Oviedo’s Nuevo Carlos Tartiere will host Spain’s third Nations League qualifying fixture on Saturday, with Greek referee Vassilis Fotias appointed for the meeting with the Czech Republic.
The 37-year-old official arrives in Asturias without an extensive profile on the international stage, although he has been working in Greece’s top division since 2018. This will be his fourth match of the current campaign, following two European qualifying assignments and Slavia Prague’s 2-3 home defeat to Lens in the opening round of the league phase on 10 September.
Fotias has not previously refereed a Spanish club in European competition, and Saturday will bring his first appointment involving Spain’s senior world champions. His previous encounters with Spanish youth sides have offered contrasting memories. He oversaw Spain Under-21s’ 3-1 loss to Germany in March 2025, but was also in charge of the Under-19 European Championship final in July 2024, when Spain beat France 2-0 to lift the trophy.
There is similarly little history between the referee and the Czech national setup. Fotias has yet to take charge of the Czech Republic at senior or youth level. His only connection with Czech football came this season in Prague, where Slavia were beaten by Lens in that Champions League fixture.
Angelos Evangelou, also from Greece, will be the video assistant referee for the contest as Santi Denia’s Spain prepare for another qualifying night in the north of the country.
