Referee appointments for 2023-24 UEFA European Qualifiers Play Off Semifinals.
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| Danny Makkelie (NED) to referee a hot Greece vs. Kazakhstan clash |
Thursday, 21 March 2024
Path A
20:45 CET - Warsaw (PGE Narodowy)
POLAND - ESTONIA
Referee: Slavko Vinčič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Matej Jug SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazovič SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Clos Gómez ESP
UEFA Delegate: Igor Radojčić SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Matej Jug SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazovič SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Clos Gómez ESP
UEFA Delegate: Igor Radojčić SRB
20:45 CET - Cardiff (Cardiff City Stadium)
WALES - FINLAND
WALES - FINLAND
Referee: István Kovács ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Florin Marinescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Mihai Ovidiu Artene ROU
Fourth Official: Tobias Stieler GER
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Peter Oskam NED
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Florin Marinescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Mihai Ovidiu Artene ROU
Fourth Official: Tobias Stieler GER
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Peter Oskam NED
Path B
20:45 CET - Budapest, HUN (Szusza Ferenc Stadion)
ISRAEL - ICELAND
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
ISRAEL - ICELAND
Referee: Anthony Taylor ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn ENG
Fourth Official: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: David Coote ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav BIH
UEFA Delegate: David Andrew McDowell Zhor SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav BIH
UEFA Delegate: David Andrew McDowell Zhor SVN
20:45 CET - Zenica (Stadion “Bilino Polje”)
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - UKRAINE
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp GER
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Siebert GER
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - UKRAINE
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp GER
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Achmüller GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Siebert GER
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER:
UEFA Referee Observer: Matteo Simone Trefoloni ITA
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray HUN
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray HUN
Path C
18:00 CET - Tbilisi (Boris Paichadzis Sakhelobis Dinamo Arena)
GEORGIA - LUXEMBOURG
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
GEORGIA - LUXEMBOURG
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto López de Ceraín ESP
Fourth Official: Jesús Gil Manzano ESP
Fourth Official: Jesús Gil Manzano ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Thomas Einwaller AUT
UEFA Delegate: Lennart Vestervall SWE
UEFA Referee Observer: Thomas Einwaller AUT
UEFA Delegate: Lennart Vestervall SWE
20:45 CET - Athens (OPAP Arena)
GREECE - KAZAKHSTAN
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Allard Lindhout NED
GREECE - KAZAKHSTAN
Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Allard Lindhout NED
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Herbert Fandel GER
UEFA Delegate: Aurel Mihail Ionescu ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Herbert Fandel GER
UEFA Delegate: Aurel Mihail Ionescu ROU
Thursday 21 March 2024
20:45 CET - Faro-Loulé, POR (Estádio Algarve)
GIBRALTAR - LITHUANIA
Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili GEOAssistant Referee 1: Levan Varamishvili GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Zaza Pipia GEO
Fourth Official: Atilla Karaoğlan TUR
Video Assistant Referee: Alper Ulusoy TUR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulkadir Bitigen TUR
UEFA Referee Observer: Ferenc Székely HUN
UEFA Delegate: Kim Hallberg DEN
It seems that Sanchez Martinez is now ahead of Gil Manzano and I expect that he will be the spanish at Euro 2024. It is very strange to me that the final list has not been yet announced; typically, on previous Euro and WC editions, the selected referees were published between December and January
ReplyDeleteFor EURO 2020 ('21) names were released on April and not too many months before. If I'm not wrong, the edition with names revealed on December was EURO 2016 (still Collina in charge).
DeleteWatching at semi final appointments, the names of the referees for the finals seem sure: Marciniak, Turpin, Orsato
ReplyDeleteAll big names are out, as expected. The hottest games are assigned to Makkelie in Greece and Zwayer in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ReplyDeleteI have read some comments in past about Vinčič assignments, and I must say that reading this one, there is nothing different, he doesn't get a very hot clash. Taylor gets a play off, this would be rather surprising if we look at his form, but this shows that Rosetti has a very big trust on the English. Quite sure these chioices were made before the last set of performances in European cups, so very likely the English crew was not removed, but maybe now, at least about Attwell, committee could be still a bit "worried". Nevertheless, I think that there is a change in the strategy, the English is not appointed for very big games, but rather gets less challenging assignments (at least on paper). We know that the country of Israel is now involved in the current situation and they will play on neutral venue, but this game against Iceland is surely something very different from the other games. So, this is how committee thinks the problem can be solved: still appointments for the English but less sonorous ones.
And then, Sanchez Martinez in Georgia with Gil Manzano again as fourth official. It is now clear that he has fully replaced his countryman and committee has made a choice based on him (the least challenging play off, for sure, at least on paper). If Gil Manzano had been in charge, with good form, he would have got a top game.
Now it will be interesting to see how both will be appointed at EURO, this should be the path, with Sanchez Martinez nr. 1 but still getting the games he can get, not replacing Gil Manzano even in terms of reputation. Gil Manzano could got even less than that.
Again Martinez Munuera as VAR in a crucial game after Ukraine - Italy, for some reasons, Hernandez Hernandez is not appointed, maybe a strategy (not to spoil the referee from Canary)? One could be quite sure that Hernandez Hernandez will be Spain main VAR at EURO. Regular assignment for Kovacs in Wales, I would consider this one as a rather regular.
Then, the Nations League play out, for sure an interesting appointment for Kruashvili, a referee followed and then forgotten by committee, with this choice I think they show to have a certain trust among the Category 1 officials, nevertheless the choice is clearly made on the quality of the teams involved, otherwise, looking at the importance of the stage, one could have expected an Elite referee.
Forgot to add, with this set, it's too easy to think that Orsato, Turpin and Marciniak are the three names for the finals. I would have liked to see Letexier, but for sure there is no room for all and choices must be made.
DeleteAbout Letexier (this is slight OT), I read an interview of Antony Gautier about Lannoy fired, where a side question was who is considered as french number one, and he answered Letexier was ranked number one at the end of last season.
DeleteI don't know what that exactly means, a good performance one one season rewarded, or more, a change in definite rankings, but I found it interesting (and quite disappointing as Letexier is much contested in France (just the fact, I like him whatever) and I clearly prefer Turpin)
Based on this set of assignments, and including the three missing names expected in finals:
ReplyDeleteKovacs, Makkelie, Marciniak, Orsato, Sanchez Martinez (Gil Manzano), Taylor, Turpin, Vincic, Zwayer .
This could be maybe considered as the strong elite circle for EURO 2024: 9 referees.
Don't think its the most challenging match, on the opposite its one of the two easiest matches alongside Poland vs Estonia as those two matches have clear favorites and everybody expects Greece and Poland to win comfortably.
ReplyDeleteSo it nearly has to be Orsato in Path A, because the winner is in France's group and Marciniak obviously is impossible. With Vincic, Kovacs and Zwayer already appointed (and Oliver not feasible due to Wales), the only alternative might be Soares Dias, but not too unlikely.
ReplyDeleteThis would mean Orsato maybe repeating Poland after MD9 and after the WC play-off final against Sweden.
And yes, Turpin and Marciniak most likely in the other two finals, with small chances for Letexier and Oliver, I think.
Taylor instead of Oliver is interesting and shows, that Taylor is not too much out of favour (and therefore has a realistic chance for a CL QF, I think).
Equally interesting to see Sanchez instead of Gil Manzano, but here, au contraire, it should indicate that Gil Manzano is out of favour. Whether he was at some point planned to be the referee in Georgia, remains unclear. In case of a good performance, Sanchez will probably getting more in Europe this season, but I am not convinced, that he is ready for CL QF.
Finally, interesting choice with Stieler as 4th official for Kovacs as the only one from a different country. And in some other games, no Elite referee as 4th, so surprising that they didn't go with Petrescu. And of course, Hategan would have been another option.
Maybe Stieler is planned as 4th official for the EURO (somehow as compensation for only one German referee)? But usually the 4ths are younger and Osmers would be the more obvious choice for that role.
The Refcom has to make a few difficult decisions in the run-up to the quarter-finals:
ReplyDelete- Spanish ref in Arsenal-Bayern? Possibly the last chance to see a Spanish ref due to Spanish teams in competion.
- On the other hand, when can Nyberg make his KO-debut? Arsenal-Bayern seems the most suitable game for a debut.
- Oliver or Taylor?
- Zwayer has limited options as well. Real-City or PSG-Barca?
- Roma-Milan. Needs a very strong personality, but normally we don’t see this referee in the QF CL round. Probably UEL QF -> CL semi. But who?
- French referees. Is it possible to see Turpin and Letexier both in the QF CL? Or Turpin is saved for the semi, regardless of PSG (1st leg in opposite bracket)
- Is Kovács is the main candidate for the Europa League final? If so, what is the most sensible final test?
- What happens in case of a PSG - City final?
- From a humane- (and referee motivation) perspective, is it sensible to give Vincic the CL final before Makkelie? In crucial rounds, the latter is always assigned to tougher matches than the Slovenian – this has always been the case. Unless shielding is a strategy.
My answers would be:
Delete- Better to see Nyberg than one of the Spanish referees in Arsenal-Bayern based on performances this season.
- If only one English referee, it should be Oliver - but I could imagine both getting a further CL game.
- Real-City first leg seems quite sensible for Zwayer.
- No problem to see top Elite referees in EL QF, this happens quite often. Turpin seems the most obvious choice. First leg could be a good test for someone less experienced though.
- Definitely possible, but saving Turpin for a CL SF seems like the better plan. Although using him in the EL derby, would not exactly been "saving"...
- Kovacs is one of several options for EL final, mainly together with Zwayer and Letexier, I think. Next performances, especially in CL QF, should decide about that. If e.g. Massa or Soares Dias get a CL QF, they also become strong candidates.
- PSG-City should be Kovacs or Zwayer (if Vincic actually is not possible with PSG).
- Vincic is three years older than Makkelie (who therefore still has many options in the following years), so this could be an argument to sell such a decision. However I would prefer to "shield" Makkelie this time (with a CL QF first leg in Madrid or even only EL)
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DeleteMostly expected names. As I predicted a few days before, Taylor will always get games with this committee.
ReplyDeleteNice appointment for the Spanish. A very interesting situation with the Spanish referees now.
Both the spanish and english referees (all competitions) will soon struggle for matches
The CL QF appointments will be interesting. Some more 'risks' by the committee rewarding performance? Or continue as they know.
Mostly expected names.
ReplyDeleteRisky appointment with Zwayer. He makes too many crucial mistakes very often and Imo, he can't be trusted with big matches.
I read here too many comments about Taylor. The fact remains that he is England's No1 referee and a very Safe pair of hands.
It is quite long ago that Zwayer made an important mistake if I remember correctly. I also watch his domestic performances often and he had hot games in the recent weeks without any controversies.
DeleteIsrael got Taylor again after ISR - SUI. Hopefully, this time he'll be much more concentrated.
ReplyDeleteWow, even if you know it is still disappointing to see politics in these appointments. Apparently there had to be a Spanish referee there, because no one can convincingly say that Sanchez Martinez is even near the top9 referees in Europe right now.
ReplyDeletealso, I'm surprised that apparently Makkelie is behind Turpin in terms of how committee sees them. He's in a whole different league than the Frenchman if you ask me.
Hungarian referee Bence Csonka will hardly forget his international debut: 4 (!) penalties called in Croatia vs Germany U17 EURO qualifier :D
ReplyDeleteHighlights video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsBjOdAMfIo
If Man city vs PSG in the UCL final this year who will referee the final? In my opinion the only option will be Vincic
ReplyDeleteWith his friend Čeferin sitting next to El-Khalaifi, watching the final? ;-)
DeleteTo add, the Slovenian was extremely poor in City-Leipzig last season. And he always gets mediocre appointments in crucial rounds/final phases.
I think, the odds for Orsato a 2nd time are higher.
Of course they're going to back 'their'guys cause it's close to grey area.
ReplyDeleteBut even Webb mentioned it,if Oliver whistled penalty, then VAR would let that be,they would not intervene.
But if that happens outside the box, I'm sure most of the times we would see whistled foul and YC.
IMO,I still say it,clear penalty not whistled and now they are looking at every possible detail to justify decision that could potentially determine who wins PL.
One interesting point of discussion is whether Taylor will get the ‘benefit of the doubt’ if there are no English teams in the Champions League final 2024. What are your opinions on this matter?
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, Vinčić ahead of Makkelie, I don’t see how they can possibly 'sell' this decision to the Dutchman. The only objective factor that speaks in Vinčić’ favor is age. But all other factors speak against him:
- Europa League final: 2020 vs 2022
- 46 vs. 29 appearances in Champions League
- Two semi-finals CL vs. zero
- Better appointments -> Makkelie
- Better performances in tough/tensed games -> Makkelie
- In Qatar, Vinčić left after the R16 round, Makkelie stayed until the end
- Moreover, just a few years ago, the 2019-final was refereed by a Slovenian (Skomina). Guess who was already involved as his VAR?
Many of us called Turpin a “political” assignment in 2022, based on performance level, etc. However, they could sell Turpin’s final appointment: the French was earlier added to the Elite list than Makkelie, is from a big-5 country and the final was played in Paris. But if Turpin’s appointment had a political coloured character, what would Vinčić be then? A referee from a low-ranked football country, performances and appointments don’t stand out, but he has the same nationality as the UEFA chairman... I rest my case.
I assumed, Orsato a 2nd time by a way of exception is easier to ‘sell’, as the Italian senior refereed the CL-final in a COVID year, without an audience. But feel free to disagree.
The three candidates for the CL final are indeed the names you mentioned. Unless very big surprises, there shouldn't be other referees if not somebody repeating the appointment.
DeleteA quite unlikely option is Zwayer, but there should be a situation in which all the previous names wouldn't be available for different reasons. Hopefully we will never see that in all cases, this would be a big fail for committee. But indeed the first criticisms can be that they didn't work to open this chance to other referees by developing them to very big games.
In addition, if the management is something like they did with Makkelie after PSG game, that's even worse. Referees should be always backed, especially when the mistakes claimed by clubs are not objective facts.
About Taylor, my idea is that Rosetti has still an immense trust in him, otherwise in this extremely poor form he wouldn't have got recent assignments. Committee noticed that he isn't at the top at moment, and the signals are the games for which he is assigned, but still, they don't want to renounce to him. Now, I think Bayer Leverkusen - Qarabag made something a bit worse, but rather due to Attwell poor performance. We must watch carefully the play off today. Nevertheless, I would be prone to think that at moment committee could consider him out of favor even in case of English teams out from CL final. If we stay at performance principle, this should be the answer. Nevertheless, we saw in past appointments for referees at their big finals, as reward for the full career and not based on the current form.
The natural referee for CL final, following a long path as you explained, would be Makkelie, who deserved that in past years, but he didn't get it. Vincic follows, but looking at his assignments, it seems true that committee has a certain approach with the Slovenian, never in extremely challenging game, differently from Makkelie, and always saved from certain spotlights. I don't know how to read that because we have two options: they really think he can't do more than that is the first answer, the second is that they are keeping him on purpose in this way for something big, but again this would be very unfair!
So my idea about a "ranking" for CL final at moment is:
1) Makkelie
2) Vincic
3) Taylor
4) Zwayer
Kovacs where?
DeletePerhaps Taylor - without English teams - could be an option with a different VAR (no Attwell)…
DeleteVincic is a decent referee, decent appointments. But in top clashes (open games) where there is a lot of pressure, he can be shaky. Examples were Inter-Barca and Man Utd-Atletico, two games with tight scorelines and he was far from convincing. This season he was assigned to top games in MD1 and MD3, but indeed in the later phases (MD5-6) he avoids the brightest spotlights: Napoli-Braga and Ukraine-N.Macedonia. We can only speculate about the reasoning. Bayern-Lazio wasn’t a risky game as well. A fair German team and a (toothless) Italian team that has performed very poor on non-Italian soil the entire season. They gave up before trying.
I agree with you that Makkelie has followed a certain path. This is very important for the Refcom, to avoid demotivation among their referees. Tbh, they should have assigned Makkelie to PSG earlier. It’s been 2 years now, so that’s a missed opportunity. However, at MD6 (Newcastle-Milan) there was an indirect relationship with PSG, so perhaps the issue is not as big as we assumed… Even though I don't think Makkelie is in his 2022 top form yet, he seems to be the most natural candidate on paper and I’m concerned that any other appointment will affect his confidence and motivation. Moreover, when Orsato has retired and Marciniak achieved anything, they will certainly need a motivated Makkelie for the hottest clashes IMO.
@Mohammed; Kovacs is #1 candidate for the Europa League final, along with Zwayer and Letexier (although the latter had the Supercup in August and it would be unique to do SC and UEL in the same season).
OT: AFC WC qualifiers appointments for today:
ReplyDeleteTPEKGZ: Yahya Al-Mulla (UAE)
PAKJOR: Rustam Lutfullin (UZB)
AUSLBN: Khamis Al-Marri (QAT)
JPNPRK: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
KORTHA: Khaled Al-Turais (KSA)
MYASYR: Hassan Akrami (IRN)
HKGUZB: Kim Woo-sung (KOR)
IDNVIE: Salman Falahi (QAT)
IRNTKM: Yusuke Araki (JPN)
UAEYEM: Mohanad Sarray (IRQ)
OMAMAS: Fu Ming (CHN)
QATKUW: Junpei Iida (JPN)
PLEBAN: Shen Yinhao (CHN)
AFGIND: Kim Hee-gon (KOR)
KSATJK: Mohammad Taqi (SIN)
IRQPHI: Abdullah Jamali (KUW)
NEPBHR: Alexander King (AUS)
Anyone watched SGPCHN? What is your opinion about the penalty appeal rejected by Shaun Evans in the 90+4. Holding by CHN
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/OBYR_z5-aG0?si=2xqg_1HpWNMK6BDD
DeleteAround 10:40
No VAR in these games?
DeleteWithout further replays, looks like the classic situation in which only referee should whistle and a VAR intervention is rather not expected. I think more arguments for whistling than playing on but it should be watched better.
Opiniones for Salman Al Falahi in match IDN-VIE?
ReplyDeleteCorrectly disallowed goal by Sánchez Martínez for foul on GK, YC given to the Georgian attacker.
ReplyDeleteNow correct/supportable YC for LUX17 for SPA/unsporting behavior.
Clear RC for SFP missed against Georgia player. Now Georgia lead. Huge error
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. A dangerous studs up tackle by GEO2 hitting the knee of LUX17 (26’) was completely missed by the referee and his assistant referee and the Luxemburg player has been substituted in the mean time.
DeleteBad mistake from SM & AR2 to not even call a foul (+ missed at least YC for GEO2) for a kick on the knee with even some studs contact, Luxembourgese left-back had to be replaced injured.
ReplyDeleteVAR is also responsible, RC was into question.
ReplyDeleteClear holding offence in the APP by Georgia player
ReplyDeleteClear NO PK
Another big mistake by VAR
VAR has ruined this game
ReplyDeleteThis is a disgrace, the Georgian forward grabs full shirt of the LUX player, to win the initial header....then maybe stumbles, maybe gets fouled....but this shirt pull is enough for me to let play go on and LUX could have stood. What an awful VAR intervention
ReplyDeleteSo sad for Luxembourg that they get incompetent Spanish referees in their most important game in history
ReplyDeleteThis refereeing Team is a disgrace. I am sorry to say that...
ReplyDeleteVideo of missed at least YC:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/f5f7f9
AR2 very close but as you can see from a replay, focusing on something else and not looking in the direction of the foul.
That's a very significant mistake.
I think we can say VAR didn't intervene for the rather low intensity, but even more because YC was not given, one can question VAR work.
Martinez Munuera path on the road to EURO 2024 is more than controversial. I'm still convinced that Hernandez Hernandez is just saved for the tournament.
Situation leading to a disallowed goal scored by LUX (what an unlucky event for the officials) for a DOGSO situation, played on by Sanchez Martinez: https://streamin.me/v/3012b0fb
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion if one can blame VAR for the previous incident in first half, here referee is mostly responsible for having played on in a situation in which a whistle is always expected.
Very complicated game for the Spanish officials and TBH Luxembourg can definitely have something to say. Once a goal is scored on the other side, this stuff can become controversial, you can see how much important is taking field decisions, with a whistle by referee, for a team or the other one, nothing later would have happened...
More generally it is not still clear to me how much Sanchez Martinez can confirm himself as Elite referee, quite good displays every now and then but also significant mistakes in crucial games, by far more than the "Spanish" standard, or the standard of a referee from a major federation... at least for now...
A rare situation, where a goal is disallowed after OFR, although the offence didn't happen in or immediately before the APP.
DeleteHowever this is correct, because there was no restart after the foul and therefore the restart after OFR must be as if the referee had given the foul himself.
Probably also correct to let the referee decide, whether this even was a penalty, because the upper body contact continued into the penalty area (but rather wasn't a foul).
Early penalty for Makkelie in Athens, classic situation where attacker goes in to shield the ball to win a penalty. I don't like these types of penalties but there is no way you can call it wrong
ReplyDeleteSupportable PK for Greece by Makkelie
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/e5ea63ee
DeleteHere the penalty call in the early minutes by Makkelie.
As described by Elliot, attacker is very clever here but you can't deny the contact and what happened. The interesting question is whether, in case of no call by referee, VAR would have intervened or not. These situations are seen as very clear penalties by fans and football followers. Attacker takes the position, but he does that more to win a penalty than to play the ball, still one can't question about that...
That is exactly why most top Elites call this one Live, as they bring VAR in a difficult position if they don’t whistle it.
DeleteEarly conclusion: most challenging game is in BIH (Zwayer)
To me, the attacker is the one acting carelessly in a situation like this. But agree with Elliot that tradition says you can't call it "wrong."
DeleteI wish we would, however. The attacker isn't "shielding" the ball at all. He's not in possession of the ball. The defender is going to be able to legally play it first. But the attacker "cleverly" sticks his leg in front of a kicking motion to win a penalty.
From a logic and sporting perspective, neutrals (and referees) really shouldn't like these penalties. Yet, we keep giving them.
We might not like them, however the LotG are pretty clear, that careless kicking is a foul without any further considerations like possession by the attacker.
DeleteTherefore it is a lot easier to justify giving them than not giving them.
I had many discussions about this issue. Most of people and fans, as said, are fully convinced that attackers can do everything unless a simulation, and so it's in their right to create the circumstances for a possible penalty (or using a situation to gain it). I strongly disagree on that as you know, but it is simply impossible to keep the opinion that these penalties are wrong. These penalty rather belong to modern football, where the introduction of VAR, the focus on everything and the interests, have changed the role of a referee. In past, a referee could punish a player for his intention, now it's definitely hard to see and against what all people expect.
DeleteCorrect 2YC by Vincic, both yellows clear SPA offences
ReplyDelete2nd YC by Vincic for SPA.
ReplyDeleteSupportable, but not completely mandatory, because attacker wasn't moving directly towards goal, I think.
I agree, surprising from Vincic, I would say, who tries always to keep his cards and avoid very crucial and important decisions if not 100% mandatory. One can describe the card as fully OK, but not in the style of the Slovenian referee. Don't know about the first card, didn't watch it.
DeleteCorrect PK for Israel by Taylor (careless trip)
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/20d11938
DeleteIn 26’ Zwayer produces a yellow card in an unclear situation (at least to me). The Bosnian player seemed to have been fouled, Zwayer showing some hesitation, then whistled in favor of Ukraine and showed the yellow. Anybody seen this and understood what happened?
ReplyDeleteI watched some moments, but not the full sequence. It looks like a YC for simulation, but with a veeeery delayed timing, at first referee didn't want to whistle. Still, there wasn't any foul, so correct decision, but I think Zwayer could have managed it better.
DeleteYC is reported for dissent but I didn't understand the restart of play. Either it was simulation or dissent it should have been an indirect free kick.
DeleteGibraltar - Lithuania, RC for DOGSO to GIB keeper, very good decision, also waiting for the possible goal before whistling.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/44abfc8d
In retrospect it is always easy to criticize the appointment policy, but:
ReplyDeleteRefcom has underestimated Georgia vs Luxembourg.
Games in Greece and Poland are one-sided.
Israel - Iceland can go either way, but noteworthy, a very calm atmosphere (empty stadium).
Zwayer has the toughest game, that’s a nice challenge for him.
Yes, it's impossible to know everything before, but some appointments, like Sanchez Martinez for GEO - LUX, had been clearly made thinking about a very different game.
DeleteFully agree with the atmosphere you described in Hungary, very easy to understand by watching a few minutes, definitely nothing more than a friendly, very sad for the importance of the game, but we know the difficult situation in Israel and hard to imagine many fans there.
Oh come on, we have to get real here. Committee once again pushing referees from certain countries and harming the game by that. These people are only there for themselves and their countrymen and they should be called out for that.
DeleteTwo very Good onside decisions by AR2 in Wales
ReplyDeleteGreat red card by Taylor, stupid foul
ReplyDeleteWell done Anthony Taylor! A type of tackle that is too often punished with just a yellow nowadays even though it clearly endangers the safety of the opponent, refreshing to see it get called live without need for VAR as well
ReplyDeleteBoth YCs to Paskotši in POLEST:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/fexlr7
Smart move of the attacking player but given the amount of free space in front of him, Vinčič had little choice tbh.
DeleteFirst YC fully correct, nobody can question.
DeleteSecond YC still to me, OK and maybe expected decision YC for SPA, but not a 100% to me. It is interesting to add that the card can have another strong motivation in the fact that Estonian player deliberately went against opponent in a very blatant and unfair manner, something like the LoR we saw for the holdings... but in terms of dangerous attack I think on could discuss.
I wondered if the polish player was in an offside position and one could therefore could argue that there never was a promising attack... But that is the only reason that could maybe question the decision, otherwise mandatory YC.
DeleteExcellent RC decision by Taylor, you can read an excessive force, but maybe more important, player can be aware with that tackle he will go only directly on the opponent without any chance to play ball.
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/23a373
Still I don't like this management by English referee to wait before issuing a card, but absolutely good decision to me.
Different cultures and views :-D. In England, taking a moment to think, replay the incident in your head, and discuss is good refereeing, and the more Italian style of card out when whistling would be seen as too rash. Everyone will have their own preference! Of course agree, excellent decision
DeleteThere’s nothing wrong at all with the management? It’s not like the French style checking what sort of injury the player has then giving the card. All Taylor is doing is thinking for a couple of seconds to make sure he gets the right decision
DeleteVery tight goal/no goal in Wales. Is there GLT? Ultimately disallowed for offside interference with gk
ReplyDeleteTo follow in Taylor game, a penalty for handball after OFR.
ReplyDeleteThis time correct OFR suggested by Attwell, and that's good, but penalty definitely to be seen live... very evident.
At the end, nobody was checking the wall.
https://streamin.me/v/a8f64601
It should have been called by AR2 (Nunn). He had a perfectly clear sight of the offence and ,alas, let it being left to VAR (Attwell)'s call.
DeleteGood prevention by Zwayer after the final whistle. He noticed that some players were agitated and he separated them.
ReplyDeleteI see a clear development by the German referee in recent times, definitely, he is not the man who was missing of something for being considered a top Elite. Still not at the level of other names, but he has gained some credit, that's evident. More than challenging game for him, for the context. Really open score until the end 1-0 and then 1-2. These are games in which even if nothing extra ordinary happens, can be considered as the most difficult.
Taylor on the contrary, had a very challenging game in terms of technical decisions, while the atmosphere was definitely soft, more than soft, especially if compared to Bosnia and other venues.
All in all I think a very positive display by almost all referees in these semifinals.
The only problem stays with GEO - LUX, while the mistakes to be avoided in this evening's games was in my opinion the missed handball by Taylor close to the end, a must-see by officials, but they were already quite busy.
Predictions for the finals:
Marciniak GEO - GRE
Orsato WAL - POL
Turpin UKR - ISL
If the names of the three will be confirmed by UEFA, almost forced choice with this set because Turpin can't handle WAL - POL (winner in France's group) and it's hard to imagine an Italian referee, even if his name is Orsato, for Ukraine, after the notorious facts. We will see.
I agree with the predictions. Shame that committee already used Makkelie. Do you agree he would be the safer option for this Ukraine involving final over Turpin?
DeleteZwayer's choatic caution for simulation was wrong, the Bosnian had actually been carelessly kicked on the edge of the box: https://www.streambug.io/cv/18784a
DeleteHowever, the German acted perfectly in accordance with the laws when he issued this (rare!) YC for re-entering w/o permission, restarting the game with an IFK from where the ball was when the offence was dectected by the refs crew: https://www.streambug.io/cv/4ffb04
From what I saw of the game, even if Felix Zwayer wasn't 100% convincing in all of the management/decisions he took, had no problem in chatting with players (frequent verbal contact with them of a 'friendly' mode) nor assuring match control, and generally assured a good performance in what was obviously a tricky context.
Thanks for the clips. Well, even after rewatching I'm not able to see this contact, but I trust you. From the pitch I think you can agree, one can see that as simulation. Not easy. But yes, Zwayer should have managed this better, with more firmess about his decision. The YC for re-entering without permission is absolutely good decision.
DeleteMaybe what we can point out about him is that he seems to be a more "by book" referee than other Elite colleagues. We can mention the disallowed goal in Europa League as well (nobody would have taken this decision), that can be absolutely supported, but here all referees would have allowed the score. For this reason, maybe he is less interactive with players than others, and he thinks more to decisions than management, but, as I said, in recent times I observed more interaction and also prevention in his games.
Even if not perfect performance, for committee given the context, this will be enough to be 100% content about the work by German referees, they don't look at such "minor" things (and very often in past this led to mistakes / wrong appointments).
I think we can expect something important for the German in the end of this season. Could be maybe a CL semifinal or even EL final. We will see.
About 26':
Deletehttps://www.streambug.io/cv/6068ff
No.4 obviously plays for the freekick and the fall is a bit of a 'dying swan', but he is kicked on the left ankle as (hopefully! after my video editing skills :D) you can see here^.
Yes, I see now! He is kicked but very hard to spot live for referee.
DeleteLuckily this happened outside the penalty area, otherwise it would have been very controversial with Zwayer decision (VAR intervention?).
In Athens Danny Makkelie obviously didn’t have the most challenging evening in his career, but we did see him approaching his ‘21/‘22 form again. About the penalty I agree with the considerations in the messages above, but awarding the penalty definitely is the smartest option with least discussion or explanations required.
ReplyDeleteBut more important, he acted pro-actively again, took swift decisions and showed self-confidence, used his cards smartly to keep any frustrations out and had a couple of really good advantages. Hopefully he’ll be able to keep on this positive track!
Good game for Zwayer!
ReplyDeleteMikael did Spanish referee Mejuto Gonzalez candidate for Euro 2008 final but spain advanced in this tournament destroyed his ambition?
ReplyDeleteI'm not talking from sources but everything should be clear from the excellent film - the loser of the Spain vs. Italy QF would 'provide' the final referee, with a (quite justified and correct) preference by UEFA for giving it to Rosetti in a free choice. Mejuto was a good referee and missing WC2006 through not his fault must have been gutting, but between two EUROs, CL Final (also a SF L2 in '07), etc, my opinion would be that his treatment was more 'generous' than 'harsh' over his international career.
DeleteTangentially: for fans of 2000s refereeing, I can also offer them this blog :)
https://mikaelreferee.blogspot.com/p/confed03.html
Thank you Mikael
DeleteHere the full sequence of Georgia - Luxembourg.
ReplyDeleteInteresting for understanding the focus by VAR on the low contact outside penalty area. In my opinion impossible to think about penalty, indeed the OFR had to take place only for red card and free kick. This was a too blatant miss by Spanish referee.
https://streambug.org/cv/bc63cd
Observers:
ReplyDeleteGeorgia - Greece Howard Webb ENG
Ukraine - Iceland Darko Čeferin SVN
Wales - Poland Bertrand Layec FRA
So, basically this could confirm the predictions I made above.
Howard Webb could meet Marciniak in Georgia.
Making some observations on the game one could say that the most technical level of football (but personal opinion) should be seen in Wales, likely to be the most sonorous game. But this is not that important, because all three games will be treated at the same manner and there are all big names waiting for an assignment.
After Georgia - Luxembourg maybe a bit more focus on the game in Tbilisi as well.
A mixed selection of performances
ReplyDeleteZwayer - Good, no issues
Kovacs - Good, no issues
Vincic - Supportable 2YC
Taylor - Correct penalty, RC but inexplainable missed penalty. Very clear on the field. A better performance but once again a big crucial mistake
Makkelie - Typical Makkelie. Fully trusted and respected. Supportable penalty. Nearly at the old Makkelie
Sanchez Martinez - So difficult to explain this performance. For me missed RC and then saved by VAR with another missed RC
Mostly good performances, UEFA can be happy with 4/6, satisfied with 1/6 and unhappy with 1/6
Taylor and his form have been criticized this season, and I partly agree with it. However, it is worth emphasizing that Taylor’s matches are often stocked with KMI's. It seems he is a KMI-magnet, whereas other refs mainly had i) easy one-sided games; or ii) hardly any box incidents the entire season (e.g. Vincic)
ReplyDeleteThat's another reason why I don’t like the ‘shielding’ final candidates in easier/low profile games or political choices. Because a final can be very tensed and stocked with KMIs as well. A referee in topform has the momentum and is always the best choice.
Arsenal - Bayern Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP
ReplyDeleteReal Madrid - Manchester City Hugh Dallas SCO
Atlético - Dortmund Markus Nobs SUI
PSG - Barcelona Björn Kuipers NED
Barcelona - PSG Terje Hauge NOR
Dortmund - Atlético Madrid Mehmet Murat Ilgaz TUR
Manchester City - Real Madrid Alain Hamer LUX
Bayern - Arsenal Domenico Messina ITA
So we have two committee members in first legs in London and Paris. I think that it is possible to see Nyberg with Velasco Carballo in that game, the choice would suit with the nationality of the teams (England and German). A name to follow as candidate is Letexier, or maybe one shoud mention him before the Swedish if we assume that the latter will not appear at all in CL KO stage (but this, as we discussed, would be quite strange).
For Kuipers in Paris it seems quite unlikely to have a relatively surprising choice, I think the observation can be for the extremely big nature of the game.
The rest and even more second legs seem to have been locked all with extremely trusted name and regular Elite referees' observers.
Carlos Velasco Carballo in London should also be seen as confirmation that - as some of us expected - we will not see a Spanish referee in the quarter-finals. The second leg in Munich seems unrealistic to me, as the winner could face Real Madrid in the semi-finals. This means that the Champions League season is likely to end prematurely for the Spanish referees.
DeleteIndeed, must be Nyberg in Arsenal-Bayern.
DeleteI thought a moment about Letexier as well, but committee member suggests a less experienced ref. To add, Letexier issued a RC to Bayern player recently, so I don’t think it’s him.
Europa League
ReplyDeleteMilan - Roma Manuel Diaz Vega ESP
Liverpool - Atalanta Vladimir Sajn SVN
Leverkusen - West Ham Levan Paniashvili GEO
Benfica - Marseille Luis Medina Cantalejo ESP
Roma - Milan
Atalanta - Liverpool Lucilio Batista POR
West Ham - Leverkusen Jan W. Wegereef NED
Marseille - Benfica Kyros Vassaras GRE
It's always difficult for committee to appoint observers for Italian teams, indeed again, we have a delay for the return leg of Italian derby in Rome. Two Spanish observers in first legs mean that there are few chances to see Spanish referees, and I think at moment both Gil Manzano and Sanchez Martinez are difficult to manage.
Committee member in Liverpool for the game vs. Atalanta, and I think here we have definitely several Elite referees who can get this very important observation. Just to mention one, Meler, but Gozubuyuk as well for a very important test...
Probably one of the Spanish refs in Leverkusen.
DeleteStrange that Roma-Milan is not appointed yet. I can’t think of any other name than Marciniak / Turpin there.
Gözübüyük is boarderline in/out.
Other than him, maybe an important test for Peljto / Jovanovic as well.
Conference League
ReplyDeleteOlympiacos - Fenerbahçe Frank De Bleeckere BEL
Viktoria Plzen - Fiorentina
Club Brugge - PAOK Stefano Podeschi SMR
Aston Villa - Lille Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP
Lille - Aston Villa Lutz Michael Fröhlich GER
Fiorentina - Viktoria Plzen Emil Bozinovski MKD
PAOK - Club Brugge Martin Hansson SWE
Fenerbahçe - Olympiacos Juan Antonio Fernandez Marin ESP
Velasco Carballo will continue to stay in England after the CL game, two days later, Conference League observation for him. Very important game for the referee involved, could be Eskas at this point, I think.
The Greek - Turkish clash is definitely something for Elite referees, I think we will have a less experienced name in first leg, with the classic appointment of the Belgian for a development of the referee, while in second leg a fully trusted Elite.
Still missing appointment for Fiorentina first leg, while in second leg in Florence there could be a name like Collum, regular Elite, trusted but, from the low part of the category. All four names appointed for second legs seem to answer to this principle, basically no surprises. We will see.
I tried some Champions League predictions, but its not easy to complete the puzzle.
ReplyDelete- My safest bet is Nyberg in Arsenal-Bayern
- Zwayer should slot in somewhere: either in Real-City (1st) or PSG-Barcelona (1st). Dallas or Kuipers? I’m leaning towards the PSG-game. The German is under big focus by the committee and there are not tooo many referees available for PSG. While there are plenty of options for Real-City (can think of Letexier/Makkelie/Vincic/Kovacs, etc)
- Letexier seems a nice choice in Atletico-BVB (1st leg), Real-City (1st leg). Not impossible to see him in a return as well, e.g. BAY-ARS, however I expect his compatriot Turpin in a return leg with the same VAR (Brisard)
- Taylor can work in lower bracket in 1st legs and returns. Question is, do they trust him in a return or not.
- Orsato obviously in a return: Barcelona-PSG or City-Real. I prefer to see him with PSG, as there are plenty of options for City-Real (Turpin/Marciniak/Makkelie)
Other observations: the Bayern - Arsenal (return) is the typical game to test a final referee in a not too risky context. Predictable management by the Refcom, with two Fair Nordic teams. The Italian observer (Messina) confirms that idea.
Other considerations are the semi-finals. We can already predict that Orsato and Marciniak will do the semi-final returns. Both are neutral options.
DeleteThe 3rd obvious name is Turpin: but if PSG advances, the 1st leg in upper bracket (with Real or City) is the only option. In other words: better to avoid Turpin with Real/City or Arsenal/Bayern in the quarter-finals if they need him in the semi. Good option is to assign Turpin in Europa League (for example Italian derby).
Daniele Orsato scheduled for the WAL-POL match
ReplyDeleteSzymon Marciniak
scheduled for the match
GEO-GRE
The chef made a good guess
Information confirmed
DeleteIt wasn't difficult to guess. Can I ask for your source about such "confirmations"?
Deleteprivate source, but 100%
DeleteSorry
Another CONMEBOL - UEFA exchange.
ReplyDeleteThe Italian trio Gasperotti, Di Monte and Martinelli at CONMEBOL Sudamericano Under 17 Women.
We can observe that the exchanges are mostly with referees from the same nationality (Italy and Spain above all). Clearly it's about language's issues, but I think it would be a nice experience also for the others.
Moreover, from the start of the project, I think we saw definitely more UEFA referees going to South America than the contrary.
Sampaio or tello in Euro 2024
ReplyDelete