Unofficial Referee

Unofficial Referee Observer’s

Observer’s Report
Report
© The
The Third
Third Team
Team(footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)
(footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

UEFA Under-21 European Championship 2013

(ESP) Spain 1:0 Russia (RUS)

06 June 2013, 18:00 CET – Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem, Israel

Match Officials Name Origin Mark1 Mark2 Difficulty3

Referee Matej Jug SVN 8.3 --- Normal
Assistant Referee 1 Alan Mulvanny SCO 8.4 --- Normal
Assistant Referee 2 Johann Gudmundsson ISL 8.3 --- Normal
Additional AR 1 Ilias Spathas GRE 8.0 --- Normal
Additional AR 2 Halis Özkahya TUR 8.0 --- Normal
Fourth Official Nissan Davidy ISR 8.0 --- Normal
UEFA Delegate Petr Fousek CZE
UEFA Referee Observer Marc Batta FRA
Blog Referee Observer Chefren ITA
1
Final mark according to evaluation scale. Expected level for AARs and fourth official is 8.0, crucial mistake 7.7!
2
Mark if the final mark had not been influenced by a crucial mistake (only in case of a crucial mistake, to be held empty if no crucial mistake
occurred).
3
Difficulty has to be integrated into the final mark. Levels of difficulty are: “normal”, “challenging” and “very challenging”.
4
Blog-Referee Observer =Inofficial referee observer appointed by the blog administrator.

Evaluation scale
(for referee and assistant referees Description of the Marks
only)

9.0 – 10.0 Excellent.

8.5 – 8.9 Very good. Important decision(s) correctly taken.
8.3 – 8.4 Good. Expected level.
8.2 Satisfactory with small areas for improvement.
8.0 – 8.1 Satisfactory with important areas for improvement.
7.9 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.3 or above.
7.8 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.0 – 8.2.
Below expectation, poor control, significant point(s) for
7.5 – 7.7
improvement.
Disappointing. Below expectation with one and clear important
7.0 – 7.4 mistake
or a performance with two or more clear and important mistakes.
6.0 – 6.9 Unacceptable.
Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report
© The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

1) Description of the match:

The first match of Group B in the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship,
played at Teddy Stadium, in Jerusalem, between Spain and Russia. The attendance was really
low: 8,127. The referee appointed was Matej jug from Slovenia, with Alan Mulvanny from
Scotland as AR1 and Johann Gudmundsson from Iceland as AR2. Spathas from Greece was
the AAR1 and Özkahya from Turkey the AAR2., while Nissan Davidy from Israel acted as
fourth official. The referee was in the best condition to do his work on the pitch, no pressure
from the stands and a calm atmosphere. The game in its progress was overall fair, and there
weren’t difficult or crucial situations to evaluate.

Referee

2) Knowledge, Application and Interpretation of the Laws of the Game, Disciplinary

Control and Technical Management of the game with special reference to the situations
and the minutes when they occurred.
(Crucial decisions, if available, have to be explicitly mentioned in the grid and
highlighted).

Comments:
Overall, it was a satisfying performance by Jug. He showed to have a good knowledge of the
Laws of the Game, giving cards in mandatory situations. He was also helped by players,
because most of the time, the game was really fair. The three cards given were for clear fouls,
furthermore he had a few situations to evaluate, and he always took the correct decision. To
be underline that in the possible controversial cases, he was able to be accepted by players,
without excessive complaints (52’ and 74’), that is an important skill for a referee. The only
decision about which we can discuss, in my opinion, is a possible missed YC at the end (90’)
when Montoya (ESP) was clearly fouled. For the rest, expected level in a not challenging
match.

Minute Description of the situation

Prior to kick A hole in the net detected by Spathas, AAR1. The match starts a bit later than
off the fixed time.
Complaints by Spain for an alleged handball in the middle of the pitch, Jug
8’
evaluates it as unintentional making clear gestures.
17’ Accidental elbow by a Russian player while jumping, Jug lets the game flow.
Schennikov (RUS) commits foul on Muniain (ESP). Reckless tackle, the decision
23’ to give a YC is absolutely correct. The player looking for the ball but hitting
also the opponent in a dangerous way.
Foul in favor of Zabolotni (RUS), harsh decision for Spain. The keeper is often
27’
too protected by referees.
Isco (ESP) is stopped by a tackle from a Russian defender just outside the
penalty area. The referee evaluates it as regular action, there are doubts. A
52’
free kick might have been awarded, but at the end no big complaints by
players, and no replays from tv, so we can accept referee’s decision.
Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report
© The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Grigoryev (RUS) commits foul on Illarramendi (ESP). The second foul in one
60’ minute with the ball away and the referee decides to give a strong warning to
Russian player.
66’ Handball by Grigoryev (RUS) well detected.
Grigoryev (RUS) commits foul on Iñigo Martínez (ESP). Tackle from the back,
73’
absolutely correct and deserved YC.
Rodrigo (ESP) falls down too easily in penalty area, after having been softly
74’ pushed by an opponent. Not enough for a penalty, correct decision by referee
to let the game flow.
Shatov (RUS) commits foul on Moreno (ESP) and is booked. Correct decision,
85’
too late attempt to reach the ball.
Yakovlev (RUS) commits foul on Montoya (ESP), Stupid and useless tackle with
90’
the ball away. In this case, the referee decided to avoid the YC.

3) Tactical approach and its Degree of Consistency, Personality, Match Control and
Management of the Teams and Players with special reference to the situations and the
minutes when they occurred.

Comments:
Matej Jug had a clear line in foul detection, which led him to consistency. He showed also
personality when he decided to give a strong verbal warning to a Russian player, prior to a
possible YC. It happened in the 60’ minute. The match control was not a big problem because
the players were fair, anyway with his style, Jug probably made it even easier. Clear gestures
and good communication with players.

Summary of 2) and 3):

Control of the game thank also to a good approach. Good

Positive Points 1.
communication with players.
2. Knowledge of the mandatory cards.
3. Ability to be accepted by players in each decision.

Not meeting require-
ments, points that
need improvement
As said, the only possible point for improvement in this
1. match was the missed YC at 90’. A more challenging match
is needed for a deeper analysis.
2.
3.

Minute Description of the situation

60’ Strong verbal warning.
52’ and 74’ His decisions were accepted by players.
Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report
© The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

4) Physical Shape, Stamina, Positioning, Movement as well as Mental Awareness, if

needed, with reference to the minutes when they occurred, always in case of a “-“.

Physical Condition (very good, good, average, poor): Good

Further Aspects:
+ Expected -
Always close to play, follows play at all times with a flexible
X
diagonal system and impedes interference with play
Efficient positioning (at set pieces e.g.) and movement to be
X ready to take a (crucial) decision (specially in the box; be
able to enter the box in some cases when it is necessary)
X Shows awareness and is able to anticipate the action

Minute Description of the situation

Overall, the match didn’t offer important situations in which to give an
All match
advantage, Jug appeared ready and always aware. The physical condition was
long
good. He had a god run. No particular situations to underline, expected level.

5) Teamwork (co-operation with (A)ARs and fourth official with reference, if needed, to
special situations and the minutes when they occurred)

Comments:
There weren’t particular cases of needed cooperation, anyway the assistants showed to be
alert. AR1 reported a foul to Jug, while AR2 was not involved in this kind of situations. AARs
were not involved in important decisions. AAR2 Halis Özkahya decided for a goal kick at 60’.
Jug gave the impression to be able to decide by himself most of the times.

6) If needed: General comments or advices for improvement; explanation of the chosen

mark; further matters (can be let empty).

Comments:
Overall the match was not challenging and for this reason Jug mark is 8.3 (expected level).
This doesn’t mean that there aren’t points for improvement. Of course, the missed YC at the
end is an example of that. Nevertheless, a god performance. Waiting for more challenging
matches.
Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report
© The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Assistant Referee 1
7) Assistant Referee 1’s performance (please mention some important decisions either by
integrating them into a coherent comment or mentioning them in the grid below; mandatory
if a “-“ (negative point) is selected)

Relevant Aspects:

+ Expected -
Correct offside decisions by means of a good application of
X the
“wait and see”-technique
X Good positioning and movement
Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of
X
vicinity
Reasonable degree of co-operation with referee (not
X flagging too much / too little; being able to support referee
in crucial decisions)
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
In the first minutes of the match, Mulvanny was immediately challenged with two ONSIDE
positions to evaluate, then a very good offside call at the beginning of second half and
another flag was raised at 77’. Overall, a faultless performance, he also reported to Jug a foul
happened in his area of vicinity.

Minute Description of the situation

4’ Muniain (ESP) is evaluated onside. Correct decision.
9’ Tello (ESP) is evaluated onside. Good NO FLAG.
Grigoryev (RUS) is flagged offside. Excellent detection, very difficult to evaluate
56’
but slight offside.
64’ A free kick is reported to Jug.
77’ Belyaev (RUS) is flagged offside. No replay, the decision should be correct.
Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report
© The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Assistant Referee 2
8) Assistant Referee 2’s performance (please mention some important decisions either by
integrating them into a coherent comment or mentioning them in the grid below; mandatory
if a “-“ (negative point) is selected)

Relevant Aspects:
+ Expected -
Correct offside decisions by means of a good application of
X the
“wait and see”-technique
X Good positioning and movement
Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of
X
vicinity
Reasonable degree of co-operation with referee (not
X flagging too much / too little; being able to support referee
in crucial decisions)
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
Gudmundsson was less busy than his colleague, nevertheless he also offered a good
performance. Two onside calls to underline (the second was important because Morata
scored, anyway not really difficult to detect). Then, in the last minutes a clear offside position
was signaled. Expected level because the calls were not challenging. He had nothing to
report in his area of vicinity. A goal kick decision was probably taken in cooperation with
AAR2.

Minute Description of the situation

50’ Tello (ESP) is evaluated onside. Good NO FLAG.

59’ Cooperation with AAR2 for a goal / corner kick decision.

82’ Morata (ESP) is correctly evaluated onside while scoring.

88’ Morata (ESP) is flagged offside. Correct decision.
Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report
© The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Additional Assistant Referee 1

9) Additional Assistant Referee 1’s performance (please mention some important decisions
either by integrating them into a coherent comment or mentioning them in the grid below;
mandatoryif a “-“ (negative point) is selected)

Relevant Aspects:

+ Expected -

X Good positioning and movement

Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of
X vicinity based on a reasonable degree of co-operation with
referee
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
AAR1 had a calm evening and he was never involved in any decision. Expected level.

Minute Description of the situation

Additional Assistant Referee 2

10) Additional Assistant Referee’s performance (please mention some important decisions
either by integrating them into a coherent comment or mentioning them in the grid below;
mandatoryif a “-“ (negative point) is selected)

Relevant Aspects:

+ Expected -

X Good positioning and movement

Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of
X vicinity based on a reasonable degree of co-operation with
referee
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
He confirmed a goal kick decision at 59’ but, like his colleague, no really challenged in the
match. Calm evening.

Minute Description of the situation

59’ Involved in a goal kick decision in favor of Russia.
Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report
© The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Fourth Official

11) Fourth Official’s performance (reference to technical management like substitutions or

signalling of additional time, dealing with benches in case of conflicts)

Comments:
Nothing particular to report, he executed well substitutions and added time duties, the
benches had a fair behavior all match long.