11/05/24
July 01, 2004
The Baldy bows out...: Perhaps the first football referee to become a star in his own right -- not just for his, um, distinctive appearance, but for his sheer professionalism and good judgement -- Pierluigi Collina referees his last international match today, the Czech Rep. vs. Greece semi-final. FIFA and UEFA age regulations necessitate his retirement; but Collina's rumoured to be considering a move to the Premiership when similar age-caps force him to retire from Serie A. Has any other official had as much personal affection from players, coaches and fans -- or as much of an impact on his/her sport?
I cannot understand how he hasn't got the final, surely the best ref should get the job, and he is unquestionably the best ref. I don't know if he is regarded with affection by players so much as respect and admiration. Dickie Bird in cricket was probably as popular in his sport as Collina is in his.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:44 PM on July 01, 2004
I used to think he was weird looking too... Then watching him ref made that all go away. He really does ref well. And hearing him speak was another eye opener. But honestly, he still looks a bit weird.
posted by StarFucker at 03:06 PM on July 01, 2004
posted by StarFucker at 03:43 PM on July 01, 2004
(Blessed are the Greek! It ends as it began.)
posted by etagloh at 03:56 PM on July 01, 2004
Actually, I think Collina is as bad as almost every other ref. And he always used to send Paul Ince off, which always annoyed me.
posted by dng at 04:07 PM on July 01, 2004
And he always used to send Paul Ince off, which always annoyed me. Funny. Most people enjoy seeing that sort of thing.
posted by salmacis at 04:27 PM on July 01, 2004
According to this artice, Collina's next job should be as head of the European Union . He may be the only authority figure that anyone in Europe actually respects.
posted by aupa_athletic at 04:28 PM on July 01, 2004
Oh, yes. Even when he was playing for your side, since it usually meant he'd delivered the kind of tackle that sends the opposing striker into the directors' box.
posted by etagloh at 04:29 PM on July 01, 2004
Ince should be sent off in the dressing room, before the game starts.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:29 PM on July 01, 2004
Back on-topic, before this degenerates: the Tao of Collina:
The referee is not your enemy. Personally, I cannot understand two teams of children playing and the parents shouting at the referee. He is helping them to learn from football, for life - how to get a result from your efforts 'within the rules', and how to play in a team.Lots more there.
posted by etagloh at 04:39 PM on July 01, 2004
Well he missed the shirt pull on Koller in tonight's game. Not that the gormless twat would have scored anyway. Collina is the doyen of referees, and if he chooses to come to the Premiership next season then I think we should consider ourselves privileged. Sadly, I don't think he'll have the option of sending Ince off. Did I say sadly? I meant thankfully.
posted by squealy at 06:07 PM on July 01, 2004
Collina was a great ref, the Foucault of football, as much an observer as a player. It's a pity he didn't get the final as this means Portugal-Greece will be refereed by a German dentist. Since Greece's (intelligent) manager is German and the Greeks will be playing German-style football (intelligent but boring), it looks like we'll have to be even more Portuguese to compensate. I just love it that two tiny countries, the poorest in the EU (before enlargement), made it to the final. Money isn't everything: brains (Otto Rehhagel) and passion (Scolari) will always be more important in football. Ir has to be said that while Portugal are only one step beyond their best so far (the semi-finals), the Greeks are several big steps beyond their past efforts - and they beat us fair and square in the opening game. So they already are the real tournament winners. (So they won't mind much when we win on Sunday!)
posted by Miguel Cardoso at 07:46 PM on July 01, 2004
If Portugal wins, will this be the first consecutive WC/Euro win by the same coach with different teams? Collina in the EPL will be very cool.
posted by billsaysthis at 09:18 PM on July 01, 2004
collina is one of the best refs in letting the game flow. something that you really don't notice until some idiot of a ref keeps blowing the game up for minor or technical infringements. if you want to see how ridiculously technical this kind of officiating can be, and how it can ruin a sporting contest, i give you the world of rugby union. northern hemisphere refs in this form of football obviously think the spectators turn up to watch them, not the players.
posted by owlhouse at 12:03 AM on July 02, 2004
etagloh: This paragraph is one that ought to be tattooed on the eyelids of every onbnoxious parent in the world. We've had an run of ugly incidents here in New Zealand with parents and (no doubt egged on) teenage thugs having a go at rugby referees. owlhouse: It's hardly just northern refs. Sometimes I think Paddy O'Brien is the only one who has a clue. Perhaps Andre Watson on a good day.
posted by rodgerd at 04:38 AM on July 02, 2004
Collina was a great ref, the Foucault of football Is there really any need for that kind of talk?
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:23 PM on July 02, 2004
This paragraph is one that ought to be tattooed on the eyelids of every onbnoxious parent in the world. We've had an run of ugly incidents here in New Zealand with parents and (no doubt egged on) teenage thugs having a go at rugby referees agreed. what really annoys me (as a current player, coach and parent) is that some park footballers and parents expect the ref to be as good as professional officials like collina, whereas they themselves are basically crap. low standards of football get low quality officials, let's face it and accept it. it's not the premier league. and it does no good at all to bag the ref - have you ever seen one change their mind?
posted by owlhouse at 05:37 PM on July 03, 2004
You're absolutely right, Fat Buddha. I kicked myself when I saw it posted. Unfortunately I have a stubborn little pretentious and provincial streak which, if I'm caught unawares (which is often) just gets through. Besides, it was a facile, superficial comparison (both being bald) which wouldn't stand scrutiny of any kind. Remember the late seventies "Naff" plague? I'm still afflicted. Thanks for showing me up and giving me the chance to recant. On an opportunistic note, this "mea culpa" will improve Portugal's chances later on today, even though it appears the German ref is Reihhagel's dentist. Think of the headlines here in Lisbon if Otto is left smiling after the Final...! :)
posted by Miguel Cardoso at 09:30 PM on July 03, 2004
Like many Brits, my first exposure to Collina was courtesy of Channel 4's Football Italia. First impressions? He's a weird-looking baldy. Next impression? He's a fantastic ref. His half-hour interview with the BBC during the 2002 World Cup was just brilliant: a heart-felt explanation of his philosophy and methods. He's famed for doing the kind of preparation for matches that many coaches would shirk:
I'd probably have mixed emotions seeing Collina in the Premiership: he's too good for about half the teams. And the sooner we see the Pierluigi Collina Finishing School for Referees, the better.