Nikola Dabanović, Portugal - Armenia

Overall a very calm game for the Montenegrin referee, in a game which was not really demanding. However, the match started in quite a challenging way, as we are going to see later on.

During the first half, Dabanovic had to assess three penalty area situations:
=> Between 3' and 5', there were two penalty appeals, one on the Portuguese side and one on the Armenian side. Both were waved away by the referee. No replays have been shown (again) by the broadcaster, so we have to trust the referee. Given the fact that nobody really complained, we can assume that the referee made the right decision.
=> Important decision in 33', when Portugal receive a penalty after a careless foul by ARM19 in the box. Dabanović - thanks to his athletic way of running - is perfectly positioned to make the right decision. I however disagree on the YC for ARM19, as the nature of the foul should be considered as "reckless" (as already mentioned) and neither can I see classic SPA offence, which would require a booking. No card would have been the preferable option IMO.

We can't say too much about disciplinary action, since the game was played in quite a fair manner and the only YC given in the game was in the aforementioned penalty situation.

Nikola Dabanović is a referee who is VERY FIT, able to make multiple sprints in a short period of time and who does not hesitate to widely enter the penalty area on both sides of the pitch. This has of course helped him in making the correct penalty decision in 33'. I also enjoyed his rather firm and distant relationship with the players, earning him a natural authority.

Assistant referees also performed on expected level, I want however to underline the excellent ONSIDE decision made by AR2 Dawid Igor Golis in 36', resulting in an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Indeed, two players were offside, while the player who gets the ball, comes from behind, creating confusion for the defending players. Well done!

To conclude, Nikola Dabanović has performed well in this match, which was not really demanding for the officiating crew. I think he will be considered for at least a semifinal at this U19 European Championship, if not even for the final match itself.

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