AN OPINION BY MR. BOAS
— Unknown | 29/12/1923 —

Mr. Boas, the Dutch referee, so admired by our public last season for his performance in the MTK-Barcelona matches, and who is to referee the Slavia-Barcelona matches, arrived in our city on Wednesday, a few hours before Sparta's second match against the azul-grana.

Undoubtedly, the opinion of the prestigious referee, so knowledgeable about continental football, was interesting and we tried to find out, to which Mr. Boas agreed, briefly, but with his peculiar kindness.

Boas: The match seemed to me to be a beautiful game of football, which confirmed Barcelona and Sparta as two of the best European teams.

» However, Sparta did not quite match the opinion I had formed about it. I don't know if it was because of its new formation or the disadvantage of the terrain, but Sparta did not seem to me to be the dangerous team of yesteryear, since it lacked efficiency in finishing.

» Sparta's players are still masters in combination, but Barcelona was their worthy opponent, fully deserving of victory this time due to their speed of play, admirable combination play in the air and on the ground, and great impetus and determination.

— ...?

Boas: Mr. Watson's refereeing was excellent. No one can say, and certainly not Sparta, that he has harmed them. Mr. Watson is a great referee and has shown it again in these difficult matches. I only wish to be able to referee the Slavia-Barcelona matches as Mr. Watson refereed this Sparta-Barcelona match, that is, admirably.

— ...?

Boas: If I can, I will referee the Slavia and MTK matches, but as for the latter I cannot yet be sure, as they require me to stay here for quite a few days and I don't know if I will be able to.

— ...?

Boas: After the next matches I will give you my more concrete opinion. Today, I just have to say that I have seen Barcelona better than last year and that among its players, Piera, Samitier and in general the entire half-back line, I have found it admirable.