Unofficial Referee Observers Report Unofficial Referee Observers Report

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UEFA Under-21 European Championship 2013 FINAL (ITA) Italy 2:4 Spain (ESP)

18 June 2013, 18:00 CET Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem, 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 Matej Jug Roland Brandner Vencel Tth Halis zkahya Ivan Kruliak Ivan Bebek Petr Fousek Hugh Dallas Nik Askitopoulos

Origin SVN AUT HUN TUR SVK CRO CZE SCO ENG

Mark1 8.3 8.6 8.5 8.1 8.1 8.0

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

Difficulty3 Challenging Challenging Challenging 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 =Inofficial referee observer appointed by the blog administrator.

Evaluation scale 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

(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.

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1) Description of the match: A final game is always a tense occasion, but both teams played with confidence, despite two very different styles being on offer. The game was aided by an early goal for Spain, which stretched the game and gave the Italians more ambition. For Jug the game roughly followed three patterns/phases: Initially both teams tried to play football and challenges were few and far and between. The larger phase up until around the 80th minute was a more tempestuous affair with both teams combative in the tackle and at times, using the subtle foul. The final 10 minutes saw a flurry of strong (and often late) challenges, but Jugs control rema ined excellent to the end and further confrontation was avoided in the main.

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: Jug kept a consistent line and his player management technique was very good for somebody of his experience. He chose to speak to players in a calm manner for the most part, and sought to keep the game flowing where he could including calming tempestuous situations down efficiently. The majority of the 7 cautions were administered in the middle phase of the game and one must say that the award of the first Spanish penalty on 38 mins perhaps increased the tempo of the game, ensuring that he often had no other option in his disciplinary actions. In the last period of the game, where the Italians in particular were becoming overly combative, Jug did well to ensure 22 players stayed on the pitch as there were one or two flare-ups which were dealt with well. Minute 11 12 15 18 27 Description of the situation R8 cautioned for a late challenge, deemed reckless by Jug. Correct in law, but could perhaps have been dealt with via a word. Foul B8 on R10 Good advantage played as Spain keep possession of the ball just beyond the halfway line. Mandatory yellow card showed to B4 for a high boot (during an attempted clearance). There is an element of the Nani factor here but a caution is acceptable, and probably correct. Tello is shown a yellow card for stamping (unintentionally but without care) on B8 on the half way line. Little complaint from the Spaniard. Thiago completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot 3-1. The Italian defender appears to take the ball with his good challenge on Tello, however; with his right foot though his left foot does swipe the legs of the attacker after the ball is played. Jug waves away the resulting (many) protests, but would do well not to do so in such a manner so as to dismiss the players too readily.

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47

60

Caution for R6 for a purposeful trip (disguised as accidental) on B9. Good assistance from AR2 Advantage played as Thiago escapes his defender, but this results in a swipe at the ankles on the Spaniard by B20. Perhaps Jug would be better minded to award the freekick in the first instance as the incident was in the defensive third in a crowded area. B11 could well have been cautioned for a reckless challenge on R6 but Jug chooses to have a word. Spain are awarded a penalty within one minute of the incident, as B19 takes the legs of R2 after a superb bit of skill from the latter. B6 escapes a possible Red card as he leads with his elbow into Morata, who goes down injured. Jug cautions the Italian captain, who immediately apologizes for the challenge. B23 is cautioned for a reckless challenge on R3, using his hands high on the defenders neck.

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70 77

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: Jug was consistent in the main (you could argue that he was too harsh to caution as early as the 11th minute for an innocuous challenge, and overly harsh on the penalty but not as certain with the two incidents involving the Italian captain) and his match control was never in doubt. Aside from the first Spanish penalty (which seemed to deflate the Italians somewhat), the players respected his decisions and although the game had seven cautions, it never seriously threatened to boil over this is a credit to his player management technique and strong personality, as well as presence. In relation to the latter, it would perhaps be advisable not to show such a combustive approach to certain controversial moments in the match. Often upon administering a caution or a freekick/penalty, Jug looked very serious and used dismissive arm gestures. A calmer, yet equally assertive approach and body language is required in such situations. Being so young helps him in this respect, and one only has to look at the likes of Webb and Cakir to see their improvement in latter years with regards their more laid back approach in this respect. Summary of 2) and 3): Positive Points 1. 2. Not meeting requirements, points that need improvement Match Control and his overall player management strategy Fitness and anticipation of the next phase Body language and facial expression when dealing with tough situations, including the administering of cautions Positioning was good but Jug often found himself far too much ahead of the ball or too close to the intricate passing

1. 2.

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Minute 45 63

Description of the situation Late challenge by B20 on Isco is dealt with by using a quiet word. Good management shown. B11 could well have been cautioned for a reckless challenge on R6 but Jug chooses to have a word B6 is late in the challenge just beyond the half way line, but Jug plays the advantage as Spain maintain possession. Perhaps a good tactic in this instance, though perhaps the referee should have a word with the captain at the next stoppage as the defender was close to receiving his second yellow in theory.

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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 38 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 Excellent position for the penalty award, and showed excellent fitness and anticipation in this situation.

5) Teamwork (co-operation with (A)ARs and fourth official with reference, if needed, to special situations and the minutes when they occurred) Comments: Jug showed excellent fitness and for the large part, his positioning was good. At times he was a little too far ahead of the ball probably a result of his excellent anticipation of the next phase of play. Perhaps a better strategy would be to move on the diagonal before the ball is played into the final third, thus allowing him to sweep up in behind using a short sprint this is certainly a good strategy for teams such as Spain who show great emphasis on possession play, and often resist the longer pass. Jugs mental awareness was good, though there was a particularly controversial incident in the 70th minute where the Italian captain may well have been shown the red card and not the yellow, for leading with an elbow. His teamwork with his assistants in particular was good, and both were able to assist him in moments where his viewing angle was not advantageous. The offside detection from both assistants was of a high standard and this helped teamwork.

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6) If needed: General comments or advices for improvement; explanation of the chosen mark; further matters (can be let empty). Comments: Jug had two decisive incidents to deal with in the game: The Italian captains challenge with the elbow and the first penalty award. With regards the former, one can suspect that both he and his assistant came to the conclusion that the contact was more with the fore-arm rather than the elbow. Replays proved inconclusive, but what cannot be in doubt was the harm caused to the Spanish striker, and thus a red would not have been questioned here. Re the penalty award, the question that has to be answered is this: Does the follow-through tackle to the standing leg impede Tellos ability to play the ball or indeed shoot at goal? Unequivocally it does not. The ball is clearly won in a challenge from the side with clear and full contact on the ball; indeed, the ball is out for a corner as the trailing leg takes Tello down. It is a challenge that we see on numerous occasions outside the area during the duration of a normal game, and as long as the legs are not taken in the same movement of the challenge that contacts the ball, it is legitimate to allow play to continue. Jug appears to make the decision too quickly, and the game swings back into the Spaniards favour after the incident. One small point in positioning is mentioned in the report, as on three occasions, Jug got in the way of the ball, perhaps being the result of being too far ahead of play when the Spanish team seemed to be focusing their (concise) build-up play down the left side (close to his diagonal).

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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: + 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: An excellent game overall, but might he have assisted Jug in the 70 th minute as he had a better viewing angle on B6s challenge on Morata? Minute 3 10 12 40 Description of the situation Good no flag as B9 races down the right side. Again great no flag as B9 races through the centre to equalize 1-1. Onside is the right call. Correct offside call on B9. Correct offside called on B10

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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: + Expected X X X X X Comments: see grid Minute 12 47 Description of the situation Good delay on the flag as offside is correctly detected on R21 from attacking freekick. Good assistance with strong flag as defending player (R6) brings down the Italian forward in a cunning fashion that he hoped would go un-noticed. A caution is shown for halting a promising attack. 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

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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; 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: Mentally alert, expected movement on the goalline and control of the penalty area. Minute Description of the situation

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: + X X X Expected 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: Normal performance for AAR2, everything expected. Minute 3 38 Description of the situation Communicates with the referee at a Spanish corner, indicating not enough contact as B7 makes contact on R8. The Spanish player goes down far too easily and this is a good decision. Correct positioning by the official at the Spanish penalty.

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Fourth Official
11) Fourth Officials performance (reference to technical management like substitutions or signaling 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, though the Italian manager did have to be spoken to after his outburst upon the award of the first penalty against his team, and one or two cautions given to his players.