Friday, 11 July 2025

UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 - Discussion

Discussion about referees' performance at Women's EURO 2025, Group Stage. 



Matchday 1

2 July 2025 - Group A
18:00 CET - Stockhorn Arena, Thun
ICELAND - FINLAND
Referee:  Katalin Anna Kulcsár HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Anita Vad HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Irina Pozdejeva LTU
Fourth Official: Catarina Isabel Ferreira de Campos POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Marta Frías Acedo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Nermina Hadžibajrić BIH

2 July 2025 - Group A 
21:00 CET - St. Jakob-Park, Basel 
SWITZERLAND - NORWAY 
Referee: Ionela Alina Peșu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Daniela Costantinescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Svitlana Hrushko UKR
Fourth Official: Marta Huerta de Aza ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Dagmar Damková CZE
UEFA Delegate: Aleksandra Pejkovska MKD

3 July 2025 - Group B
18:00 CET - Stade de Tourbillon, Sion
BELGIUM - ITALY
Referee: Désirée Grundbacher SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Susann Küng SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Linda Schmid SUI
Fourth Official: Hristiyana Guteva BUL
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Gyöngyi Krisztína Gaál HUN
UEFA Delegate: Heike Ullrich GER

3 July 2025 - Group B
21:00 CET - Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
SPAIN - PORTUGAL
Referee: Iuliana Elena Demetrescu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Elena Mihaela Țepușă ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Amina Gutschi AUT
Fourth Official: Shona Shukrula NED
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Andonía Kókotou GRE
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkievič BLR

4 July 2025 - Group C
18:00 CET - Stade de Genève, Geneva
DENMARK - SWEDEN
Referee: Edina Alves Batista BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Neuza Inês Back BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Fabrini Bevilaqua da Costa BRA
Fourth Official: Ivana Martinčić CRO
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jelena Cvetković SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: Marta Frías Acedo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Irakli Nakaidze GEO

4 July 2025 - Group C
21:00 CET - Kybunpark, St.Gallen
GERMANY - POLAND 
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Camille Soriano FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Emily Carney ENG 
Fourth Official: Olatz Rivera Olmedo ESP 
Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Judit Romano García ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Rhona Coombes IRL
UEFA Delegate: Jiří Novák CZE

5 July 2025 - Group D
18:00 CET - Swissporarena, Luzern
WALES - NETHERLANDS
Referee: Frida Mia Klarlund Nielsen DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Fie Bruun DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Heini Hyvönen FIN
Fourth Official: Hristiyana Guteva BUL
Video Assistant Referee: Momčilo Marković SRB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Andonía Kókotou GRE
UEFA Delegate: Rita Bagdonienė LTU

5 July 2025 - Group D
21:00 CET - Stadion Letzigrund, Zürich
FRANCE - ENGLAND 
Referee: Tess Olofsson SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Almira Spahic SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Monica Brun Løkkeberg NOR
Fourth Official: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Gyöngyi Krisztína Gaál HUN
UEFA Delegate: Effrosýni Ppekrí CYP

Matchday 2

6 July 2025 - Group A
18:00 CET - Stade de Tourbillon, Sion
NORWAY - FINLAND
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Franca Overtoom NED
Assistant Referee 2: Amina Gutschi AUT 
Fourth Official: Shona Shukrula NED
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Marta Frías Acedo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Heike Ullrich GER

6 July 2025 - Group A
21:00 CET - Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
SWITZERLAND - ICELAND 
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza ESP 
Assistant Referee 1: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Eliana Fernández González ESP
Fourth Official: Olatz Rivera Olmedo ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Judit Romano García ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Rhona Coombes IRL
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkievič BLR

7 July 2025 - Group B
18:00 CET - Stockhorn Arena, Thun
SPAIN - BELGIUM
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Anita Vad HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Irina Pozdejeva LTU
Fourth Official: Stéphanie Frappart FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Momčilo Marković SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: Andonía Kókotou GRE
UEFA Delegate: Nermina Hadžibajrić BIH

7 July 2025 - Group B
21:00 CET - Stade de Genève, Geneva
PORTUGAL - ITALY 
Referee: Ivana Martinčić CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Sanja Rodjak-Karšić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Staša Špur SVN
Fourth Official: Tess Olofsson SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis ENG 
UEFA Referee Observer: Gyöngyi Krisztína Gaál HUN
UEFA Delegate: Irakli Nakaidze GEO

8 July 2025 - Group C
18:00 CET - St. Jakob-Park, Basel 
GERMANY - DENMARK
Referee: Catarina Campos POR
Assistant Referee 1: Vanessa Gomes POR
Assistant Referee 2: Andreia Sousa POR
Fourth Official: Hristiyana Guteva BUL
Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR 
UEFA Referee Observer: Marta Frías Acedo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Aleksandra Pejkovska MKD

8 July 2025 - Group C
21:00 CET - Swissporarena, Luzern
POLAND - SWEDEN 
Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Francesca Di Monte ITA 
Assistant Referee 2: Emily Carney ENG 
Fourth Official: Shona Shukrula NED 
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED 
UEFA Referee Observer: Rhona Coombes IRL
UEFA Delegate: Rita Bagdonienė LTU

9 July 2025 - Group D
18:00 CET - Stadion Letzigrund, Zürich
ENGLAND - NETHERLANDS
Referee: Edina Alves Batista BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Neuza Inês Back BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Fabrini Bevilaqua da Costa BRA
Fourth Official: Silvia Gasperotti ITA 
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Gyöngyi Krisztína Gaál HUN
UEFA Delegate: Effrosýni Ppekrí CYP

9 July 2025 - Group D
21:00 CET - Kybunpark, St.Gallen  
FRANCE - WALES 
Referee: Désirée Grundbacher SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Susann Küng SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Linda Schmid SUI
Fourth Official: Olataz Rivera Olmedo ESP 
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Andonía Kókotou GRE
UEFA Delegate: Jiří Novák CZE

Matchday 3

10 July 2025 - Group A
21:00 CET - Stade de Genève, Geneva
FINLAND - SWITZERLAND
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Camille Soriano FRA
Assistant Referee 2:  Irina Pozdejeva LTU
Fourth Official: Catarina Campos POR Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi ITA 
Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER 
UEFA Referee Observer: Marta Frías Acedo ESP
UEFA Delegate:  Irakli Nakaidze GEO

10 July 2025 - Group A 
21:00 CET - Stockhorn Arena, Thun
NORWAY - ICELAND 
Referee: Ionela Alina Peșu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Daniela Costantinescu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Svitlana Hrushko UKR
Fourth Official: Hristiyana Guteva BUL
Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski GER 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Rhona Coombes IRL
UEFA Delegate:  Nermina Hadžibajrić BIH

11 July 2025 - Group B
21:00 CET - Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
ITALY - SPAIN
Referee: Iuliana Elena Demetrescu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Elena Mihaela Țepușă ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Franca Overtoom NED
Fourth Official: Katalin Kulcsár HUN
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN
UEFA Referee Observer: Gyöngyi Krisztína Gaál HUN
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkievič BLR

11 July 2025 - Group B
21:00 CET - Stade de Tourbillon, Sion
PORTUGAL - BELGIUM 
Referee: Tess Olofsson SWE 
Assistant Referee 1: Almira Spahić SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Monica Brun Løkkeberg NOR
Fourth Official: Shona Shukrula NED 
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Andonía Kókotou GRE
UEFA Delegate:  Heike Ullrich GER

12 July 2025 - Group C
21:00 CET - Stadion Letzigrund, Zürich
SWEDEN - GERMANY
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Francesca Di Monte ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Amina Gutschi AUT 
Fourth Official: Ionela Alina Peşu ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jelena Cvetković SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: Marta Frías Acedo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Effrosýni Ppekrí CYP

12 July 2025 - Group C
21:00 CET - Swissporarena, Luzern
POLAND - DENMARK 
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo ESP 
Assistant Referee 1: Eliana Fernández González ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Emily Carney ENG 
Fourth Official: Désirée Grundbacher SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee:  Judit Romano García ESP
UEFA Referee Observer:  Rhona Coombes IRL
UEFA Delegate: Rita Bagdonienė LTU

13 July 2025 - Group D
21:00 CET - Kybunpark, St.Gallen  
ENGLAND - WALES
Referee: Frida Mia Klarlund Nielsen DEN
Assistant Referee 1: Fie Bruun DEN
Assistant Referee 2: Heini Hyvönen FIN
Fourth Official: Iuliana Elena Demetrescu ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR 
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Popa ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Gyöngyi Krisztína Gaál HUN
UEFA Delegate: Jiří Novák CZE

13 July 2025 - Group D
21:00 CET - St. Jakob-Park, Basel 
NETHERLANDS - FRANCE 
Referee: Ivana Martinčić CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Sanja Rodjak-Karšić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Staša Špur SVN
Fourth Official: Katalin Kulcsár HUN
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Momčilo Marković SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: Andonía Kókotou GRE
UEFA Delegate: Aleksandra Pejkovska MKD
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94 comments:

  1. Quilava10 July 2025 at 14:55

    Huerta de Aza 🤝 Velasco Carballo

    Having unceremonious exits from all three big tournaments they attended (two EURO, one WC) due to weak performances, despite doing fine in their regular UEFA duties.

    ReplyDelete
  2. diego61210 July 2025 at 17:40

    Emily Carney (ENG) with Poland for the third time in a row. Bad management.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. adiro10 July 2025 at 20:51

      Speaking about (former) assistant referees, there is room to mention another cherry on Katrin Rafalski's impressive "cake" - VAR at the Stockhorn Arena.

      Delete
  3. RefNewGen10 July 2025 at 18:37

    So Tess Olofsson again in a Portugal x Belgium - after the same game in 3 June 2025... crazy

    ReplyDelete
  4. diego61210 July 2025 at 19:00

    This tournament has been one of the worst in terms of appointments and handling of referees...

    -Pesu and Demetrescu repeating team.

    -Olofsson, as you said, with the same game of Nations.

    -The English assistant with Poland for the third time in a row.

    -A reserve referee getting a game due to Huerta's poor performance…here I don't think it's an injury TBH, because if it was, why doesn't Porras Ayuso appear as an assistant to have a complete Spanish team?… I assume that the Spanish assistant will appear tomorrow on Ferreri's team...
    Huerta is a shame, she has never consolidated herself as a reliable referee... It will be interesting to see the next game of both Spaniards, but I think that now the "focus" will be on Olatz Rivera.

    The worst performances, without a doubt, Campos and Huerta... Martincic IMO was not so bad. As I said, I'm waiting for Ferrieri in ENG-WAL and Martincic or Klarlund in NED-FRA.

    ReplyDelete
  5. RefPaul10 July 2025 at 19:32

    Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (ITA) is now listed as Fourth Official in Finland - Switzerland tonight, replacing Catarina Campos.

    https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/match/2044369--finland-vs-switzerland/matchinfo/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren10 July 2025 at 22:47

      The reason should be the injury suffered by Portuguese referee during her game, but she decided to continue after a medical intervention. Maybe she shouldn't have done that...

      Delete
  6. TC02100210 July 2025 at 21:50

    The Spanish refereeing a game despite being listed as only a fourth official before the tournament along with Carney doing Poland 3 games in a row...some strange choices by UEFA.

    ReplyDelete
  7. diego61210 July 2025 at 21:51

    45+1’ Funny situation: Frappart is running and a player from Switzerland stumbles on her and the two fall on the field in the middle of an attack, absolutely accidental.

    Barton would surely have given a red card there ;)

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    Replies
    1. Oliver10 July 2025 at 21:52

      Frappart’s former colleague Chapron would have I’m sure ;-)

      Delete
  8. TC02100210 July 2025 at 22:34

    Clear penalty given by Frappart

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    Replies
    1. Ref_170710 July 2025 at 22:38

      Indeed, not a single doubt. Immediate whistle by Frappart.

      Delete
    2. AlexD10 July 2025 at 22:38

      To me reckless as well.

      Delete
  9. diego61210 July 2025 at 22:58

    Anyone watched Pesu? 2YC and PK at the end

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Philipp S10 July 2025 at 23:06

      Didn't watch the game, but checked the situation:
      The PK was given after OFR for a holding offence. Supportable decision, but can be discussed whether it was clear enough for VAR. The 2nd YC was then correct, because it was SPA without downgrade.

      Delete
    2. Chefren11 July 2025 at 04:24

      Video:
      https://streamin.me/v/f101f49a
      I'm not sure that in terms of the intensity of the holding it's something clearly for VAR intervention. However, I believe the fact that the foul was committed on the recipient of the ball, who could have found herself alone in front of the goalkeeper, contributed to the increased focus on the possible infringement by the defender. In other words, if VAR doesn't call it remains al highly debatable situation. Had it happened instead somewhere in the middle of the penalty area, with many other players nearby, the perception would have been different...

      Delete
  10. Philipp S10 July 2025 at 23:17

    Regarding appointments:
    Isn't it still an option, that Huerta, Caputi, Martincic and Klarlund all get a second game - two of them in the QF?
    IMO, giving POL-DEN to a support referee was a sensible choice, because all those four alternatives can be used in a better way than in this meaningless game. And if someone was indeed rejected for her first game, it's still more sensible to give the opportunity to Rivera.
    Furthermore, why not use both Spanish ARs with Rivera, if Huerta isn't working again?

    I would not be too surprised, if we see e.g. Huerta (with Porras and a Portuguese AR) and Klarlund in group D and Martincic and Caputi directly in a QF.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Chefren11 July 2025 at 04:35

      Sure, from the point of view of assigning a completely meaningless match, it makes sense to appoint someone who was originally selected as a reserve referee for the tournament. However, at the same time, we have another similar match, although between two qualified teams and only valid for final placement in the standings, where the same choice was not made. In the end, I believe that in recent times, in major competitions, the concept of a reserve referee has become very difficult to manage, for various reasons, due to the performances of others or the opportunities that aappear for committee. UEFA, and perhaps even FIFA, would make a more neutral choice if they selected officials for a tournament without specifying who will serve as a reserve. This has happened in some cases, but not in all. To add, in my opinion, if you assign such a match only to someone who was originally a reserve, while there are others in the same position, this still feels unfair for the other resere referees.
      Marta Huerta with another game it's difficult to predict, can we remember a management of 1 GS + 1 KO game for any referee at previous Women's EURO tournaments? This should also give the answer...

      Delete
  11. AHMED ADERDOUR11 July 2025 at 10:18

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AHMED ADERDOUR11 July 2025 at 10:21

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. RvT11 July 2025 at 11:16

    For sure one italian gets a QF..
    That will be Caputi. A promising referee.

    Ende of tournament for Campos, Aza, Grundbacher and Gasperotti i think.

    ReplyDelete
  14. jleekens11 July 2025 at 11:49

    I would expect the following referees to be sure of another game in the knockout stages:
    Alves Batista (BRA)
    Ferrieri Caputi (ITA)
    Kulcsar (HUN)
    Frappart (FRA)

    And 1 or 2 of Olofsson (SWE), Martincic (CRO) and Demetrescu (ROU), depending on their performances.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. RvT11 July 2025 at 12:00

      Olofsson wil get a match... such a low profile match Bel Por after a poor first match... the commity give here this match because the trust in Oloffson is big i think.

      Delete
  15. Unknown11 July 2025 at 15:27

    Frappart delayed the cards yesterday on Finland vs Swiss. Could had a easier match.

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    1. Mikael W11 July 2025 at 20:51

      Partly agree. Frappart had a very liberal interpretation of 'reckless sliding tackle' and missed at least one, but arguably even three YCs under this heading. However, the match was always fully under control and foul recognition (including for the key penalty) was good. Overall, clearly an expected level performance imo.

      Delete
    2. Arbiter11 July 2025 at 22:07

      She still has questionable foul recognition. She always has, so nothing new there. But from what I've seen, that seems be a UEFA Women's referee thing.

      Delete
  16. DB11 July 2025 at 21:18

    16' Even TV commentators are now picking up on the regularity of play not being stopped for head related injuries... Missed careless arm to face too in Bern

    ReplyDelete
  17. Chefren11 July 2025 at 21:43

    VAR did a mess in Italy - Spain, called Demetrescu for handball, but missed to check a factual offside before, Romanian referee very irritated...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. max9611 July 2025 at 21:45

      Very confusing situation, why did they even show the images of the handball after showing the offside situation?

      Delete
    2. diego61211 July 2025 at 21:46

      Agree, really bad management by Higler and Bognar…Incredibly at this level and considering Higler’s experience.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11 July 2025 at 21:47

      I wasn’t paying close attention — but was the offside missed live? If so, the OFR was possibly used to sell the decision (no penalty for handball)?

      Imagine they had done nothing and simply signaled “play on” after VAR check — the Italian press would likely have focused on a missed penalty. Now they won’t, because offside was eventually called, shifting the narrative.

      Delete
    4. diego61211 July 2025 at 21:48

      And after the OFR, Demetrescu called the captains and explain to them the decision…Easy to read her lips “there is an offside prior to the penalty”

      Delete
  18. Chefren11 July 2025 at 21:46

    Video: https://streambug.org/cv/80bf6d
    I think we should look at Demetrescu gesture before opening the OFR, she was about to make the "play on" gesture, so maybe a problematic communication by VAR room, with Dutch VAR not clear about what he was saying - analyzing...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Chefren11 July 2025 at 21:54

    Anonymous, would be a good and maybe only possible explanation, but how it was managed, it looked like they were not still sure about the offside and the process seemed to focus also on the handball, in case, calling directly the offside and explaining the decision would have been better. However, this is the problem when you have "silent" VAR, without a communication by referee to spectators, and in this regard what FIFA has made so far should be seen as rather good at least in some complicated circumstances like this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11 July 2025 at 22:13

      Yes, the easiest way is to make the OFR signal on the field and then indicate offside.
      That prevents a lot of unnecessary “blah blah” about a missed handball penalty, because the handball is what analysts and journalists will focus on, not the offside situation that preceded it.

      It’s also possible that the Romanian referee didn’t fully understand the communication or the context, and therefore initiated the OFR herself.
      For example, if she completely missed the handball incident, she wouldn’t have the necessary context. In that case, it’s understandable that she wanted to see the footage.

      Delete
  20. Arbiter11 July 2025 at 22:00

    Olofsson is so lost in regard to foul recognition and when cards need to be used. Last game she didn't even whistle a foul on what could have been deemed a SFP incident.
    Today, the Yellow Card to the Portuguese player in the 30th minute is a complete and utter joke!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Arbiter11 July 2025 at 22:20

      POR v BEL
      45 + 1:38 Clear foul by Belgium not whistled by Olofsson.
      The foul is no different from the one she whistled at midfield and inexplicably Yellow Carded the Portugal player.
      She's such a frustrating referee to watch!
      Poor foul recognition, illogical card use, and her maddening over use of the "calm down" hand gesture.

      Delete
  21. swissreferee11 July 2025 at 22:24

    60th minute ITA:ESP late tackle in penalty area and no call, neither VAR intervened, what is your opinion?

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    1. DB11 July 2025 at 22:27

      Anywhere else on the pitch, 100% foul. There was no clear advantage, even if they did get a shot away, I believe the penalty would have been whistled if spotted. For me, a foul and missed intervention

      Delete
    2. Chefren11 July 2025 at 23:01

      https://streambug.org/cv/e7bc17
      Reckless after having played ball.
      One could indeed think about advantage by Demetrescu but no gesture and rather no awareness, after the shot out, would have been Elite referee skill to whistle that penalty.
      VAR intervention to be discussed as well, even if in this case there could be some nuances, bu mostly once again we can't understand when such penalties should be whistled and when not,with a clear action on opponent and the ball already away.
      That's once again why I think having VAR is not the solution for grey areas.

      Delete
  22. Chefren11 July 2025 at 22:51

    OFR in Olofsson game, to disallow a goal for a previous foul:
    https://streambug.org/cv/b1f13c

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    Replies
    1. Arbiter12 July 2025 at 00:10

      Olofsson's poor foul recognition/detection strikes again.
      No matter how close she is or how good of an unobstructed view she has of the foul. She's more than likely going to get it wrong. But it's okay, because her "calm down" hand gesturing is world class. ; )

      Delete
  23. Jonas11 July 2025 at 23:00

    Now another goal disallowed after OFR by Olofsson. Offside decision correct as the striker challenges the defender. When you see the static picture it is very clear but the nature of the play in action made it difficult to spot live. Also a handball or a foul was possible.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Chefren11 July 2025 at 23:11

    Here the second OFR in Olofsson game. Disallowed goal for assessed active offside position, very complex situation as Jonas wrote above.
    https://streambug.org/cv/19b117
    Surely the most interesting evening in terms of refereeing at this tournament so far, while before today all games had been rather quite easy and with isolated cases of possible OFRs but mostly extremely fair.
    To me, Demetrescu should have performed better by whistling the penalty in 60' and the previous situation was a doubel mistake, missed handball and the offisde, but here you can maybe forgive AR.
    Not a big problem I think if her tournament will end here, but same can't be said for Olofsson. Today display didn't help her in getting the chance of consolidating the position as big candidate for the final. All can happen, but I think she missed the opportunity after this officiating. She can now hope to see Sweden in final..
    A strong name so far remains Kulcsar but we will see how it will continue, to clarify, just personal opinions and I'm not here to push or put in bad shape any referee!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Arbiter12 July 2025 at 00:07

      Huerta de Aza and Olofsson suffer from the same ailment.
      Fouls occur directly under their noses. And inexplicably they won't call anything, or they'll totally misjudge the severity and mis-apply the correct color card.

      Delete
  25. RvT11 July 2025 at 23:56

    I think Caputi Spa - Zwi

    Kulscar Alves Pesu get also another game i guess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp S12 July 2025 at 09:11

      Yes, if Caputi gets another game, it should be ESP-SUI. But e.g. Klarlund could also get it, if she has a good second game.
      Kulcsar should get one of the first QFs due to her very early second game (and it keeps her as option for SF2, if needed).
      For Pesu, I don't expect a second game after her appointment for the unimportant NOR-ISL.

      Delete
  26. Arbiter12 July 2025 at 03:16

    Tess Olofsson, a lot to be studied and reviewed in a classroom training session. Good material for new and upcoming referees.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Arbiter12 July 2025 at 08:18

    The opening of the 2025 Copa America Femina (CONMEBOL) did not disappoint.
    Daiane Muniz (BRA) had the honor to lead the tournament opener.
    Unsurprisingly, it was the expected overly permissive style.
    The referee had inconsistent (at best) foul detection/recognition.
    Some heavy clashes/tackles went unpunished while in others nothing was called at all.
    Dissent by word/action was constant throughout the entire match.
    One situation that stands out to me was when a Uruguay player was cautioned. The player then mockingly clapped in referees face and no further disciplinary action was taken.
    Add to this, that CONMEBOL in its all-mighty wisdom is inexplicably not utilizing VAR during the group stage.
    TBH, I don't have high hopes for betterment.

    I've also been watching the WAFCON being played in Morocco. And I'm uninclined to comment on any of those referees. Because it's CAF. The bar isn't exactly high for CAF referees nor is there a high expectation for any of them.

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  28. Emirates12 July 2025 at 18:35

    I was curious regarding whether Olatz Rivera Olmedo would be refereeing in the Euros, and honestly a bit disappointed to see that she was "only" a reserve. I have only seen her do good matches, just as an example 1:34 into https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ9B7bW1QGc where she spotted a penalty off the ball. She is also consistently very quick to make and communicate her decisions as far as I have seen. Those that know more about referees and UEFA than I do: Could it be that she wasn't selected due to her age rather than her not being good enough, and that this can also explain why they now let her be the referee in at least one game anyway? I looked up the age of the main referees, and the ages are 32-34-35-35-35-35-37-39-40-40-41-41-45, so the average age is 38. Olatz is 28; 4 years younger than the youngest, and 10 younger than the average, and also 6 years younger than the other two reserve referees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren12 July 2025 at 18:57

      Based on what one can read from the appointments, the management so far should be almost exclusively a matter of age and not because she is not yet considered at the level to officiate in this competition. In fact, there have been accelerated processes in other countries but with referee being older than her. See Silvia Gasperotti, who ultimately reached the Elite quite quickly. So I also think that perhaps it was imagined that Marta Huerta could have done finally better in this competition if compared to past, but unfortunately we have seen that it did n't go as it was hoped. Therefore, in my opinion, the try of the Basque referee, who this season unfortunately raised big controversy because of the error in the women's El Clasico, where probably all the attention focused on that. She could have directly officiated matches at EURO, but I believe they wanted to start with the compatriot who will probably now lose a lot in terms of prestige and, if she doesn't retire, then she will remain the classic Elite referee once the nomination is acquired, although, I say this in the most honest way possible, she has not always demonstrated it, at least in the major competitions. I don't know about her domestic performance in Spain...

      Delete
    2. Emirates12 July 2025 at 19:16

      Yes, that sounds resonable. I am just a normal viewer, so I don't know everything about her, but as mentioned; both her decisions and refereeing style have seemed great to me! I didn't watch the match you mentioned, but noticed that she was criticised for it. I also looked at the other female referees on the "UEFA WOMEN'S ELITE GROUP REFEREES" list, and the 2nd youngest on the list of 22 referees is still 32 years old. I would assume that a low age makes it harder rather than easier just to be put on that list, so I guess it's a great compliment to her to be on that list at 28 years of age :)

      Delete
    3. Quilava12 July 2025 at 20:51

      Until 2017, Spanish Women's LaLiga was mostly refereed by men whose regular category was 2ªB or Tercera (i.e. 3rd/4th tier), but in 2016 RFEF secured a huge sponsoring contract with energetic giant Iberdrola for the category, and apparently part of the contract included creating an exclusively female refereeing corps for the 2017-18 season.

      So in 2016-17 season, CTA-RFEF organized a 'casting' project in which 46 female referees across the country selected by the regional committees would compete for 20 spots in the Women's LaLiga corps as main referees, submitting the candidates to fitness, LOTG, match report writing and psychology tests. Of course, those who were already FIFA refs or refereeing at 4th tier in men's categories like Marta Huerta de Aza, Marta Frías Acedo or María Dolores Martínez Madrona were always going to be selected, but some pretty 'anonymous' names were included in the list as a result of the casting. Among them, the youngest on the list was Olatz Rivera Olmedo (only 20 years old at the time) who had rather little experience as a ref. If I'm not wrong, back then she still refereed at a provincial level - not even regional - in men's categories.

      Now, I confess I haven't been following or monitoring Spanish female refereeing that much, but according to a couple of acquaintances who do, Rivera Olmedo's inexperience in refereeing was *extremely* visible in her performances in the first 2 years, being lucky that basically that was also the case of 60-70% of the new refereeing corps, but before Covid she made an astonishing progress in a very short amount of time (a case similar to fellow Bilbao native Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who was actually a very poor and amateurish-looking ref by the time of his LaLiga promotion in 2015, even if the latter is still true :P), a progress whose rate seems to have continued until now.

      She became FIFA in 2022, promoted to men's fourth tier in 2023, then promoted to men's third tier in 2024, and in 2025 promoted to UEFA Women's Elite and selected as support ref for EURO, now upgraded to main ref.

      I personally find her incredible progress in the ranks quite extraordinary even if maybe too fast-paced/unnatural (but not that rare for women's refereeing, Rivera Olmedo has basically the same age Monzul or Kulcsár had when they made their Women's EURO debuts in 2009 and 2013 respectively), but as the Spanish idiom says, "there must be something in the water if it gets blessed"

      Delete
    4. Emirates13 July 2025 at 12:54

      Wow, that's cool to hear! I guess she won't get to referee any more games in the EUROs regardless of how she did yesterday, since it was an "unimportant" game?

      Delete
  29. DB12 July 2025 at 21:23

    21' I'd like to see another angle, but initially that looked like a good tackle by Nüsken, seemed to play the ball first

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arbiter13 July 2025 at 00:49

      You sir are absolutely correct in your assumption. I don't see any contact at all from the German player. Nusken clearly plays the ball with the outside of her right foot as she is tackling. The Swedish player simply decides to fall in a dramatic manner. The referee totally misjudged the challenge and was deceived by the overly theatrical fall.

      Yet another example of poor foul recognition/detection. But it appears to be the acceptable standard this year. As no referee has stood out so far for good to average foul recognition/detection.

      Delete
  30. DB12 July 2025 at 21:35

    32' Correct penalty and RC, with very good onside. Hand wasn't directly in line with body, it did push the ball away. I'm not sure she had to keep the RC in the air so long though, did seem to be rubbing it in a bit...

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    Replies
    1. Chefren12 July 2025 at 21:44

      Interesting observation about how long she held the red card in the hand. It seems to me that Gasperotti has a body language that aims to appear as stern as possible with the players, even though, at first glance, one couldn't expect that and during the match her demeanor might even seem different. We'll see in future whether this aspect, possibly psychological, turns out to be excessive, or she will be able to manage it.

      Delete
    2. Quilava12 July 2025 at 21:46

      I don't have an issue with holding a card in the air for a long time.

      Delete
  31. TC02100212 July 2025 at 21:36

    Close onside decision correctly given by Di Monte then a clear handball/red card decision for Gasperotti

    ReplyDelete
  32. Chefren12 July 2025 at 21:51

    Onside, penalty and RC clip:
    https://streambug.org/cv/31d6c9

    ReplyDelete
  33. Cassius12 July 2025 at 22:21

    Gasperotti moves nicely on the FoP and was good positioned for the key decisions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren13 July 2025 at 08:23

      Now it will be interesting to see, because based on how committee is working at this tournament, the Italian referee could get a third game, crucial decision correctly taken, very good fitness.
      While I was unsure about Ferrieri Caputi, you can remember my words, after a very poor domestic season.
      Maybe Ferrieri Caputi will stay with only one game, while Gasperotti with a quarterfinal (but I think no more than that).
      Then it will also depend on Italy's progress.

      Delete
    2. ITAREF13 July 2025 at 13:05

      Your opinion on very poor domestic season of Ferrieri Caputi is correct.
      But pls note that Ferrieri Caputi is usually referee in 1st-2nd Italian League, and Gasparotti usually in 3rd Italian League… so first one is clearly more experienced than the second although the related performances in this tournament have also to be considerated for their next appointments within.

      Delete
  34. Chefren13 July 2025 at 12:13

    Prediction NOR - ITA: Katalin Kulcsár HUN

    ReplyDelete
  35. Mikael W13 July 2025 at 16:25

    Eliana Fernandez Gonzalez missed quite a clear reverse crossover offside in Poland-Denmark, leading to a VAR intervention to disallow a goal. You can see that she is poorly positioned, not in line with the second-last defender, nor with the touchline either.

    https://streambug.org/cv/4bfb09

    Olatz Rivera refereed the (very) normal-difficulty game fine, awarding two deserved yellow cards for blatant tactical fouls (she should have given one more though). Her fitness and coverage of the FoP is outstanding. Here are two penalty area incidents she faced in the game:

    https://streambug.org/cv/132350
    https://streambug.org/cv/db0a24

    Spanish ref 'justified' her promotion from reserve with her refereeing but the game was really very easy and thus hard to draw any real conclusions from. Meanwhile, Gasperotti in terms of self-presentation very evidently models herself on Rocchi, and his sharp gestures/presence. I wasn't that impressed by her performance yesterday, some fouls were given without any apparent reason (but the RC was, of course, clearly correct).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ITAREF13 July 2025 at 18:13

      With a due respect for your opinion, I don’t see EF Gonzales had been in a wrong positioning in offside (rightly evaluetes as existing by VAR) in Pola d-Denmark: to be honest she is where she had to be to see frontally the players action dynamics but with an impossibile offside to evaluate without VAR system.

      Delete
    2. Mikael W13 July 2025 at 19:57

      If you genuinely think this offside is ‘impossible to evaluate without VAR system’ then, with respect, you’ve lost touch.

      Delete
    3. Chefren13 July 2025 at 20:24

      I agree with Mikael, should have been detected and important mistake by AR.
      Here a picture, ball already kicked (so the exact moment of the evaluation was even an instant before):
      https://ibb.co/HfJmXPbj
      Being the player already in offside and coming back should have facilitated the assistant referee, still, you can say very quick action and not 100% easy due to movement made by attacker, but expected offside for an assistant referee at top level. Looks like she was not concentrated at the moment of the shot, the positioning seems ambiguous: she might appear to be on top of things in the expected place, but in reality not focused on the situation.

      Delete
    4. ITAREF14 July 2025 at 00:52

      @chefren @Mikael:
      You are perfectly right, for the easy reason… I confused the names of AR and R: I wrongly supposed Mikael opinion concerned R (so I replied) and not AR as was EF Gonzales.

      Delete
    5. Emirates16 July 2025 at 10:18

      I agree about the fitness/coverage, and have seen it before too! She competed in the "VI DUATLÓN NOCTURNO CALCIGADA SOBRADIEL" in 2023, and came 2nd amongst 8 women competing (but I have no idea about the level of competition, other than all participants representing triathlon clubs or such. She has also done other similar competitions.) Olatz first spent 18:09 to run 4,4 km (4:07 min/km), then biked 15 km using 38:46 (23,4 km/h), and ended with a 2,2 km run at 8:35 (3:54 min/km). I don't know how this stands against the requirements or what the results of other referees would be, but found it interesting since one rarely gets to see such concrete numbers.

      Delete
  36. Chefren13 July 2025 at 19:43

    From Copa América Femenina.
    No VAR at this stage of the competition...
    https://streambug.org/cv/e6e657

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard Maxi13 July 2025 at 22:04

      Remember: Calderas was supposed to be the best of the bunch...

      Delete
  37. Ex Eng Ref13 July 2025 at 21:18

    Perfect use of VAR determining the contact/foul was inside the area. Very hard to determine live given the movement of the players

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp S13 July 2025 at 21:33

      But with video, the decision should have been taken much quicker, I think.
      Unless they were debating, whether it actually was a foul...

      Delete
  38. Ex Eng Ref13 July 2025 at 21:41

    From the RHS it looked like the England player trod on the defenders foot (I said I thought it was to be overturned)
    However, the view behind the goal showed it was defender catching the back of the attackers foot

    ReplyDelete
  39. RvT13 July 2025 at 21:52

    Martincic a very soft yellow to Groenen.
    Oh my gosh, this isnt a foul.

    Martincic has a lot of french friends i guess.
    She blows for half time after a foul of France, what suddenly is a yellow card, but not given.

    For me one of the worst referees this tournament.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Jonas13 July 2025 at 21:53

    Ivana Martinicic with busy moments right before the break. First, a YC for dissent (the first one at this torunament?) for NED which was a little bit harsh for my taste, then she whistled a clear (!) tactical holding and did not caution the French player but ended the first half. The Dutch players were not really happy. While I can live with the dissent YC, the missed YC for LoR/SPA is a big miss for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RvT13 July 2025 at 21:55

      Yess she makes a fault.
      The first match was also not convincing.

      A referee with a lot of matches whistled, but the experience and her attitude is far from how it should be

      Delete
  41. Chefren13 July 2025 at 21:57

    ENG - WAL
    https://streambug.org/cv/39b03f
    https://streambug.org/cv/2764f0
    Can we be sure about the foul?
    In my opinion VAR was very unsure and for this reason rather long check. However, maybe in the end no elements for clear and obvious mistake and one could agree. From almost all replays, as Ex Eng Ref said, and I agree, it looks like a movement of English player making contact with defender and not the contrary. Using the contact for getting a foul or even no contact. While only replay that can give us some doubts is from behind the goal (again, agree with Ex Eng Ref), where one can think about a possible contact made by Welsh player, but the reality in my opinion is the contrary (nevertheless, too hard to ask for a VAR intervention in this regard, indeed only sure thing is that it was ONSIDE and so penalty).
    Maybe a more "open" VAR would have invited referee to OFR, but in that case by far more controversial and against the protocol, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Chefren13 July 2025 at 22:15

    Can't deny what you said about Martincic, even if she had in mind final whistle exactly after the foul, she should have booked player before for SPA tactical foul (100% very evident situation here). I think that she made a wrong reasoning about the end of half, but it was not the expected management.
    About the card to Dutch player before, I think for the reaction after the foul whistled, dissenting gesture, kicking ball and making some protests, under this point of view it was a correct decision by the Croatian.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RvT13 July 2025 at 23:03

      End of tournament for her?

      I heard she whistled also matches from the boys....
      Oh dear god!

      What a lack of quality.

      Gasperotti kulscar Frappart caputi alves they deserve another match

      Delete
  43. Unknown13 July 2025 at 22:24

    Again a blatant Yc missed by Martincic (62.). A blatant lack of respect like off the ball holding forgiven to the French.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jonas13 July 2025 at 22:32

      She played the advantage and assesed it as SPA. But I agree, LoR was more appropriate and therefore
      a YC would still have been possible after the advantage, which would have been a good opportunity to balance the cards (still 2–0).

      Delete
    2. Unknown13 July 2025 at 22:38

      I agree, the decisión not to book was worse with respect to management than it was a real technical mistake.

      Delete
  44. DB13 July 2025 at 22:56

    Ignoring the decision to repeat Wales for Klarlund, I think a very good fit for this match. Fairly easy with little to do, but has stayed out of the way, visible when necessary. No cards needed, penalty soft but supportable, and can be forgiven for giving it outside initially, very close. Actually stopped play not too long after a head injury!!! despite a promising attack forming, player safety correctly prioritized. Also, nice to see happy, smiling officials, and not someone super intense when the match doesn't require that. Overall, a good job today

    ReplyDelete
  45. jleekens13 July 2025 at 23:21

    Very disappointing tournament from an officiating point of view. At this point, I would assign Kulcsar a quarter final and in case of a good performance the final as well, save Frappart and Alves Batista for a semi-final and hope that those in charge of the other quarter finals can show an acceptable performance, but I’m struggling to find suitable and experienced names for the knock-out stages. Maybe Klarlund, Demetrescu and Gasperotti?

    ReplyDelete
  46. Elliot13 July 2025 at 23:25

    Prediction for the quarter finals:
    NORITA - Kulcsár
    SWEENG - Frappart
    ESPSUI - Gasperotti
    FRAGER - Demetrescu

    Alves being saved for a semi final.

    Imo it's very hard to predict due to many poor and unconvincing performances by many of the top referees. Gasperotti for ESPSUI is a very safe bet, but other than that, only Kulcsár, Frappart and Alves are the only ones I'm certain will get another game. Many big disappointments from the big names so far, most notably for me Olofsson who was a big candidate for the final and Huerta de Aza who once again will likely leave a big tournament with only one game, same as in Australia and New Zealand two years ago. Ferrieri Caputi might still get another game, but her performance in SWEPOL wasn't very convincing and similar can probably be said for Martincic in her two games, even though I was only able to watch her performance with one eye tonight

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp S13 July 2025 at 23:59

      My predictions:
      NOR-ITA: Huerta, Porras, E.Fernandez (all ESP), Grundbacher (SUI) - Cuadra, Romano (both ESP), San (SUI)
      SWE-ENG: Demetrescu, Tepusa (both ROU), Overtoom (NED), Martincic (CRO) - Higler (NED), Bognar (HUN), Markovic (SRB)
      ESP-SUI: Olofsson, Spahic (both SWE), Lokkeborg (NOR), Pesu (ROU) - Gillett, Massey (both ENG); Borosak (SVN)
      FRA-GER: Alves, Back, Bevilaqua (all BRA), Klarlund (DEN) - Martins (POR), Popa (ROU), Cvetkovic (SRB)

      Delete
    2. Chefren14 July 2025 at 04:11

      @Elliot mostly agree with you.
      I would add Klarlund if they will support the penalty call in ENG - WAL (for me no foul, but borderline situation).
      Otherwise they will be in big trouble.
      Many disappointing performances from big names.
      Martincic could save herself once again because they need referees.
      Edina Alves has the controversial handball argument against her in the first game, but without that, a clean path, she could get a game.
      I also expect Gasperotti as said.
      Then we have the ones you mentioned, Frappart and Kulcsar for sure.
      For different reasons one should see out: Olofsson (but veeeery hard given her status), Huerta, Martincic (as said), Pesu (not convincing in first game), Demetrescu (poor second game), Campos.
      One must mention Grundbacher as strong option, due to circumstances.
      Didn't watch Caputi in her game, would be interesting to know in what regard she was poor, however I had already imagined she was planned for only one game.

      So for the remaining 7 games, maybe: Grundbacher, Gasperotti, Alves, Kulcsar, Frappart, Klarlund (?) and then one of them, from quarterfinals, assigned to final.
      But the strong names that could win despite of having been poor are still Martincic and Olofsson, especially the Swedish, due to reputation.
      Let's see what we will guess!

      Delete
    3. Chefren14 July 2025 at 04:13

      Ah, and if a Romanian, maybe Pesu more chances than Demetrescu, as she was observed by committee member in first game (only appearance by Damkova so far). Her display was in my opinion better than Demetrescu second game.

      Delete
    4. RvT14 July 2025 at 08:37

      Yess Pesu was better dan Demetrescu.
      No Grundbacher.

      Kulscar, Alves, Frappart, Gasperotti, maybe Pesu and i think Caputi

      Delete
    5. Mapet14 July 2025 at 12:21

      So many big names not reaching expected level. I would assign Alves Batista for a semi. Let the QF referees compete for the other semi and the final: Frappart, Gasperotti, Klarlund and Kulcsár.

      Delete
  47. MQ14 July 2025 at 13:09

    Well it's already been said but you'd expect the two main final candidates are Kulcsar and Frappart. Kulcsar more likely to get a "hidden path" while Frappart seems a perfect name for the biggest QF game SWE-ENG. Unless Kulcsar has a poor performance I'd see her as the final favourite.

    Alves probably saved for a semi, possibly even Gasperotti. Caputi was too poor in an easy game and should not get another. Olofsson almost certainly gone after two sub par performances. Klarlund and one of the Romanians should get the other two QF's.

    ReplyDelete

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