Thursday, 6 March 2025

Europa League 2024/25 - Referee Appointments - Round of 16 (First Legs)

The referees in charge of 2024-25 UEFA Europa Leage Round of 16, first legs. 


Thursday 6 March 2025 

18:45 CET - Alkmaar (AZ Stadion) 
AZ ALKMAAR (NED)  - TOTTENMHAM HOTSPUR FC (ENG)
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP 
UEFA Referee Observer: Juan Antonio Fernández Marín ESP 
UEFA Delegate: Igor Radojčić SRB

18:45 CET - Donostia/San Sebastián (Estadio de Anoeta)
REAL SOCIEDAD DE FÚTBOL (ESP) - MANCHESTER UNITED FC (ENG) 
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Pozor SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Kralović SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Michal Očenáš SVK
UEFA Referee Observer: Nicola Rizzoli ITA
UEFA Delegate: Jürgen Igelspacher GER

18:45 CET - Bucharest ('Arena Națională)
FC FCSB (ROU) - OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (FRA) 
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER 
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER 
Fourth Official: Harm Osmers GER 
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Haim Jakov ISR
UEFA Delegate: Efraim Barak ISR 

18:45 CET - Istanbul (Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi)
FENERBAHÇE SK (TUR)  - RANGERS FC (SCO) 
Referee: Alejandro Hernández ESP
Assistant Referee 1: José Naranjo ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera ESP
Video Assistant Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi SMR
UEFA Delegate: Peter Lundström FIN

21:00 CET - Plzeň (Stadion města Plzně)
FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE) - SS LAZIO (ITA) 
Referee:  Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Donatas Šimenas LTU
UEFA Referee Observer: Howard Webb ENG 
UEFA Delegate: Haris Gvozden BIH

21:00 CET - Bodø (Aspmyra)
FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)  - OLYMBIAKÓS SFP (GRE)
Referee: Mykola Balakin UKR 
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksandr Berkut UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Dmytro Zaporozhenko UKR
Fourth Official: Vitaliy Romanov UKR
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Viktor Kopiievskyi UKR
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL 
UEFA Delegate: Ignas Marcinkevičius LTU

21:00 CET - Amsterdam (Johan Cruijff ArenA) 
AFC AJAX (NED) - EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (GER)
Referee: Simone Sozza ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Davide Imperiale ITA 
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA 
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán ESP
UEFA Delegate: Mike Foster ENG 

21:00 CET - Rome (Stadio Olimpico)
AS ROMA  (ITA) - ATHLETIC CLUB (ESP)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Lionel Tschudi SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Thibault De Gendt BEL
at

76 comments:

  1. max964 March 2025 at 09:43

    Stieler - Gittelmann, Borsch - Osmers - Storks, Schröder in FCSB-Lyon, "leaked" by official DFB referee page

    ReplyDelete
  2. Philipp S4 March 2025 at 10:46

    The only surprise in this set is Sozza, given he is the only one without CL experience and gets one of the bigger games.
    All the rest are quite expected names, I think.
    Good to see that Kruzliak is back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RvT4 March 2025 at 11:06

      You are right ..... It is a big match, and this referee has a lack of experience.

      I hope Obrenovic will make no controverse decision. His last matches aren't be good.

      Delete
    2. Ersöglü774 March 2025 at 11:25

      For me the main reason with Sozza is that he is Italian. No referee from another country would get the best game of this Europa League round with so less experience at UEFA level. Anyone who claims otherwise is just lying to themselves. Rosetti simply favors his compatriots. That’s a fact.

      Delete
    3. RvT4 March 2025 at 11:47

      You say what i thought about the appointments for all the Italians.
      This appointment of Sozza is so bad. His attitude is also not good.

      I will give hem the benefit of the doubt, but it is so weird compare to other appointments of other nationalities.

      Delete
  3. Hans4 March 2025 at 11:32

    Sozza has not shown anything yet that justifies this appointment. And in the NL media his previous match of Ajax (away against Marseille) was also directly mentioned, which was, to say the least, controversial

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RvT4 March 2025 at 11:50

      In the local paper of Marseille says men that Marseille was playing with twelve .... The dutch media noticed this also.

      Delete
  4. Chefren4 March 2025 at 13:23

    Schärer is rather a suprise in my opinion, in the meaning that I expected a more experienced Elite after the famous facts in Porto, and at Roma's home is even more challenging than an away game for the Italian team. Big trust on Schärer after a rather low period. I agree that he can be expected in CL, but surely it will depend on this performance. An extremely important one, to be watched.
    Strictly related, the assignment of Stieler in Romania, to show that committee has full trust on him after Ranieri (only fined...) words. And hat's very good thing because one can say it was maybe a harsh but surely regular performance by the German in Porto.
    Still, after such storm a low profile game is better choice and the one in Bucharest is surely OK for that purpose.
    Regular assignments for Balakin and Rumsas, Hernandez with a hot one in Istanbul, two very physical clubs.
    Glad to see Kruzliak back with Rizzoli (but I don't know how many chances Slovakian can have for WC).
    Sozza: the only referee without a CL game appointed to this set, but it's also true that before QFs, Category 1 are allowed, so committee in a way "ignored" the fact that they couldn't appoint him for a CL debut (bad form) but they are following as it was expected. Referee from other nationalities wouldn't have had same treatment, here I must agree with you, but again, the argument that Italian serie A is a very strong training must be mentioned.
    Van Boekel back as regular VAR, for me he wasn't blamed at all, just an early appearance as AVAR to make things calm down and then OK, big responsibilities still on Meler.
    And about Meler, answering to some comments I read yesterday, for me it's impossible to see him in CL again this season, few chances for Europa League, but very likely if appointed again in KO stage, knowing committee, he should restart from a very "remote" Conference League tie...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren4 March 2025 at 13:25

      Forgot to comment Obrenovic, basically a quite good one, I think but in this case he will have to make the perfect officiating, otherwise his situation will become problematic. English team better than Spanish or, let alone, Italian, against a Dutch side that can't be considered a very top club. It's basically OK for the experience of the Slovenian, but to me we have already something bigger that he will have to handle in the best possible way.

      Delete
  5. M6 March 2025 at 14:46

    Turkish Cup April 1st;

    Fenerbahçe vs Galatasaray.

    Possible another foreign ref?

    Last time was Vincic,this time maybe Marciniak?Or Siebert?Maybe Meler or Karaoglan ?

    Will be interesting to see...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chefren6 March 2025 at 17:10

    Before today EL and ECL games, missing observers for Champions League next week:
    Inter - Feyenoord
    Lille - Borussia Dortmund
    Three names in contention (assuming that the only reason can be that committee will wait for their performances): Schaerer, Kruzliak and Stieler. However, the German less likely than the others because he got already two assignments recently. We'll see whether the choices will be the Swiss and the Slovakian after today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp S6 March 2025 at 17:15

      Maybe that is the reason, but it those double appointments seem a bit unneccessary. I mean, you can easily find 10 candidates for the CL 2nd legs, who don't work this week.

      Delete
  7. Chefren6 March 2025 at 18:56

    Goal by Rangers in Istanbul reported by GLT, but It was absolutely not clear watching It. I think Impossible for the officials. I Hope VAR checked a possible malfunction of technology.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Unknown6 March 2025 at 19:03

    Minute ‘5 Obrenovič forgot to issue a card for a nasty foul. He just whistled a foul and by doing so, he also killed an advantage play of AZ. The AZ-player had to be substituted with an injury.

    The Tottenham-player committing the foul would be suspended for the return had Obrenovič issued the YC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren7 March 2025 at 05:00

      Video: https://streambug.org/cv/d934dc
      The nature of the challenge clearly results in reckless, you have AZ player making a certain movement that opponent can't predict, there is also a bit of unlucky circumstance here, but the player from Tottennham should have been booked, and more generally stopping the game when AZ continued the attack, didn't look like best management (unless the Slovenian wanted to book the player, indeed). It seems he has still advantages and when to whistle a foul as clear points for improvements.
      Any other particular moment from the game?

      Delete
    2. Unknown7 March 2025 at 12:24

      There were a couple of moments where I thought AZ won the ball fairly on Tottenham’s half, but he decided to whistle a foul against them. Also Tottenham in 2nd half winning the ball close to AZ box with a fair shoulder to shoulder duel. It seems, as soon as a player goes down, the Slovenian didn’t want to take any risks and just blew the whistle.
      But nothing major really. It wasn’t a challenging game. The game in Amsterdam was a more intense one.

      Delete
  9. Scandinavian Referee6 March 2025 at 19:46

    Very poor first half from Stieler. Missed 3 mandatory yellow cards. Affected by his last game in Porto as it seems .

    ReplyDelete
  10. Chefren6 March 2025 at 19:56

    Missed very clear advantage by Kruzliak...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RvT6 March 2025 at 20:05

      Yess he whistled much to early
      Promising attack

      Delete
  11. TC0210026 March 2025 at 20:05

    Very close offside given by VAR in Turkey

    ReplyDelete
  12. TC0210026 March 2025 at 20:11

    2nd wrong decision by AR1 in Turkey. 2nd was more obvious than the first

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ecosse6 March 2025 at 20:22

      Neither were "obvious". Lines were exceptionally close for both

      Delete
  13. Chefren6 March 2025 at 21:24

    OFR in Plzen, the head by Lazio defender was assessed as deflection so offside by player scoring 1-0 goal.
    https://streambug.org/cv/a8de1a
    Rumsas after OFR explained to both captains, very good scene.
    But I strongly disagree again with this very open view of deflections.. all are deflections now according to guidelines...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lukas0866 March 2025 at 21:34

      Clear deflection.
      It's not "according to guidelines" but it's "according to LOTG":
      ‘Deliberate play’ (excluding deliberate handball) is when a player has control of the ball with the possibility of
      - passing the ball to a team-mate,
      - gaining possession of the ball, or
      - clearing the ball (e.g. by kicking or heading it).

      Delete
    2. Quilava6 March 2025 at 21:54

      Probably one of the rare cases in which in-stadium VAR announcement would have been more handy.

      Delete
    3. VG6 March 2025 at 22:20

      Clearly a deflection. Attacker headed it on the defender. No time to react in any way.

      Delete
    4. Oliver6 March 2025 at 23:56

      Surely it’s the player challenging the defender who’s in an offside position? Otherwise that’s a bad call imo

      Delete
    5. Beta7 March 2025 at 00:58

      why does the LOTG formulate it as "with the possibility of ..."? I mean, there is always a possibility. Surely the defender had the possibility of passing the ball to a team-mate. It was just rather small..

      Delete
  14. RvT6 March 2025 at 21:40

    Elbow missed by Sozza for Collins...

    2 minutes later a Block from Collins and now yellow.

    That has been his second yellow

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown6 March 2025 at 22:04

      I’d say the elbow (missed incident) was more worthy a YC than the 2nd offense. I assume Sozza was whispered by the VAR and decided to issue YC at the very next opportunity.
      Nice test for Sozza, the game looked pretty open and dynamic so far.

      Delete
  15. Ref6 March 2025 at 21:41

    OT
    Very big controversy today in France. It seems that Liverpool goal yesterday should’ve been disallowed, for a handball in the APP.
    If confirmed, unacceptable miss by VAR.

    https://x.com/mookiebarbu/status/1897694339557445658?s=46

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown6 March 2025 at 21:57

      Trompe-l'oeil?
      From behind, it could be. However, I saw a front angle in the comments and there I really don’t see it.

      Delete
    2. Jojo6 March 2025 at 22:11

      But since the (possible) handball didn't happen just before the goal, the question is whether it was punishable or not. And here I have my doubts as to whether it was a clear and obvious error not to punish the handball. Because short distance, unexpected ball and arm in a rather natural position. So IMO, even though it would have been better to give a free-kick, di Paolo's decision not to intervene seems justifiable to me.

      Delete
    3. Elliot6 March 2025 at 22:42

      Seeing it from another angle makes it look like it's rather Nunez' deliberate play with his knee that causes the ball to go onto the hand, so for me this is not to be considered a handball:
      https://x.com/CharlieWLFC/status/1897700552684798166

      Delete
    4. Elliot7 March 2025 at 16:16

      Okay, I found this from Liverpool's official account. The ball doesn't even touch the hand, you can always see a bit of air between ball and hand from this angle. Most likely just an optical illusion from other angles:
      https://x.com/LFC/status/1897761608530825302

      Delete
  16. Bluesky6 March 2025 at 22:34

    Possible foul on Eintracht's second goal. For me supportable choice not to whistle (and correct for VAR to support), but more foul than not

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hans6 March 2025 at 22:34

    Missed foul by the 1-2 for Frankfurt?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kapetan6 March 2025 at 22:38

    red card after OFR for Rumšas in Plzen

    ReplyDelete
  19. Chefren6 March 2025 at 22:38

    Rumsas with another OFR for SFP. Kick in face with excessive force. I must Say that The Lithuanian still doesn't convince me in hot moments of the games. It seems he wants to solve always everything with too much calmness.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oliver6 March 2025 at 22:43

    Scharer has full control of the game, and full respect from the players, which not everyone manages in Italian/Spanish ties, so well done for that. But the foul detection is a bit iffy for me, a couple free kicks each way given when nothing appears to have happened.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Quilava6 March 2025 at 22:46

    Correct 2YC by Schärer, SPA/persistent holding

    ReplyDelete
  22. Quilava6 March 2025 at 22:58

    Correct RC for Gigot for a two-footed tackle, and then Lazio score the winner with 9 players, what a game.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren7 March 2025 at 04:23

      https://streamin.me/v/216938e2
      This was very good decision by Rumsas, at that point aware of the roughness of the game. One should maybe try to describe this one as rather low tackle, but the intensity and the very late action directly on the man, make it a red card. Curious in case of only YC issued, VAR would have maybe called, but I'm not 100% sure.

      Delete
  23. Marco6 March 2025 at 23:39

    Excellent Schärer tonight, full control, always respected, consistent. Very well done

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren7 March 2025 at 04:25

      Looks like a good gamel for the Swiss, we'll see whether he will get Champions League on next week. Important appointments for second legs in Bilbao and Rome as well. In the end Plzen - Lazio was more challenging than Roma - Athletic but one could have expected the contrary.

      Delete
    2. Unknown7 March 2025 at 08:35

      I’m guessing Lille-Dortmund for Schärer. Inter-Feyenoord is also open but in that case the Swiss would referee in Italy twice in one week. Avoidable imo.

      And I hope they’ll re-consider the referee in Arsenal-PSV ;-) Maybe an opportunity for Mariani? Or Kruzliak, as he has been out for a few months.

      Delete
  24. Hans7 March 2025 at 11:06

    @Chefren Do you have a clip of the possible foul prior to the 1-2 by Ajax-Frankfurt?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jojo7 March 2025 at 11:28

      https://streamable.com/pervim

      Delete
    2. Chefren7 March 2025 at 11:56

      Perfect view by fourth official here.
      Still, a closer replay would have been better to judge but I think that PLAY ON is not a clear and obvious mistake, one between FO and AR1 could have informed Sozza.

      To add, the situations mentioned by RvT above:

      Off the ball illegal use of arm
      https://streambug.org/cv/3a258b
      I think no more than YC, bu quite hard to see, "perfect timing" by player committing the foul, while the referee was following the action and another foul was whistled. No AR on that side and so you explain the miss, OK by VAR not to intervene.

      YC to the same player three minutes after that
      https://streambug.org/cv/2208a9

      Delete
    3. Hans7 March 2025 at 13:03

      I think there a more arguments for a foul by the 1-2 than not. But I have to say that playing on was in line with Sozza approach yesterday who refereed a good match overall. Collins escaped on a yellow for the elbow but it is logical that Sozza didn't see this himself

      Delete
  25. Chefren7 March 2025 at 12:08

    Kruzliak OFR for handball penalty.
    Handball very hidden in the middle of penalty area, it looked like header by attacker.
    https://streambug.org/cv/39fa86

    ReplyDelete
  26. Chefren7 March 2025 at 12:54

    Observers assigned this morning.

    Inter - Feyenoord
    Elmir Pilav BIH

    Lille - Borussia Dortmund
    Stefan Messner AUT

    Both mean regular Elite referees, we'll see whether Schaerer and Kruzliak, as I guess.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Unknown7 March 2025 at 14:25


    From a factual and hypothetical perspective, Michael Oliver has a very good chance to officiate a UEFA final this season:

    - In Europa League, Man United has been in poor form. On the other side of the table is Tottenham, with Frankfurt in the same bracket. Frankfurt played really well yesterday, I was more impressed by the German side.
    - Even a Champions League final is possible, if f.e. PSG go through to the final (at the expense of English teams).

    This is just factual, of course. In reality, I’m curious how Oliver’s current form is assessed and which English VAR is deemed “reliable” to be appointed in a major UEFA final.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elliot7 March 2025 at 18:24

      His form is really not great, already 3 OFRs in 2025 (which is a lot for his standards), and should've had 1 or maybe 2 more as well. His performance in the Merseyside derby was also not good despite no KMIs. I would be very surprised to see him anywhere near a final this year tbh

      Delete
  28. Chefren7 March 2025 at 14:54

    Sandro Schärer, Roma - Athletic, some clips.

    6' Very hard if not impossible to spot this contact on Dybala, but possible YC for reckless.
    https://streambug.org/cv/2f2d31

    7' Possible YC for late and reckless challenge, referee gives a warning
    https://streambug.org/cv/22cd09

    10' Possible YC for reckless challenge
    https://streambug.org/cv/534c0c

    19' Mandatory YC for reckless / SPA, given by referee
    https://streambug.org/cv/9bf67b

    34' Mandatory YC for step on foot, correctly issued
    https://streambug.org/cv/e85c8c
    Here best positioning helped referee, could have gone unnoticed if far from the scene.

    39' YC SPA Stopping a counterattack
    https://streambug.org/cv/694538

    44' Possible YC for reckless challenge
    https://streambug.org/cv/932bbd
    "Soft" mobbing by Roma players.

    72' YC for reckless
    https://streambug.org/cv/df83f6
    Here the tone and duration of the whistle "announced" the YC.

    85' Second YC for SPA, very clear and mandatory
    https://streambug.org/cv/17050b

    ReplyDelete
  29. SCOREREF7 March 2025 at 16:58

    OT: SFA Chief refereeing officer Willie Collum's latest monthly VAR review just dropped:

    https://youtu.be/nxVKVzcBqGg?si=f1g_RaQEoZVReR08

    Busy episode discusses wrong and missed VAR intervention, protocol quirks and good teamwork between onfield and VAR officials

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ecosse7 March 2025 at 17:28

      Interesting hearing about the protocol with the red card in Hearts v St Mirren

      Delete
    2. Chefren7 March 2025 at 17:38

      Really sorry for the ball out, once again the importance of being 100% sure from the VAR is highlighted, they couldn't say it was out. They started a very good analysis, but then coming to a clearly wrong conclusion from another angle.

      I found interesting the incident about the open arm and shot from short distance. Collum talks about the extreme proximity of the player who shoots the ball and the VAR for this reason supports NO PENALTY. Honestly, here one can have doubts, because an arm open in that way is universally sufficient, almost, at UEFA level, to consider it punishable. Trying to find a difference based on someone who purposely shoots on the opponent's arm to get a penalty is difficult to manage: given that one totally agrees with this point of view of Collum, in practice it is almost impossible to make such a judgment on attackers' intentions. At least, my opinion. But for British culture, such NO PENALTY decision can be definitely accepted, differently from Italy.

      And the last incident, very poor assessment by VAR, one can't consider that one as follow-through of a fair tackle! The ball is only slightly touched, and I'm suprised because very easy to understand, or that's what I think. A fair tackle must cause very evident effects on the ball.
      BTW I see that Collum is very honest, and that's something excellent, better not to talk about the similar format we have here in Italy with serie A and B committee members...

      Delete
  30. Ref Fot7 March 2025 at 18:50

    Chefren,in your opinion,can Irfan Peljto be candidate for Atletico Real game?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren7 March 2025 at 19:01

      No, that's not possible in my opinion.
      Even if he is having an excellent season, this would be too much at moment. He needs time, but he is working now to gain the same reputation of the referees that UEFA appoint for such clashes. I think we have two options for Madrid: either Marciniak or Vincic. Having to add more, very likely he other of the two will get the match in Liverpool.. we'll see.
      Basically these choices can be made by committee also because they don't want to spoil different names for such games, in which you have everything to lose and nothing more.

      Delete
  31. Unknown7 March 2025 at 20:17

    @Chefren - I think Letexier will officiate Inter-Feyenoord, by eliminating the other options:

    - He can’t get PSG and Lille;
    - Neither Barcelona-Benfica and AV-Brugge, right? As these are the next opponents of the French clubs;
    - His French collegue Turpin had the Madrid derby;
    - Arsenal-PSV there is a French observer

    And finally in Leverkusen, the UEFA delegate is French. Not impossible. However, 99% of the times the CR and delegate have a different nationality. :)
    Letexier has no domestic game in the weekend, thus a Tuesday game could work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. diego6127 March 2025 at 21:00

      In fact, he is officiating a Ligue 2 game right now ;) but yes, I share your opinion 100%.

      Delete
    2. Unknown7 March 2025 at 22:04

      Oh :D That surprised me, I didn’t know that French topflight are also used in Ligue 2

      Delete
    3. Chefren7 March 2025 at 22:08

      Mhh I have some doubts, so why delayed appointment? To be sure that Feyenoord - Inter hadn't any controversy before?
      I rather think that he has German derby, no matter the French delegate, it seems a suitable appointment for Letexier, a top "domestic" clash at UEFA level. Spotlights, but no danger like Atlético - Real. To me the game in Milan suits more to Schaerer and/or Kruzliak, now I'm quite convinced about that, but we will see.

      OK, maybe it's time to write some predictions.

      Benfica - Barcelona Kovacs
      Liverpool - PSG Vincic
      Inter - Feyenoord Schaerer
      Bayer Leverkusen - Bayern Letexier
      Lille - Dortmund Kruzliak
      Aston Villa - Club Brugge Makkelie
      Atlético - Real Marciniak
      Arsenal - PSV Peljto

      Delete
    4. Unknown7 March 2025 at 22:08

      Yes, in Leverkusen with the French delegate is possible. Has to be Leverkusen or Inter. Peljto with Kuipers is also my guess.

      Delete
    5. Chefren7 March 2025 at 22:09

      I predicted Peljto twice :)
      Now I changed. He can be in Lisbon but also in in London.
      With a committee member would be logical choice, but I see Kovacs more in Lisbon than in London.

      Delete
    6. Elliot7 March 2025 at 22:18

      Kovács will be in Barcelona, not Lisbon :). It would also be a bit disappointing to see Peljto in London based on his performances this season so far, a swap with Kruzliak would better reflect that, however appointments were most probably already made before 1st legs.

      Delete
    7. Unknown7 March 2025 at 22:41

      Not sure UEFA would assign Kovács to Barcelona, knowing how they work. The Spanish team were furious after the PSG defeat last season.

      I’d go with Kovács in the German tie and Letexier with Inter (usual delay with Italian team). Peljto with Kuipers in Barcelona. Schärer in Lille-BVB. Maybe after two Spanish crews last week, there could be room for a 2nd Italian crew? Nyberg could be a name in London (AV) with Messina.

      Delete
    8. Philipp S8 March 2025 at 10:56

      If we also exclude Kovacs there (who also just had Benfica on MD8), the appointment in Barcelona is really tricky.
      Marciniak and Vincic are unlikely (and the Dutch impossible) due to Kuipers, Nyberg and Mariani had Benfica in the previous round, the French and German referees are unlikely due to Dortmund-Lille.
      So remaining are Peljto, Schärer and Taylor. The game feels a bit too big for the first two in my opinion. And Taylor with Kuipers would only makes sense, if he is seriously considered for the CL final.

      Delete
    9. Jojo8 March 2025 at 12:30

      My Predictions:

      I excluded Kovacs from CL completely in order to appoint him in Europa League (possibly Bilbao-Roma).
      About Taylor: I think he has to be appointed in Barcelona. There are no other options for him. And maybe the committee indeed wants to check him out so that they are prepared appointing him in a possible French-Spanish final.

      Barcelona - Benfica: Taylor (Gillet)
      Leverkusen - Bayern: Letexier (Delajod)
      Inter - Feyenoord: Schärer (San)
      Liverpool - PSG: Vincic (Borosak)
      Lille - Dortmund: Kruzliak (Van Boekel)
      Villa - Brugge: Makkelie (Dierperink)
      Atlético - Real: Marciniak (Kwiatkowski)
      Arsenal - PSV: Peljto (Dankert)

      Delete
  32. Ref Fot8 March 2025 at 09:23

    Morning guys, referees for U21 EURO ARE:
    Minakovic
    Masyev
    Sundberg
    Brooks
    Kikacheishvilli
    Fotias
    Sozza
    Van der Ejik
    Sylwesztrak
    Walsh
    Dudic
    +Conembol referee(later announcement)
    Source:Sportklub.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Unknown8 March 2025 at 11:15

    What is your prediction in Ath. Bilbao vs AS Roma?

    Is Benoît Bastien an option after being observed by committee?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jojo8 March 2025 at 12:48

      I predict Istvan Kovacs. But Bastien would indeed be another option. Perhaps they will also use one of the referees already appointed in a CL first leg again, e.g. Turpin or Zwayer.

      Delete

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