Source: Xinhua

06-24-2008 10:01

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

VIENNA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Italian referee Roberto Rosetti will officiate Sunday's Euro 2008 final at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, UEFA said on Monday.

Referees for the upcoming EURO 2008 soccer championships (1st row L to R) Konrad Plautz from Austria, Frank de Bleeckere from Belgium, Howard Webb from England, Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez from Spain, Herbert Fandel from Germany, Kyros Vassaras from Greece and (2nd row L to R) Roberto Rosetti from Italy, Pieter Vink from the Netherlands, Tom Henning Ovrebo from Norway, Lubos Michel from Slovakia, Peter Frojdfeldt from Sweden and Massimo Busacca from Switzerland pose for photographers during a workshop in Regensdorf near Zurich June 5, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Referees for the upcoming EURO 2008 soccer championships (1st row L to R) 
Konrad Plautz from Austria, Frank de Bleeckere from Belgium, Howard Webb 
from England, Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez from Spain, Herbert Fandel 
from Germany, Kyros Vassaras from Greece and (2nd row L to R) Roberto 
Rosetti from Italy, Pieter Vink from the Netherlands, Tom Henning Ovrebo 
from Norway, Lubos Michel from Slovakia, Peter Frojdfeldt from Sweden 
and Massimo Busacca from Switzerland pose for photographers during a 
workshop in Regensdorf near Zurich June 5, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Rosetti, a 40-year-old hospital manager from Turin, came out the final referee, as well as the first match's referee of the tournament, after the team of his country being knocked out of the tournament.

Italy has suffered a quarterfinal exit on a 4-2 penalty shootout last Sunday after the score was deadlocked at 0-0 after 120 minutes.

The disappointing result, however, meant that Rosetti was eligible to handle the final, as only those whose teams are not taking part can referee.

"First of all, I'm a supporter of the national team as I have been since I was a little boy. The penalty shootout was a very emotional moment and not very nice for the team," said Rosetti.

Match referee Roberto Rosetti of Italy (L) watches as Greece's Angelos Basinas reacts after being fouled during their Group D Euro 2008 soccer match against Russia at the Wals-Siezenheim stadium in Salzburg, June 14, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Match referee Roberto Rosetti of Italy (L) watches 
as Greece's Angelos Basinas reacts after being fouled 
during their Group D Euro 2008 soccer match against 
Russia at the Wals-Siezenheim stadium in Salzburg, 
June 14, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"But I was in the opposite situation two years ago when Italy went on to win the World Cup. Of course, it's a great honor for me and a very important day in my life.

"I am a referee and so the final of the European Championship is a wonderful situation," added Rosetti, who was a last-minute replacement at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and took charge of four matches including France's 3-1 victory over Spain in the last 16.

Rosetti also officiated co-hosts Switzerland's tournament opener against the Czech Republic on June 7, when the Swiss lost 1-0 in Group A.

The other two matches he refereed were Russia's 1-0 victory against Greece and the second quarterfinal won on penalties by Turkey over Croatia after their thrilling game finished 1-1 after extra time.

 

Editor:Zhang Ning