Szymon Marciniak about to kick off the KO stage of EURO 2024. He will be the only referee at this tournament appointed directly for a KO stage game after only one group stage match.
Game 38, Round of 16
Berlin, 29 June 2024 18:00 CET
SWITZERLAND - ITALY
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Facundo Tello ARG
Reserve Assistant Referee: Gabriel Chade ARG
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1: Bartosz Frankowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: Bastian Dankert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Lutz Michael Fröhlich GER
UEFA Delegate: Filip Popovski MKD
chefren, why don't we start posts for the Copa America games! They seem to have a lot of interesting talking points
ReplyDeleteNo time!
DeleteQuestion: Was istvan Kovac fired from officiating Euro matches?
ReplyDeletebest referee at best form, just concentrate and just forget UCL final, start from zero again. Just beginninh for Marciniak.
Delete
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, UEFA wanted to keep Marciniak away from the media from the very beginning, that's why they managed him in this way, good luck to the Polish team
Most important question: Is there any chance for another game for Marciniak?
ReplyDeleteAfter BelRou, another early YC is ignored by Marciniak (9’).
ReplyDeleteNo way, 9' super decision without YC
Delete13' possible YC?
ReplyDeleteItalians allowed dirty play in the first 15'.
ReplyDeleteI think you can accept 9’ with a strong verbal warning (which wasn’t delivered), but 13’ is a completely mandatory YC for reckless play.
DeleteI'd be interested in seeing the correct angle on the 12'/13'... I think there's at least a hint of SFP, honestly. Maybe the contact wasn't flush with the studs or the leg extended, but the one view shown didn't look good. I think the time of the match and the overall underreaction helped sell things. Plus people were focused on the ball going off the head. But overall there were two poor challenges from Italians in the space of 3 seconds.
DeleteA quiet game for Marciniak so far, he didn't want to book for 9' and 13' situations, but in both cases yellow cards would have been justified. Differently from other referees, he has this style, he wants to wait and see how much he can go on without cards. About the rest, not too much to say.
ReplyDeleteLack of intensity saves him from being sent off there
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, former Italian top player Giuseppe Bergomi, commenting the challenges by Italian players, both at the beginning and the one a few seconds ago, YC, stated that today referees are too harsh in such decisions, football has changed and in his old football, these were not fouls... he is repeating that in many games.
ReplyDeleteYep,the best thing is for footballers to leave every match with broken foot and for refs to show 1 or 2 cards a match.
DeleteWell if you want to understand what era Bergomi played in...
Deletehttps://youtu.be/uek1YeuEqq8?t=961
Big mistake from Marciniak, a clear red card at 45 minutes, and Kwitakowski in VAR must be sleeping again
ReplyDeleteNope, the stronger contact was on the foot, according to RAPs and UEFA guidance this is a yellow card.
DeleteAgreed with Mikael, a YC for UEFA. Whether this is good for the game and players is another question (my personal answer is a very clear "no", I would like these to be considered SFP).
DeleteEl Shaarawy foul was very close to RC, no doubt it was the extreme border of a reckless challenge to serious foul play, still, the exact point of contact (and this was even a "moving" one), saved the player, but...
ReplyDelete45' shows perfectly that everything said about "player protection" is nothing but lip serivce by UEFA.
ReplyDeleteOrange card. But red would not be wrong. It's similar to the tacle by the swiss player that was punished with a red card by Michael Oliver at Euro 2020
ReplyDelete06' - cynical late challenge
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/cfaba4
12' - cynical late challenge and (at least) reckless studs challenge
https://streambug.org/cv/616a02
18' - impeding vs simulation, FK awarded
https://streambug.org/cv/d5cd37
45' - step on ankle, reckless vs SFP
https://streambug.org/cv/acc9b4
Thanks for the clips as always ESR!
Delete06’ - Careless, maybe a verbal warning to be given.
12’ - Difficult to see where it hits, atleast YC to be given.
18’ - 50/50 situation, I think FK is expected because contact is so obvious, simulation is not possible nor is play on. Most optimal solution imo.
45’ - Maybe UEFA doesn’t want these as SFP but clear RC if I were to decide, the intensity is too much and the hitting point is too high to not endanger the safety of the player for me.
9' Possible to book, but supportable not to show YC.
Delete12' Another replay from different angle, as Usaref said, would have definitely helped more in the assessment, but it looks like at least 100% YC for reckless indeed missed by Marciniak
18' Swiss player deliberately wanted to stop opponent, but Italian player made it bigger with a theatrical foul, I think that even if the contact was exaggerated, basically we have the Swiss foul before.
45' Similar challenge in a game a few days ago, don't remember which one, but one must say consistency is indeed shown by VAR about such incidents at the tournament, the line of intervention for SFP seems to be set very high, having said that if RC by Marciniak live (but hard to see), full support by VAR, I think, while I agree it is not a 100% clear and obvious mistake YC, nevertheless player very lucky
One of those grey situations.
ReplyDeleteRC showed,no problem.
YC showed,no problem.
Whatever ref decides,he is backed.
But,there is also factor Italy and their lobby.
You have to be very brave ref to whistle RC in 1st half for Italy.
Come on, don’t need to bring up ‘the Italian lobby’ this is given as a YC by 19/19 referees in all 51 games… let’s not turn the blog into a crackpot fans forum.
DeleteBasically, Marciniak wouldn't be a referee afraid of sending off a player, withour caring about the big name, but he just adapted himself to how today is convenient for referees, as Mikael said, ignoring early card is the start of this process, just to avoid to have already a player booked and then having to make crucial decisions.. refereeing 2.0. But surely Rosetti likes this one because we see that when a referee creates, without fault something unpopular, he decides to stay on the other side than refereeing...
DeleteReplay of the 12' incident found on Reddit - https://imgur.com/di-lorenzo-tackle-on-vargas-no-card-given-eg8oo4b
ReplyDeleteWOW, thanks. Surely it was the intensity saving Italian player, al the rest says red card. But still, one couldd have expected the red color as better one here I think! He endangered opponent's safety for sure.
DeleteYeah RC expected. Lacks intensity but too high for it to matter to be honest. No card at all here is the biggest mistake though.
DeleteI can remember a similar incident in which UEFA was angry with Siebert in Villarreal - Juventus, they assessed that one as clear RC, maybe Mikael can help me in this regard.
DeleteI get to say "I told you so!" on this one.
DeleteAnd I don't think anything saves him other than the fact that no one noticed and Kwiatkowski didn't think it wise to force Marciniak's hand at that juncture. Italy down to 10 men for 80+ minutes would have been a nightmare for Marciniak.
But in the context of this game, with Italy about to be eliminated even in 11 players, nothing to say for Rosetti and excellent performance by Polish! All are happy!
DeleteSome unnoficial sources said that Rosseti back Tello decisions about penalty situations in Sco-Hun, and he remains in championship!
ReplyDeleteThat’s incredible. I’m very intrigued what VAR/Tello thinks about the first situation with the elbow, this was not assessed in the press conference from what I saw…
DeleteYou shouldn't trust any unofficial trust. People invent everything.
DeleteWe have a fact, Hernandez Hernandez, VAR in that game, has been sent home. Impossible for Tello then to get another game, he was assigned as fourth official just becuse (my opinion) UEFA wanted to give an appearance to him in KO stage to make CONMEBOL happy. Shouldn't be more than that.
Now in 74' I think rather offside, if not on first situation, quite sure on the second, the live impression was offside, missed by AR2 in case, but no issues as goal was not scored.
ReplyDeleteYeah clear offside, may be AR2 wasn't sure if you are not 100% sure always better to wait for VAR in case of goal
DeleteActually looking at the replays it was everything but a clear offside… The first pass seemed a perfect onside and for the second we would really need the technology.
DeleteI think there's a very good chance that both instances were onside, honestly. First situation looks a normal flash-lag and good decision. Second one is much tougher but look where the ball is where it's headed and think three dimensionally. It's very tight and would have been close. But by no means a "clear offside."
DeleteStroll in the park for the Pole, Swiss efficiency, Italians lacking intensity
ReplyDeleteQF or SF for Marciniak IMHO (Be happy for him to do England's SF 😀)
Still waiting for the replay of the handball in 87’…
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable they showed no replay...
DeleteI echo this conclusion! And you already mentioned this earlier in the tournament IIRC.
DeleteA kind of game, one-sided, that can hardly put a referee in trouble.
ReplyDeleteAfter Turpin survived to first game, according to Rosetti, this one by Polish should be a masterclass, no unpopular decisions taken and the expected outcome based on how game progressed... no need to make technical assessment!
Now it will be interesting, turning into a more serious speech, to see whether Marciniak will get another game. Should be expected, but again, committee putting themselves into a very equivocal shade, regarding the consideration for the Polish referee and his treatment.
The match was under Marciniak's full control, respect from the players, I think the Polish team has another match
ReplyDelete+1, it was a good performance in the end after Marciniak was slightly unsure how to decide in a few early incidents (13’ red card to be given ‘educationally’). Quarterfinal, semifinal - all should be possible for the Polish ref.
DeleteThe craziest thing for UEFA refereeing would be to see at the end Marciniak getting the final of this tournament - possible on paper, but it will never happen. To me, this creates very big points for discussion, to be honest.
DeleteHave seen a nice game with a well deserved win for the Swiss team and a good performance of Marciniak.
DeleteTo direct and manage a game, the referee has, among other things: a disciplinary tool box at his disposal, which consists of the following elements:
1. Whistle for foul and free kick.
2. Whistle for the foul, free kick and personal admonition. (Can be given in passing)
3. Whistle for the foul, free kick and a clear public admonition. Clear to everyone.
4. Whistle for foul, free kick and YC.
5. Whistle for foul, free kick and RC.
The step-by-step application of the disciplinary toolbox is a recommendation that every referee knows and applies according to his chosen foul threshold level and match development.
It is not recommended to immediately reach for (technically correct) cards, but to make use of admonitions, especially in the initial phase. Keep the ammunition dry for later in the match.
Of course, obvious cards should be dealt immediately, but don't draw too early and choose the right moment. (Something Marciniak did)
Assessing incidental foul play and putting it under a magnifying glass must always remain part of the total match evaluation and how the referee kept control.
Based on my observation, Marciniak's performance was effective and satisfactory with good acceptance by players and banks. Apart from some incidents, overall respectful behaviour between players and referee team.
I agree Profref but the problem was that Marciniak was visibly unsure what to do in these early incidents (9', 13' and 18'). The step-on-foot at 9' was very deliberate (arguments towards YC) but the contact not especially heavy (arguments against YC). A strong verbal warning would have been a very good reaction in this situation, but none was forthcoming. Marciniak also misread the 13' challenge or he'd have issued a yellow card, this is a clear mistake (-0,1). I think it is important to differenciate between 'top referee reading the game' and 'referee not in optimal form when assessing incidents'; the first 20-ish minutes belonged to the latter in this game. Everything was okay in the end -- absolutely no question about that(!) -- but in terms of looking towards more challenging matches, the smaller details like this matter (see my words on CzeTur post). However, your main point, 'don't blast referees for using management skills in borderline incidents instead of cards', is of course one that I agree with.
DeleteVery much agree
DeleteGiven that he's opened R16 he could do any of QFs (except the Swiss) so could do QF in same half and SF in other half
ReplyDeleteItaly eliminated! Can it be said that Daniele Orsato has a clear path to the EURO final?
ReplyDeleteOrsato is celebrating right now the final score, allowing him to referee the final. But how things will go, we will discover that soon.
ReplyDeleteYou have also noticed that Marciniak, a referee who gives long added time, in this case stayed only with two minutes, rather than new guidelines by Rosetti, this is still something related to his "freedom" in refereeing, he has reached a level in which he does what "he wants" based on the progress of the game, something very dangerous for referees with less quality. I don't say he had to give 5 minutes, but surely is a particular choice by him. It was clear Italy wanted the game to end.
Well, safe level performamce by Marciniak, with one 50-50 situation that can be discussed/backed at both . And,yes... I can imagine how one guy smile right now!
ReplyDeleteIMO, it was a good performance by Marciniak, with one or two suboptimal calls. It seems we all agree upon this, at least according to the comments.
ReplyDeleteFoul detection was generally good IMO, without much fuss, but with no major mistakes. On the other hand, disciplinary management was certainly suboptimal during the first 15 or 20 minutes, but it can probably be attributed to Marciniak's intention to apply stepped approach and "feel" the optimal threshold for disciplinary measures. While I can certainly support his no card decision in 9' (ITA16, late cynical challenge), but with a stronger verbal warning, the missed card to ITA2 in 12', for a very reckless high studs kick to the side, remains as the biggest mistake for my taste. The colour of the card remains to be debated: I would argue it's definitely a RC for SFP (studs contact, very high), but the intensity applied probably saves the VAR from admonition here. Those cards that were given were clearly correct IMO: 35' (ITA18, SPA), 45' (ITA22, reckless studs tackle), 57' (ITA17, reckless tackle). Of course, the situation from 45' is the most interesting in terms of severity, with SFP RC being the best solution for my personal taste, but clearly not for UEFA, and those are the instructions that should be followed (whatever my personal opinion is). I've counted three more potential YCs, but I'd argue Marciniak solved those correctly/supportably: 39' (SUI8, no card for a step on the distal third of the shoe), 65' (ITA21, no card for a step of low intensity on the side of he foot) and 70' (SUI19, tackle from behind).
As for the PAIs, the potential handball by SUI in 87' remains to be assessed, as I haven't seen a conclusive replay. The following fall by the ITA player after a minimal hand contact from behind was correctly rejected by Marciniak, IMO.
Both ARs had some nice onside/offside decisions (19', 24'). I think the 74' situation was probably correctly solved, at least the first pass, but in such tight situations it is fully ok for the AR to have stayed silent.
All in all, a good performance, with full control over the match and players as usual.
With Italy now eliminated all discussions about who will referee the final should be closed down. Even with his questionable moments in the GS games, all Orsato has to do is not do anything horrendous in POR-SLO and any future game (I don’t expect any further assignments) then for certain Orsato will be in charge of the final. Stars are aligned for him.
ReplyDeleteand for certain Orsato will be in charge in the final. Stars are aligned for him.
Comment from strixaluco (he sent a mail saying that he couldn't write a comment, asking to do that for him):
ReplyDeleteSorry I don't know why I cannot publish my comment on the blog.
SUI-ITA: On 87' Marciniak overlooks clear handball from Stergiou in the box.
On Italian TV this has been shown on State TV and commented on ralenti by ex ref. Bergonzi: clear-cut PK.
The German TV did not show a replay of it and this has been largely ignored even by the Italian mass media focused on the elimination.
It can never be a good or even sufficient performance from Marciniak/VAR.