL no.19 as he blows up and makes OFR signal. I'm sure that he thought there might have been a deflection off ARM no.20's knee and that's why he asked for a further angle, I guess got told by VAR that there wasn't, so accepted it and walked off, and then VAR found him the other angle and he went back. Agree that his demeanour probably contributed to Armenia's behaviour after decision made, very good decision to send off no.19 for OffInAbus language/gestures.
Obrenovič's skills are at the TOP, no question, but I was reminded of another Ireland game in this sequence - the U17 finals match which he made such a bad mess of at the end (like he was completely inventing YC offences :D). He reminds me of 'young Clattenburg', who had this habit of 'going into his shell' in the last stages of mentally demanding games, still presenting a firm exterior, but the players 'felt' that sth was up. It is hard to explain but maybe you understand what I mean. I don't doubt that Obrenovič will reach the top with his immense talent, but this theme is sth to watch out for as he climbs UEFA ladder in years to come.
As always, brilliant analysis. I think we can say it in a few words: he looked to be too worried of the call during these minutes, that he "forgot" to officiate the game, and players noticed that. This clip can show us how much important is to have strong mental skills for being a referee at top lvel.
DeleteI disagree with you Mikael. Handball topic is the most dificult topic in the modern refereeing and when there is a shot on goal and the speed of the ball is so high and the key is to considerer just if the arm is 10cm opened or closed... maybe we should think about when to use the words "such a clear goalkeeper.type save". It´s clear when you see the action in slow motion and from diferent angles; in normal speed is quite dificult. The clearest penalties in the last UNL matches have been Makkelie and Siebert PKs
DeleteHere is full OFR of De Burgos yesterday in Albania - Iceland. What I wanted to add despite that I wrote last night about VAR not offering the best image to the referee is the incredible time that Guillermo Cuadra took to call De Burgos for an OFR, less than 20” for this type of foul is quite impressive. Maybe he has seen the close camera or behind the goal camera that are clear images. But if yes, why to not show them to referee? Then about De Burgos I don’t like the way he stays in front of monitor, not confident at all. Even in Rome he made the same behavior. But in the end the most important is he took the right decision.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/844c43
DeleteIt seems as time has come for Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi, she will be in charge of a serie A game on next round. Still unknown which game, but there are rumors that she has been appointed.
ReplyDeleteTwo options: 1) Sassuolo - Salernitana 2) Verona - Udinese.
Very likely it will be the former game.
It is also reported that AIA has decided to give her the debut after only 2 serie B games, because she will attend FIFA U17 WC in India for about a month, so after that it would be too late for a serie A debut. Considering her progress in UEFA, and the fact that she is getting sonorous Women's games with extremely experienced officials, they have accelerated the process even because she should attend 2023 FIFA WC in New Zealand.
The release of appointments by AIA was planned at 12:00 PM CET but so far still nothing, this can be another signal. Today at 15:00 CET thy have planned a press confernce, but mostly, as reported, for VAR discussions (after Juventus - Salernitana chaos).
We will see.
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ReplyDeleteO. Hațegan might return on the pitch in 2023: "Ovidiu Hațegan is constantly preparing. He is in connection with specialists. The plan is to come back. In 2023, I think we will have him at center in both domestic and international matches", said Kyros Vassaras.
ReplyDeleteIstvan Kovacs has a game tomorrow with his ARs. We can expect him in UCL next week.
Great news! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteExcellent news, this is something more, most important thing was and still is being 100% OK with health and we can be absolutely happy.
DeleteNo, definitely not normal for a so important game. Very strange from CONMEBOL.
ReplyDelete