”The cheerleaders danced like Shakira”

A referee at Partille Cup experiences so much more than the refereeing. Like a group of hip moving mini-Shakiras.
– Yesterday it was some ten-year-old girls who was cheerleading and dancing like Shakira. I laughed at it for a long while, says referee Lizen Johansson.

220 referees from 20 countries is refereeing the games of Partille Cup this year, and they work hard during the week. Over 1000 games was played on Friday.
– I am refereeing between six and ten games each day, and I can feel that it is though, says Johansson.

19-year-old Lizen Johansson is refereeing in Partille Cup for the first time, and she absolutely love the experience.
– It is so fun here. I get to see handball and that is one of the best thing I know. The atmosphere between the games, especially amongst the younger players, is amazing. De laugh, dance and have in general a very good time. The parents and coaches also get very involved in the games.

What is most difficult with being a handball referee?
– You always have to be focus, which is very demanding. It is also challenging to act as you know best, even if you feel you might made the wrong decision in some situation.

Johansson describes her style of refereeing as harsh by fair. She never let herself get affected by coaches or parents yelling at her.
– No, if we hear something negative from parents we just make them leave the playing field. But that has not been necessary in this tournament yet. It is in general the parents that are the worst, the coaches often keep the calm.