RateTheRef

Mass Exodus this week from the English shores.
Happy bunny on South Coast?

Yes and No! 

Love him as a referee and he is certainly one of the best going, so in those terms yes.  I am however very harsh and unforgiving when it comes to the NT games! I have still not forgiven Clatts for his (perfectly correct) booking of Gera in the Norway v Hungary play off match on 12.11.2015 and may well have mentioned it to him (translate moaned at) once or twice (translate dozens of times) in the intervening years!

Whilst there is a rivalry between the teams, it's actually not particularly hostile, there is a tentative friendship between the countries these days and there's certainly not the hatred that you would perhaps expect in the still early years post occupation. There is a rather strange kinship between Hungary & Russia. I can understand an elite ref for the game though with history in mind but to be honest that would be more needed in a game v Romania and possibly Serbia. Without both sets of ultras there though the Serbia game should be less hostile. A Hungary v Romania game will always be off the charts in terms of toxicity, the hatred runs deep.