Representatives of the main TV and radio stations, Internet portals, plus a few family members and some fans. Some came here specifically for the judges, others came across them by accident.
– And who famous lands that so many cameras? asked the old man.
– Referee of the final of the championship.
– Oh, Marciniak! Our interlocutor was delighted. And this only shows how the success of Polish arbitrators broke into the mainstream.
With medals around their necks and the Polish flag
Szymon Marciniak, Paweł Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz, after a well-run final, certainly gained new fans. The more so that in the main hall of the airport they patiently answered questions not only from journalists, but even took selfies with the fans.
Two weeks earlier, Polish pikemen landed at the same airport. Slightly more than half of the team arrived at the Military Terminal of the Airport, so the fans watched their idols mainly from a distance. Several representatives signed autographs, but the celebration ended there. Now there was a solemn atmosphere, and the judges, when they stood in front of the journalists, proudly put commemorative medals around their necks for leading the final.
– I guess it’s a little more cheerful than two weeks ago and there are more people here waiting for you than for the players? – I asked Marciniak perversely. The referee smiled slightly.
– Sometimes it’s better, sometimes it’s worse. We sometimes experience all this more than the players. But they should also be happy after this World Cup. They achieved success, we kept our fingers crossed for them, we were at the match against France. Then we rested and Massimo Busacca (the head of FIFA referee development) chased us out of the sun, told us to rest. We felt what was going on, and we got the final. Nice, said Marciniak.
Linesman Tomasz Listkiewicz came out to the arrivals hall with a Polish flag. His family was waiting for him, including Micha Listkiewicz’s father. We didn’t talk much after the final. I let Tomek enjoy the moment – the former international referee and president of the Polish Football Association told us. And then he hugged his son.
After a short meeting with fans and journalists, the Polish trio of referees are to go to the headquarters of the PZPN to meet Cezary Kulesza. The President wishes to personally congratulate the umpires.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
