Thursday 18 May 2023

Europa Conference League 2022/23 - Referee Appointments - Semifinals (II)

2022-23 Europa Conference League Semifinals. Referee appointments for Second Legs. 



18 May 2023

21:00 CET -  Basel (St. Jakob's Park) 
FC Basel (SUI) - ACF Fiorentina (ITA) 
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Iñigo Prieto (ESP)
Fourth Official: César Soto Grado (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo De Burgos (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: José Luis Munuera (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista (POR)
UEFA Delegate: David Pugh (ENG)

21:00 CET - Alkmaar (AZ Stadion)
AZ Alkmaar (NED) - West Ham (ENG) 
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Pozor (SVK)
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski (GER) 
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert (GER) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Emil Bozinovski (MKD)
UEFA Delegate: Angelo Chetcuti (MLT)

23 comments:

  1. Here we have some surprises. I was not expecting Sanchez Martinez at all, he received very good games in the KO stage this season. Before the first leg, I was fancy thinking about Kruzliak in UECL, but I didn't believe they would trust him with a second leg. Excelent for him! Congratulation for a real, unexpected comeback! From demotion candidate to a second leg european game. Bravo Mr. Rosetti, you revived a referee career when few still believed in him. Best of luck!

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    1. Kruzliak is a clear replacement for Zwayer. As the appointment of Zwayer was already reported on a German referee blog a week ago and the choice for Jablonski (GER) as fourth official. Committee changed minds after first legs UECL (?).

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    2. So either Zwayer is injured or planned for the final.

      Both referees did EL QFs, so I didn't think, their selection is too surprising. And changing first and second leg was not possible due to the U20WC.

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    3. What if the rumour was false and Zwayer was planned from the beginning for the final? I rather see things like this. Indeed, for the 4th official choice a scenario is that he is from the same country as the VARs. Like Orsato was in Real-City. Or Mariani in West Ham-AZ. Or you maybe predict that Umut Meler was also a replacement? Anyway, we can draw the conclusion that UEFA doesn't really request an Elite ref for this position in UECL, see the other games.

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    4. @matei14 That wasn't a rumour. Zwayer was replaced last weekend.

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    5. The 4th official appointments are indeed a bit strange, because both are only from 2nd category.
      E.g. Hernandez and Stieler would be more logical choices.

      Mariani and Orsato were more established referees and a compensation, that no Italian referee was appointed in the SFs (mostly due to the teams).

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    6. Zwayer was going to Alkmaar-Niederlanden but UEFA changed in last days. He would have been under pressure from before the game. His RK to Cresswell last season was considered 'questionable' by the English. Meler's performance in first leg was also seen as too poor. So it is UEFA avoiding problems. No final for Zwayer as main referee this season.

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  2. I saw Sanchez Martinez two times in action and I was really disappointed about his performances in both cases. I'm convinced that he (and Meler) are definitively overrated probably for political reasons. Sanchez martinex and Meler don't deserve at all a semifinal match neither in the conference league. I would appointed Mateu and Collum as nice gesture for their retirement. Is Mateu worst than Sanchez martinez ? not at all at least for his huge experience. Is Collum worst than Meler ? Watching his match in QF EL I would say defintively NOT.

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    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  3. So a replacement for Zwayer for some reasons, it looks clear based indeed on fourth official choice, there would have been a more experienced referee in all cases.
    At the same time, this is an excellent news for Kruzliak who managed a certain path to get a semifinal in a club competition. Let's hope that this will be a new start for the future for him.
    In the other game, Sánchez Martínez. Despite of some questionable situations, he has a big trust by committee. This game in Basel can be challenging, I think the Italian team involved can manage to qualify, despite of first leg score, but basically this time is, on paper of course, less difficult to officiate, than the ones in Europa League.
    Var appointments analysis: maybe just a coincidence and different choices without a particular reason, but Martinez Munuera (Milan's derby) and Dankert (Juventus - Sevilla) not main VARs this time.

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  4. AVAR in Basel is José Luis Munuera Montero, not Juan Martinez Munuera.

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  5. Gil Manzano and Sanchez Martinez two Spain elite category future go who will FIFA World Cup in 2026 and will retired lahoz and del carro Carlos

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  6. I want need 3rd place playoffs for Champions league Europa league and Europa conference league club in 3rd place playoffs club need for other have World Cup Africa cup of nations copa America and I need concacaf gold cup afc Asian cup ofc nations cup and UEFA Euro in 3rd place playoffs

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  7. 87' Possible handling by West Ham. Possible foul on goalkeeper before that which was given. I think this falls into the category of different countries, different ideas. I think the officials got it right

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  8. 96: Great decision by Sanchez Martinez to issue YC for a dive!

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  9. Fantastic and crucial YC for a dive in overtime by Sanchez Martinez. Amazing. His whole performance so far, is very good!

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    1. I couldn't see the whole match but that is my impression as well. Very firm and alert, but with a high line for what is a foul and he can hold this approach so far. Very well acceoted by the players.

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  10. Why is Basel-Fiorentina stopped? Medical emergency on the stands?

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  11. Finais 2023
    City x Inter Danny Makkelie
    Sevilla x Roma Antony Taylor
    Fiorentina x West Ham Del Cerro Grande

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  12. DCG could not be a candidate for UCL final? Experienced and still trusted, I think. Otherwise difficult with Makkelie and Vincic not performing well and others too less experienced... Marciniak is completely impossible after a SF without issues?

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