Sergey Ivanov, Czechia - Norway

Both teams were still looking for the first win of the tournament but they didn't manage that and the game ended 0-0. It was a normal-difficulty match for the Russian, who just did his job without extra-ordinary notes. I made some videos of the interesting cases. Game was very fair, overall referee whistled only 23 fouls. Card management was expected level, in3 occasions he issued mandatory cautions for specific fouls, while one can discuss about the last YC of the game, maybe a bit harsh. Some good advantages when needed (29', 90'+1). Absolutely no further situations in which YC could have been issued.
If I read the previous report written by Osborne about his first game, I think that in this second appearance it was impossible to check whether referee had a bit developed in communicating with players, because all the cards issued were very clear and it was impossible to give only warnings. Also, the low number of fouls doesn't help me in making a deeper analysis about referee's personality.
Both assistant referees with an expected level, AR1 with two offside calls, both correct, AR2 not challenged. Maybe the latter could have cooperated with referee when YC in 73'.

Let's start with this handball whistled in 5', a promising attack was stopped:
In my opinion at least supportable decision, ball was rather expected and player could have removed his arm before the touch. Also, given the difficulty in assessing deliberate handballs, I find difficult to assess this as clear mistake. Arm position is not open and this could play in favor of play-on but the overall perception is that you can whistle...

34': YC for blatant and repeated holding
Nothing to add there, something mandatory.

45' first offside call by AR1, fully correct.
I made a video because it is interesting under a didactic point of view: deflection by defender (not deliberate play), so still offside. It was the only player in offside, and he was very far from the ball, therefore, a very good offside decision.

57': whistle in favor of defender by referee, following a corner kick.
According to uefa.com, Ivanov whistled a foul made on defender with the shirt #4, not clear, however in any case, never a penalty, maybe play on better decision, nothing significant.

73' YC for reckless and late challenge when opponent had already played ball
Despite of his positioning, referee spotted this infringment, we must trust him because replay was not shown. Very good alertness, since ball was played backwards, no reason to give advantage and fully correct whistle. One small note: no reaction by AR2 who was closer than referee, maybe this could have been his only possible involvement in the game, he didn't make signals.

77' goalkeeper injured, normal collision between players?
I agree with Ivanov, no foul by keeper, he clearly played the ball, then you can also assess the situation as normal collision (no responsibility by attacker as well) but you have to whistle and stop the game because keeper was injured. Not quick reaction by referee, who waited a few seconds (no need) before stopping game. Point for improvement.

82' - YC for stopping a counterattack by holding opponent - correct decision.

86' YC for kicking ball away / protest, time wasting
Referee was strict here. One must add that his whistle was very, very short. Small chances tha player didn't hear it? We can't know, however, I can't debate too much on that, it is referee's discretion. 

For sure, I can add, and I try again to connect my analysis with the previous report, referee didn't communicate too much with players during the whole game. In this game, it was not so much needed, because only few fouls and mandatory cards, but maybe he is not the referee who likes too much to interact. One can have this idea, I repeat myself, only an idea, because I can't say more.
For me expected level.


LAW 5 - THE REFEREE BLOG REPORTER:
Chefren