Dutch referee Sander Van der Eijk has been appointed to officiate Celta Vigo's Europa League match against Juventus on Thursday. The fixture is a significant early test for the Spanish side, which arrives after losing its continental opener and with an inconsistent start domestically, sitting ninth in La Liga with 8 points from 8 games, with a record of 1 win, 5 draws, and 2 losses.
Van der Eijk, a familiar face
This will be the second time Sander Van der Eijk has refereed Celta Vigo in European competition. The previous occasion was a 2-1 home win over Nice at Balaídos on 23 October 2025, also in the Europa League. The 35-year-old official from Amstelveen reached the top category of the Eredivisie at age 27 and has been a Europa League referee since the 2022-23 season.
Experience and context
This match will be his third European appointment of the current campaign, having previously officiated in the Europa League qualifying phase and the Conference League. His record in the competition shows 9 home wins, 3 draws, and 8 away wins. He also has experience in the Youth League, having taken charge of matches involving Spanish clubs like Real Sociedad, Atlético de Madrid, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. He will be assisted in the VAR room by fellow Dutch official Richard Martens.
For Celta, the game is key following their opening defeat to Omonia Nicosia. The team aims to bounce back in Europe while carrying a five-match unbeaten run in the league, with a recent form of one win, three draws, and one loss. Their next league fixture is against seventh-placed Alavés, but first they must handle the challenge of Juventus. Thursday's match at Balaídos will be under the supervision of Sander Van der Eijk.
The report in full is at Mundo Deportivo
