The third set of referee appointments for 2023/24 European Qualifiers' MD1. Games to be played on 25 March 2023.
15:00 CET - Glasgow (Hampden Park)
SCOTLAND - CYPRUS | Group A
Referee: Duje Strukan (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Zobenica (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Alen Jakšić (CRO)
Fourth Official: Igor Pajac (CRO)
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fran Jović (CRO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski (POL)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Bos (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski (POL)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Bos (NED)
18:00 CET - Yerevan (Republican Stadium after Vazgen Sargsyan)
ARMENIA - TURKEY | Group D
Referee: José María Sánchez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto (ESP)
Fourth Official: Mario Melero (ESP)
ARMENIA - TURKEY | Group D
Referee: José María Sánchez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto (ESP)
Fourth Official: Mario Melero (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: José Gonzalez (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Itchko Lozev (BUL)
UEFA Delegate: Emil Ubias (CZE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Itchko Lozev (BUL)
UEFA Delegate: Emil Ubias (CZE)
18:00 CET - Novi Sad (Karađorđe)
BELARUS - SWITZERLAND | Group I
Referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: José Naranjo (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Sanchez Rojo (ESP)
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera (ESP)
BELARUS - SWITZERLAND | Group I
Referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: José Naranjo (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Sanchez Rojo (ESP)
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: César Soto (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Igor Pristovnik (CRO)
UEFA Delegate: Phivos Constantinides (CYP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Igor Pristovnik (CRO)
UEFA Delegate: Phivos Constantinides (CYP)
18:00 CET - Tel Aviv (Bloomfield Stadium)
ISRAEL - KOSOVO | Group I
Referee: William Collum (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Francis Connor (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: David Roome (SCO)
Fourth Official: Donald Robertson (SCO)
ISRAEL - KOSOVO | Group I
Referee: William Collum (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Francis Connor (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: David Roome (SCO)
Fourth Official: Donald Robertson (SCO)
Video Assistant Referee: Christopher Kavanagh (ENG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Darren England (ENG)
UEFA Referee Observer: Petteri Kari (FIN)
UEFA Delegate: Lennart Vestervall (SWE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Petteri Kari (FIN)
UEFA Delegate: Lennart Vestervall (SWE)
20:45 CET - Malaga (La Rosaleda)
SPAIN - NORWAY | Group A
Referee: Benoît Bastien (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu (FRA)
Fourth Official: Thomas Leonard (FRA)
SPAIN - NORWAY | Group A
Referee: Benoît Bastien (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu (FRA)
Fourth Official: Thomas Leonard (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee:Eric Wattellier (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Miroslav Liba (CZE)
UEFA Delegate: Jack Grundie (NIR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Miroslav Liba (CZE)
UEFA Delegate: Jack Grundie (NIR)
20:45 CET - Split (Stadion Poljud)
CROATIA - WALES | Group D
Referee: João Pinheiro (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia (POR)
Fourth Official: Vitor Ferreira (POR)
CROATIA - WALES | Group D
Referee: João Pinheiro (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia (POR)
Fourth Official: Vitor Ferreira (POR)
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins (POR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Luis Godinho (POR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Sajn (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Michal Mertinyak (SVK)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Sajn (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Michal Mertinyak (SVK)
20:45 CET - Andorra La Vella (Estadi Nacional)
ANDORRA - ROMANIA | Group I
Referee: Dario Bel (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Goran Pataki (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Kruno Šaric (CRO)
Fourth Official: Ante Culjak (CRO)
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
ANDORRA - ROMANIA | Group I
Referee: Dario Bel (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Goran Pataki (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Kruno Šaric (CRO)
Fourth Official: Ante Culjak (CRO)
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Doveri (ITA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Claude Kremer (LUX)
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Clos Gómez (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Claude Kremer (LUX)
Spanish referees get the two potentially conflict-heavy games due to political reasons: ARMTUR for Sánchez Martínez (tickets for the game in Yerevan are sold out since like 2 weeks ago) and BLRSUI (Switzerland and its many ethnic Albanian players playing on Serbian soil as neutral host venue for Belarus) for Hernández Hernández.
ReplyDeleteQuite good games involving two direct qualification contenders for Bastien and Pinheiro, also.
Good season for Strukan so far, with his 9th international appointment already. And maybe also EURO U21...
ReplyDeleteAlso good to see Bel getting appointment
- In Group A the most important games should be between SCO, NOR and maybe GEO. None of them is played this matchday. Bastien got the top ESPNOR clash that should be quite football focused game though. SCOCYP may be hotter and promising Duje Strukan is appointed there.
ReplyDelete- Group D seems to be less challenging regarding potential advance with CRO and WAL clear favourites. The clash between these two was assigned to João Pinheiro under a special observation of committee member, Vladimir Šajn. Basing on skills, the Portuguese is close to promotion and it seems UEFA want him in elite as soon as possible (rightly, imo). In this group we have three teams the games between which have potential to become hot: ARM, CRO, TUR. The ARMTUR is given to elite Sánchez Martínez and it's a good choice by UEFA.
- Group I is quite interesting with SUI being favourites and ISR, ROU, KOS all fighting for the second place. BLRSUI is interesting mainly due to reason mentioned by Quilava but I don't think it's so big for Hernández Hernández, to be honest. The important and potentially hot ISRKOS is given to William Collum, will be interesting to observe the current form of the Scot. Dario Bel is given a less significant game but involving a very roughly playing Andorra, their games are almost always a big challenge for the referees. He will be observed by quite big observer as well (Clos Gómez).
In a nutshell, Bastien and Pinheiro to handle biggest games, the latter fighting for promotion with committee member observing him. Sánchez Martínez and Collum with potentially hot (and in case of the Scot also important) games. Two Croats, Strukan and Bel with games involving roughly playing teams, both with quite big names as observers.
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoy these analyses -predictions comments. So here is what I think:
DeleteYour 12th name should be Zwayer for me. He deserves another game after his good performance in Madrid. I don't think that both Taylor and Oliver will have a UCL game. Also, I am almost sure that there will not be 12 different names for UCL QF and SF. I think 9-10 names. So I would remove Scharer (I like him a lot, but it is a little bit too early for a QF) and Oliver. And normally Vincic also, after the poor performance in Manchester, but in his case I am not convinced that will happen. For me, his UCL season should be over and continue in UEL, but Rosetti might close his eyes for him and give him a game in QF.
Since we will see a semi-final ITA - ITA/POR and another ENG/ESP - ENG/GER, I would assume that UEFA could retain either Oliver or Taylor as well as Orsato for (probably the first-leg) semi-final games.
DeleteI would also add Soares Dias and Mateu Lahoz as candidates for a CL QF - and the Portuguese also for EL/ECL final.
DeleteAnd I agree with matei, that Vincic's chances probably aren't high after his last match.
I also don't think, that we will see 12 different names appointed, but it's good, that there are so many options this year.
Finally, it is also possible, that the CL final referee doesn't work in CL QF or SF - this has happened before.
I would love to see Lahoz. I hope the negative headlines during- and after the world cup do not withhold him. Schaerer is indeed still very young.
DeleteAll Italian and English teams are in the same bracket, which was UEFA's preferred draw; they can save Orsato for SF1 and (finally) an English ref to SF2. Turpin is an easy 3rd name after his UCL final (and PSG is out). The management of Vincic will be interesting after his last game; a SF UCL is a logical path after his UEL final last season. After his last performance he first needs to recover in a QF UEL/UECL.
Orsato will retire in the end of this season uefa must give him UEL final
Delete@Mohamed: I can see this happening, as his options in UCL are limited (thanks to Italian teams), but Roma and Juventus are still in competition, too.
DeleteAre you sure Orsato will retire? He could have good cards at EURO 2024 and his successor is not ready (yet).
My source told me that he will retire in the end of this season i would hope he will referee Euro 2024 final in Germany and end his career but not
DeleteYou meant UEL i knew if roma and juventus eliminated
DeleteI am afraid that Lahoz will not appear anymore in UCL. It will be Gil Manzano instead. Lahoz will be used in the most complicated games in UEL, as he did so far this year.
DeleteConfirmed that big names are not appointed so far in the early matchdays of Euro Qualifiers. We will see the choices for MD2, but I think very similar. An opportunity for all the referees to show their skills. In this set we have the most important appointment of MD1 for committee, that is Pinheiro in Croatia - Wales with Sajn. The Portuguese seems to be ready for being promoted to Elite, after having been observed by many commitee members.
ReplyDeleteAnother game to be mentioned is surely Spain - Norway, with Bastien appointed, at moment he is clearly French Elite nr. 3 after Turpin and Letexier. About the Spanish referees, while one can say that Sanchez Martinez assignment in Armenia is surely a good one for him, not the same for Hernandez with this game on neutral venue. Absolutely below expectations for him, but one must remember again that at moment he is Spain nr. 5 after the 4 Elite, and Sanchez Martinez is the last of the 4 Elite. We could say that the "big pool" includes Mateu, Del Cerro and GIl Manzano. Nevertheless, at least one of them (if not two) will retire soon, so things will change.
It is interesting to see that there is a particular focus on Croatian referees, and I would say if we compare them to other countries that can be considered at the same level of football, Croatia has surely a significant impact on committee's choices.
William Collum will officiate in Israel: the Scottish as Elite referee has experienced all the level in terms of consideration by committee. A long time ago he was a big name attending big tournaments, now he is treated differently. I think committee can have their reasons, but Elite referees in a similar conditions were treated differently, at a certain point the Scottish didn't get any further occasion. That's not fair, if analyzed inside the full pool of Elite referees.
Highlights of Andrei Florin Chivulete's performance in IRLLVA friendly
ReplyDeletehttps://we.tl/t-xcan9fX8cg
Millot back as VAR with Bastien after Florence?!? Apart from unfulfilled punishment for Millot, don't you think that a possible lack of confidence from Bastien in Millot could appear after that wrong call?
ReplyDeleteGEONOR: Treimanis (LAT)
ReplyDeleteSCOESP: Schärer (SUI)
TURCRO: Ekberg (SWE)
WALLAT: Kruashvili (GEO)
KOSAND: Gishamer (AUT)
ROUBLR: Lindhout (NED)
SUIISR: Dabanović (MNE)
When everybody focus on Armenia-Turkey and expect huge tension there because history this 2 countries had I would add one ore very tough game for referee and this is as our great member Euro Soccer mentioned Andorra - Romania.
ReplyDeleteAs Euro Soccer said Andorra playing very roughly , their games are almost always a big challenge for the referees. He will be observed by quite big observer (Clos Gómez) who was very different in style then Dario Bel who is very lenient referee so far. We who remember Clos Gomez he had red card almost in 50% of his games and all in all he did not missed many mandatory yellow cards.
Dario Bel only 34 years huge room to improve ofc but he has to lenient style and can be fast in huge problems tonight if this two team feel that he is letting everything go. Valeri and Doveri in VAR feels very good here as they will have job here. Andorra play always on the edge of brutality and Romania is in big crisis lately to expect a lot job for our new referee Bel.
Ofc this referee have already had some big games domestic but this is a bit different when you have to control game in English with two different nations.
Good to have Valeri here even if he got critic lately and was suspended for two missed red card in Milan and Udinese games , so he will for sure pay attention extra here.
I hear that Belorus-Swiss will be played before empty stands in Serbia, expect easy game for Hernadez there.
Minute 14' YC in Scotland - Cyprus was a possible RC for SFP, I think better to issue RC, but maybe YC not a clear and obvious mistake.
ReplyDeleteBebek could have called him, very borderline.
My first thought was also a RC, the contact point is too high, and also high intensity
DeleteForce was minimal for me. Point of contact was not great but Force not enough to warrant rc imo
DeleteI'd like to share my thoughts on the performance of Duje Strukan even though it is still just at the half time. I am watching him for the first time and I am really impressed by his body language - very concentrated and firm without being theatrical. The situation at 14' for me is not more than a YC because of the low force and minimal contact, but more important for me was the quick reaction of the referee - in the moment of the signal he was already holding the card in his hand without giving even the small possibility of escation. The second yellow card for me is a masterpice - for a simulation after advantage play. This gives a really important message to all the players on the field. For now Mr. Strukan is showing a natural leadership and very good understanding of the game. I am already eager to see his next appointments.
Delete+1 , I also noticed his soft skills, really solid performance from Croatian
DeleteYes, it's a shame that Strukan doesn't seem to be the best at decision making (I'd say 14' was more RC than YC and bordering mandatory OFR, despite the quick and good reaction against dissent), because I quite like his style & body language.
DeleteNow 2YC for CYP4 in 90+4' for ¿dissent by action/DtR?
DeleteDeliberately shot the ball away in frustration after an offside call, just after Scotland's 3rd.
Agree with some comments, very good Strukan today, specially "feels like a boss" on the pitch. I am waiting for next assignments, maybe in hotter games
DeleteBenfica x Inter Lahoz
ReplyDeleteInter x Benfica Oliver
City x Bayern Makkelie
Bayern x City Marciniak
Real Madrid x Chelsea Turpin
Chelsea x Real Madrid Orsato
Milan x Napoli Taylor
Napoli x Milan Manzano
Watched last 20 minute of Armenia vs Turkey and Sanchez is so far handling the game very well,but this game has potential to get ugly.
ReplyDeleteIf he has centrom like he had in 1st half,then chances for game to get ugly are slom but still you never know.
Perfectly showed 1st yc of the match, even mandatory imo.
2nd also for diving,refreshing to see,3rd for hand to the head and 4th one he could not wait to show to home team to establish some equality 😀
So far ao good
Last 20 in 1st half
DeleteIf he has performance like he had in 1st half.
Autocorrect:)
There were similar fouls before from both sides in first 20 mins, he had the chance to control the game that period. That's why you think this game has potential to go ugly.
DeleteUnfortunately José María Sánchez doesn't have the experience to control a game with this tension. He didn't do a major mistake, but he can't control the players. He has to calm down both sides. He lacks of authority.
ReplyDeleteVery good advantage by Collum prior to 1-1
ReplyDeleteAlso a disallowed Kosovo goal in 49' due to a deliberate handball after VAR intervention. Hard to see live, but clearly correct with the replays.
Deletehttps://streamsc.co/TE_BHzpeZ
DeleteMissed YC from Bel in 21'.
ReplyDeleteI know,defender got the ball first,but too reckless imo.
Crazy clear penalty to Norway not called. Ødegaard made a shot and then got tackled very clearly recklessly. I think it was before minute 15 not sure.
ReplyDelete15' minute is correct.
DeleteAnd yes, at least more a penalty than not. Whether it is clear enough for VAR can be discussed, because those fouls after a shot are always special.
Don't like Bastien performance at all, like Jovanovic he seems too much influenced by home crowd or may be bigger status of Spain. Every time Spanish player goes down there is whistle in their favour while Norway could have had 2 penalties already (second for a push by Carvajal at the end of the first half) Not saying that both are 100% penalties but Spain got free kicks from Bastien for a lot less.
Deletehttps://streamin.me/v/ed837f01
DeleteAbsolutely stonewall penalty.
Bastien is the type of ref who would have whistled this foul 99 of 100 times if they were for the home team (remember the penalties in YB Bern - CFR Cluj in 2020 and West Ham - Steaua Bucharest in 2022).
How he is still in the "Elite" categories is one of the biggest UEFA mysteries.
Well, well, well... If you see Mariani being rewarded with FRANED and Irrati (VAR) with Liverpool-Real, Bayern-PSG, Arsenal-Sporting and FRANED after not awarding a penalty for an even worse tackle-after-shot-is-taken in Barcelona-MU then what could you expect?
DeleteSee the (very reckless) foul here:
https://we.tl/t-IoCMBZfDNN
Referees want to be appointed and if they see a certain call is deemed by UEFA as good, they will make similar decisions in their games, nothing strange.
I hope to have soon a clarification about such challenges when ball is already kicked / playerd by attacker and you have a clearly reckless foul. The problem is that the particular condition of such offenses (as Philipp said) is stoppng some VARs from intervening, and that's not good. At least UEFA should make clear that in these cases, even when attacker has already reached his target (shot on goal) and he gets fouled in such way, inside the box a penalty must be assigned + YC.
DeleteI also think that the current trend of focusing only on fouls in penalty area to analyze whether SPA or DOGSO but almost never reckless or SFP, contributes to this freedom. You rarely see a penalty whistled and YC for reckless challenge.
Supportable if not correct 2YC for AND4 in 61'.
ReplyDeleteBel did ok, but both his AR were wrong at 0-0 and at the second goal. The initial onside, respectively offside decisions were both changed by VAR.
DeleteAnd those were not even very difficult off/onsides to spot, not milimetrical VAR stuff, both should have been correctly seen live by ARs.
DeleteAfter having watched carefully Strukan in Scotland - Cyprus, I must say that the referee from Croatia has a great potential. He took some very brave decisions without hesitation, for certain aspects I would dare to say he is against the current trend of UEFA style. Some details can help us in understanding more.
ReplyDelete14' YC for reckless challenge - possible RC for SFP (already discussed on the blog). A particular remark about the way of taking the card and waiting before issuing it. Mental anticipation of what was happening.
https://streamff.co/v/ZboWsvC9o4
32' YC for simulation, excellent decision, one of the rare referees raising the arm for indicating it, nowadays it is not done, this means there is a particular attention by the official. The simulation is clear, it is interesting to analyze what Cypriot player tried to explain after the incident to referee, talking about (I think) a natural fall without any intention to deceive. But rewatching it, one can clearly draw conclusion that in case of whistle, with player firm on the ground, he would have liked the call against opponent.
https://streamff.co/v/C5GaPIBZMH
42' Positioning problems
https://streamff.co/v/TjcUeH-_wf
45'+1 Penalty appeal
https://streamff.co/v/UXKyZjAuc8
In my opinion a correct decision, as the tackle is mostly targeted on the ball.
53' YC for dissenting gesture after a whistled foul
https://streamff.co/v/aLj92WyIB-
Bonus remark: the face of Strukan while issuing the card. This is maybe the "highlight" of the game in terms of personality (including also the simulation call).
74' YC I think for SPA
https://streamff.co/v/w1QP4ZX9mx
Maybe the only card of the game you can discuss about, but supportable. Not issuing it maybe not a mistake, also I think not very clear contact.
75' Missed an evident foul
https://streamff.co/v/cy1L1dnID_
90'+5 Second YC for kicking ball away
https://streamff.co/v/1Xf7stcven
The same player who had been already booked for dissenting gesture. Zero tolerance by the Croatian.
I would compare him to Orsato regarding both appearance and boss-like style. I'm glad that my very positive impression about him in Djurgården - Lech has been confirmed in another game.
DeleteAs for the yellow cards for dissent, it's exactly the same attitude Slavko Vinčič had before being promoted to Elite Category. We can see that UEFA worked on him in this aspect and he changed his approach to more tolerant...
Tnx a lot for the analysis! Great reactions and body language in 14' and 32', it shows just how important it is that the referee is calm and doesnt hesitate.
DeleteOn Caputi in Germany-Peru:
ReplyDeleteSome problems with acceptance during the second half (leading to smaller altercations, dissent, delays in restarts), where she at least didn't stay passive but simply lacked the authority to really enforce something. Most interesting moments:
53': Bad management of a head injury. First, she didn't stop the game to check. Then in the next stoppage, the player was already standing again and she didn't check his status. And only a bit later, she noticed (or was informed), that the player was actually bleeding.
64': Penalty for Germany after OFR - not impossible to see live, I think.
Overall still a decent job, especially if we consider her limited experience on this level. But probably giving her those two teams wasn't a favour for her.
49' Mandatory YC for a reckless challenge
Deletehttps://streamff.co/v/061gHEPsoU
64' OFR for assigning a penalty to Germany
https://streamff.co/v/R1gdGFlwQA
I think that in the "key moment" of the assessment, she lacked on the last sprint and she tried to see it being far and maybe with a player from Perù obstructing her view. Nevertheless, she always makes gestures when such incidents happen, the same in her serie B games, this can put in trouble a VAR, but at the same time it is a good skill because shows that referee is trying to keep the full control on the onfield incidents.
Calling the penalty would have been maybe a bit more than the standard if we want to compare her to other referees, but still she didn't manage.
90'+2 YC for dissenting gesture
https://streamff.co/v/miHeWJtMHB
Mandatory, what you can find as very positive aspect from her is the firmness in punishing unsporting behaviors, dissents, and so on. She doesn't hesitate. But regarding the technical and disciplinary plans, still many things to learn.
I will add later the incident in 53', thanks for reporting.
53': https://streamff.co/v/0OxVA5oMXG
DeleteIndeed a very poor management, big responsibilities for having been too much superficial when she asked player if he was OK. She had to check it closely, but more than that the collision involved the head, so expected decision to stop immediately the game and see what had happened to player.
Then, only after that, one must also blame player because he should have been aware he couldn't play bleeding and he could have called the attention of referee by himself before (but this is not required of course).
https://twitter.com/Joecode7/status/1639801722880049152
ReplyDeleteBastien and Millot again. Both should be demoted. Horrendous tackle from serial offender Rodri, ignored. Clear penalty and a red card
Absurd to suggest this should be a RC. Rodri's attempt is to BLOCK the ball, not TACKLE Ødegaard. The one in Barcelona vs. Manchester United was *actually* much worse, with a very dangerous scissors-trapping. Of course, it is still a clear penalty (+ YC) missed by the French officials last night.
DeleteI guess everyone thought I'd lost the plot when I predicted Bastien's demotion, but now... :P
Its two footed and so late, its clearly deliberate
Delete