Things get hot in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. AS Roma welcomes German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the semi-final (from 9:00 p.m. in the LIVE ticker >>>).
An Austrian team is also in action as part of the European Cup cracker. Stefan Meßner is deployed as an observer. The Styrian observes the team of referees around Francois Letexier. This is the 13th time that the ex-FIFA referee will be playing internationally this season.
“It is a great honor for me to get this game, especially because it is my second semi-final after 2022. I am very, very proud that they are relying on me here for such an important game,” says Meßner happily.
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“Big award for the ÖFB”
Two years ago he was able to watch the semi-final between Liverpool and Villarreal. Meßner feels confirmed in his job. “Apparently I’m doing a lot right. This relates to my reports, the communication with the UEFA officials in the committee as well as the referees, the assistants and the VAR teams before, during and after the game as well as my analysis “, said the 59-year-old.
It is special “to work as an Austrian with these top referees.” There is praise for the Austrian referee observer system. “All Austrian internationals watch top games in top European competitions. Robert Schörgenhofer even acts as a mentor in the international arena. We are very well positioned here and have made a name for ourselves. This is a great honor for the ÖFB,” said Messner.
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