Although Germany have been eliminated from Euro 2020, referee Felix Brych will be the only representative of the country in the tournament.

He is one of the most popular and widely regarded referees and will helm the high-intensity semifinal clash between Italy and Spain.

Being one of UEFA’s most trusted officials, Brych has officiated in multiple Champions League finals. 

Also read: Top 5 Spain vs Italy games before Euro 2020 semis

Born on August 3, 1975, in Munich, Brych started refereeing in the German lower leagues at the age of 24.

Soon enough he got called up to officiate in 2. Bundesliga in 2001 and just three years time he was already refereeing at the German top league. 

A lawyer outside of football, the 45-year-old is one such guy who is not afraid to stamp his authority and let players know who is in charge. 

By 2007 he was already involved in European matches and soon made his way up to managing crucial international fixtures.

Brych is also set to call the shots in the other semifinal on Wednesday between England and Ukraine. And fans in the UK will best remember him for sending off Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic for a high tackle against Otelul Galati in 2011.

In 2014, the German officiated in his first World Cup tournament and famously or infamously sent off Uruguayan Maxi Pereira and cautioned six more in his two matches at the finals.

Again in World Cup 2018, he made the headlines when controversially failed to award Serbia a penalty against Switzerland when Aleksandar Mitrovic appeared to be being held down by two Swiss players.

In Euro 2020, Brych was in charge when Ukraine lost 3-2 to the Netherlands in Amsterdam during the group stage.

He also took charge of Belgium’s 2-0 win over Finland, as well as the Red Devils’ victory over Portugal in the last-16 and England’s Rome clash with Ukraine.