33 ECUGER Ivanov

With both teams already qualified for the Round of 16 it was the hosts Germany who secured top spot courtesy of a 3-0 win over surprise team Ecuador. An early goal proved invaluable for the German team and their efficiency in the first half was key.

Valetin Ivanov did manage to become the first referee in this World Cup to finish the first half without having taken disciplinary measures. That doesn’t mean that there weren’t oppurtunities: The game got off to quite a heated start with especially the South Americans going fiercely into the challenges. Amidst dissent, fouls and DtR offences, Ivanov remained remarkably uninterested in getting involved much, allowing the teams (too) much leeway.

Such approaches have their own supporters, but he really should have drawn a line for a reckless elbow in 34’, especially as the player showed dissent afterwards. Mayhaps even a “Team PI” for Ecuador earlier could have helped calm things down a bit.

The tension stayed and after a pretty ruthless tackle that left Ballack on the floor in agony, it nearly boiled over after 52 minutes with Ivanov’s decision to produce the first booking faced by Ecuadorian protests. Though his composed manner deserves praise, a firmer approach earlier could have avoided such a scene and helped him to get more acceptance. Also: The YC was wrong, Valencia’s studs hit Ballack clearly above the ankle – a RC for SFP should have been issued. While the clear score did mean that the last thirty minutes were rather tame a flare-up never seemed far away. Prevention was barely existent. Borowski was finally booked after his third foul in five minutes, but Ivanov's peculiar card presentation leaves room for doubts if the Russian offical had realized that.

Overall, Ivanov wasn’t bad, but his performance was definitely one of the most lenient ones so far – and that was more often a mistake than not (no card in 90’?). His technical accuracy overall was disappointing as well (did he miss a penalty for Ecuador in 65’?).

In the rare cases where ARs Nikolaj Gobulev and Evgenij Volnin were needed, they made the correct decisions.

Valentin Ivanov - 7,8 (8,1) Nikolaj Gobulev - 8,4 Evgenij Volnin - 8,4 Kevin Stott Chris Strickland RUS - USA	Ecuador 0-3 Germany Group Stage
Valencia (52') - Reckless sliding tackle	Borowksi (75') - Reckless play