Average

Referee and assistants

Mr. Thomson was not a beacon of light above the dim football performance. His card policy was less than convincing: 10 yellow cards are much over the top, especially when some of them were highly undeserved (for instance those shown to Greek players in the 54th minute and in stoppage time at the end of the match). On the other hand, the Israeli Ben Haim demonstrated twice in one minute (68') un-sporting behaviour, but there was no whi9stle at all. (So, one can't blame the ref for not flushing the yellow...) Top of this questionable policy was reached in the 74th minute, when most players of both teams gathered in the Israeli half and had some kind of a verbal tussle (though not a physical one) among themselves. The referee picked three players (for me, two innocent ones among them) to be booked. In all other fields, it was an all-right refereeing performance, but far from a shining one. As for the assistant referees, Mr.Andrews and Mr. Ross, one can't comment much, as in the few cases they were involved in, there was no good angle to judge and no replay verify the decision or refute it.