Wednesday 16 September
19:00 CET - Budapest (Ferencváros Stadion)
Ferencvárosi Torna Club (HUN) - GNK Dinamo (CRO)
Referee: Tobias Stieler (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Seidel (GER)
Fourth Official: Florian Badsttübner (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Messner (AUT)
UEFA Delegate: Thibault De Gendt (BEL)
If wanting to be picky there were some minor decisions I didn't agree with, both ways but overall a decent enough performance from this ref. Fitness was good, quickly built up a great rapport with both teams, lots of talking that looked pretty relaxed in nature. One offside call from AR2 that I don't think was correct but we never got to see a replay because it led to a bit of fun and games and a strippagram ref! Ref was tapping his headset and seemed to be indicating to players of both sides that there was a problem with the comms system, he went over to AR2 who then lifted up the refs shirt and was having a fiddle with something under his shirt, couldn't see what as it was the opposite side to the cameramen. This was followed by the ref returning to the pitch and spending some time re-adjusting himself, which also involved partially pulling his shorts down! Not too much on display for the ladies watching but it was a highlight in the game!!
If UEFA wish to send strippagram refs to Hungary in the future then Missy bmb would be happy to supply a list of candidates for the role!
The Fradi fans were amazing - not allowed in the ground as per UEFA's rules so they set up their own fanzone around the perimeter of the ground and the noise was phenomenal. I had praised Fradi getting the fake crowd noise spot on but it wasn't fake, it was the fans outside! The TV company didn't show them until the end of the game. They were literally non stop noise. I think many will still be there celebrating! Fair play to the Rendőrség who just let them get on with it, the relationship between the ultras and the Rendőrség is not the best shall we say but they weren't in overkill numbers as is often the case and they just stood back ensuring the fans stayed off the roads but allowing them to enjoy the occasion.