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Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report

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UEFA Champions League 2012 / 2013


Semifinals

(GER) Borussia Dortmund 4:1 Real Madrid (ESP)

24 April 2013, 20:45 CET – Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Match Officials Name Origin Mark1 Mark2 Difficulty3


Referee Björn Kuipers NED 8.8 --- Challenging
Assistant Referee 1 Sander van Roekel NED 8.4 --- Normal
Assistant Referee 2 Erwin Zeinstra NED 8.6 --- Challenging
Additional AR 1 Pol van Boekel NED 8.0 --- Normal
Additional AR 2 Richard Liesveld NED 8.0 --- Normal
Fourth Official Berry Simons NED 8.0 --- Normal
UEFA Referee Observer Hugh Dallas SCO
Blog-Referee Observer4 Nik Askitopoulos ENG

1 Final mark according to evaluation scale. Expected level for AARs and fourth official is 8.0, crucial mistake 7.9 as usual!
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 Description of the Marks


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.
7.5 – 7.7 Below expectation, poor control, significant point(s) for improvement.
Disappointing. Below expectation with one and clear important mistake
7.0 – 7.4
or a performance with two or more clear and important mistakes.
6.0 – 6.9 Unacceptable.

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Description of the match:


A great atmosphere as usual at the Signal Iduna Park, as Dortmund sought to replicate the German
slaying of Spanish blood that Bayern produced in the previous evening versus Barcelona. A great start
from a typical left-to-right centre for Lewandowski at the far post set them on their way to doing so.
Mourinho’s Madrid were simply unable to thwart the fast-paced, precision passing by Klopp’s side, and
were chasing the game from early on. Ronaldo equalized via a (typical) lackadaisical mistake by the
over-confident Hummels, but Dortmund’s attacking verve and midfield dominance was always going to
pay off. At times the game was challenging for the Dutch official, but in the main it was a normal
challenge, despite the game having its scrappy moments (inevitable if a Mou side is chasing the
opposition). The game was running smoothly until the first Reus penalty appeal, and aside from the
penalty award in the second half on the same player, there was not too many contentious decisions
tonight – though this is also a testament to the referee’s control of the game and of course, the occasion.

Referee
I. 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:
Kuipers excelled here, applying law with superb consistency and keeping tight control in the game. His
card management was fine in the main, seeking to keep the yellow in his pocket as much as possible,
whilst at the same time cautioning for reckless challenges and deliberate handball (Ramos). His
technical management of the game was exemplary, which resonated with players and spectators alike.
His strong communication of decisions, especially at ‘ceremonial’ freekicks and the penalty was
particularly pleasing.

Minute Description of the situation


5’ First foul of the game, Khedira on Reus

9’ 1-0 Dortmund

11’ Only the second foul of the game so far (Modric on a Dortmund attacker)

13’ Missed foul Reus on Modric just outside the penalty area in an attacking scenario.
Kuipers potentially unsighted due to wide position

16’ Khedira 2nd foul, this time on BD8 close to the halfway line

22’ Bender fouls Ronaldo on the halfway line, and within 30 seconds is penalised for a
(harsh) handball call

25’ Piszczek fouls Ronaldo just to the left side of the penalty area

29’ Slightly strange call – Coentrao’s outstretched foot could be perceived as dangerous
but Subotic penalised for minimal contact instead

38’ Kuipers tells Ronaldo to get up after he seeks to draw foul by running into BD2

41’ Reus makes strides into the penalty area, after a tangle with Varane, there is a big
claim for a penalty. The referee rightly waves play on. Excellent call
45’ Ramos cleanly takes the ball from Reus, on the right side, and Dortmund, still

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aggrieved at the previous call, want the foul. Good call again

45’ Great advantage as Real break down the right, after a clear foul on Khedira just
outside the area

2nd Half

46’ Foul. Ramos high foot. (Kuipers appears to reach for the pocket?)

54’ Khedira cautioned for foul just beyond the halfway line – persistent or reckless?
(Could be either)

55’ Lewandowski hat-trick

59’ Referee lets the game flow after foul claims for both sides in quick succession

64’ Ozil fouled, but also rightly cautioned for asking for a yellow card to be shown

65’ Missed corner decision. Could AR1 have helped?

66’ Penalty - Alonso nudges Reus in the back as he seeks to control the high ball.
Definitely a valid call, but it must be stated that he has let a lot of similar challenges
outside the area go. Calm approach in signaling the call, walking slowly towards the
penalty spot. Excellent body language. 4-1

70’ Lewandowski correctly cautioned for cynically blocking Ramos, to allow colleague
to progress.

86’ The ball is remarkably popped in a challenge, Hummels on Ronaldo. The ball is
immediately replaced, and perhaps we can forgive the referee for not restarting with a
dropped ball on this occasion, as the players seem to initiate proceedings voluntarily.

92’ Ramos cautioned for deliberate handball, and attempted deceit. Protests his
innocence, strangely.

94’ Corner swung in by di Maria, with the ball landing on Hummels’ hand, though you
could say that this was in an ‘expected position’. Kuipers does miss the subsequent
challenge though as Hummels deflects Varane’s shot for a corner (not a goalkick)

II. 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:
Kuipers can sometimes be guilty of appearing too introverted, and even the perception that he is
lacking in confidence – but today he had complete control over the match, oozing confidence and
projecting his strong personality. His player management was particularly good tonight, able to diffuse
any potential flare-ups instantly by remaining calm and using good, strong arm signals throughout, and
crucially keeping a consistent application with regards misconduct for the whole game. Both players
and management respected his decision making in the main (though Alonso was obviously upset at the
penalty award). Issuing only 4 cautions on such an occasion was a testament to this bold approach.

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Positive Points 1. Strong body language and signalling


2. Very good player management techniques applied
3. Good fitness and movement around the field of play

Points to improve 1. Teamwork - Two or three small errors in AoL

III. 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. Look fit, sharp and able to move around the field with no issue. Was mentally aware at all
times, and moved swiftly into the vicinity where the nature of the foul dictated.

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 ready
X 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


41’ Reus makes strides into the penalty area, after a tangle with Varane, there is a big
claim for a penalty. The referee rightly waves play on.
66’ Posiitoning for the penalty awarded was good after anticipating move
70’ Set piece position for Real freekick

IV. Teamwork (co-operation with (A)ARs and fourth official with reference, if needed, to special
situations and the minutes when they occurred)
Comments:
The team worked very well overall, with good communication shown throughout. Both penalties called
correctly, and offside detection was excellent. One or two small errors in corner and throw-in
judgements.

V. If needed: General comments or advices for improvement; explanation of the chosen


mark; further matters (can be let empty).
Comments:
Kuipers came of age tonight, having had some inconsistent performances in big appointments to date.
This performance may well set him in good stead for future big appointments, and certainly should be
a great motivation to him as he moves into the last phase of his career.

Assistant Referee 1

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Assistant referee’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 the
X
“wait and see”-technique
X Good positioning and movement

X Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity


Reasonable degree of co-operation with referee (not flagging too
X
much / too little; being able to support referee in crucial decisions)
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
Very strong performance, minor errors.

Minute Description of the situation


26’ AR1 helps out Kuipers with talk on the mic, after the referee initially doesn’t give it.
He probably wont appreciate the assistance here though, as the decision looked messy

60’ AR1 good offside call on Higuain who strays slightly off

63’ Good offside call on Ramos AR1

69’ AR1 correctly calls Ronaldo offside

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Assistant Referee 2
Assistant referee’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 the
X
“wait and see”-technique
X Good positioning and movement

X Mental alertness and reaction to incidents in his area of vicinity


Reasonable degree of co-operation with referee (not flagging too
X
much / too little; being able to support referee in crucial decisions)
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
Very strong performance

Minute Description of the situation


14’ Good offside call on Higuain (AR2)

36’ Good non-offside call by AR2, Ronaldo coming back as inactive

49’ 2-1 Lewandowski scores again – Superb non-offside call by AR2 again.

75’ Good offside detection on Reus. Looks level on the replay, but as we know the
camera angle is not optimal, and the benefit must go with the AR2 who is exactly in line.

Additional Assistant Referee 1

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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 vicinity
X
based on a reasonable degree of co-operation with referee
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
Perhaps assisted with first half no penalty call. Well done.

Minute Description of the situation

Additional Assistant Referee 2


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 vicinity
X
based on a reasonable degree of co-operation with referee
X Efficient control at set pieces

Comments:
May have confirmed penalty call on Reus, though Kuipers was concise and speedy with his decision.

Minute Description of the situation

Fourth Official
Fourth official’s performance (reference to technical management like substitutions or signalling of
additional time, dealing with benches in case of conflicts)
Comments:
Dealt with Mourinho well.

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