Who is Ivana Martincic? Women’s Euro 2025 Referee & Croatian Trailblazer

Croatian referee Ivana Martincic will take center stage once again, officiating the high-stakes Women’s Euro 2025 semi-final between England and Italy. This marks her third match of the tournament, and fans are curious to know more about the experienced and respected official.

Who is Ivana Martincic?

Ivana Martincic, aged 39, is one of the top female referees in world football. Hailing from Croatia, she has steadily climbed the ranks in European football and has become a familiar figure in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and other major competitions.

Martincic first gained widespread recognition in 2021, when she made history by becoming the first female referee to officiate a men’s national team match involving Germany, overseeing their 9-0 win over Liechtenstein.

Euro 2025 and Champions League Recognition

Martincic’s performance at Women’s Euro 2025 has been nothing short of elite. Before the semi-final clash between England and Italy, she officiated:

• Italy 1-1 Portugal (Group Stage)

• France 5-2 Netherlands (Group Stage)

Her steady hand and commanding presence on the field earned her the crucial semi-final appointment.

Just a few months before the tournament, Martincic also took charge of one of the biggest fixtures in women’s club football — the 2025 Women’s Champions League Final in Lisbon, where Arsenal stunned Barcelona 1-0. She previously served as fourth official in the 2024 final between Barcelona and Lyon.

Notable Career Highlights

• First woman to officiate a Germany men’s international (2021)

• Referee for 2025 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final

• Fourth official in 2024 UWCL Final

• Controversial penalty call for Chelsea vs Lyon in UWCL 2023

• Regular presence in UEFA Women’s Champions League matches

UEFA Standards & Fitness

Ivana Martincic is one of 13 elite female referees selected for Women’s Euro 2025. UEFA’s Refereeing Managing Director, Roberto Rosetti, confirmed that all referees in the tournament passed the same rigorous fitness tests as their male counterparts.

This underlines UEFA’s commitment to ensuring equality, performance, and professionalism among its officiating teams.

Why Martincic Matters

In a male-dominated field, Ivana Martincic stands as a symbol of progress and professionalism in football refereeing. Her consistent performances, high-profile assignments, and historic milestones have inspired many young women looking to make their mark in the sport—on or off the pitch.