The first match of the 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League playoffs Braga (Portugal) vs Rapid (Austria), which will take place on August 22, will be officiated by a Ukrainian refereeing team.
Nikolai Balakin (photo: gettyimages.com)Mykola Balakin will act as the main referee. He will be assisted on the lines by Oleksandr Berkut and Dmytro Zaporozhenko. Denys Shurman will act as the fourth referee. The Dutchmen Dennis Higler and Edwin van de Graaf will be responsible for the VAR system.
