The European Fencing Confederation is pleased to recognise nine referees who have been named among the Best European Referees of the 2025–2026 season, following evaluations carried out throughout the European Championships.
The award, coordinated by the EFC Referees Commission, acknowledges referees who demonstrated a consistently high standard of officiating at European level and whose work can serve as an example for colleagues looking to continue developing their refereeing.
Recognition Based on European Championships
The selection is based on evaluations provided by Referee Delegates during the European Championships across the season. Participation in at least one European Championship is required for a referee to be considered for the award.
The recognition therefore reflects performances delivered at some of the most important competitions on the European fencing calendar, where referees are required to demonstrate not only strong technical knowledge of the rules, but also consistency, decision-making, communication and the ability to manage demanding situations on the piste.
All awarded referees are recognised on an equal basis. There is no ranking between first, second or third place, and the names within each weapon are presented in alphabetical order.
FOIL
Celler Pavol (SVK)
Dal Pozzolo Marco (ITA)
Mojski Jaroslav (POL)
SABRE
Boukas Evangelos (GRE)
Costanzo Vincenzo (ITA)
Doana Andrea (ROU)
EPEE
Gerossideris Efstathios (GRE)
Petkova Lazarina (BUL)
Valiulin Dmitri (EST)
The referees selected for the 2025–2026 season represent positive examples for those who want to improve their own officiating. Their consistency, preparation and performance at European Championships demonstrate the standards towards which developing referees can work.
Vilem Madr, President of the EFC Referees Commission and member of the EFC Executive Committee, congratulated all nine recipients and thanked them for their contribution throughout the season, expressing the hope that their example will motivate and support other European referees in their development.
The European Fencing Confederation congratulates all awarded referees and thanks the wider European refereeing community for its essential contribution to fair, professional and high-quality fencing competition.
