30 August 2002, Stade Louis II, Monaco.

The UEFA Super Cup is played at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco, which is the home of Monaco FC. The UEFA Super Cup has been held here since 1998.

Don't look at the Stade Louis II of Monaco as the venue for the UEFA Super Cup, but this stadium is actually not big. That is, a small stadium that can accommodate 18,500 people, in front of various large stadiums with a capacity of 70,000 or 80,000 in Europe, it is really a small stadium. However, Monaco is very wealthy, and although the course is small, it is still very advanced.

Real Madrid and Feyenoord players are already standing in the tunnel.

Jack and the referees were up front.

This time, the referee team was selected exactly according to Jack's wishes. After all, Jack is the referee of this game, and the English referees committee has no right to dictate to Jack.

Jack, of course, would not let go of such an opportunity.

The reason why the referee has a lot of power is because it can be seen at such a time. And Jack needed to expand his network. Connections are not something that can be just talked, if you don't give people actual benefits, why should people follow you.

Such a good opportunity as the UEFA Super Cup, of course, Jack can't let it go.

Webb served as the fourth referee for the match. Like Jack, Webb did not have the opportunity to officiate important matches after becoming an international referee. Domestically, Webb was more valued than Jack.

Last season, Webber officiated a lot of games in England's famous game. This includes Manchester United and Liverpool matches, Manchester United and Leeds United matches, Arsenal and Chelsea matches, and so on.

But the same with Jack. None of the main matches of the League Cup have been officiated. Therefore, becoming the fourth referee of the UEFA Super Cup is also a very good opportunity for him. The two of them are laughing right now.

Domestically. Webb is more valued than Jack and has more heavyweight game enforcement. But internationally. Webb is nowhere near as good as Jack.

The first assistant referee for this game is from League One.

League One referee Peter Brown, who has just been confirmed to be able to officiate in the Premier League this season, has just been confirmed. Walton.

It wasn't Jack's choice. Jack was promoted too quickly and didn't know many people in the lower leagues. This is what Pol recommended to Jack. Peter. Walton and Bol have a good relationship. Jack gives Pol a face.

Don't look at Bol's bad performance in this World Cup, but he is still the best referee in England. In England's status, Bol is still better than Jack. Pol's face, Jack still has to give.

Peter. Walton doesn't look like a referee in League One, but before he became a referee in League One, he was qualified as an assistant referee in the Premier League and an international assistant referee. is qualified to officiate the UEFA Super Cup.

The second assistant referee of the game, Jack, of course, chose his friend Michael. Muraki.

This is the referee that Jack has been familiar with since he was in the lower leagues. The two have worked together many times. At the time of last summer. He also qualified as an international assistant referee. That's why Jack chose Michael for this game. Mullachi became the second assistant referee. Don't choose your friends at this time, when to choose.

It's definitely not Jack being selfish.

Referees are also human beings, and they also need their own circle. When choosing the referee team, of course, you will choose someone who is close to you. If there is something in the future, only these people can help themselves.

It was Jack's first visit to the Louis II Stadium and his first time officiating a heavyweight match in European football. But Jack was calm and didn't feel the slightest nervousness.

That's what people are.

If Jack had officiated this game a month ago, there would have been some nervousness. But experienced the knockout rounds of the World Cup. Especially after the match between Spain and the host South Korea, Jack felt that the European Super Cup was just a pediatric game.

It can even be said that the gold content of the European Super Cup may not be as good as the domestic cups.

Why do referees always talk about experience. Experience.

That's why. If you have enough experience, then you have the mental quality to officiate the game. Just like Jack, after officiating the knockout rounds of the World Cup. There is already enough ability to withstand pressure.

"Hello everyone, this is the Louis II Stadium in Monaco. It's a UEFA Super Cup match coming up here. The match was played between Real Madrid from La Liga and Feyenoord from the Eredivisie. ”

"The referees and players have entered the pitch. Jack. Referee Lee, this is the biggest topic of this summer. He is the youngest referee in the World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Even the youngest referee in the history of the World Cup. He has performed perfectly in this World Cup and has hardly made any mistakes. At the beginning of the new season, it will be necessary to officiate the UEFA Super Cup. is a promising referee. ”

It was not easy for the referees to get those commentators to talk about Jack before the game.

Of course, no matter how good Jack is, it's not the point of the game. So the commentator was quick to start talking about the two teams: "In recent years, the UEFA Super Cup has been under a spell. Since '96, the Champions League has not won the UEFA Super Cup. Real Madrid won the Champions League twice in '98 and '00, but lost to their opponents in the UEFA Super Cup. ”

"And for Real Madrid, the club has all the national and international titles, just one European Super Cup away. If Real Madrid win the UEFA Super Cup, then they will be a veritable Grand Slam club, with no shortage of titles. ”

For a lot of neutral commentators, they are familiar with Real Madrid, and Feyenoord is not very familiar with them.

So basically, they are talking about Real Madrid, and the players they are talking about are all Real Madrid players. This is true of Real Madrid, who have won all the trophies they can as the greatest club of the twentieth century and as the number one club in world football.

The only thing missing is this UEFA Super Cup.

"Hello."

Everyone lined up first, and then the captains of the two clubs greeted the referee. Feyenoord's captain, Bosvelt, shook hands with Jack first. Everyone is not familiar with it, so it is just a simple greeting and nodding.

It's a courtesy greeting.

"Hello, Jack."

It was Hierro's turn. Hierro is a player, while Jack is the referee. But Hierro is six or seven years older than Jack and is the current veteran of Real Madrid, the old captain. Instead of simply shaking hands, Hierro and Jack had a small hug.

"Hello Fernando."

Jack understood what Hierro meant.

Hierro is thanking Jack for his fair enforcement at the World Cup. In particular, in the end, he withstood the pressure and ruled that Spain's goal was valid, allowing Spain to reach the last four.

Of course, it's going to be a game, and Hierro certainly won't be too naked. Otherwise, there may be criticism after the game. Hierro just used this method to express his gratitude to Jack.

Sure enough, when shaking hands with Real Madrid players, Spanish players including Casillas, Elguera, Salgado, Raul, and Guti were very enthusiastic about Jack.

Not a simple handshake, but a simple hug. Before the game, there are very few players who have behaved like this against the referee.

"Angel, this is the young referee who did well in the World Cup."

After all, it's the UEFA Super Cup, the titular game of the champions of Europe. Therefore, although the gold content is not high, several UEFA leaders are on the scene. Johansson, the current president of UEFA and now the president, was on the spot, sitting next to Villar to watch the game together.

"What do you think, Lennart?"

Johansson became UEFA president 90 years ago, and it has been 12 years now. He is already very solid in this position, and UEFA has not been able to challenge Johansson's strength. In recent years, Johansson has mainly challenged FIFA.

Villar is getting stronger and stronger in UEFA, and it is inseparable from Johansson's support.

"Yes, twenty-six?"

"Yes. But soon he will be twenty-seven years old. ”

Johansson nodded. Johansson is a man of great talent, and he admires the superstars of world football. He will also tolerate those unruly coaches. He thinks it's normal for these geniuses to have some tempers.

Of course, he is also a very good person.

In order to fight against South American stars, European football specially let Zidane come out to play in the ring. In fact, there are many powerful stars in European football, but if they are touted one by one, then the resources will be scattered.

It was the golden age of the French national team, so UEFA created Zidane as a superstar.

The same goes for Corina.

Every industry creates a myth, and that's what UEFA does on purpose.

"Twenty-six, twenty-seven. It's so young for a referee. Anders was 37 years old when he officiated at the European Championship final, and there were many people who said he was young at the time. Now it seems that he will be younger than Anders. ”

Euro 2000, Anders. When Friske became the referee of the European Championship final, many people praised Friske. Because Friske was only thirty-seven years old at the time, he was a young referee in the refereeing industry.

Because most of the top judges don't shine until they're around forty years old.

"Yes. I think as long as he doesn't make big mistakes, he will not have a problem officiating the European Championship final around the age of 35. It is estimated that he will be able to enforce the World Cup final before the age of forty. ”

"Thirty-five? Euro 08? Euro 12? Or the World Cup in 10 years? ”

UEFA's two bigwigs, Johansson and Villar, are slowly talking about Jack. And Jack was on the sidelines looking at his watch, waiting for the time to come.

"Doodoo-"

"The referee's whistle blew. The UEFA Super Cup has finally begun. The match was played against Real Madrid, the Champions League winner of the 0102 season, and Feyenoord, the winner of the UEFA Cup. Let's look forward to a good game. (To be continued......)