Match officials: Cordani first assistant in Slovakia-Finland UEFA Nations League

Another European appointment for San Marino’s international assistant referee, Laura Cordani. Together with her Italian colleagues and compatriots Deborah Bianchi, Nidaa Hader and Anna Frazza – respectively referee, assistant referee and fourth official – she was appointed to Slovakia v Finland in the Women’s UEFA Nations League, played on Tuesday 5 December. The Group B2 fixture, which also includes Romania and Croatia, had crucial points at stake in the battle for second place. Finland, top of the group with maximum points after five matches, were already assured of promotion to League A. For the hosts, however, the runners-up spot was under serious threat from Croatia, just a single point behind. Unfortunately for Mikolajová and her team-mates, handing the Scandinavians their only slip-up in the group was not enough, as Croatia claimed a late win in Bucharest against Romania. A few hours earlier had finished the five-day assignment for Massimo Nanni in Palma de Mallorca, where he oversaw the smooth running of Group D of the Elite Round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League hosted on the Balearic island – in his role as a UEFA Futsal Delegate. Three matches spread over four days decided qualification for the Finals in favour of the home side. With two wins from their opening games, they only needed a draw in their final match against FC Hit to secure the chance to confirm themselves as the best team in Europe. The reigning champions will thus defend the trophy they sensationally lifted on their continental debut last season. The Finals are scheduled for the first week of May (semi-finals on 2–3 May, the final on 5 May), while the host venue will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Alongside Palma, Barcelona, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon – the latter beaten by the Mallorcans on penalties in last season’s extraordinary UEFA Futsal Champions League final – will also compete for the European crown. During the Elite Round fixtures in Palma de Mallorca, Maria Chiara Umana (UEFA Delegate Department) also undertook her first on-site mission. The aim is to follow the Delegate’s work in order to understand how his role is actually carried out on matchdays.

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