Saturday, 24 June 2023

2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship - Referee Appointments MD2

 Referee appointments at 2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship.



Saturday 24 June 2023

Group A
18:00 CET - Tbilisi (Boris Paichadzis Dinamo Arena)
GEORGIA - BELGIUM
Referee: Duje Strukan (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Zobenica (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Alen Jakšić (CRO)
Fourth Official: Willy Delajod (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Terje Hauge (NOR)
UEFA Delegate: Amil Gerina (MNE)

Group A
18:00 CET - Tbilisi (Mikheil Meskhis Stadioni)
PORTUGAL - NETHERLANDS
Referee: Horațiu Mircea Feșnic (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Valentin Gabriel Avram (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei (ROU)
Fourth Official: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB)
UEFA Referee Observer: Antonio Damato (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Igor Radojčić (SRB)

Group B
18:00 CET - Bucharest (Stadionul Steaua)
ROMANIA - UKRAINE
Referee: Morten Krogh Hansen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Steffen Beck Bramsen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Dennis René Wollenberg Rasmussen (DEN)
Fourth Official: Sebastian Gishamer (AUT)
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Desislava Ralkova (BUL)

Group B
20:45 CET - Bucharest (Superbet Arena)
SPAIN - CROATIA
Referee: Allard Lindhout (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Rogier Honig (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Patrick Inia (NED)
Fourth Official: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro (POR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Kýros Vassáras (GRE)
UEFA Delegate: Gerard Lawlor (NIR)

Sunday 25 June 2023

Group C
18:00 CET - Batumi (Adjarabet Arena)
CZECHIA - GERMANY
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Skjeseth Bashevkin (NOR)
Fourth Official: Əliyar Ağayev (AZE)
UEFA Referee Observer: Darko Čeferin (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Per Eliasson (SWE)

Group C
18:00 CET - Kutaisi (Ramaz Shengelias Stadioni)
ENGLAND - ISRAEL
Referee: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Grega Kordež (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksandar Kasapovič (SVN)
Fourth Official: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Patrick Dempsey (IRL)

Group D
18:00 CET - Cluj-Napoca (Cluj Arena)
SWITZERLAND - ITALY
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Fredrik Klyver (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Max Robin Wilde (SWE)
Fourth Official: Andrei Florin Chivulete (ROU)
UEFA Referee Observer: Chaim Ya'akov (ISR)
UEFA Delegate: Róbert Birgir Agnarsson (ISL)

Group D
20:45 CET - Cluj-Napoca (Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu)
NORWAY - FRANCE
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš (LTU)
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis (LTU)
Fourth Official: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Nuno Alexandre Parreira de Castro (POR)
UEFA Delegate: Alpaslan Kavas (TUR)

82 comments:

  1. Lindhout again with the solo game at 20:45 CET, don't understand why he isn't coupled with the Belgian 4th official though

    ReplyDelete
  2. Germany - Israel Willy Delajod
    KMI :
    Disallowed Goal - Offside - Impact
    https://streamable.com/kywko1
    1 PK Ger - Pushing ( soft )
    https://streamable.com/q2dho6
    2 PK Ger - Reckless elbow
    https://streamable.com/qe4vc5
    1YC 38' Isr
    https://streamable.com/qpblzm
    2YC 45' Isr Reckless ( for me is to much for a 2YC still supportable)
    https://streamable.com/z1ig9h

    ReplyDelete
  3. As expected, UEFA is wondering about the chance to introduce VAR from KO Stage, after what happened yesterday. Also, in case of need, they could change the venue for this purpose.
    My question is: did they never think about this scenario without VAR, or maybe did they expect all good officiatings?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, my opinion is that they would like to see how Uefa referees do they job without VAR, to see who is strong personality,who is ready to take decisions without VAR, and to see their potential without technology. But, on these Championship, VAR should exist from start.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gold Cup appointments MD1
    USA-JAM: Ramos, Morin, Bisguerra, Guerrero - Miranda, Perez (all MEX)
    TRI-SKN: Martinez, Lopez, Ramirez (all HON), Herrera (CRC) - Borjas (HON), Cornejo (SLV)
    HAI-QAT: Parchment (JAM), Wales (TRI), Duhaney (JAM), Radix (GRN) - Montero, Pineda (both CRC)
    MEX-HON: Escobar, Ventura, Panjoj, B.Lopez (all GUA) - Ford, Chapman (both USA)
    SLV-MTQ: Escobedo, Espinosa, Diaz (all MEX), Encarnacion (DOM) - Pacheco, Santander (both MEX)
    CRC-PAN: Fischer (CAN), Nesbitt (USA), Barwegen (CAN), Dickerson - Jurisevic, Penso (all USA)
    CAN-GPE: Vazquez, Parker, Atkins (all USA), Herrera (CRC) - Perez, Miranda (both MEX)
    GUA-CUB: Nation (JAM), Zeegelaar (SUR), Kerr-Wilson (JAM), Encarnacion (DOM) - Cornejo (SLV), Borjas (HON)

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  6. IMO Dutch defender escapes a RC after a frontal studs up tackle, hitting his opponent above the ankle (26. PORNED)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My exact reaction, def enough for a red, probably more red than yellow for me.

      Delete
    2. Agree, I don't think VAR would have changed it but for me it was 65-35 for RC, sliding tackle with high force and studs up, only thing that saves him is the contact being a bit tangential.

      Delete
  7. 34' Georgia-Belgium: Belgium wanted a penalty

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  8. The 1st half of Georgia-Belgium (Strukan)
    3' & 27' : very good offside calls by AR2
    34': potential pk for Belgium

    Good control of the (mostly fair and easy) game, both goals were clear and without any controversy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now MUCH faster and more dynamic game in the 2nd half.

      59' correct YC for SPA (good communication with AR2, Strukan didnt whistle it immediately)
      63' pk appeal by GEO, correct decision to play on

      Delete
    2. In the end 5 YC in last 6 min. Rather strict approach in 1-2 situations, I guess in order to prevent escalation, but in general all corect.

      2 GEO goals in the 2nd half also without any controversy.

      Delete
    3. Again there wqs another YC where it wqas communicated with someone,4th or AR2...

      Now last 5-10 minutes of the match plenty cards,all of them justified and Strukan did really god job today.
      I really liked hos decision when GEO player made SPA foul,then another GEO player kicked the ball away and instead like many refs do booking that spa,he made sure to book both players.

      2 rejected penalty appeals as I hear no complaints so Strukan can be satisfied with his performance.

      Delete
  9. I missed the first half of PORNED (love the # btw...), but in the second half I see Fesnic doing really a good job. Not scared to use cards, but still making good choices in what is a yellow card or not. I like this referee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He officiated the first half the same way. Consistent and linear card selection, focusing on assessing each incident, simply refereeing what's in front of him.

      I haven't watched him in Czechia-England, however from what I witnessed today I believe he is a fitting name for KO stage.

      Delete
    2. Yes, I agree. It's not an easy match, but he is a good and calm decisionmaker. The matches between NL and Portugal are always very tense. He does well.

      Delete
    3. His strict line continues and I like that he's being consistent.
      Not having one criterium one game,then another next.

      All bookings justified and for sure he gets KO match.

      Delete
  10. Correct straight RC by Krogh for UKR11 (VC/headbutt)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I only saw the last 20min of GEO-BEL and let me say that the 5 yellow cards that Strukan showed at the end of the game are totally correct, I really liked his way of interpreting those plays, he gave the cards without fear and I like that.
    I don't know how he handled the game in the first part but the ending was very good, a name to consider :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strukan was quite good, the only 'but' I would put on his performance was his too hesitant foul detection, he had two incidents where he missed clear fouls (that subsequently included a YC) that had to be shouted by AR1 & FO respectively, with Georgian players visibly irritated due to the delayed whistle.

      All 5 bookings in injury time were justified:

      90' YC for GEO9 (SPA) & GEO16 (DtR/kicking the ball away) in the same play
      90+3' YC for BEL5 (SPA + blatant shirt holding)
      90+4' YC for GEO1 (DtR/time wasting by GK)
      90+5' YC for BEL20 (SPA + reckless challenge)

      Delete
  12. Horror start for the refereeing team in Spain-Croatia…. Clear offside missed by AR1 within 30 second, resulting in a Spanish goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep,again VAR stuff and Lindhout's match...

      Delete
    2. It could be more tight than it appeared initially. I’m not 100% sure it was an offside.

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    3. https://ibb.co/C61vXND

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    4. Difficult to make assessment basing on this angle. It might be very tight indeed.

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    5. Better come with the right angle before bashing the ref, which some People here obviously enjoy to do. Judging the lines it might be online, might be offside....

      Delete
  13. Correct YC for CRO13 (late, reckless stamp)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another correct YC for a late tackle, this time for CRO7

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    2. Possible missed PK for handball in 90+3' ?

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    3. Yes, it looks like it.

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    4. Incidents Spain - Croatia

      1. Goal Spain - possible offside
      https://files.fm/u/eyjwvw7a4

      92. Penalty area incident - handball
      https://files.fm/u/4sjxckvev

      Delete
    5. Sorry, clips are other way around

      Delete
  14. Group B becomes pretty clear now for MD3. UKRESP will be a direct clash for 1st place, CROROU a complete dead rubber.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, and unfortunately Pinheiro and Rumsas - so two of the bigger names - are the two referees there, if nobody repeats a team in the GS.

      Delete
    2. If only UEFA didn’t appoint refs before their first game, we could’ve seen Lindhout here or possibly even one of the refs designated as fourth official. I see a possibility in which UEFA will appoint a 4th official anyway and send either Pinheiro or Rumsas straight to a quarter final

      Delete
    3. Unbelievabe that Lindhout has been promoted to Cat. 1

      Delete
    4. Yes, why not use Xhaja for example and give the final referee (Rumsas would be my preference) a QF and the final if he does well.

      Delete
    5. It would be Gishamer due to country separation, but otherwise I also like that idea.

      Delete
  15. PORNED 27' possible SFP
    https://streamable.com/r6psoj

    GEOBEL 35' PAI tackle
    https://streamable.com/k84n9h

    GEOBEL 63' PAI simulation
    https://streamable.com/utzylg

    ESPCRO 90+3' PAI handball
    https://streamable.com/p1u4qa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PORNED 27' possible SFP
      Very borderline! I reluctantly accept the YC because no full contact and bent leg, but it’s frontal, with high foot and studs up. More red than yellow.

      GEOBEL 35' PAI tackle
      I think this is a clear penalty! Can’t think of any argument to not award the spot kick.

      GEOBEL 63' PAI simulation
      The attacker swings his left leg aside in order to win the penalty, so simulation - YC for me.

      ESPCRO 90+3' PAI handball
      And a quite clear penalty as well, arm is (far) away from the body and ball comes from a long distance (and not deflected by the defender closeby).

      Delete

  16. PORNED 27' possible SFP
    Ok Yellow

    GEOBEL 35' PAI tackle
    Penalty kick

    GEOBEL 63' PAI simulation
    Simulation Yellow

    ESPCRO 90+3' PAI handball
    Penalty kick

    ReplyDelete
  17. Disagree. I like that handballs like that aren’t called. Obviously he didn’t ser it but if he did. That’s 100% natural position. His only intention was to head the ball. It’s crazy to punish that.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Of course you can discuss the LotG, and of course you can have your own ideas, but the laws and UEFA’s instructions are crystal clear.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Watching the clips, I see a different Strukan indeed regarding crucial incidents, quite hesitating in both situations. I think the first one, 35' should be penalty, but it is a very particular incident. Defender with a tackle attempting to play ball, while the opponent comes and he is hit, there seems to be a change of trajectory of the tackle, one could say full responsibility by defender, but the fact that this wasn't a "linear" action (defender clearly going against attacker from the beginning) deceived referee. Nevertheless, I don't think there was malice in attacker's behavior, penalty should have been given.
    The second case is a clear simulation, but you can see how long the Croatian stood still without making a decision, also in this case to me he was afraid of taking a wrong decision, so play on was a middle way. In this case in my opinion you should expect either penalty or simulation, can't see a third option.

    About the other games, possible RC in Fesnic game but YC is ok, not a 100% SFP. The handball in ESPCRO is very clear according to guidelines, long ball, open arm, you take the risk. But again, without VAR, such incidents seem to be impossible to judge in modern football. Luckily it would have been penalty for the winning team, so no issues...
    The Dutch leaves this tournament with a big disappointment, after his promotion to Category 1, he will have to gain full trust by committee. Let's see how his career will develop, at moment he is in a very important position for his country, after the two elite referees, he folllows, with the chance, on paper, to officiate relatively big games in Europa League...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I completely agree, the penalty kick is clean or clear, it's not even a difficult situation, same as yellow card... his movement on the pitch in general is very bad and unnatural... apart from his height that adorns him and gives him some kind of character, I'm not impressed at all... looking at the other referees for on the euro, it was one not so good evening for Strukan, it's a pity that there is no Visser…

      Delete
    2. If Lindhout will be refereeing in Europa League aas he did at the U21 tournament, he will need very, very big support of Kuipers

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    3. I need to get rid of something. I find the way criticism is delivered on Lindhout undignified. Of course he didn't whistle good games on this tournament but comments like the one above (and this was certainly not the only one) are undignified for this blog. Stick to criticizing his decisions on the pitch.

      Delete
    4. In this kind of matches without VAR, one discover the real ability of a referee. With VAR and OFR this offently results in a 7,9 (8.3 or 8.4).
      Here we may have 8.1 or 8.2 which is worse than 7.9 (8.3).
      We will see next season

      Delete
  20. Red card from Romania - Ukraine, before the execution of a free kick.
    Could this incident have been prevented by referee?
    https://streamable.com/oonjyz

    ReplyDelete
  21. Instructions and laws of the game says don’t punish natural position. That was completely natural. Please play football and head a ball and see where your arms will be.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Obrenovič should have cautioned Gordon for simulation at the start of the second half (instead the Slovenian, slightly caught positionally after a quick break forward, simply played on), but his first linesman rightly perceived a reverse crossover scene to disallow an English goal at the start of the first.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mutual VCs by Israel no.14 and England no.17 results in cautions for them both - the latter’s is a classic case of the ‘brutality’ clause not being met and yellow being enough in modern football, but the former was a pretty nasty striking without any ‘dispute’ for the ball; it should meet the threshold for excessive force, imo. The incident began after a deliberate foul challenge by Israel no.2, the recklessness of which was apparently missed by the Slovenian ref.

      Delete
  23. Very solid match by Eskås, no issues or controversial situations whatsoever.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The most important moment of Al Hakim game was a penalty appeal by Switzerland, minute 55', a few after the 2-3 scored, so very crucial for the outcome of the game. Apart from that, normal performance for him.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, there is an other incident, reported to be as clear penalty for step on foot, minute 70'.

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    2. Two penalties missed against Italy by Al-Hakim. Let's see if the referee is crucified in the same way as we saw with Lindhout in the last days. I won't hold my breath...

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    3. here are the links of both PAI of Al Hakim match.
      especially the second one is " clamoroso" in italian language
      https://streamable.com/tvf57i
      https://streamable.com/8prk3r

      Delete
    4. Uufff, the second one is a clear, clear penalty and a clear, clear YC. And Al Hakim in a good position to take the right decision… To be honest, this really is a bad mistake IMHO.
      The first one is a bit more difficult to assess, no optimal video, but I tend to say that’s a penalty as well.

      Delete
    5. IMO, the 1st action is supportable play-on. The 2nd is crystal clear penalty and the ref had an open view on the action. Unbelievable/Unacceptable.

      Delete
    6. Thanks for the clip, first incident remains quite difficult to assess also based on video footage, not 100% clear, maybe OK to play on, but second incident... one should try to understand why Al Hakim, despite of a good view without players in the middle, didn't whistle. He CLEARLY saw that defender didn't play ball, resulting in a full tackle on opponent. Even if you don't catch the detail about where the contact exactly occurred, in this case you must whistle. There aren't reason to justify this play on. Most of the missed penalties are maybe not properly seen, but this one... he was looking but he was not looking! Would be interesting to know what he assessed...

      Delete
    7. Rewatching, in my opinion a possible explanation is that he was mentally focused only on positioning, trying the best angle and when the incident occurred, he was already thinking to the next movement. Indeed you can see his backward run to follow the play immediately after the foul. I think he had a full black-out not focusing, still trying to anticipate what later but missing the present... no body reaction after the incident, can confirm that.

      Delete
    8. No doubt about the 2nd situation, crystal clear pk, a big mistake.

      Probably the 1st as well...

      Im sorry for Al Hakim, imho he is a solid, talented referee.

      Delete
    9. Making a mistake in favor of Italy isn’t a too big deal I guess ;-)

      But don’t dare to make mistakes against Italy. Cause you’re on the first plane home. #cynism

      Delete
    10. In the France vs Italy game quite a bit more went wrong than only the 1 (and a half) missed penalty in tonight’s game.

      Delete
    11. But agreed, special focus on Italian teams is obvious, though nothing new

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    12. Come on Unknown, we know it has consequences. And we know the special treatment by Rosetti and Co. Siebert is a good example; making a harsh decision against Milan, being completely out of favor since then. It would be different if it was a Spanish or English team tbf.

      Delete
    13. Jovanovic had a weak game involving Italy (vs England) >> season over.
      Kovács criticized after Milan derby >> no SF appointment.

      And there are more examples. I don’t have the impression that making a mistake against e.g. a German team has the same consequences. About time a non-Italian referee chief takes over..

      Delete
  25. Not the best performance by Obrenovic today and he didn‘t convince.

    ReplyDelete
  26. According to Belgian media/sites, the VAR will be used at the EURO U21 from the quarter finals.

    https://www.proximus.be/pickx/nl/2345267/var-maakt-zijn-intrede-vanaf-kwartfinales-op-het-ek-u21-2023

    https://www.voetbalprimeur.be/nieuws/1140060/uefa-reageert-na-blunder-jonge-duivels-krijgen-toch-var-op-ek-u21.html

    ReplyDelete
  27. Excellent dynamism of Rumsas, it is a pleasure to see him move around the playing field, his final is already in the safe. Top referee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correct YCs for FRA2 in 6' (deliberate handball to prevent an opponent to get it), FRA15 in 31' (reckless challenge) & NOR13 (SPA), missed YC for FRA13 (reckless challenge)

      Very nice body language & good rapport with players so far.

      Delete
  28. Very bad refereeing so far in U21. I m quite sure that RefCom is completely disappointed, but we cant say completely consistent. As one of reader mention Jovanovic finish season after one bad night, but for sure not horror night in Naples, and very solid season till that moment, no controversy at all during 22-23, but Lindhout after dissaster performance repeat again (whole team in both matches). But one member of
    RefCom is from NL…
    Mr. Kovacs as well, deserve UEL final for my taste…but luckily for him he had UNL and EQ.
    Obrenovic with many chances in previous years and still didn‘t convince nobody that he can be new Skomina in the future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Obrenovic is nowhere near Vincic's level,and not to talk about Skomina.

      Delete
    2. Its enough to remember last EURO U21 where Kruashvili had one of the worst performances of the whole tournament in his 1st game in GS and in the end he was appointed for the final. Everything is possible...

      Delete
    3. And now Kruashvili path after the final is out of nowhere

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    4. Obrenovic got many more opportunities than other referees of his level from other countries, but he did not deliver. It is about time that UEFA should look outside Slovenia.

      Delete
  29. With FIFA has announce the host of upcoming FIFA U17 WC, what do you think about UEFA representative? Who will go to Indonesia?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll have a try
      AFC: Al Hoaish (KSA), Hattab (SYR), Ming (CHN)
      CAF: Ismail (SDN), Ndala (COD), Traore (CIV)
      CONCACAF: Cornejo (SLV), Hernandez (MEX), Villareal (USA)
      CONMEBOL: Araujo (BRA), Gamboa (CHI), D.Herrera (ARG), Ortega (COL), Tejera (URU)
      OFC: Yareboinen (PNG)
      UEFA: Aghayev (AZE), Eskas (NOR), Frankowski (POL), Peljto (BIH), Schärer (SUI)

      Delete
    2. The host is Indonesia, isn't it?

      Btw, Hernandez is completely out after his 10 matches suspension for kicking a player in Mexico.

      Delete
  30. GEONED - Obrenovic
    PORBEL - Delajod

    CROROM - João Pinheiro
    SPAUKR - Rumšas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ISRCZE: Strukan
      ENGGER: Aghayev

      ITANOR: Lambrechts
      FRASUI: Krogh

      Delete
  31. ENGISR 75' possible VC
    https://streamable.com/4awh8m

    ReplyDelete

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