The path of Ukrainian referee Kateryna Monzul to the 2022 Women's Euro was filled with events and numerous emotions, and her work at the tournament in England is a testament to European football solidarity, reports the official UEFA website.

Dangerous Journey

At 41 years old, Monzul gained an unsafe experience at the beginning of this year when war broke out in Ukraine. She made a difficult decision to leave her hometown of Kharkiv to avoid the ongoing military actions near the country's second-largest city. Accompanied by two sisters and three of their children, she embarked on a journey that eventually led her to Italy and the opportunity to continue her refereeing career.

Monzul officiated two matches at Euro 2022 in England, recording Spain's victory over Finland with a score of 4-1 and Austria's loss to Norway by 0-1.

Distinguished Career

Kateryna Monzul has an impressive resume. Starting as an international referee in 2004, she participated in three women's World Cup tournaments (she was the fourth official in 2011 and officiated in 2015 and 2019). Moreover, Kateryna was chosen to be the referee for the final of the 2015 Women’s World Cup between the USA and Japan in Canada.

This summer Monzul worked as a referee at the Euro 2022 finals in England. She participated as an official in the women's football tournament at the Olympic Games-2016, and she refereed the final match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2014 between "Tirso" and "Wolfsburg" in Lisbon. Additionally, she worked as a fourth official in the final of the Champions League 2018 between "Wolfsburg" and "Lyon" in Kyiv.

In 2016 Monzul began refereeing matches in Ukraine's men’s Premier League, becoming the first woman referee in the UPL, and also received appointments for Europa League and Conference League games. In November 2020 she officiated a Nations League match between San Marino and Gibraltar as part of the first all-female refereeing team to oversee an international game among men.

Difficult Situation

This remarkable career was interrupted in February 2022, following the start of the war in Ukraine. Monzul and her family in Kharkiv immediately felt the consequences of this horrific invasion.

"No one expected such a thing to happen in the 21st century. This is a difficult situation for every Ukrainian family, as many are separated. When the war began, no one could believe it at first. My family went to my parents' place and we lived underground—in a bunker. We were there for five days," Monzul says.

Eventually, the woman decided to leave Ukraine, traveling by car with two sisters and three of their boys through Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic before arriving in Germany.

"It was very hard," she admits. "When we left Ukraine, we had no idea what awaited us in the future."

Soccer Extends a Helping Hand

Fortunately, events developed quickly and positively thereafter. Talks took place between UEFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and the Italian Referees Committee (AIA), and doors to football in Italy were opened for Monzul.

The families were provided housing in Turin, and Monzul, leaving one sister and two of her sons in Germany, headed there. She expressed a desire to resume her refereeing career. AIA responded with an assignment for Kateryna to officiate a match in Serie A's women’s division, and then she joined the refereeing of matches in Serie A's men’s youth championship.

Active support from AIA, along with constant help from UEFA and FIGC, gave her the opportunity to return to her profession. April brought Kateryna additional positive news when her candidacy was approved among 13 other referees for work at Euro 2022 in England. She is infinitely grateful for the hand of friendship extended by European football during these most difficult times.

"I thank everyone in the football family who really helped me. Ukrainian and international colleagues also reached out, and this was very important to me," Kateryna Monzul says.

England Experience

Another Ukrainian, assistant referee Marina Striletska, also had the opportunity to work at Euro 2022 after leaving her country for Switzerland early this year. There she officiated matches in Switzerland's third division.

Born in Luhansk, Striletska was one of Monzul’s partners on two of her top European matches in England alongside Polish assistant referee Paulina Baranowska and fourth official Iwona Proykowska from North Macedonia.

"Now I can not only talk about the professional side of my life but also discuss personal moments with Marina. This really helps me," Kateryna Monzul emphasizes.

During her work in England, Monzul had the chance to renew close ties with the UEFA refereeing family and enjoy the unique atmosphere of top European football. "This is truly important matches for me as a referee. It's impossible to forget about the war. But when you step onto the field, your mindset changes slightly," she notes.

Monzul asserts that regular communication with close ones helps her maintain focus and mental resilience. "We exchange messages several times a day; we can talk directly via video calls, especially with my parents who stayed in Kharkiv. They really support me—after each call I feel additional strength to continue working and represent our Ukraine. My goal, as always, is to perform my job very professionally," the referee says.

Hope for Peace

Since February 24th, Kateryna Monzul's life has taken a different course. Despite this, thanks to her innate professionalism that she demonstrated in difficult personal circumstances, Kateryna reached European and world refereeing heights and built an excellent reputation.

Monzul hopes to return to Ukraine as soon as possible: "The most important thing is to stop this war! Peace throughout the world—this is the most important. This is my hope, and I want it to be everyone's hope."