Unofficial Unofficial Referee Referee Observers Observers Report Report

The Third Third Team Team(footballrefereeing.blogspot.com) (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com) The

UEFA Under-21 European Championship 2013 (ESP) Spain 3:0 Netherlands (NED)

12 June 2013, 18:00 CET HaMoshava, Petah Tikva, Israel

Match Officials Referee Assistant Referee 1 Assistant Referee 2 Additional AR 1 Additional AR 2 Fourth Official UEFA Delegate UEFA Referee Observer Blog Referee Observer
1 2

Name Ovidiu Alin Hategan Roland Brandner Alan Mulvanny Kenn Hansen Miroslav Zelinka Danny Krasikow Kazimierz Oleszek Vlado Sajn Nik Askitopoulos

Origin ROU AUT SCO DEN CZE ISR POL SVN ENG

Mark1 8.3 8.2 8.5 8.0 8.0 8.0

Mark2 -------------

Difficulty3 Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal

Final mark according to evaluation scale. Expected level for AARs and fourth official is 8.0, crucial mistake 7.7! 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 = unofficial referee observer appointed by the blog administrator.

Evaluation scale
(for referee and assistant referees only)

Description of the Marks Excellent. Very good. Important decision(s) correctly taken. Good. Expected level. Satisfactory with small areas for improvement. Satisfactory with important areas for improvement. One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.3 or above. One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.0 8.2. Below expectation, poor control, significant point(s) for improvement. Disappointing. Below expectation with one and clear important mistake or a performance with two or more clear and important mistakes. Unacceptable.

9.0 10.0 8.5 8.9 8.3 8.4 8.2 8.0 8.1 7.9 7.8 7.5 7.7 7.0 7.4 6.0 6.9

Unofficial Referee Observers Report

The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

1) Description of the match: Hategan was rarely tested in what was a normal match, but kept a quiet control of the game nonetheless. At times, Spains possession play frustrated the Netherlands and the game threatened to boil over with one or two late challenges from the Dutch side, but Hategans player management did not allow this to happen.

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: The referee had good application of law and disciplinary control, administering 4 cautions with 3 cautions coming in the last minutes of the game in a game that could easily have escalated in tempo as above. There was one penalty claim, but this was rightly waved away. Minute 8 Description of the situation Q14 brings down R17 on the edge of the penalty area. Hategan considers a caution but opts for a quiet word instead. This sets the tone for the game, and he keeps this line well. The first caution of the game is given to R3 a substitute in the game, but correctly given for a reckless challenge. (Hategan actually signals that it was his second foul in quick succession, but perhaps there was no need to signal this given the nature of the foul in itself. W7 pushes R4 in the back when challenging for a high ball. Again, the referee chooses to take to the side and have a quiet word with the player. R21 claims for a penalty as he goes down under minimal contact. There is no control of the ball as he tries to turn the defender. No penalty - Correct decision. Another good no foul call as W11 tries to beat two defenders by venturing through the middle and going down theatrically. W21 repeats a move using a high foot and is now cautioned. He is beckoned to stand up which is good to see - though he immediately crouches down again upon receiving the yellow card W17 is cautioned for a reckless challenge on Spains nimble Muniain. 2 cautions coming late in the game, but nonetheless both correct as the Dutch team were beginning to lose patience. Perhaps a slightly harsh caution, as R12 appears to commit a careless rather than a reckless foul late in the game.

56

77 79

84 85

89 91

Unofficial Referee Observers Report

The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

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: The referees tactical approach to the game paid off, as he sought to keep a low profile, using good player management to aid his control rather than brandishing the yellow card often. This highlights his match preparation, as the game was set to be a closely fought battle between two of the most talented teams on display in the tournament. Spains possession game often frustrated Holland, but Hategan ensured that the players were under no illusion that aggressive play was to be accepted. Match control and player management was a strength of his game. Summary of 2) and 3): Positive Points 1. 2. 3. Not meeting requirements, points that need improvement Minute 18 36 Match Control Player Management Disciplinary Action

1.

Presence and confidence in body language

Description of the situation Advantage played as W11 advances beyond the half-way line beyond the late challenge from R14 Hategan chooses to have a word with N21 instead of cautioning after a late challenge on R14. This was very much in line with his threshold of control in the game up until this point. W2 chops at Iscos shin as the Spaniard evades the challenge and puts a decent cross into the box. Hategan does not seem to acknowledge the attempted foul challenge, and might well have signaled advantage here. Muniain keeps tight control of the ball amidst 3 defending players vying for possession, and escapes well though Hategan blows for an initial tug. Could an advantage have been played? In the build up to the third goal, Hategan plays a superb advantage as R12 prospers down the left hand side before squaring the ball for a tap in for Morata. The signal is perhaps a fraction too late, but a great advantage.

40

70

90

Unofficial Referee Observers 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): Very Good Further Aspects: + Expected X X X Minute 22/65/82 Always close to play, follows play at all times with a flexible diagonal system and impedes interference with play Efficient positioning (at set pieces e.g.) and movement to be ready to take a (crucial) decision (specially in the box; be able to enter the box in some cases when it is necessary) Shows awareness and is able to anticipate the action

Description of the situation Hategan keeping a high left line in terms of his positioning on the field. Whilst admirable, there must be flexibility with this text-book positioning. In the mins identified, Hategan struggles to get near play once the counter-attack is on, and is often over 25m from incidents or potential incidents.

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

6) If needed: General comments or advices for improvement; explanation of the chosen mark; further matters (can be let empty). Comments: Overall Hategan is clearly a referee set for the highest echelons, with good control and application of law (expected at this level). He perhaps needs to improve his feel for the game, and with that will come better on-field positioning and a clearer understanding of the next phase of play. There were times in the game when he could perhaps squeeze the play more and not aim to stay too wide when the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch. In addition, Hategans presence and confidence in the game could be improved although it is recognized that todays low key tactics worked a treat for the Romanian. When speaking to players, using more arm signals and projecting strong body language ensuring players are left in no doubt as to the message on offer, could be something to work on to progress his game. Advantage was used sporadically, and though one instance led to a goal, Hategans overall use of this crucial element could perhaps be improved in terms of the timing of the signal and when to use instead of whistling for a foul (to the detriment of the attacking team).

Unofficial Referee Observers Report

The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Assistant Referee 1
7) Assistant Referee 1s 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 X X X X X Correct offside decisions by means of a good application of the wait and see-technique Good positioning and movement Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity Reasonable degree of co-operation with referee (not flagging too much / too little; being able to support referee in crucial decisions) Efficient control at set pieces

Comments: AR1 had a satisfactory-good game overall, but at times was a little too slow to react to the play and thus, the defensive line (2nd last defender). Minute 11 34/37 Description of the situation Should hit the by-line with the advancing play thus giving him a better viewing angle before signaling for the corner. Both offsides apparently incorrectly called. But both were very tight indeed.

Unofficial Referee Observers Report

The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Assistant Referee 2
8) Assistant Referee 2s 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: + X X X X X Expected Correct offside decisions by means of a good application of the wait and see-technique Good positioning and movement Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity Reasonable degree of co-operation with referee (not flagging too much / too little; being able to support referee in crucial decisions) Efficient control at set pieces

Comments: AR2 showed great maturity and all 6 offsides were called correctly, including where the striker was coming back in. He also assisted the referee on 2-3 occasions where Hategan was caught up the field with a poorer view of the incident(s). Minute 6 30 Description of the situation Good assistance to the referee as R14 commits a late challenge in his vicinity. Excellent offside judgment as the striker first comes back in but does not attempt to gain possession a split second later he then tries to tackle the defender and the flag is raised at the right time. Well done.

Unofficial Referee Observers Report

The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Additional Assistant Referee 1

9) Additional Assistant Referee 1s 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 X X X Good positioning and movement Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity based on a reasonable degree of co-operation with referee Efficient control at set pieces

Comments: AAR1 performed to the expected standard and gave assistance where required. Was alert and moved well in the game. Communicating at corners was a particular strength. Minute 11 Description of the situation Alert at corner, seems to be communicating with the referee on the mic around potential shirt-pulling away from Hategan who is placed to the left of the penalty area.

Unofficial Referee Observers Report

The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Additional Assistant Referee 2

10) Additional Assistant Referees 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 X X Good positioning and movement Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity based on a reasonable degree of co-operation with referee Efficient control at set pieces

Comments: Not too much goal-mouth action for AAR2 to contend with but performed to the expected standard and gave assistance where required, including with the non-penalty decision. Was alert and moved fluidly throughout. Minute 79 Description of the situation R21 goes down in the penalty area following minimal contact. AAR2 appears to discuss Hategans decision not to award the penalty, and moves away from the play to indicate as such.

Unofficial Referee Observers Report

The Third Team (footballrefereeing.blogspot.com)

Fourth Official
11) Fourth Officials performance (reference to technical management like substitutions or signalling of additional time, dealing with benches in case of conflicts) Comments: Good solid performance. Performed the substitutions with efficiency and by using the correct procedure. Little to do in terms of managing the technical areas, with both managers respectful throughout.