Nicolae Rainea facts for kids
Nicolae Rainea in 1980
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| Personal information | |
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| Born | 19 November 1933 Brăila, Romania |
| Died | 1 April 2015 (aged 81) Bucharest, Romania |
Nicolae Rainea (born November 19, 1933 – died April 1, 2015) was a very famous Romanian football referee. People often called him The Locomotive of the Carpathians. This nickname showed how strong and active he was on the field. He was known for being one of the best referees in the world during his time.
Nicolae Rainea: A Top Football Referee
Nicolae Rainea was born in Brăila, Romania, on November 19, 1933. Before becoming a referee, he worked as a technician. He started his career as a football referee in 1964. He quickly became known for his fair decisions and strong presence during matches.
His Big Games
Nicolae Rainea refereed many important football matches around the world. He was chosen to be a referee in three different FIFA World Cup tournaments. These were in 1974, 1978, and 1982. This is a big achievement for any referee.
He also took charge of other major European finals:
- The final match of the UEFA Euro 1980 Final. This was a very important game for European national teams.
- The 1983 European Cup Final. This was the biggest club competition in Europe at the time.
- The second part of the 1978 European Super Cup. This match was between the winners of two major European club competitions.
- The second part of the 1978 UEFA Cup Final. This was another important club competition final.
His Legacy
Nicolae Rainea was on the FIFA International Referees List. This meant he was recognized as one of the top international referees. He was respected by players, coaches, and fans for his excellent work. He helped make sure games were played fairly and according to the rules.
He sadly passed away on April 1, 2015, in Bucharest, Romania. He was 81 years old. He is remembered as one of Romania's greatest football referees.
