In a surprising turn of events, Slovakia secured a 1-0 victory over Belgium in their opening match of Euro 2024, played at the Frankfurt Arena. The match was decided in the first half when Ivan Schranz capitalized on a defensive lapse by Belgium. A misplayed pass by the Belgian defense left the ball at the feet of Róbert Boženík, whose shot was initially saved by Koen Casteels. However, the rebound fell kindly to Schranz, who fired the ball into the net from a tight angle.
Belgium, despite dominating possession, struggled to find a way back into the game. Romelu Lukaku, a key player for the Belgian side, thought he had equalized in the 55th minute when he tapped the ball into an empty net after a corner kick. However, the goal was ruled out for offside, as replays showed Lukaku was marginally ahead of the last defender when Amadou Onana headed the ball towards him.
Later, in the closing stages of the match, Lukaku again had the chance to salvage a point for Belgium, finding the back of the net after a pass from substitute Lois Openda. But, this time, the goal was disallowed using the newly implemented ‘Snicko’ technology, which detected a handball by Openda in the build-up to the goal.
‘Snicko’, similar to the snickometer used in cricket, utilizes ‘connected ball’ technology, incorporating a motion-sensing microchip into the adidas match balls. This chip tracks every touch of the ball at an incredible rate of 500 times a second, providing precise data on handballs and offsides. By analyzing the trajectory of the ball and the players’ movements, ‘Snicko’ can definitively determine if the ball brushed a hand or if a player was offside.
The introduction of ‘Snicko’ adds a new dimension to the game, providing greater clarity and objectivity in situations where human error can be prevalent. While the technology is proving to be beneficial, it is bound to spark discussions and debates as teams and fans adjust to this new era of precision in football.
