Referee Bočková 'humble and honoured' at Women's Under-19 EURO final assignment
Thursday, July 9, 2026
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Special personal memories occupy Miriama Bočková’s thoughts as she prepares to take charge of Friday’s UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship final between Germany and Spain in Sarajevo.
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The host country for this year’s final tournament, Bosnia and Herzegovia, holds a symbolic place in the heart of the 32-year-old Slovakian match official. Bočková was due to join the team for the European Women’s Under-17 Championship finals here in 2022 – but she was unable to take part because of an impending happy event – the birth of her son Bruno.
Bruno is now three years old, and definitely his Mum’s biggest fan. He is waiting eagerly together with the rest of the family to cheer her on in the final as she takes a significant step along her flourishing career pathway.
"You learn to have belief in yourself, and you learn how to be resilient and stay consistent in coping with ups and downs."
Special opportunity
"I’ll certainly be thinking of Bruno, my family and those close to me when I line up with the teams before the match," Bočková reflects. "Given the circumstances four years ago, it’s very special for me to be granted the opportunity to come to Bosnia and Herzegovina this time around, and especially to be appointed for the final."
Bočková will be accompanied at the final at Sarajevo’s Grbavica Stadium (kick-off: 1800 CET) by assistant referees Aleksandra Mostowska (Poland) and Vasilia Tsiklitari (Greece), and fourth official: Deborah Bianchi (Italy).
"It’s a great honour to know that UEFA have shown trust in me, and I feel very humble about my appointment," Bočková says. "I consider it as a reward for the years of commitment, patience, hard work and belief that I’ve had in myself."
Teenage beginnings
Bočková, born in the western Slovakian city of Trnava, began refereeing at the age of 16. "I was a player," she recalls. "One day I was watching a match on TV, and the female referee impressed me. I became interested in what it meant to be a referee, and I got the feeling that it would be good idea to try it."
The idea has turned out very well. Bočková has been an international match official since 2020, and is now on regular duty for UEFA at women’s club and national-team levels, while also officiating at matches in Slovakia’s men’s second division.
"I’m grateful to have had excellent support along the way," Bočková explains. "People in my country have given me crucial help right from the beginning, and UEFA, especially [experienced former referee and refereeing official] Dagmar Damková, has played a particular role over the years in encouraging and trusting me."
"One day I was watching a match on TV, and the female referee impressed me. I became interested in what it meant to be a referee."
Resilence and focus
Bočková feels that refereeing brings a number of positive challenges. "You learn to have belief in yourself, and you learn how to be resilient and stay consistent in coping with ups and downs – keeping going and never giving in as you try to realise your dreams."
Friday’s big match in Sarajevo is the latest major step on Miriama Bočková’s refereeing journey. A step that she is determined to take in her stride. "I have ambitions to aim higher, and I’ll keep working hard," she insists. "But the important thing at this moment is to stay focused on the present... and that of course means focusing on this final."
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