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WEBB: WE'RE READY TO GO

Select group referee Howard Webb can't wait for Euro 2008 to start

As one of three English representatives at this summer’s European Championships PGMOL select group referee Howard Webb, along with Assistant Referees Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey, have arrived at their Switzerland hotel-base ahead of the competition.

Euro 2008 starts on Saturday when co-hosts Switzerland take on Czech Republic and on Thursday, they will find out which match they have been selected to officiate in.

Webb explains: “All the officials will be told tomorrow the game they have been given and I expect it will then be announced on Uefa.com afterwards. At this stage, we only get told our first match; there are twelve refereeing teams here and with 24 group matches everyone is expecting to get two games each at least.

“We are all together in the hotel now, and will remain here until the end of the group stages; then the officials who have been selected to take control of the quarter-final matches onwards will move to Vienna.”

It is Webb’s first appointment for a major tournament and after a six-month wait, he is looking forward to proceedings getting underway,

“I thought I was in with a chance when the short lists were first announced and I knew of the selection prior to Christmas,” he commented on his extended season. “I am delighted to be here, as are the other lads, and it is a fantastic opportunity for us all but we have known for a long time and have had to concentrate on our domestic duties, now they are over, we just want to blow the first whistle and get things underway.

"Whilst our colleagues have had their feet up after the season finished, enjoying a well earned break, we have spent the last three weeks continuing our training - it has been hard but this is the reward and we are ready to go.

“I’ve been working with Darren and Mike regularly for the last few months - since the short lists were announced we have all worked together in teams and it has definitely been beneficial. We have an excellent relationship and that has its advantages, not just on the pitch but off it. Having been away together for the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup tournament in Canada for four weeks, we know we can get on well together and that will help us in the coming weeks.”

Log on later this week to read about Howard Webb’s aspirations and expectations for the tournament.