UEFA has made a historic decision regarding the Europa League semifinals that affects Ukraine

Ukrainian football referee Mykola Balakin has been appointed to the return leg of the Europa League semifinals, in which Italian side Atalanta will take on French side Marseille. The 35-year-old from Kyiv became the first ever representative of our country's judicial corps at such a late stage of European competitions.

This was reported by the official website of the European Football Union (UEFA). Balakin, as the fourth referee, has been appointed to the team of Spanish referees, which will be headed by Jesus Gil Manzano. He will be assisted by linesmen Diego Barbero Sevilla and Angel Nevado Rodriguez. Juan Martinez Manuera will act as a video assistant.

Atalanta and Marseille will play in Bergamo on May 9. The starting whistle will be blown at 22:00 Kyiv time. In the first match, the teams drew 1-1. The home team is considered to be the favorite of the game in Italy, and bets on their victory are accepted with odds of 1.73. Quotes for the French are offered at 4.50.

It is worth noting that this season Balakin became the first Ukrainian referee in the last 25 years to judge a Champions League match. He was also the first representative of our country to serve the spring part of the European Cups.

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