Germany146;s Merk to referee final

Germany8217;s Markus Merk will referee the Euro 2004 final on Sunday in Lisbon, organisers announced on Monday. Sweden8217;s Anders Frisk will be in charge of Wednesday8217;s semi-final between hosts Portugal and the Netherlads, and Pierluigi Collina of Italy will referee Thursday8217;s semi-final.

Merk, 42, refereed the France versus England Group B match, in which he gave a penalty to both sides, and the 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark in Group C which sent both countries into the quarter-finals at the expense of Italy.

The Kaiserslautern dentist also refereed the 2003 Champions League final. He has been a Bundesliga referee since 1988 and a FIFA referee since 1992.

Merk is the second German to control a major tournament final after East German Rudi Glueckner officiated the 1970 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy.

Collina was expected to be awarded the final.

The Italian, who was ruled out four years ago because his country reached the final against France, said he was happy with his semi-final appointment.