Relishing the big occasion

By Greg Demetriou

Jyrki Filppu is one of the élite band of international referees who have contributed to the Futsal's startling rise in popularity.

Futsal focus
Filppu became a referee in 1978, before starting his Futsal career in 1996. Two years later, he became an international Futsal referee. In 1999, he gave up football to focus on Futsal and he has become one of the most respected officials around while working within the Football Association of Finland.

Experience counts
The 41-year-old from Helsinki is highly experienced, having officiated at the 2001 and 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championships in Russia and Italy, along with being a technical adviser at the inaugural UEFA Futsal Cup in 2002 in Portugal. On Wednesday night, he will take joint charge of the first leg of the 2003 UEFA Futsal Cup final in Charleroi, Belgium.

Be prepared
Two referees and timekeepers are needed in Futsal to ensure the action flows smoothly and the game is played in the right spirit. With the matches usually played indoor, the experience of refereeing the game sharply contrasts with its older, eleven-a-side, brother. "Mentally, it is completely different," said Filppu. "The crowd is very close to the benches. You always have to be prepared for their reactions, and you are sometimes right in the middle of situations."

Lots happening
There is plenty going on too. While each team has five players involved at any time, unlimited changes can be made from their seven substitutes. The clock, which ticks down in each half from 20 minutes, is stopped whenever the action ceases. Then there are the fouls, with each serious illegal challenge totted up. If a team gets five in one half, then every subsequent offence gives away a free penalty shot.

Concentration needed
Having officiated in football and Futsal, Filppu believed the latter "demands more because there is no time to rest". He added: "You have to be concentrated all the time." Yet the proximity of the play to the fans helps rather than hinders. "I enjoy the situations where the crowd is just behind me and they are shouting," Filppu said.

Keep fit
Fitness is vital with international calendar expanding, and Filppu trains "four or five times a week". He added: "The better condition you have, the better mental pressure you can stand." He also stressed that a good physical appearance sends the right message to players and fans.

Active role
Given the smaller playing area and the speed involved, the Futsal referee must be mobile, keeping up with play while staying out of the way. For Filppu this again adds to the enjoyment. "I get the feeling that I am really involved and I have to be concentrated all the time. It helps me get into the match and swim there within the players."

Unified approach
Added to that is the need to forge a good relationship with fellow officials. According to Filppu, this, especially on international tournaments, "is the most important thing" and helps provide more unified refereeing. There are plans for UEFA's first Futsal referee course and, in the coming years, he hoped more young refereeing hopefuls would concentrate on Futsal. Filppu is doing his bit to set the right tone. He said: "The referee's duty is to show with his own personality how he would like the players, coaches and officials to behave." Cards, he added, are the "last resort".

Players happy
"The biggest prize I get is when I have not shown any cards and the players come after the match and say thank you," he added. Leading by example is always essential, and Filppu is doing just that.