Euro 2012

Only hours before the UEFA EURO 2008™ final kicked off, MasterCard hosted a Young Referee Insight Session together with ambassador Pierluigi Collina and eight talented and promising officials selected by the Austrian referee federation.

Match preparation
During the session, Collina shared his experiences with the young referees, speaking about the importance of tactical, physical and mental preparation prior to the last match of the tournament. In addition to the experience of meeting with the Italian, the referees were treated to an additional priceless moment when they were joined during the session by Roberto Rosetti, the referee for the final between Germany and Spain, as well as other members of the UEFA referee team. Following yesterday’s release of the latest research into the economic impact of UEFA EURO 2008™, the event in Vienna follows successful young referee insight sessions held around Europe and is part of MasterCard’s continued leveraging of its football sponsorship activities.

The 5,000 volunteers who made a crucial contribution to the success of UEFA EURO 2008™ have received resounding praise as the “smiling face” of the tournament.

Tireless dedication
The tireless dedication of the volunteers – ambassadors dressed in light blue – in the various sectors of the event in Austria and Switzerland helped everything run smoothly at a tournament which enthralled football fans and given such a positive image of football. Swiss Football Association president Ralph Zloczower said: “I have special gratitude for the 5,000 volunteers in their blue jerseys,” he said. “They were our face to the outside world – and the face of EURO 2008 was friendly, helpful and co-operative in the way they presented themselves. I’d like to send my special thanks and congratulations to them for the great efforts they have made.”

(more…)