Björn Kuipers ended his impressive career with the Dutch Super Cup match between Ajax and PSV. In this context, he remembered his years as a referee by looking at 14 photos and sharing his memories.
Kuipers starts talking about a promotion match in the fourth division between Bornerbroek and Dolphia and then continues with his debut in the Eredivisie between Vitesse and Willem II in 2005. "I had a lot of emotions for this match. And then I made decisions that might look differently now. It all has to do with experience." Through several photos and special moments (such as the final of the Champions League in 2014), Kuipers talks about the Europa League final in 2018. "I was preparing for the World Cup and was not expecting anything else. However, referee boss Pierluigi Collina called and asked whether I was available. I had no idea which game he was talking about. Then it turned out to be the Europa League final. That was special, because I had already refereed this game in 2013. It is an unwritten rule that you cannot get the same final twice." And about the European Championship final last month. "I wanted so badly to referee a final at the highest level again. My father, my wife and children in the stands... It was really a dream to be able to referee this final." Last Saturday, Kuipers refereed one more game. "I wanted to referee my last game in the Netherlands, in a stadium with an audience. Afterwards, we raise the glass to a period of almost 20 years of being active at the highest level."
The chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, sent him a video message, congratulating Kuipers for his achievements and his entire career: "What can I say today?Congratulations for all the great achievements you reached, each final you officiated was fully deserved. Your commitment was outstanding, you were a model for all referees. Now it's time to stay with your familiy, but be aware, refereeing needs you!"
Source: KNVB