Kristo Tohver, Portugal - Republic of Ireland

After two convincing matches at this U19 European championship, Estonian referee Kristo Tohver was (fully expected) entrusted with a semifinal. Exactly as in his two previous games, the teams didn’t make the work for the refereeing team that difficult. Let’s analyze some of the incidents in the match. 

=> Key-match incident at 30’: Portugal obtain a fully correct penalty after a late careless foul by IRL18 at the bottom edge of the penalty area. Tohver - having a perfect, central view at the incident - doesn’t hesitate at all and calls the penalty. What can be remarked here is the very long blow in his whistle, conveying very well his certainty in the decision. Well done! 

=> Foul detection was on expected level, however disciplinary action could have been improved: one could argue that Tohver missed an opening caution at 56’ after a good advantage, but then coming back to the foul by IRL18. The foul could be seen as a) reckless and b) a YC could have been shown for IRL18 for persistent infringement (having also been responsible for the penalty in the first half). In 71’, the referee missed IMO a mandatory YC for IRL7 for a reckless challenge on the Portuguese goalkeeper. Tohver sticked with a verbal warning only, very likely because the match stayed calm. In a different atmosphere, I guess he would have shown a caution, but IMO it should have been given. 

=> Opening YC came then at 84’ for a very reckless tackle by IRL17 on POR16, fully correct decision. Another caution came in 90’ for POR15, as well for a reckless challenge. IRL7 is booked in after the fourth Portuguese goal for unknown reasons, I guess it would either be for dissent or delaying restart of play.

=> Correct application as well of new LotG, as one can see in 88’: Tohver is hit by the ball inside the Portuguese penalty area. Game is interrupted and a dropped ball is awarded to the Portuguese goalkeeper, as dictated in the new LotG. 

Overall, Kristo Tohver delivered a performance on expected level in this semifinal, some focus should lie though on disciplinary action in terms of improvement. On a more larger note, I think the Estonian can be very satisfied about his tournament and we can only look forward at what will be happening in the next season, having been (finally) promoted to Category 1 in June.

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