Football video review VAR showed its harsh side in the quarter-finals of the European Championship between Sweden and Belgium. Sweden could have been saved from additional drama if Stina Blackstenius’ goal had been allowed in the beginning of the match, writes Urheilu’s Roope Visuri.
Not again? In the quarter-finals of the European Football Championship between Sweden and Belgium, the three familiar letters, VAR, or video review, have once again been tasted, when Sweden’s star striker Stina Blackstenius has scored a goal.
Already in the Portugal game of the first group, the same situation was seen twice with the same player. Even then, the result was rejected Blackstenius shots after the goal celebration. This is also the case this time. Blackstenius and Sweden will be disappointed.
SVT judge expert Jonas Eriksson told (you switch to another service) In the Belgium game, that there is a margin of error of 13 cents in the video reviews depending on the point of the still image. According to Eriksson, the margin of error in Blackstenius’ goal could have been fate.
– The situation was difficult. I think VAR shouldn’t make decisions when even from the replay you can’t see what is right and what is wrong, Eriksson said on SVT.
– When it comes to such a tight situation, it should be better to release than to imprison.
A former top striker in ‘s TV studio Timo Furuholm commented on the judgment in diplomatic terms, but also sharply.
– VAR must be spoken with caution. It brings a lot of good, but from my own point of view as an attacker, it’s a bit speculative. Blackstenius was moving away from the goal. The fact that his upper arm was two centimeters offside didn’t help at all. But we’re going with these now and we have to settle for these, Furuholm stated.
You can see Blackstenius’ disallowed goal in the main photo above and replays from the video.
Blackstenius could not have done anything differently in the situation either. ‘s commentary Maija Saari too had time to praise the Swede’s performance before the offside whistle.
– Absolutely great timing from Blackstenius. A new move offside, with a curving run to the front of the defender and the goal scorer’s finish, Saari fumed.
After the match, the visualization made by also illustrates how the Belgian defenders are Laura De Neve just got ahead of Blackstenius. However, the Swedish striker tries to get offside and almost succeeds. How much more can you ask for?
Video checks should not be beaten into the ground under any circumstances, but such situations erode their credibility.
Especially when common sense makes the sentence seem irregular.
Uefa tells the EC tournament in its regulations (you switch to another service) the VAR protocol created by the IFAB, the body that decides on the football rules to be followed in the games. IFAB’s protocol by (you switch to another service)the video referee should assist the referee in matches only in situations where a clear and obvious mistake or a serious missed situation is seen. At least in the replays and drawn lines shown on TV broadcasts, neither of them is seen.
Referee expert Eriksson, who blew the whistle in the Men’s World Cup and the Europa League final, also stated on SVT that the requirement of clearly right or wrong would not apply to offside, but that VAR decides the “truth” based on the images it receives, and it is difficult to argue against that.
Fortunately for Sweden, the situation at the beginning of the game did not ultimately decide the place in the semifinals, but the blue-and-yellows, who dominated the match, were able to decide it in the last moments. Vaseline didn’t help the Belgian goalkeeper, who was enchanted by his story and played a wonderful EC tournament Nicky Evrardwhen Linda Sembrant managed to shoot the ball into the goal in a corner kick situation.
Considering the events of the game, Sweden is allowed to continue its championship hunt fairly. The last time Sweden won the European Championship was 38 years ago. The end of the European Championships due to such a situation could have felt even more sour than the bitter silver medals of the previous two Olympics.
On Tuesday, we will get to see quite a treat at the European Championships, when the host country England and Sweden will get to fight for a place in the final. There are two teams facing each other, for whom the championship would be an extremely big deal after several disappointments. Victory would have one more step to climb.
Hopefully, next week there will be no more laundry for video checks.
On Saturday, the quarter-final match between Holland and France will be played at the European Football Championship starting at 10 p.m. Live broadcast in Areena and app from 21:30. On TV1, the broadcast starts at 22:30. You can find everything about the European Championships on ‘s competition page here.