To be part of these competitions, side by side with the best, that feeling cannot be described, especially because we come from a small country like Macedonia and we have always had to go through a bumpy road to success, says Slave Nikolov.

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Slave Nikolov and Gjorgi Nachevski have been referees for 19 years, who are part of all world sports events in the handball world. And there is actually no better proof of their quality. They have not missed a single major competition, whether it is a youth, senior, men’s or women’s competition. World championships, European championships, Cups, Champions League… They have refereed thousands of matches. Sports experts say that they are number one right now, not only in Europe, but also in the world.

To present Macedonia in the best way possible

– My career started in 1991 at the age of 15, with my colleague Gjorgi Nachevski in 1994, and on the international stage in 2005 when we qualified for the EHF and 2006 for the IHF category. After the retirement of the referee couple Marjan and Dragan Nachevski and the level of reputation in international handball, a great opportunity opened up for us to be part of the European and World competitions. From 2005 until today, we have not been absent from major competitions – says Slave.

He singled out some of the major competitions they have participated in so far. Starting from 2006, they judged the European Junior Championship, and in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 they refereed at the World Junior Championships. In 2011 at the first World Seniors in Sweden, in 2012 at the European Serbia, in 2012 at the Olympic Games in London. In 2013 at the World in Spain, in 2014 at the European in Denmark, in 2015 at the World in Qatar, in 2016 at the European in Poland, in 2016 at the Olympic Games in Rio, in 2017 at the World in France, in 2018 at the European in Croatia, in 2019 at the World Championships in Denmark and Germany. In 2020, at the European Championships in Sweden, they judged in the finals as well. In 2021 they were part of the World Cup in Egypt, in 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo they were also part of the final. In 2022 at the European in Hungary, in 2023 at the World in Sweden and again chief judges in the final. They have judged two African championships in Tunisia and Egypt where they judged again in the final. They were part of one Asian Championship, and they were judges in the finals of two Super Globes. In 2008 Cup Winners’ Cup Final, 2012 EHF Cup Final, three times F4 Champions League, SEHA League, WRHL Women’s Regional League.

– As the players have a dream to be the best, so we referees have the same dream to be the best among the best and that led us to achieve this rich career with many top competitions. To be part of these competitions, side by side with the best, that feeling cannot be described, especially because we come from a small country like Macedonia and we have always had to go through a bumpy road to success. We have been wronged on many occasions to judge what we deserved, but they have never succeeded in making us give up our purpose. We have always tried to present our country in the best light and to prove that we are the best – says Nikolov.

You have to respond quickly in disputed situations

Same as the athletes, the referees also have a training plan and program that is monitored by the European and World Handball Federation.

– Before any big competition, in order to be able to participate, you have to pass several tests, such as “Shuttle Run Test”, “Rule Test” and “Video Test”. If we do not pass one of these tests before the actual competition, we do not have the right to participate. That is why we must be ready at any moment. The biggest mistakes of the judges in these competitions are usually about these three problems – says Slave.

Whenever there is a disputed situation, one must react promptly and make a decision quickly in order to get the impression that you are sure of the decision, says Slave.

– Any longer thinking instills uncertainty in the decision and doubts about the correctness. The experience of many difficult matches gives us the knowledge to deal with such situations and make the right decisions. When determining who will judge the match, the difficulty of the match is first assessed, and then couples who are suitable for that match are selected. Then you look at the neutrality of the referees, you look at which countries or clubs are playing and usually referees are chosen from another continent or if they are both from the same continent, then it is possible that the referees will be from the same continent if it is a world championship. But quality should always be the most important criterion – Slave emphasizes.

According to him, the most commented decision so far is when in the final of the European Championship in Sweden in 2020, between Spain and Croatia, with the result of a one-goal difference, in the last minute for Spain, and Croatia was in attack, we awarded steps to Igor Karacic. so a lot of dust was raised as to whether they were or not, but after reviewing the footage, everyone saw that he took 5-6 steps, and that proved our neutrality and quality in such matches – says Slave.

The most significant moments in their career are the participation in the Olympics and the final in Tokyo, as well as the final in Sweden at the European Championship and the final of the 2023 World Cup in Sweden.

– The Olympic Games in Paris are our goal and with that we may be unique with 4 Olympic Games. After all these competitions, it is realistic to expect to be a part of these Olympic Games as well. Next up is the domestic championship playoffs, which are very exciting this year, as well as the SEHAN league finals. It is our desire and goal to end this season with the finals of the F4 matches from the Champions League, which is the only thing we lack in order to complete all possible finals and thus write a history that few have had in their career – says Nikolov.

Prepared by: Sanja Jachevska