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Serdar Gözübüyük and his assistant referees Erwin Zeinstra (left) and Johan Balder (right) – Photo: KNVB Media
A large part of the Dutch referees’ guild will fan out across the European fields on Thursday. For example, the teams led by Serdar Gözübüyük, Allard Lindhout and Sander van der Eijk will referee three matches in the Conference League. Pol van Boekel, Clay Ruperti and Dennis Higler are active as VAR or AVAR in the Europa League.
Team Gözübüyük
Serdar Gözübüyük travels with his team to Germany for the top match between FC Heidenheim and Chelsea. Both clubs are still clear in the Conference League. The kick-off in the Voith-Arena is at 6.45 pm. Gözübüyük is assisted on the sidelines by Erwin Zeinstra and Johan Balder. Joey Kooij is the fourth official. Rob Dieperink and Erwin Blank complete the Dutch delegation in Germany as VAR and AVAR.
Team Lindhout
— Allard Lindhout.
Allard Lindhout leads the match between the Slovenian NK Celje and Jagiellonia Bialystok from Poland. The latter club was eliminated by Ajax in the preliminary round of the Europa League and is therefore active at a lower level. Jagiellonia Bialystok has won all matches in the Conference League so far. The Slovenians are in the middle of the table with three points from three matches. The kick-off in Celje is at 6.45 pm. Lindhout is assisted on the sidelines by Rogier Honig and Patrick Inia. Jannick van der Laan is the fourth official. Jeroen Manschot (VAR) Ingmar Oostrom (AVAR) support Lindhout from behind the video screen.
Team Van der Eijk
— Sander van der Eijk.
Sander van der Eijk is also active in Slovenia on Thursday. He refereed the match between Olimpija Ljubljana – Larne FC from Northern Ireland in the capital Ljubljana. The Slovenians are tenth in the Conference League standings. Larne FC achieved a first in the preliminary rounds by becoming the first Northern Irish club to reach the group stage of a European tournament. So far without success. Larne FC occupies the penultimate place with zero out of three. Kick-off at Stožice Stadium is at 9 p.m. Van der Eijk is assisted on the sidelines by Rens Bluemink and Roy de Nas. Alex Bos is the fourth official. Jochem Kamphuis and Richard Martens are behind the video screens as VAR and AVAR respectively.
VAR/AVAR in Europa League
Pol van Boekel and Clay Ruperti form a VAR team during the exciting match between Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma in the Europa League. The Dutch video referees will support the Swede Glenn Nyberg from the UEFA headquarters in Nyon (Switzerland). Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is at 9 p.m. Tottenham Hotspur is seventh in the Europa League standings after four matches. We only find the Italians in twentieth place.
— Pol van Boekel forms a VAR team at Tottenham Hotspur – AS Roma together with Clay Ruperti.
Dennis Higler is AVAR at the Europa League match between Portugal’s SC Braga and Hoffenheim from Germany. Both clubs are in the middle of the table and can use the points to stay in the race for the knockout phase. The competition in Portugal is led by the Croatian Igor Pajac. He will whistle at 9 p.m. before the kick-off in Estadio Municipal, the famous stadium with the rock wall behind the goal.
**What specific training programs or initiatives within the Dutch football association have contributed to the high caliber of Dutch referees seen in European competitions?**
## World Today News: Dutch Referees Shine on European Stage
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into the latest sporting developments. Today, we’re focusing on the significant presence of Dutch referees in top European football competitions. Joining me are two esteemed guests: [**Guest 1 Name & Expertise/Background**] and [**Guest 2 Name & Expertise/Background**]. Welcome to both of you.
**Section 1: The Rise of Dutch Refereeing**
* **Question for Guest 1:** We see a considerable contingent of Dutch referees officiating in top European competitions this week. What factors have contributed to this prominence of Dutch referees in international football?
* **Question for Guest 2:** While we celebrate this success, are there any challenges faced by Dutch referees on the international stage compared to their domestic counterparts?
**Section 2: Analyzing Key Matches**
* **Question for Guest 1:** Serdar Gözübüyük is overseeing the crucial Conference League match between FC Heidenheim and Chelsea. What are some of the unique challenges and considerations for referees in such high-profile matches?
* **Question for Guest 2:** Sandor van der Eijk is refereeing the match between Olimpija Ljubljana and Larne FC, a matchup with a fascinating historical context. How do referees prepare for matches involving teams from different footballing cultures and backgrounds?
**Section 3: Technology and the Game**
* **Question for Guest 1:** Pol van Boekel and Clay Ruperti are part of the VAR team for the Tottenham Hotspur - AS Roma match. How has the introduction of VAR changed the role and responsibilities of referees?
* **Question for Guest 2:** What are your thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding the effectiveness and fairness of VAR?
**Section 4: The Future of Dutch Refereeing**
* **Question for both Guests:** What advice would you give to aspiring young referees who dream of one day following in the footsteps of these Dutch pioneers?
* **Question for Guest 1:** What exciting developments or trends do you foresee in the future of European refereeing?
**Closing**
Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights. Your perspectives shed light on the crucial role played by Dutch referees in the world of European football.
For our viewers, we hope this discussion has highlighted the skill, dedication, and hard work required to officiate at the highest level of the game. We wish all the Dutch referees the very best in their upcoming matches.
