Monday 3 July 2023

2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship - Referee Appointments - Semifinals

 Referee appointments at 2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship. 



Wednesday 5 July 2023

Semifinal
18:00 CET - Batumi (Adjarabet Arena)
ISRAEL - ENGLAND 
Referee: Morten Krogh Hansen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Steffen Beck Bramsen (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Dennis René Wollenberg Rasmussen (DEN)
Fourth Official: Willy Delajod (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA) 
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP) 
UEFA Delegate: Per Eliasson (SWE)

Semifinal
21:00 CET - Bucharest (Stadionul Steaua)
SPAIN - UKRAINE
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jo de Weirdt (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny (BEL)
Fourth Official: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Desislava Ralkova (BUL) 

74 comments:

  1. SPAIN - UKRAINE is on Steaua Stadium, not Superbet

    ReplyDelete
  2. OT: Since 1st of July, we have new Law 11 guidelines for offside and a clearer difference between deflection and delibarate play.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1049741719349538&set=a.804922460498133

    In order to understand better; according to the new explanations, Mbappe goal in France-Spain in Nation League would be cancelled now for offside. Until 4 days ago – valid goal, now - offside, isn’t it? It is possible that exactly this goal caused the rule to change.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Jzpz-b89E

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As far as I know, those guidelines were already valid during the last season (published in July 2022), but are only know added directly in the LotG

      Delete
  3. Now it is sure for me : Erik Lambrechts becomes the Belgian N°1 referee, leaving Lawrence Visser behind him. Of course, we have to wait how he will do next Wednesday, but after being observed by Vassaras, he now will be under the eyes of Kuipers ; this is the chance of his life to proceed on UEFA level ( they will even be able to debrief after the game in Dutch). Wait and see however.... Things can change easily and very quickly ; one crucial mistake and all the above may not be valid anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lambrechts is a strange appointment as he already had Spain in the QF (and on MD1). There should have been many alternatives, as it is obviously possible now to travel between the two countries - see Krogh (and Rumsas and Brisard).
    Hard to understand, why it couldn't be e.g. Fesnic or Rumsas for ESP-UKR.
    And if the reason is, that Lambrechts was that good, so he needs to get another game: Why not ISR-ENG or the final?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Replacement?

      Delete
    2. <>

      Correct. Figure:
      SPAIN X UKRAINE 1 = RUMSAS
      SPAIN X UKRAINE 2 ≠ RUMSAS

      Delete
    3. I don’t know what is worse: repeat Krogh with Spain in a few days or repeat Rumsas in Spain vs Ukraine again.

      Delete
  5. https://ibb.co/9c5WJXf
    New Italian official and training kits for 2023-24, provided by GIVOVA, new technical sponsor, after LEGEA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From behind: https://ibb.co/r2pBVFs

      Delete
    2. Is Orsato confirmed to continue in 2023/24?

      Delete
    3. Yes, you can read my comment here about all changes, everything has been confirmed:
      http://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2023/06/2023-uefa-under-21-championship-referee_29.html?showComment=1688200487046#c4140539163119579935
      Moreover, Fabio Maresca has been revealed as first in the ranking of the season, winning then the specific award.

      Delete
  6. After several years, Croatia has a referee star again, thanks to Uefa and thanks to Duje for the final match... Congrats Duje, you deserve…

    ReplyDelete
  7. Do we already have the list of Série A 2023/24 officials?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2023/06/2023-uefa-under-21-championship-referee_29.html?showComment=1688200487046#c4140539163119579935

      Rosario ABISSO
      (Palermo)
      Gianluca AURELIANO
      (Bologna)
      Giovanni AYROLDI
      (Molfetta)
      Niccolò BARONI
      (Firenze)
      Kevin BONACINA
      (Bergamo)
      Giacomo CAMPLONE
      (Pescara)
      Daniele CHIFFI
      (Padova)
      Giuseppe COLLU
      (Cagliari)
      Andrea COLOMBO
      (Como)
      Francesco COSSO
      (Reggio Calabria)
      Marco DI BELLO
      (Brindisi)
      Davide DI MARCO
      (Ciampino)
      Federico DIONISI
      (L’Aquila)
      Daniele DOVERI
      (Roma 1)
      Michael FABBRI
      (Ravenna)
      Ermanno FELICIANI
      (Teramo)
      Maria Sole FERRIERI CAPUTI
      (Livorno)
      Francesco FOURNEAU
      (Roma 1)
      Davide GHERSINI
      (Genova)
      Antonio GIUA
      (Olbia)
      Matteo GUALTIERI
      (Asti)
      Marco GUIDA
      (Torre Annunziata)
      Federico LA PENNA
      (Roma 1)
      Gianluca MANGANIELLO
      (Pinerolo)
      Matteo MARCENARO
      (Genova)
      Matteo MARCHETTI
      (Ostia Lido)
      Fabio MARESCA
      (Napoli)
      Maurizio MARIANI
      (Aprilia)
      Livio MARINELLI
      (Tivoli)
      Davide MASSA
      (Imperia)
      Luca MASSIMI
      (Termoli)
      Daniele MINELLI
      (Varese)
      Marco MONALDI
      (Macerata)
      Daniele ORSATO
      (Schio)
      Luca PAIRETTO
      (Nichelino)
      Daniele PERENZONI
      (Rovereto)
      Ivano PEZZUTO
      (Lecce)
      Marco PICCININI
      (Forlì)
      Alessandro PRONTERA
      (Bologna)
      Antonio RAPUANO
      (Rimini)
      Daniele RUTELLA
      (Enna)
      Juan Luca SACCHI
      (Macerata)
      Alberto SANTORO
      (Messina)
      Simone SOZZA
      (Seregno)
      Paride TREMOLADA
      (Monza)
      Manuel VOLPI
      (Arezzo)
      Luca ZUFFERLI
      (Udine)

      Delete
    2. 47 referees??? divided by 380 matches...thats 8 per referee?...i understand you need 10 referees and 10 referees as 4th official...plus 5-7 vars...but italy has also var specialists, right? wow that is by far the biggest number i have ever read in terms of top-division referees...usually they say, teams number and referee number should be the same...

      Delete
    3. @Grumpy-ref

      That's because the list is for both Serie A & Serie B. You have to add the 2nd tier matches to your calculation.

      Delete
    4. Yes indeed the list is for both serie A and B. 20 games every week. There have been many changes in past, AIA tried to split serie A and B referees for some years, and we had the exclusive serie B panel, but this was abandoned because, according to heads of refereeing, it couldn't help in terms of development (referee after poor performances in serie A couldn't get serie B games and they had to return directly in A). This is how mostly the head of committee works, when a referee is not a good form, especially a top one, is sent in serie B. Meanwhile, the new referees start from serie B games and they can reach in a certain time serie A.

      Delete
    5. @quilava/chefren: thank you for clarification. but now you guys understand why i was so surprised by the number^^ that makes 16 onfield matches per ref (and ~1 coppa match), plus 4o duty and var...so still you can make a decent living...still...compared to other leagues a bit strange...in the other big leagues, referees get way more games...at least the top referees (england ~30, germany ~20, france ~25, spain ~20...italy ~15)...so in terms of "development" it doesnt make any sense to me^^

      Delete
  8. Wow, intresting appoitments for semifinals, at least I was right with fourth officials, so adittional points for me:)). Beside kidding, now its race between Obrenovič,Strukan and Eskas!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As far as I know, Strukan and his team are still in Georgia and since they are not appointed in any of semi finals I expect him in final at least as fourth official.

      Delete
  9. What can we say here, as readers and referee supporters, about the appointment of the Danish referee to the semi-final! Everyone agrees, we wish him success, we want him to manage well… But if you are a referee or even take part in this tournament as a referee then you start to question some things… Justice!!

    The Danish referee did not give a very clear penalty in the first match ( There even was a tripping situation, he could have given a penalty as well), in the second match, he gave a wrong penalty and affected the score. Now he will manage a semi-final.

    What would happen if he managed the match very well? Who will win? Justice has already lost...

    I wish everyone much more fair tournaments from now on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know about the first game but the penalty given by Krogh in SUIFRA was 100% correct.

      Delete
    2. Well, maybe the observer agreed with you, but there is some room for debate imo because it looked like the attacker kicked a defender

      Delete
    3. The attacker kicked the defender because the latter put the leg in front of the attacker's legs as he was about to take a shot. It's careless impeding by defender.

      Delete
  10. Bruno Maric, chairman of committee Croatian referees, referred to the support of Zvonimir Boban several times, especially in the last interview. He even privately declares himself as his cousin.Personally I don't know if that is correct!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello

    I am going to make an instructional for my channel on all different cases of offences (if whistled) where the restart is an indirect free kick. I think I have found all cases but maybe not. I would like some help from you. Here are all 21 cases I know of. Do you know if I missed one?

    Offside

    Simulation/deceiving

    Playing in a dangerous manner (without contact)

    Verbal offences

    Every back pass where the GK handles the ball in the penalty area

    Trickery used to make a back pass

    Any time a referee calls for the 6-second rule

    Person from a team makes an offence towards a team-member outside the field of play

    Impeding the progress of an opponent without contact

    Preventing a goalkeeper from releasing the ball etc (without contact)

    Playing the ball a second time after restarting play

    Goalkeeper picking up the ball after already having released it to the ground

    A player leaving the field of play without permission

    Entering the field without permission

    Re-entering the field of play without permission

    Being closer than 1 yard/meter from a wall when a teammates free kick is kicked

    Unsportsmanlike gestures (dissent etc)

    Teammate inside the penalty area when a penalty is kicked by another teammate

    Feinting during a penalty when the run-up is completed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I mean I found 19 cases, sorry.

      Delete
    2. Distracting the thrower by being closer than 2 m at the place of the thrower and the throw in is made is a IFK

      Delete
  12. Final prediction:
    R: João Pinheiro
    AR1: Bruno Jesus
    AR2: Luciano Maia
    FO: Rade Obrenovič
    RAR: Grega Kordež
    VAR: Tiago Martins
    AVAR1: Hélder Malheiro
    AVAR2: Paolo Valeri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Final prediction:
      R: Duje Strukan
      AR1: Bojan Zobenica
      AR2: Alen Jaksic
      FO: Rade Obrenovič
      RAR: Grega Kordež
      VAR: Paolo Valeri
      AVAR1: Maurizio Mariani
      AVAR2: Rob Dieperink

      Delete
    2. Considering VAR was appointed this late, I don't think there will be an AVAR2 for the final, but I might be wrong

      Delete
    3. Come on.. this u21 and lets be frank don’t you think AVAR2 is same with AAR? Almost useless and mostly (AVAR) added because political need to make all FA happy

      Delete
    4. this is a point of view of somebody who probably has never worked as VAR and has no clue of the help this person can give the VAR. AVAR has the same influence on the referee team as 4O and AR

      Delete
    5. I mean AAR not AR, and then what do you think about Istvan Vad, Steegstra Scotland goal, Listkiewicz? And how many match are very well played without AVAR2 or SVAR?

      Delete
    6. I think an AAR for the final was probably expected before the tournament. Having an AVAR2 requires more when it comes to things needed (not that that is problem for UEFA but anyway) than an AAR does. Also, as VAR was introduced this late, a VAR appointment is really just a bonus for the FA that gets it, so it shouldn't really be a problem for the rest

      Delete
  13. Bruno Maric, head of Croatian refcom, had podcast last friday where he said that he is expecting Duje Strukan and his team in one of last three matches of the tournament (SF or F)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Is there going to be a WWC predictor?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Uefa super cup referee ne zaman açıklanacak?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Croatian football federation has published referee lists for 2023/24

    Elite group:
    Dario Bel (UEFA Cat 2) 1988
    Ante Čulina (UEFA Cat 2) 1993
    Mateo Erceg* (Promoted 2023/24) 1996
    Fran Jović (UEFA Cat 2) 1984
    Patrik Kolarić (UEFA Cat 2) 1995
    Igor Pajač (UEFA Cat 1) 1985
    Duje Strukan (UEFA Cat 1) 1984
    Ante Terzić* (Promoted 2023/24) 1995
    Jakov Titlić* (Promoted 2023/24) 1984
    Mario Zebec (former international referee) 1982

    Two referees are demoted from elite:
    Ante Čuljak (attented CORE few years ago) 1991
    Tihomir Pejin (former international referee) 1983

    Retirement:
    Ivan Bebek (international referee 2002-2022) 1977
    Bebek will become specialized VAR referee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What was acutally with Pejin? Year by year hes form just falling down. I remeber that he was one of the best physicaly prepared referees!

      Delete
  17. My prediction:
    Eskas in case of England/Spain/Ukraine
    Obrenovic in case of Israel/Spain/Ukraine

    So 99,99% in finale...as i heard from guys from Romunia Fesnic, Strukan whole team, Rumsas ars and Delajod ars already have been send home...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Obrenovic preferred over Strukan or Fesnic? Hmmm, Slovenia...

      Delete
    2. Delajod already had a UEFA final this year (UYL), so that should be the answer why he is not getting another final in the same year.

      If you have inside info, how about Aghayev, who was not mentioned above?

      Delete
    3. Aghayev sent home after group stage they said

      Delete
  18. Since Bjorn Kuipers is in Romania for the U21 tournament, Kyros Vassaras invited him to lecture at the preseason seminar. He gave precious advice to the referees and update them with the international guidelines. Also the fitness tests were today. Horatiu Fesnic didn’t attend for medical reasons it says here (? Might this explain no KO stage game in Georgia?). Ovidiu Hategan passed the tests and will return on the pitch but first, he will be VAR at the Romanian SuperCup on Saturday 8. He also gave a short interview and guess what, he was asked about the rivalry with I. Kovacs. Obviously, he denied the rumours. But from the photos I would say that there is no beef between them and those rumours were false.

    https://www.frf.ro/recomandate/foto-seminar-si-teste-fizice-cu-arbitrii-din-liga-1/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for Hategan. Wish him all the best!

      Regarding Fesnic, usually refs are exempted from fitness tests either before or right after their participation in tournaments.

      Delete
  19. Very tricky situation with this penalty whistled by Krogh. Last closer replay a few seconds ago was very clear in my opinion, attacker looking for a minimum contact, close to simulation.. or at least you can say mutual contact. VAR aftre an extremely long check confirmed. It was a hard decision for Mariani... luckily the penalty has been missed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just shared the moment of contact in the stories, for who wants to see what the attacker does https://www.instagram.com/stories/dutchreferee/3140332651751373587/

      Can't find the video yet.

      Delete
    2. @ Chefren: is Mariani a VAR specialist?

      Delete
    3. I should understand what you mean with "specialist".
      He is not a VAR PRO, but he is appointed quite often in the VAR role, like oter referees.
      Rocchi has used to assign almost all international referees to VAR duties, you will find some referees getting this more than others. Mariani is in a middle way, I would say.
      For example, names like Di Bello, Fabbri and Guida are definitely more experienced than him in the role, despite of not being VAR PRO.

      Delete
    4. I would like to ask Mr Ter Hamsel, as somebody who watch his excellent blog, is there chances that we will watch him in Eredivisie?Cheers.

      Delete
  20. Very difficult to overturn although I think gordon left his leg there and created the contact

    ReplyDelete
  21. Nothing tricky here. And you confirmed it later by saying 'luckily the penalty has been missed'. It was a very clear simulation with a minimal contact created only by the attacker. That's why nobody accepts VAR in the current mode - because it is created not to take the RIGHT decision but to cover the referee's ass.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Long VAR check, IMO it was guessing call from AR1, it’s better for him to not raised his flag because on the replay indeed it’s so close but the player still in 1 line so quite poor insting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perfect example for Wenger Law

      Delete
  23. It was onside with the Wenger Law or not

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I mean the VAR check was too long

      Delete
  24. OT: What do you think about Wenger Law, especially since the project will start in Italy too which many teams from Italy have playing style againts Wenger Law.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I strongly disagree with this idea by Wenger because offside is a factual decision, and this can only complicate the things, when people will ask why this goal has been allowed or disallowed... more difficult to show an evidence than the current regulation. Yes, we have already some discussions about the decisions, but in my opinion with suxch introduction, it would become by far worse. I don't feel the need to allow this just to see more goals.

      Delete
    2. I have my opinion, and I suppose many do. However, I would like to have a special coloumn for all of us, to discuss it thoroughly and not as a niche discussion in a coulumn dedicated to a certain stage in some tournament. I hope Chefren will accept my suggestion. Thanks.

      Delete
    3. I don't think much will change. Still there will be many VAR interventions for a matter of centimeters. The offside still will be a factual decision. Probably it will be pretty difficult for the ARs, at least at the beginning. There will be more goals, but this is not necessarily a good thing. Or/And the teams will defend very deep, near the box, and use more the long passing, so less enjoyable football. Frankly, I don't see the point of this change, I don't think their arguments are valid.

      Delete
    4. I actually have a feeling there will be less goals just for the arguments you just stated Matei, there will be no point in playing with high lines anymore and as soon as you score you will just park the bus. Also, I don't think it will help referees either, there will still be minimal offsides and many VAR interventions. I don't think this law will become reality anyway, and even if it does, I think we would go back to the old one pretty fast as people will see how bad it actually is

      Delete
    5. We already used it in U21 in Sweden last year. Everyone liked it. Fewer offside calls and nobody noticed anything strange about it.

      Delete
  25. Espen Eskas is the referee of the final: Rade Obrenovic fourth official. Source: uefa.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well deserved, I don’t know who spread the rumour of Strukan nevertheless IMO we must admit that Eskas really deserved, he is the best referee of the tournament.

      Delete
  26. Congrats to Espen Eskas. Well deserved!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congratulation to Eksas !! Good achievement and good starting point for a brilliant future. Dingert, Tiago Martins and Frankowski as Vars

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any suggestion what this achievement could mean for Eskas' near future prospects? Candidate for a promotion to Elite as of 01/01/2024 and maybe even an appointment as referee or fourth official for EURO 2024 or the Olympic tournament? With (probably) 18 referees required at EURO 2024 (and some more as fourth officials) I would not exclude the possibility that UEFA could try to boost him in autumn with regard to this tournament.

      Delete
    2. Yeah that's possible but honestly I see him only as fourth official at Euro 2024. In any case he is only 35 y.o. so he has lot of time in front of him

      Delete
    3. I think you are right: At least the new Elite referees Peljto and Nyberg should be ahead of him. Nevertheless I do not see 31 "real" Elite referees at the moment for different reasons: Some are out for political or health reasons, others just on paper Elite referees. Some countries have three Elite referees whereas I don't think that we will see three EURO referees from the same countries etc. Surprises like Siebert three years ago could happen again ...

      Delete
    4. My names for EURO are based on the assumption that UEFA wants to push Frappart as one of the main referees, and since they cannot invite 3 referees from one nation, I predict either Turpin or Letexier to go to the Copa America, with the other joining EURO. My other names would be: Peljto, Oliver, Taylor, Gil Manzano, Siebert, Zwayer, Massa, Orsato, Makkelie, Marciniak, Kovacs, Jovanovic, Schärer, Vincic, Nyberg and Meler. In that case, I would say that fourth officials could be Kruzliak, Gözübüyük, Sánchez Martínez, Silva Pinheiro, Eskas and maybe Frankowski (if we want the same number as EURO 2020/21).

      Delete

Thank you for writing a comment on our blog!