For the first time in football history, a Pole will be in charge of refereeing the always long-awaited final of the World Cup. 

This Sunday, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak will referee the match of his life, which happens to be the most-watched sports event in the world. Lionel Messi’s Argentina will attempt to prevent France from lifting the trophy for the second time in a row. 

https://twitter.com/StateOfPoland/status/1603418862350962688?s=20&t=Zswmq1tzRuYT8JiXb4svfQ

Along with his assistants, Tomasz Listkiewicz and Paweł Sokolnicki, Marciniak has refereed two matches in the Qatar tournament so far. They were the ones in charge of France-Denmark (2:1) and Argentina-Australia (2:1). 

Marciniak is a perfect example of perseverance. His story is truly inspiring. Back in 2017, while he participated in the Liga + TV show, he was asked a series of questions and statements to which he was supposed to answer solely by “yes” or “no”.

https://twitter.com/CANALPLUS_SPORT/status/1603423001957072906?s=20&t=74VbzjMJbeqD3TRuTnF31Q

One of the questions was as follows: “Contrary to Polish players, I will one day be on the pitch for a World Cup final”, to which the Polish referee answered, “yes”. The short video of Marciniak confidently predicting his upcoming success turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy in only five years.
In a recent interview with TVP Sport, Marciniak commented on the responsibility awaiting him on Sunday afternoon. “As a little boy, when I was playing football, I dreamed that maybe one day I would play well enough to win the world championship. Today I am the referee and for the referee running the final is like lifting the World Cup” – he explained. 

Another fact that is worth mentioning is that Marciniak’s assistant Tomasz Listkiewicz is the son of Tomasz Listkiewicz, who was himself a referee. He was an assistant at the 1990 World Cup final and also was the president of the PZPN. It can thus be said that Listkiewicz Jr. is stepping in his successful father’s steps. 

 The France – Argentina World Cup final will start on Sunday at 3 PM (UK time). 

https://twitter.com/fifamedia/status/1603447958703423507?s=20&t=vUUGkLcW6G-nbmhM-O0JBA

Image: Twitter (@sport_tvppl)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen