Dutch referee SanderVanderEijk will be in charge of directing the UEFA Europa League group stage match between Celta Vigo and Juventus Turin, scheduled for this Thursday. At 35, VanderEijk has already attended two European matches this season, although his experience in UEFA's second division club competition is limited.
Celta, who have just lost 1-0 against Omonia in their debut in the Europa League, are preparing to face the historic Juventus, one of the most successful teams in Italy. The match will take place at the Balaídos Stadium and will be the second time that the Dutch referee calls the Galicians in a European competition; The first was on October 23, 2025, when he directed Celta's victory over French team Nice by 2‑1.
VanderEijk has also refereed in the qualifying phase of the same competition and in the UEFA Conference League, and has worked in the UEFA Youth League with under-19 and under-17 teams, as well as with clubs such as Real Sociedad, Atlético de Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, it will be the first time he whistles for a professional Italian club in Europe, which marks a milestone in his career.
The referee will be assisted by the VAR, where Richard Martens himself, also from Holland, will act as operator of the VOR room. According to available information, VanderEijk has been selected following a rigorous referee evaluation process that includes his performance in high-level matches and his ability to handle the pressure of international matches.
With the match scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local time, Celta and Juventus will face each other in a duel that promises to be intense. Fans can expect a match where referee discipline will be key to maintaining the balance between the Italian's offensive strength and the Galician's defensive solidity. The result of this event will determine the position of both teams in the group stage table and will set the course of their respective campaigns in the European competition.