Can't really see any justification for it not being Webb, unless for political reasons (not wanting to give a very good ref all the major finals). He's performed excellently throughout, is very experienced, extremely respected by players and managers, and has a very good team around him, even without Kirkup.
Germany v Italy "shouldn't" be Cakir or Lannoy, based on recent practice of not having the same team twice aside from a final. So, it's Thomson? Portugal v Spain can't be Lannoy for same reason, so it's Cakir? That leaves the final to Webb or Lannoy. I think we might be looking at a Lannoy final if it's down to the science of assigning. If it's a more artistic endeavor, then it's Webb. There are plenty of alternatives, but those seem the most obvious. I, personally, still hope Cakir is saved for the final.
I would like to see Cakir get the final, but I think we'll have: Cakir - Portugal/Spain Thomson - Germany/Italy Webb - Final - I expect to see Germany v Spain in that match and think that Webb will get it.
Cakir and Lannoy on the semis. That would logically leave Skomina or Webb on the final. They both are 4th officials for the semifinals.
Why not Thomson? It's something I cannot believe I'm typing based on season he had. But given the tournament and assignments, it's just as--if not more--logical.
I would suspect that Thomson and Eriksson, plus Proenca and Rizzoli are on their way home now. I can only see it being Webb on the final with Skomina as 4O.
Apparently/allegedly, no one is being sent home. Portuguese press has reported Proenca is staying through the final. They are implying he's under consideration if Portugal loses but I think that's false and UEFA just isn't making a second cut. Dawns on me that Thomson could be Webb's 4th. But it could also be flipped. I think those are the two most likely options now. Skomina had a great tourney and might be a WC Final candidate one day, but I think he's done here. Still wonder why Eriksson is there.
Another consideration... Would Spanish participation preclude Webb? Even though they won, he's not exactly the most liked referee in Spain after the World Cup.
I'd be pleased for anyone to get the final, but if Webb gets it, I propose a refereeing commentary drinking game along the following lines: - one drink for every Webb fan's use of any of the terms "masterclass" or "assured" - one drink for every Webb fan's use of the phrase "man management" or "safe pair of hands" - two drinks if the Webb fan used "man management" to cover up for serious foul play that went unpunished
I hear Webb is the favorite for the final. It looks like refereeing is the only way England can get to a final
According to the Portuguese press, Proença, Webb and Rizzoli are in the short-list for the final. http://visao.sapo.pt/pedro-proenca-entre-os-tres-candidatos-a-arbitrar-a-final=f671880
Time to pony up with your predictions for who goes through - teams and refs....fill in your answer prior to game time today (Wednesday). Note: If you don't get your prediction in quite in time, that's ok....but you will miss out on the glory of having been right from the beginning.... Predict game winners for: Portugal / Spain (Cakir in Center) Germany / Italy (Lannoy in Center) Then Predict Game Winner, Center Ref and 4th official for: Final Game Winner - Center Ref - 4th Official - Whoever gets the most correct predictions gets to have their intelligence and luck lauded near and far....or something like that. Here's mine: Portugal / Spain (Cakir in Center) - Spain wins Germany / Italy (Lannoy in Center) - Germany wins Final Match: Germany / Spain - Germany wins Center Ref - Howard Webb 4th Official - Thomson
Is there a reason why everyone here seems to dismiss the chances of Proenca being assigned the Championship match? I thought he handled the Italy/England quarterfinal very well
I don't think the WC or EURO Final has ever gone to a referee from a team who was in the semifinal--certainly not in the "modern" eras for each tournament. Think of the pressure on Proenca if Spain, after defeating Portugal, suddenly fell victim to a controversial refereeing decision... his career would probably be over. FIFA has made the rare exception at the QF stage in recent World Cups (I think it's happened twice now) but, on the whole, the competition authorities don't let a referee work the team that just eliminated his country--and never, so far, on the Final match. Anything is possible, but I'd believe in that tradition/practice before I bought into media speculation that Proenca is actually being considered.
Webb is the obvious choice on performance and of who is available. I still have this sneaking suspicion that it might not be him, though. Not that I think Collina is personally petty, but we can't forget that a referee of his stature was denied the hat trick of major finals. Webb is good, but is he deserving of that? Plus, prior to the last tournament, the Final referee was someone who had worked only the first round--not, as it was last time, someone who did a QF. Perhaps most damning of all... the EURO Final referee has never been the fourth official on a semifinal match! Thomson and Eriksson fit the bill if it's not Webb. Looking at things again, Thomson seems way too fresh, he didn't get major matches and the fact that he had a bad season can't be just swept away. But what of Eriksson? If you eliminate the Karagounis card, every said he nailed the Germany v Netherlands game and then his Greece v Russia performance becomes acceptable. Sweden has a rich pedigree. Collina personally assessed him. He hasn't seen either Italy or Spain (while Webb has). I've been all over the place and I'm sure I could talk my way into anything at this point. But I'd put this match as 51/49 between Webb and Eriksson at the moment. I think, looking at the totality of the tournament, it was way too quick of me (and others) to dismiss Eriksson from consideration. EDIT: I'd also guess that Cakir or Skomina is the 4th on the Final... unless Collina, Webb, et al want Thomson in that role for some reason.
Caveat of "there's a first time for everything," but... Skomina faces all the hurdles Webb faces logistically except for the fact that he's not Howard Webb. If you're going to break with a couple traditions, I'd hope you go for the gold and give it to the guy who has been better this tournament. Eriksson faces none of the hurdles I've mentioned. It really comes down to how bad that dive call was viewed. But I can't help thinking that, if it was that bad, he'd have gone home with Kassai or even Stark. And if it wasn't that bad, with Sweden eliminated, maybe he was penciled in for the Final all along. Like I said, I could probably talk myself into anything at this point, but some evidence does point strongly toward Eriksson. You don't give a guy Netherlands v Germany if you don't trust him with big matches, after all.
Portuguese outlet says Proenca has the Final: http://www.ojogo.pt/euro2012/interior.aspx?content_id=2637659&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter I'm going to maintain this is wrong and that this article will fall into the "don't believe everything you read [particularly on the Internet]" category (remember when David Gantar was "appointed" to the Gold Cup Final?)... but it does seem notable that Portuguese media is so eager/willing to push Proenca for this.
Amazing. Not undeserved, but I can't say it's overly deserved either; Webb was just as good and I thought actually better. Looks like a lot of conventions are now thrown out the window.