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Woman whistler enjoys historic UEFA cup debut
AP, SOLNA, SWEDEN
Saturday, Aug 16, 2003, Page 19
The rain poured down over Solna's Rasunda stadium and the power went out after three minutes, but Nicole Petignat's performance on the field went without a glitch.
The Swiss referee made European soccer history on Thursday night as the first woman to officiate a UEFA men's competition match.
Her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she flashed a yellow card and shook her finger with authority at Nordic players a head taller in a UEFA Cup qualifier between AIK Solna of Sweden and Iceland's Fylkir.
"I was a little nervous but for me it's good for my reflexes and my reactions," Petignat told reporters at the end of the game. "For me the important thing was respect and acceptance."
She said she enjoyed the game and would officiate another UEFA Cup match if given the chance.
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