2024-25 UEFA Nations League, referee appointments for Play-Offs (First Legs)
18:00 CET - Istanbul (Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi RAMS Park)
TÜRKİYE - HUNGARY
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Ján Pozor SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Kráľovič SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Michal Očenáš SVK
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Martin Dohál SVK
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young SCO
UEFA Delegate: Mihail Kasabov BUL
18:00 CET - Yerevan (Vazgen Sargsyan anvan Hanrapetakan Marzadasht)
ARMENIA - GEORGIA
Referee: Radu Marian Petrescu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Radu Adrian Ștefan Ghinguleac ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Mircea Mihail Grigoriu ROU
Fourth Official: Andrei Florin Chivulete ROU V
ideo Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Federico La Penna ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Clos Gómez ESP
UEFA Delegate: Duško Grabovac CRO
20:45 CET - Murcia, Spain (Estadio Enrique Roca de Murcia)
UKRAINE - BELGIUM
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: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
UKRAINE - BELGIUM
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: Lukas Fähndrich SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Paweł Gil POL
UEFA Delegate: Filip Popovski MKD
20:45 CET - Vienna (Ernst-Happel-Stadion)
AUSTRIA - SERBIA
Referee: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
AUSTRIA - SERBIA
Referee: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Miguel Alves de Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano António Gomes Maia POR
Fourth Official: Gustavo Fernandes Correia POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Hélder Miguel de Azevedo Malheiro POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Karen Nalbandyan ARM
UEFA Delegate: Kris Bellon BEL
UEFA Delegate: Kris Bellon BEL
20:45 CET - Piraeus (Stádio Geórgios Karaïskákis
GREECE - SCOTLAND
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER
Fourth Official: Martin Petersen GER
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Cortus GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Jon Eilif Skjervold NOR
GREECE - SCOTLAND
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER
Fourth Official: Martin Petersen GER
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Cortus GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Jon Eilif Skjervold NOR
UEFA Delegate: Victor Marius Radu ROU
KOSOVO - ICELAND
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük NED
Assistant Referee 1: Erwin Zeinstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Patrick Inia NED
Fourth Official: Joey Kooij NED
Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erwin Blank NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Vlado Svilokos CRO
UEFA Delegate: Anthony Bloch ENG
20:45 CET - Bratislava (Národný futbalový štadión)
20:45 CET - Plovdiv ((Stadion “Hristo Botev”)
BULGARIA - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Referee: Benoît Bastien FRA
BULGARIA - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Referee: Benoît Bastien FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu FRA
Fourth Official: Éric Wattellier FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Benoît Millot FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérémie Pignard FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Stávros Tritsónis GRE
UEFA Delegate: István Huszár HUN
SLOVAKIA - SLOVENIA
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA
Fourth Official: Gianluca Manganiello ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Michael Fabbri ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Marinus Koopman NED
UEFA Delegate: Michael O'Brien ENG
So, good remark by Philipp. Committee was not influenced by the negative performances we saw a few ago by Kruzliak and Bastien.
ReplyDeleteIt is a big act of trust, and at same time a chance for them, especially Bastien, to me author or the worst UEFA performance by years.
They didn't replace him. It's good sign, but a perfect performance will not delete the previous one and I think this will be his last appearance for this second part of season.
The rest, medium-low Elite referee, with the only exception of Petrescu, and that's a very good news for him, as his promotion should be very close (indeed it could already have happened on December). Both him and Obrenovic are on the agenda of committee and they are anticipating assignments.
VAR: in this case, differently from quarterfinals, less importance is given by committee, with VARs from the same nation of referee, for example Kruzliak. He is the clue that committee has not asked for all trusted VAR, otherwise they would have sent another name there. While, when it was possible (Pinheiro, Schaerer), they confirmed at monitor the very well-known names we see in European competitions.
The problem of such management is that when you don't appoint the pool of trusted VAR, all decisions can happen (indeed Kruzliak game should be watched), but it seems as committee doesn't care too much about that, and indeed, some choices must be made...
Petrescu is almost always appointed as Elite and in some case more than an elite (i.e. Grinfeeld, Sidiropolus) but he is not in the pool. Wired
ReplyDeleteAs one can easily guess, promotion will happen now, at the next update, June...
DeleteDid you think we will have demotion from elite? Or Hategan retired (already retired?), any info about him? Just maybe Rosetti want Sidiropoulos, Karasev, Grinfeeld retired, so he could promote a Cat. 1 referee more carefully and consistent with his policy.
Delete@ Andrei, Hategan decided to retired from the field this year, and he is working only as VAR referee.
DeleteSo this is a confirmation status for Gözübüyük? Medium-low (low) elite, even without his nationality I think he could in the same position as Sidiropoulos? IMO he's never give excellent performance rather barely unconvincing. I agree a game to watch for Kruzliak.
ReplyDeleteNo, absolutely, not low. He is medium Elite for me. With an "up" trend, but never confirmed in a long period. Impossible to compare with Sidiropoulos who, said with respect, at moment for me is the last name from the whole Elite pool. When the Dutch has good periods , he can do something more, but continuity was never found. Sidiropoulos was already lucky to keep the status, but at least they don't appoint him in CL anymore. There are many and many nuances in the Elite pool...
DeleteI would rather see a "down" trend for Gözübüyük: Only 2 CL games all season and only Conference League in the R16. And also this NL appointment is not really great.
DeleteBut yes, surely not on the Sidiropoulos level.
Beside Obrenovic and Petrescu, how about probability or where they know (position from the HQ) names to follow like Kabakov, Kavanagh, Rumsas, Kruashvili, Walsh, Krogh, Minakovic, Lambrechts, and maybe Beaton and Dabanovic? Any opinion?
ReplyDeleteObrenovic and Petrescu should indeed be close, probably both in winter.
DeleteDont forget Sozza, plans seem to be big. I rather expect the next winter tho.
Rumsas and Lambrechts are not far away but I expect them to get more time.
Walsh, Krogh, Minakovic, Kavanagh are far away but can theoretically make the step in the future I assume.
Kabakov, Dabanovic, Beaton should remain as experienced Cat.1 due to the age.
Regarding Gozubuyuk, I’ve heard some vocals in Dutch media from ignorant analysts that he is having a better season than Makkelie. That is obviously complete nonsense and baffling when you look at their international appointments. Football is too opportunistic.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair: Gozubuyuk has improved a lot in Eredivisie. His foul detection is better, he seems less hesitant to take big decisions and his disciplinary line is consistent. However, for some reason he can’t translate his improved form to the UEFA competitions. The biggest difference between Gozubuyuk and Makkelie is personality imo. Even when Gozubuyuk is 100% clean in his foul detection and disciplinary, the issued cards don’t always have the desired effect, which is why he often ends his games with > 8 yellow cards.
On the other hand, compare with Makkelie in Rome last week: two early YCs, a very strong body language and the match never inflames again. Always full control.
The overall level of Dutch referees should improve in depth, when just two referees are reliable and can handle the domestic top games. The KNVB has a lot work to do. However, we should also criticize the fact that Lindhout and Vd Eijk are higher rated by UEFA than a matured Joey Kooij and Marc Nagtegaal (full package!). Even a blind fool can see that Kooij and Nagtegaal have more potential.
The biggest problem of Dutch refereeing at the moment I think is to find someone who can confirm himself after Makkelie and Gozubuyuk, they tried with Higler, it didn't go well and they started to follow Lindhout. After a problematic beginning, some rather KO performances, but the feeling is that they prefer not to push him at the moment. Waiting for better times in future? Honestly NED absolutely needs a third strong name.
DeleteTrue. But they have yet made another capital mistake by promoting Sander vd Eijk, instead of Nagtegaal or Kooij.
DeleteRemember, they also had to demote Nijhuis before Makkelie could make the step to the Elite category.
Compare to the French FA and how early they’ve pushed a young Letexier. That effort is paying off now. Why can't they do that in the Netherlands or other countries?
I seriously wonder what Bjorn Kuipers is actually doing in the RefCom, except for backing his friend Pol van Boekel at all costs.
Nagtegaal is huge talent indeed. His skills are already near the elite level. I can't understand why he is not pushed at all by KNVB/UEFA.
DeleteJust noticed that for second legs, Martin Hansson will be observer in Dublin for Ireland - Bulgaria. Well, I think it should be the first time after the famous incident, even if he is long-time observer... interesting that he will be there. But maybe not all people will remember - notice him...
ReplyDeleteHansson was in Dublin recently in the conference league (Shamrock Rovers v Molde). Probably wasn’t remembered. But you’re right, this will be the first time with the national team. Knowing the Irish fans they will likely take him out for Guinness!
DeleteHe was shown on the Irish coverage of the UECL game and was the subject of some harsh opinions on social media, I can confirm he is very much not forgotten about in Ireland!
DeleteUEFA NATIONS LEAGUE Play-off A/B
ReplyDeleteTurkiye-Hungary
R: I.Kruzliak (SVK), VAR: M.Ocenas (SVK)
Watched since 7' only
8' Penalty appeal from Turkish players, but correctly dennied, not dificult situation really
15' OK decision on edge of the box, correctly call offensive foul, again not really dificult decision
19' Correct first YC given to HUN13 for SPA, easy decision
24' Missed YC for illegal use of arms, not given to HUN19
41' Correct YC to TUR6 for reckless tackle
45+4' Correct play on, good shoulder to shoulder challenge
54' AR2 correct offside call
Delete60' Correctly stopped game for head clash
64' Correct YC given to HUN18 for late reckless tackle
69' TUR goal scored after great advantage given for trip in midle of the pitch. Also VAR checked goal for potential handball
77' Correct YC given to HUN2 for lack of respect
Not sure on the penalty by Stieler
ReplyDeleteVery harsh
DeleteGreece not happy with penalty awarded by Stieler. McTominay kicked by Greek defender who also went down injured..
ReplyDeletePenalty awarded to Scotland in Athens. Interesting one. Some might argue about which player initiated the contact. Personally think penalty is fair
ReplyDeleteGRESCO penalty call
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/a0c310
Mmhh, this is very borderline.
DeleteMy first reaction was NO PENALTY and I was raher sure, because McTominay put his leg there, but in reality he had all the right to do that, trying to play ball, and one can't say this was a deliberate movement to get a call by referee (as we very often see). In this case one can't say this was a malicious action, so penalty decision must be accepted, but still, one can understand the point of view of people who disagree.
Also, no VAR should be absolutely correct choice, would be very wrong to intervene, and to me, it's also difficult to decide for NO PENALTY, I think more unpopular decision than the contrary, but it remains as rather borderline call.
Interesting… To be very honest I thought this is a very clear error by the ref and no intervention is incomprehensible to me.
DeleteIn my book it’s the attacker, and only the attacker, fouling the defender. He clearly steps on his foot. And I don’t recognize any action / movement by the defender which would warrant a penalty call.
Maybe I’m missing an aspect, but the only outcome I’m my humble opinion should be an intervention and cancellation of the penalty after OFR.
I would also like an OFR here. I agree with Refwatch that there is a bigger case for foul by McTominay on Rota than the other way around, but for me best decision would just be to call this an unlucky collision and play on (drop ball in case of OFR)
DeleteTo be honest, no VAR intervention is inexplicable for me.
DeleteNo penalty IMO
DeletePenalty given by Stieler overturned factually. Outside the penalty area. Difficult decision in real time
ReplyDeleteDefo a case of trying to even it up. Don’t think he’d have called a foul if he hadn’t already given Scotland a penalty. Bad day for Stieler
Delete@Oliver Why would it be? It was a clear foul by Hanley...
DeleteDo you think? I see a player clearly over running the ball and going down under minimal contact hoping for a decision. Not a foul for me at all
DeleteBastien very mixed in Bulgaria, not the worst but he performed at Cat 1/2 standard!
ReplyDeleteA tricky DOGSO/penalty incident in ARMGEO (5')
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/23bb3e
To me, once whistled, a very clear DOGSO.
DeleteDefender didn't play ball, just stopped attacker.
The other defender couldn't intervene.
The big problem is indeed about the position of the foul, another factor that put Petrescu in trouble, in my opinion, apart from the minute of the game (always difficult to think about a so early red card).
These are the situations in which a referee must be strong, assistant referee should if possible help you in detecting whether INSIDE or OUTSIDE, but it remains very challenging to see.
Having said that, I don't know if INSIDE or OUTSIDE, honestly, but you can easily assess it as genuine attempt, so red card and free kick if OUTSIDE, yellow card and penalty if INSIDE. In both cases, I expect a VAR intervention here, and I think VAR did a mistake by staying silent.
But once again, in this case even more, we can see how much difficult is for a referee taking all these decisions according to the rules when such very borderline incidents happen. Genuine or not, inside or outside, foul, no foul.. if a referee is far due to action, honestly, most of times for me is simply impossible.
PK + YC. A clear and important mistake of the referee. No VAR intervention is a clear and important mistake as well.
DeleteHere clips from Kruzliak game, thank to MH_svk.
ReplyDelete8' PAI
https://streambug.org/cv/923326
15' Offensive foul called at the edge of penalty area
https://streambug.org/cv/176f68
19' YC SPA
https://streambug.org/cv/64223c
24' Possible YC reckless
https://streambug.org/cv/257c5e
41' YC reckless
https://streambug.org/cv/9e190b
45'+4 Play ON
https://streambug.org/cv/d3e61e
54' Offside AR2, correct call
https://streambug.org/cv/ee943f
60' Head collision
https://streambug.org/cv/659438
63' YC for reckless (well spotted)
https://streambug.org/cv/a4a35a
69' Advantage before goal
https://streambug.org/cv/7acadc
77' YC SPA / LoR
https://streambug.org/cv/f3ff96
It seems indeed he had a definitely better performance than Inter - Feyenoord and he recovered in some aspects (if there aren't other incidents, I trust your report).
Very good spot with YC in 63', live it didn't look so clear as it was, we can call it even a YCA close to something more.
He showed alertness in other situations, good use of advantage (it seems he indeed reflected on the prevous game), and also resonable decisions in penalty areas.
Not a very challenging game, as it could have been, but still...
Nevertheless, for me his KO stage could be over, because the mistakes he made in Milan were too evident.
I watched the game, too. I would only add the following incidents:
Delete23' PAI holding
https://streambug.org/cv/fd4341
46' Possible YC 2HUN for step on heel
https://streambug.org/cv/46d345
90+2' Possible YC 17HUN for reckless challenge; possible advantage not given
https://streambug.org/cv/93570a
Definitely lesson from his performance, mainly advantages, for example superb advantage in domestic league match between DAC-Žilina (https://youtu.be/oadjJaWLFkc?si=mJpeB6l3SlyrgYlE&t=162)
Delete23´ was total mess, so I didn´t know what acually happened
46´ for me incidential contact, would be very harsh 2YC
90+2´ clear YC, I probably missed it during match