Top Referee Evans to Officiate World Cup Finalists

Wales' top referee Lee Evans from Llanllechid will referee the World Cup Finalists, the Netherlands in what will be their first competitive match since losing to Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final in Johannesburg last month.

Evans, who was promoted to a UEFA Category 2 referee this year, was today chosen by the UEFA Referees Committee to take charge of the EURO 2012 qualifier on 3rd September 2010 between San Marino and the Netherlands in Serravalle.

Evans will be assisted by two assistant referees and a 4th official also from Wales, but these have all yet to be decided by the Football Association of Wales.

The fitness fanatic from North Wales, who enjoys marathon running in his spare time, continues to impress on the UEFA stage and has already been awarded three appointments by UEFA since the close season in the Champions League and the Europa League. Indeed just two weeks ago, he was in Cyprus for the Europa League qualifier between Apoel Nicosia and FK Jablonec from the Czech Republic, when he took charge of the match in 40 degree heat in front of over 15,000 spectators.

Evans was informed of his appointment this afternoon and the delighted whistleblower said;

"I'm extremely excited and can't wait."

Evans also awarded Europa League Play-Off in Spain

There was also further good news for Evans as he was also appointed today as the referee for the UEFA Europa League Play-Off match on 19th August between Spanish giants Villarreal CF and FC Dnepr Mogilev of Belarus in the 25,000-seat Madrigal stadium.

The La Liga giants boast Spanish international defenders Carlos Marchena and Joan Capdevila in their squad who both featured for the World Cup Champions in the final in South Africa last month.

The two assistant referees and the 4th official will also be appointed by the Football Association of Wales within the next 48 hours.