World of Football Refereeing

Referee Observation Report

MATCH FACTS
Group B, Matchday 1
09 June 2012 – 18:00 CET • Metalist Stadium • Kharkiv

NETHERLANDS 0-1 DENMARK

GOALS
0-1 Michael KROHN-DEHLI (DEN, 24’)

YELLOW CARDS
Mark VAN BOMMEL (NED, 67); Simon POULSEN (DEN; 78’); William KVIST (DEN; 81’)

SENDING OFFS
None

MATCH OFFICIALS
Function Full Name Origin Final Mark
Referee Damir Skomina SVN 71,0
Assistant Referee 1 Primož Arhar SVN 84,0
Assistant Referee 2 Matej Žunič SVN 78,0
Additional Assistant Referee 1 Slavko Vinčić * SVN 79,0
Additional Assistant Referee 2 Matej Jug * SVN 75,0
Fourth Official Pavel Kralovec CZE 80,0
Reserve Assistant Referee Roman Slyško SVK 75,0
UEFA Delegate Ainar Leppänen EST
UEFA Referee Observer Kyros Vassaras GRE
Blog Referee Observer(s) Pascal J SUI

* Note thtat Jug and Vinčić swapped positions compared to the original appointments. Vinčić officiated on
the side of AR1 Arhar.

Remarks concerning the final marks

The final marks that have been awarded by the Blog Referee Observer(s) for every official are
aimed at expressing a general assessment on the respective official’s performance.
They comply with certain and different evaluation scales that are exposed and explained in the
Referee Observation Checklist (a separate document).

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The Referee
I. MATCH
 Background
Opening match in Group C a.k.a. the “group of death”. After a slow start to the game,
outsiders Denmark surprisingly took the lead. The Netherlands, knowing that a bad result
in this game would leave them in a very difficult situation, tried everything to put pressure
on their opponents, but squandered all of their chances. It was mostly a rather slow-paced
game of medium intensity which still offered some difficult situations to solve for the
referees.

 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty and Importance

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0

II. CONTROL
 Comment
The match was not too hard to control. There were only a few situations where notable
protests occurred. Skomina dealt with those very well.

 Exemplary situations that strengthen the general impression

Minute Situation and Assessment
23 Quick conversation with Danish players to counteract upcoming protests
90 Furious protests by Dutch players after the non-given penalty are cut short

 Parameter Mark 2: Control

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

III. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game – Comment (advice: always refer to aspects
like card management, infringement detection, the application of the advantage
rule, holding in the penalty area after set pieces, simulation and lay extra ordinary
high emphasis on match influencing or even decisive decisions)
Skomina’s foul detection was decent, but not without mistakes. The advantage rule was
applied adequately. His card policy was not convincing however. He was too lenient in my
opinion and should have shown at least one or two more yellow cards. Towards the end
of the match he then suddenly started booking Danish players rather harshly for time
wasting.
Finally, he wrongly denied the Dutch a penalty for handball, which might possibly have led
to a late equalizer. As this was a match influencing mistake, the mark for this criterion had
to be lowered considerably.

 Important Decisions ((non)given cards should be mentioned, other important

decisions in the opinion of the observer)
Minute Situation and Assessment
Foul by Vlaar in front of the Dutch penalty area withouth having a chance of
8 playing the ball. Skomina decides to leave his cards in the pocket at this early
stage of the game. A 50/50 situation in my view.
Major chance for the Dutch, but the Danes claim that there had been a foul
18
(elbow) by van Persie in the build-up (in front of AR 1). Even in the replay, it

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 looks more like an accidental collision, so probably a justifiable decision.
Poulsen touches the ball with his hand in the Danish penalty area. The Dutch
are calling for a penalty, but Skomina is having none of it (probably also on
28
advice by AAR1 and/or AR1). This is a correct decision in my reckoning as
there is no intentional movement of the hand towards the ball.
38 Heitinga should have been booked for a foul from behind.
50 Good advantage play leads to a great chance for the Netherlands.
Jacobsen stops a Dutch attack by tripping Willems. Another bookable offence
62
in my view, but not in Skomina’s.
66 Yellow card for van Bommel for a cynical foul on Zimling; correct decision.
Dangerous attack by the Netherlands. Denmark’s keeper Andersen is
75 reaching for the ball while van Persie tries to kick the ball. He hits the ball and
the goalkeeper. Skomina correctly awards a free-kick to Denmark.
Yellow card to Poulsen for time wasting at a throw-in. Maybe a little pedantic
78
this time.
81 Kvist is booked for preventing the execution of a Dutch free-kick.
Another difficult situation in the Danish penalty area, as Jacobsen first plays
the ball with his shoulder, then blocks it with his arm. Skomina instantly
signals play-on. This time I reckon he is wrong. The defender has his arm
89
recklessly angled away from his body to make himself bigger, thereby taking
the risk to block the ball with his hand. It is therefore to be considered a
deliberate handball. Match influencing mistake!

 Parameter Mark 3: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 64,0

IV. STYLE
 Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Always close to the play, follows play at all times, and
X
does not interfere with play
Flexible Diagonal System X
Able to anticipate the action X
Enters the penalty area when necessary X
Appropiate, efficient and economic Positioning also at
X
set pieces
Physical Condition in general X
Adequate behaviour in dealing with injuries (awareness
of serious injuries, possible advantages applied, X
card-timing etc.)
Comment
Good fitness, but too far from the action in some situations. Good anticipation of upcoming
conflicts.

 Parameter Mark 4.1: Physical and Technical Aspects

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

 Tactical Approach
Expected
Criteria + level
-

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 The referee has a certain tactical approach, which is
moving in the measures the Laws of the Game define, X
which is understood and consistent
The referee’s tactical approach is active, he is able to
X
predict situations and to avoid conflicts by that
Personality and authority on the pitch X
Adequate communication X
Shows determination and courage in his decisions and
has also tools to gain authority (adequate and clear X
gestures, using his whistle as kind of language)
Shows respect X
Comment
He sometimes whistled very late (maybe waiting for confirmation by other members of the team),
which was irritating for players and spectators. Also, the yellow cards for time waisting might have
be avoided by using his personality. Apart of that: expected level.

 Parameter Mark 4.2: Tactical Approach

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0

 Summary of both sections (if necessary, give the minutes)

Positive Points 1. Authority on the pitch
2. Good anticipation of possible conflicts

Points for improvement 1. Sometimes waiting too long to make a decision

2. Too far away from the action at times

 Comment on the cooperation within the referee team

Skomina was clearly relying on the support of other members of his team. Maybe the
communication within the team was not fast enough on some occasions.

 Parameter Mark 4: Style (factorized (50%) sum of both partial sections)

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 73,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – REFEREE

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY / IMPORTANCE 10 % 70
CONTROL 20 % 80
DECISIONS 40 % 64
STYLE 30 % 73
Final mark 71,0

Assistant Referee 1

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I. MATCH
 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AR1)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80

II. DECISIONS
 Overview
Expected
Criteria + level
-
(Non-)Offside detection (evaluated independently (!)
X
from the difficulty of the (non-)offside situations)
Quality of other decisions with regard to the
X
application of the Laws of the Game

 Important Decisions (of course heavy attention to be paid on (non-)offside

decisions)
Minute Situation and Assessment
18 No foul signalled against van Persie (see above), debatable call
Two excellent on-side calls in a row in the build up to a big chance for the
43
Netherlands

 Parameter Mark 2: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 85,0

III. STYLE
 Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Physical Condition X
Positioning and movement X
Adequate alertness, mental awareness and
concentration (e.g. decisions on situations happening X
in his area of vicinity)
Holds and moves his flag in accordance with the
X
Laws of the Game

 Parameter Mark 3: Style

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AR1

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 80
DECISIONS 60 % 85
STYLE 20 % 70
Final mark 81,0

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Assistant Referee 2
I. MATCH
 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AR2)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 70,0

II. DECISIONS
 Overview
Expected
Criteria + level
-
(Non-)Offside detection (evaluated independently (!)
X
from the difficulty of the (non-)offside situations)
Quality of other decisions with regard to the
X
application of the Laws of the Game

 Important Decisions (of course heavy attention to be paid on (non-)offside

decisions)
Minute Situation and Assessment
62 Good offside call

 Parameter Mark 2: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

III. STYLE
 Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Physical Condition X
Positioning and movement X
Adequate alertness, mental awareness and
concentration (e.g. decisions on situations happening X
in his area of vicinity)
Holds and moves his flag in accordance with the
X
Laws of the Game

 Parameter Mark 3: Style

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AR2

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 70
DECISIONS 60 % 80
STYLE 20 % 80
Final mark 78,0

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Additional Assistant Referee 1
I. MATCH
 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AAR1)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 65,0

II. DECISIONS
 Overview
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Important decisions in the penalty area (e.g. fouls like
X
holding after set pieces, goal-decisions etc.)
Quality of other decisions with regard to the
X
application of the Laws of the Game

 Important Decisions
Minute Situation and Assessment
Possibly involved in the (correct) decision not to award a penalty to the
28
Netherlands for handball.

 Parameter Mark 2: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

III. STYLE
 Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Positioning and movement X
Active involvement, adequate alertness, mental
awareness and concentration (e.g. decisions on X
situations happening in his area of vicinity)

 Parameter Mark 3: Style

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AAR1

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 65
DECISIONS 60 % 85
STYLE 20 % 75
Final mark 79,0

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Additional Assistant Referee 2
I. MATCH
 Parameter Mark 1: Degree of Difficulty (only aspects concerning the AAR2)
AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 60,0

II. DECISIONS
 Application of the Laws of the Game, Involvement – Comment
No visible involvement; was not able to help Skomina with the penalty decision from his
position.

 Overview
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Important decisions in the penalty area (e.g. fouls like
X
holding after set pieces, goal-decisions etc.)
Quality of other decisions with regard to the
X
application of the Laws of the Game

 Parameter Mark 2: Decisions

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 80,0

III. STYLE
 Physical and Technical Aspects
Expected
Criteria + level
-
Positioning and movement X
Active involvement, adequate alertness, mental
awareness and concentration (e.g. decisions on X
situations happening in his area of vicinity)

 Parameter Mark 3: Style

AWARDED MARK FOR THIS PARAMETER 75,0

FACTORIZED SUM (FINAL MARK) – AAR2

Parameter Percentage Mark
MATCH DIFFICULTY 20 % 60
DECISIONS 60 % 80
STYLE 20 % 75
Final mark 75,0

Fourth Official
 Comment
Appeared to help Skomina with one or two foul calls.

 Final mark
FINAL MARK 80,0

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Reserve Assistant Referee
 Comment
Not involved

 Final mark
FINAL MARK 75,0

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