UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Final: 'A Dream Come True': Referee Istvan Kovacs On Hosting His 2nd UEFA Cup Final

UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Final: Referee Istvan Kovacs is full of ecstasy ahead of the fixture, as the Romanian gets to officiate in his 2nd UEFA Cup final in 3 years. Here are the details.

Istvan Kovacs will be hosting his first UEFA Cup final since hosting AS Roma Vs Feyenoord UEFA Europa Conference League Final in 2022

Source : Official Website Of UEFA

UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Final: Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs is set to officiate in the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Final between Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Thursday, May 23. The referee has hailed the esteemed importance of the occasion and called it 'a dream come true' to be able to officiate in such an electric fixture.

"This will be my second UEFA final as a referee, and it really is a dream come true"

📰 István Kovács is relishing the opportunity 👇#UELfinal

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 21, 2024

"This will be my second UEFA final as a referee, and it really is a dream come true. To have refereed the Europa Conference League final in 2022 is of course helpful for this occasion. I still remember the feelings and the experience from that night, but I still need to work and prepare well for the match to make sure everything goes well on the night. It's a big responsibility to be appointed for this match and I want to prove I am ready for this challenge," told Istvan Kovacs to UEFA.

"I like the adrenaline when I am on the field; it is one of the best things about being a referee. If I take good decisions during the game, I am proving to myself that I can handle these big matches. I love football. For me, being a referee is the most beautiful job in the world and I recommend that youngsters come and embrace this opportunity," he added.

"During my career, I have made a lot of connections, built good relationships with my colleagues and have enjoyed visiting many different countries through my work. Many people have helped me with good advice or support when I have had difficult times. The chairman of the referees committee in Romania, Kyros Vassaras, has helped to improve a lot of things in the domestic game for us, and there is one person who has been next to me since I started – István Szilágyi – and I thank him in particular because he has always supported me," he further explained.

Asked if the referee had anything specific to change or improvise ahead of the fixture, the Romanian gave a very simple answer.

"I don't change anything in the way I prepare for matches. I do the same thing whether it is a European final or a Romanian league match, and this helps to ensure I am fully focused. Once the game is finished, we can reflect and enjoy the occasion."

 

List Of Officials For The UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Final

• Referee: Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
• Assistants: Vasile Florin Marinescu (Romania) & Mihai Ovidiu Artene (Romania)
• Fourth official: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)
• Reserve assistant: Branislav Hancko (Slovakia)
• VAR: Pol van Boekel (Netherlands)
• Assistant VAR: Catalin Popa (Romania)
• VAR support: Rob Dieperink (Netherlands)