Andreas Ekberg will referee Austria - North Macedonia. Here you can discuss about his performance.
Bucharest, 13 June 2021 18:00 CET
AUSTRIA - NORTH MACEDONIA
Referee: Andreas Ekberg (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mehmet Culum (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Hallberg (SWE)
Fourth Official: Sergei Karasev (RUS)
Fifth Official: Igor Demeshko (RUS)
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1: Christopher Kavanagh (ENG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 3: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Rotem Kamer (ISR)
Assistant Referee 1: Mehmet Culum (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Hallberg (SWE)
Fourth Official: Sergei Karasev (RUS)
Fifth Official: Igor Demeshko (RUS)
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1: Christopher Kavanagh (ENG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 3: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)
UEFA Delegate: Rotem Kamer (ISR)
Again me with question, if some of first group referees, on example Ekberg, Siberet, preform better than every elite referee, will they have chance to be in final?
ReplyDeleteWell, in final definitely impossible, I think maybe a round of 16 game, but surely not more than that and this would be already extra-ordinary achievement. There are so many Elite referees!
DeleteObjectly and honestly speaking the answer is no. The big final is for an experienced referee, with a great season and in good form. There are 3 candidats now: Kuipers, Brych and Lahoz. Ekberg and Siebart could be rewarded with a match in the knockouts at most if they do well in groups.
DeleteImpossible but to be honest, Ekberg is likely to get his second match if he performs well today.
DeleteVery interesting minutes for Ekberg, finally we have a referee challenged with players management. Good warnings.
ReplyDeleteFinally we have some tension... Ekberg seems to act a bit more aggressive compared to other referees. Now, 1–0 and good onside decision by AR1. I think we can expect a tougher game than last ones.
ReplyDeleteThe "shut up" gesture (finger close to nose) after a foul whistled was indeed very particular, can be "aggressive" if compared to other referees style. But I think he was accepted by players in both situations.
DeleteGood communication by Ekberg, very well done
ReplyDeleteMost challenging game for refereeing so far
ReplyDeleteChefren, a suggestion. Can we have one discussion page for a set of match day appointment like we do for Champions league appointment and also Europa league, because the individual discussion page is at times so confusing and as that we have games back to back it leaves the discussion short lived. For example the 3 games tomorrow can have just a single discussion page. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI prefer to stay this way. One page for one match
DeleteThe main problem is that if you open a discussion for 2 or even 3 games, the maximum number of comments (200) can be easily reached and so another discussion should be opened. For this reason we decided to do so, and this was also for WC 2018. There are some games that get for sure about 100 or 150 comments, so I think this is the best solution. I understand your point, the discussions become immediately old but this is better than other troubles.
DeleteI agree with Filip_MNE. In this way we have the discussions neat and tidy per match.
DeleteAnd with so many games, day after day after day, discussions will be more short-lived than when the number of matches is less anyway.
And to be honest, none of the matches so far were that interesting to expect bigger or longer discussions.
For me it’s perfect as it is.
I also prefer to stay this way. But it would be nice to fit more articles on the main page.
DeleteNo foul prior 1–1 is okay for me. Seemed like a foul in real speed but I can't confirm that after replays. Goal is valid.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope that VAR found better replays though. I think, one could not be completely sure after the replays shown on TV.
DeletePossible offside by #9 in case? Should be rewatched.
DeleteInteresting, I did not look for a possible offside position. Indeed to be rewatched but I think we can trust Benjamin Pagès until we will get to see some replays.
Delete#9 might have been in an offside position, but the ball was cleared by a defender before it deflected of the head of another defender towards the attacker #9. So correct goal and correct decision.
DeleteYes, there we got the replay. Anonymous is right, after that also no offside in the penalty area. Everything was correct.
DeleteAbsolutely right! Deliberate play by an Austrian then ball came to another player from Austria for a deflection, so offside in case (not sure about the real position of attacker) not to be punished.
Deletemaybe it's my obsession, but I can't stand the fact that ekberg constantly whistles even when the game is stopped: it reminds me of Faghani at the 2018 World Cup
ReplyDeleteMandatory YC given for reckless use of elbow. YC came a bit late, I think there was some cooperation with Karasev and/or AR1. Good decision.
ReplyDeleteMaybe rc?
ReplyDeleteHand is not closed, therefore I think, it's a tool and not a weapon.
DeleteNo, textbook example of a YC for illegal and reckless use of arm IMO. No excessive force nor endangering safety, and while being focused on playing the ball.
DeleteOf course not a RC, YC is very enough
DeleteRemember, "tool vs weapon" is no longer one of the new considerations from FIFA.
DeleteNow they're looking to see if it is a "clear movement or 2nd action".
I missed this YC, was that close to RC?
ReplyDeleteNot for me. It was a quite intense use of elbow straight into the face but elbow was used as a tool. Also, no excessive force. Mandatory YC but not more.
DeleteVery interesting replay of the 1-1 goal shown at 44'. I miss a good discussion about this incident. Was that a foul? Technically, the GK was challenged while he was controlling the ball. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteGK never appeared to have control in replays.
DeleteDefinitely the most challenging game of the tournament so far in terms of disciplinary controll. Very physical game with a lot of tension. Ekberg so far so good, very focused and alert.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteWow, it seems that this is overall much more challenging game than some for which the most experienced refs were appointed. Now very brutal foul by Alioski, and both ARs ran into the field to help control mass confrontation.
ReplyDeleteEkberg is right with his decisions, also with the clear second mandatory YC today. However, not enough preventive actions in my view. There are quite a lot of actions between the players and Ekberg does not react. It was a sign that both AR had to enter the pitch in order to stop a mass confrontation while Ekberg was too passive. He should be more aware of those actions and calm the players down.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, IMO, that new trends are to avoid cards and especially RC at any cost. So, the most practical way is to ignore some minor incidents, because if acknowledging them one has to explain the lack of disciplinary action. But then again, ignoring is not good for prevention, so we are in a vicious circle.
DeleteI don’t agree Forlan. In no single game so far have I witnessed referees ignoring mandatory cautions. Yes, they manage and yes, maybe some of us would like 1 or 2 extra cautions, but IMO there’s absolutely no tendency to ‘avoid cards at all cost’ in this tournament. To the contrary, in general I like and applaud the disciplinary management of the refs so far.
DeleteWell, pls dont get everything literally, of course there were some cards, but not even once as the mean to prevent escalation, to warn against irritating dissent, to demotivate players of doing repeated fouls etc. I am usually on the lenient side on this blog, I just want to point out something what I see as a fact. Watch Lahoz until the LP final, or Ekberg in Greece, they never tolerate things that they do here. Even Orsato. So yes, I maintain that there is a specific style on big tournaments.
DeleteThough I understand the YC for Alioski, actually there was little he could do to avoid the collision as he was obviously pushed/brought out of balance by Stefan Lainer.
ReplyDeleteAnd just a minor observation, but I don’t really find Ekberg’s way of showing cards very charming. He’s very close to the players and just randomly shows the card in the air instead of towards the player concerned.
More than unnecessary advantage in 70' Austria's own half. This is also something I mean with "prevention". It was a clear foul, no other advantage than ball possession. If there are two or three more tackles after the foul, everything gets heated. Overall Ekberg shows a good performance but he could avoid that the match is heating up.
ReplyDeleteMandatory YC, 84’. Challenging game, and Ekberg uses his yellow card wisely.
ReplyDeleteWhen did it changed, that 4th official doesnt do the "substitute board", looks like officials are doing it,? Is this a temporary covid change?
ReplyDeleteIt started with the start of the pandemic. For a while, the 4O wasn't even holding the board up, but that changed at the start of this past domestic season.
DeleteTechnically speaking, Ekberg is in a good shape tonight. IMO this is one of the best referee performance so far. All cards was shown correctly, but indeed some soft skills can be improved. I think possible 2nd game for Ekberg.
ReplyDeleteOverall solid performance by Ekberg. I am not a fan of his style of refereeing and I think, as I said above, he should have taken more care to prevent too much heat. Having said that, there is nothing important to talk about. It was the most challenging match and everyone will be satisfied with Ekberg. Second match is possible.
ReplyDeleteWell, soon, best performance on this chpionship (does not mean that others were not more than very good), but with this I think that Ekberg booked second game, possible round of 16.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone
ReplyDeleteIMO good match for Ekberg, quite consistent and wise in disciplinary control
3 mandatory YC
Second appointment could follow
Good performance today for Ekberg. Not easy match but good management and foul detection.
ReplyDeleteAlthough not biggest fan of Ekberg's style, IMO best performance of the tournament so far
ReplyDeleteAfter watching all 5 matches so far excellent display for Roberto Rosetti and UEFA instructions.
ReplyDeleteToday solid performance by Andreas Ekberg in an intense Austria-North Macedonia 3:1.
Quite good foul detection, disciplinary sanctions all justified and good control of the game. Ekberg can be proud of his 1st EURO match.
I want to highlight the YC shown in 51'.
Correct YC but afterwards tension between the players surrounding. Ekberg was calm to overview the situation but clear in his body language. Excellent that BOTH ARs came to the scene to support their colleagues. That is an example of teamwork I would show to every young referee! Well done!
I’m a little bit surprised that some readers assess Ekberg’s performance as the best so far. Only because this was the toughest match in terms of player’s behavior? Exactly there he didn’t impress me too much, tolerating quite a lot of irritating behavior and dissent. I fully agree with Ref_1707 with regard to preventive management.
ReplyDeleteDon’t get me wrong, not a bad performance at all, but the best performance this tournament? Simply no (for me at least).
Indeed, I fully accept everyone's opinion. But like you, Anonymous, I was not fully convinced either.
DeleteI think that we can talk about another positive performance, basically, of course points for improvement, and I would say very particular style by referee, but no significant mistakes and most important thing NO VAR involvement. Rosetti can be definitely proud so far.
ReplyDeleteIn particular, this game between Austria and North Macedonia was the first one in which referee was more challenged, and so good, but at the same time, not enough to say that he was excellent, becuase he has some points for improvement as well.
To be honest, I'm really astonished to read comments praising Ekberg for his today's performance. On the contrary, I think it was the first and the last game for the Swede so far. He had no control over the players' behaviour and didn't contribute to the good image of the game.
ReplyDeleteThere were too many BIG points for improvement:
- too arrogant, surly approach,
- total lack of communication skills (apart of pro-forma warnings after confrontations he did nothing to reduce the bad atmosphere),
- no preventive skills,
- tolerating huge amount of dissent, I never saw so many dissenting behaviour in one game like today - NO REACTION AT ALL from Ekberg!
Too many fouls not whistled in favour of Macedonia, very bad performance by the referee. Clearly he whistled 60-40%
ReplyDeleteEnjoyable game played in good spirit but more combative, making more challenging for officials. Very good performance in my opinion. Good points:
ReplyDelete- all YCs correct and none missed
- strong, positive authority when needed but let game flow/beathe where possible
- didn’t overreact when players got heated - think challenge possibly looked worse from a distance (wish players would just leave it to referee who is right on top of incident!). ARs proactive and helped calm quickly.
- good fitness, up with play, sprinting where needed
Possibly could smile / relax more on occasions which can help at right time.
So far so good for the referees!
Great analysis
DeleteHIGHLIGHTS
ReplyDeletehttps://we.tl/t-ecxqAuKih5
Arnautovic allegedly insulted opponents after scoring the third goal for Austria. He indeed screamed loudly after that goal.
ReplyDelete