Svein-Erik Edvartsen, a 36-year old Norwegian of Pakistani ancestry, will take charge of the first leg encounter against FC Spartak Trnava, corresponding to the UEFA Europa League 3rd qualifying round, to be held on Thursday 30 July (at 20.00) at Toumba Stadium.

He was born in Oslo, while his grandparents still live in Pakistan. He is the executive director of Lørenskog IK, an ice hockey club whose team features in the top flight league of Norway. In the past, he was CEO at Storhamar Ishockey and earlier at football club HamKam (Hamarkameratene).

He made his refereeing debut in the first league in 2002 and was promoted to the top flight league in 2006. He earned his FIFA badge in 2013. In the current season, he handled the UEFA Champions League qualifying encounter between FC Milsami Orhei and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in Moldova (2-1).

He has also been a top referee in ice hockey!

The 36-year-old will be accompanied on Thursday by assistant referees Jan Erik Engan and Magnus Lundberg, with Ola Hobber Nilsen acting as fourth official.

Polish Zbigniew Przesmycki will be the UEFA Referee Observer, while Croat Zoran Cvrk has been appointed UEFA Delegate of the encounter.