Match referee Roberto Rosetti of Italy (L) watches as Greece's Angelos Basinas reacts after being fouled during their Group D Euro 2008 soccer match against Russia at the Wals-Siezenheim stadium in Salzburg, June 14, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Italian referee Roberto Rosetti will officiate Sunday's Euro 2008 final at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, UEFA said on Monday.
Rosetti, a 40-year-old hospital manager from Turin, came out the final referee, as well as the first match's referee of the tournament, after the team of his country being knocked out of the tournament.
Italy has suffered a quarterfinal exit on a 4-2 penalty shootout last Sunday after the score was deadlocked at 0-0 after 120 minutes.
The disappointing result, however, meant that Rosetti was eligible to handle the final, as only those whose teams are not taking part can referee.
"First of all, I'm a supporter of the national team as I have been since I was a little boy. The penalty shootout was a very emotional moment and not very nice for the team," said Rosetti.
"But I was in the opposite situation two years ago when Italy went on to win the World Cup. Of course, it's a great honor for me and a very important day in my life.
"I am a referee and so the final of the European Championship is a wonderful situation," added Rosetti, who was a last-minute replacement at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and took charge of four matches including France's 3-1 victory over Spain in the last 16.
Rosetti also officiated co-hosts Switzerland's tournament opener against the Czech Republic on June 7, when the Swiss lost 1-0 in Group A.
The other two matches he refereed were Russia's 1-0 victory against Greece and the second quarterfinal won on penalties by Turkey over Croatia after their thrilling game finished 1-1 after extra time.
(Xinahua News Agency June 24, 2008)