According to our readers who voted on guessthereferee.com, Ovidiu Hațegan from Romania is the comeback of 2018. He got 90 points.
The best comeback of 2018 is the UEFA Elite referee from Arad, who managed to be back again at very top level, after a very difficult moment of his career. This was for sure the reason for which many readers voted him. On November 2017 he handled the 2018 World Cup Play Off first leg between Northern Ireland and Switzerland, in which he whistled a wrong penalty to away-team and the final outcome was affected. Before this performance, he had surely chances to be at WC, but this was a negative turning point in his international career. Despite of that, in 2018, only a few months after that game, he has absolutely recovered with many very good performances in both Champions and Europa League. He has officiated, among other games, 4 group stage matches in 2018-19 UEFA Champions League and he is now for sure candidate for something bigger and the next major tournaments.
To follow, with 73 points we have as runner up Tobias Welz from Germany. Differently from Hațegan, the German referee has been out for more than a year from officiating due to a very serious injury. However, he has managed to recover and he is now again on the pitch. He has shown very convincing performances also in international competitions, with two EL group stage appearances, after the long absence. Especially the second game, PAOK - BATE, has been very good in terms of crucial decisions taken. A very solid UEFA Category 1 referee who is back in his duties.
Third placed in this ranking is Pavel Královec from Czech Republic with 69 points. After a very difficult period and a poor form, the referee from Domažlice has increased the level of his performances in 2018. He has been appointed for a game in 2017-18 CL KO stage and this has been for sure a very good signal. On previous season, he had missed CL KO stage. After that, he has officiated in two 2018-19 CL group stage games. Our opinion is that the referee has still further chances to improve, even more if we remember his assignments in 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. In any case, he has surely managed to make a step ahead and of course we can only wish him to make it even better in future.
CLICK HERE to read the full ranking.
Meanwhile, you can continue to send your preferences. Click here: REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Meanwhile, you can continue to send your preferences. Click here: REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Today in Nyon UEFA has organized a VAR workshop for all host broadcasters of CL KO stage. Many TV directors are there. It will be interesting to see whether we will have the same procedures of FIFA when VAR will be used during the games. If I get further info I will write more.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the "Next Promising UEFA Elite Referee" poll:
ReplyDeleteIs it about current or future UEFA Elite referees?
This award is given to a current Category 1 Referee who you think has demonstrated the ability to be an Elite Referee soon based on performance. This award is not for a current elite referee.
ReplyDelete