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Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Referees in top form ahead of Women's Euro 2025 final phase
Spanish referee Marta Huerta de Aza showing a yellow card to England's Chloe Kelly in the Uefa Women's Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland on July 17. OBERENTFELDEN, Switzerland – It is not just the players who are in top form as the Women's Euro 2025 reaches its climax in Switzerland – the tournament referees have spent months preparing to be in peak physical condition. The 13 whistle-blowers chosen to officiate at the 31 games in the tournament have been put through their paces for several months, with remote and group training sessions in the lead-up to sharpen their skills. 'Physical and mental preparation are very important for a referee. Uefa supports us with that, so we have a tailored plan to guarantee that we can be in optimal shape to take part in this tournament,' said Spanish referee Marta Huerta de Aza, who is officiating at her second Euro. 'To be at a Women's Euro again, three years on, is even more difficult, because the female referees we have in Europe, in my personal opinion, are the best in the world – they demonstrate it in each international competition,' she added. Uefa demands high standards of the referees employed for the 16-team tournament. 'Notably, all of them have passed the same fitness test we conduct for the elite men's referees. We have full confidence in them and their assistants, as well as the video officials, to show their quality at the final tournament,' Uefa managing director for refereeing Roberto Rosetti said in a statement. The growth in the women's game has also resulted in greater opportunities for female referees, with Tess Olofsson saying the landscape is vastly different from when she first picked up a whistle at the age of 13 in her native Sweden. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes at college campus Singapore ST Explains: What does it mean for etomidate to be listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act? Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU to have compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 World US authorities probing passenger jet's close call with B-52 bomber over North Dakota Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety 'Back then, we didn't have many female referees or role models. Suddenly, women's football has really developed, both in terms of refereeing and playing,' she said. 'It is fantastic to see that there are so many professional female referees out there who can make a living out of this job.' Olofsson will act as fourth official for Germany's semi-final against Spain in Zurich on Wednesday. England meet Italy in Geneva on Tuesday and the final is in Basel on Sunday. REUTERS
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Referees in top form ahead of Women's Euros final phase
OBERENTFELDEN, Switzerland - It is not just the players who are in top form as the Women's Euros reaches its climax in Switzerland - the tournament referees have spent months preparing to be in peak physical condition. The 13 whistle-blowers chosen to officiate at the 31 games in the tournament have been put through their paces for several months, with remote and group training sessions in the lead-up to sharpen their skills. "Physical and mental preparation are very important for a referee. UEFA supports us with that, so we have a tailored plan to guarantee that we can be in optimal shape to take part in this tournament," said Spanish referee Marta Huerta de Aza who is officiating at her second Euros. "To be at a Women's Euro again, three years on, is even more difficult, because the female referees we have in Europe, in my personal opinion, are the best in the world – they demonstrate it in each international competition," she added. UEFA demands high standards of the referees employed for the 16-team tournament. "Notably, all of them have passed the same fitness test we conduct for the elite men's referees. We have full confidence in them and their assistants, as well as the video officials, to show their quality at the final tournament," UEFA managing director for refereeing Roberto Rosetti said in a statement. The growth in the women's game has also resulted in greater opportunities for female referees, with Tess Olofsson saying the landscape is vastly different from when she first picked up a whistle at the age of 13 in her native Sweden. "Back then, we didn't have many female referees or role models. Suddenly, women's football has really developed, both in terms of refereeing and playing," she said. "It is fantastic to see that there are so many professional female referees out there who can make a living out of this job." Olofsson will act as fourth official for Germany's semi-final against Spain in Zurich on Wednesday. England meet Italy in Geneva on Tuesday and the final is in Basel on Sunday. REUTERS
