Poland's Szymon Marciniak, 41, who has been picked to officiate in Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and France is nervously excited. “I hope I sleep well. It’s a very proud feeling,” said Marciniak, who made his World Cup debut four years ago. Marciniak has already overseen matches involving both the finalists here, having officiated in Argentina’s Last 16 win over Australia and France’s group-stage victory against Denmark. So, he knows exactly what to expect. “Both [Argentina and France] have fantastic players, who can do anything at any time. That’s why, as a referee, you have to be focused from the very first moment till the last. It could go into extra-time or even penalties so you have to be ready for everything. It will be a fast game as we have seen throughout the tournament because this World Cup is being held in the middle of the season unlike previous editions, where it was at the end of the season. So, the players are fresh and eager to do well. It’s a final and obviously no team will want to lose, so I expect them to start cautiously, but I cannot relax for even a second,” he signed off. 

Diego Forlan