Please find below a prediction about the candidates for 2021-22 UEFA CL, EL and ECL finals.
Let's start this analysis with UEFA Champions League final, to be played in Paris on 28 May. Until a few days ago and before knowing the Villarreal - Liverpool assignment, a very easy prediction and expected name for the last act of the major competition for European clubs was Danny Makkelie (NED). The path that committee reserved to him looked to be a very clear clue of his selection for the final game. Then very likely something changed, and committee decided to appoint him for the semifinal. There can be still chances to see him in Champions League as well but it would be extremely particular. The Dutch will stay as strong name for the future. With the focus shifted on another name, according also to some rumors, it will turn out that Champions League final will be Clément Turpin (FRA). The French should be the name selected by commitee for the final in his home-nation. Two interesting facts to add: the last Champions League (at that time: European Cup) final referee from France was Michel Vautrot in 1986. Definitely a very long time, more than 35 years, and this could have played a role. In addition, we can remember the treatment he got during EURO. For sure very often things go in a very particular and unexpected way. We can't say that he didn't deserve that, but surely, after having handled Europa League final one year ago, and given also other circumstances, he was definitely not the first option for committee.
Regarding Europa League final, committee has surely several options, thank to the excellent progress of some referees this season. Personally, I would like to see, and that's my prediction, Szymon Marciniak (POL) . This would be a more than deserved reward for him, after having returned back on the old right track, by also showing very good performances in many big games. His path has been impressive this season, being very often appointed in top games with Italian teams (and we all know how much this can make it even more challenging than normal conditions), and he showed to deserve the trust by committee. After having been lost for a few years, now UEFA can rely again on him. Given the extremely long experience, I would say that assigning him to this final would be more than expected. To follow, surely the second name to be mentioned is Slavko Vinčić (SVN). A very similar path to the Polish, with big games and a great trust, even under the eyes of committee member. I think that if not Marciniak, he will get it. Moreover, we should not forget that another strong candidate, in my opinion on a similar level to Marciniak, would have been Ovidiu Hațegan (ROU). Let's wish him again a quick recover and hopefully we will see him again on the pitch on next seasons, and maybe at WC.
The third competition, Europa Conference League, will celebrate its first final this season. In this case my reasoning is based on the teams that have reached the game and the ones that have been eliminated,. Without an English team, and even more with an Italian team, I think that the option for committe will be a more than safe pair of hands with English Anthony Taylor (ENG). Despite of having officiated two UEFA final in quite recent times (Super Cup and Nations League), he has suffered for the presence of English teams in many competitions and his appointments have been clearly reduced by committee. This can be a signal. In addition, the experience at EURO had to end definitely too early for him, and the fact that he has been assigned to low profile games, even in Conference League, can give us maybe the final confirmation. So this is the final prediction. Another name to mention, based on performance, is surely István Kovács (ROU). In future he will have big chances of getting top assignments. Furthermore, a particular speech must be reported about Daniel Siebert (GER). In normal conditions and before the extremely discussed game he had in Champions League, I would have bet on him as perfect referee for this final: young, with a big trust by committee, and ready to officiate a final act, starting from the least sonorous one. Unluckily, throwing him in a game like Atlético - City, didn't help committee in protecting him, rather, this was too much gambling. He could have had by far a very regular path in which all people would have expected him in a semifinal of either EL or ECL. This couldn't happen due to the management by committee, but first of all he showed that he needs still time before handling certain games.
So, final predictions are
Champions League Final: Clément Turpin (FRA)
Europa League Final: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Europa Conference League Final: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
And you? What are your names for UEFA finals? Feel free to share your opinion as comment!
