UEFA has honored the best Macedonian referee Aleksandar Stavrev by putting him on the list of the 40 best referees on the continent.  With that achievement, he will be able to referee in several prestigious tournaments.

For the first time in Macedonian football history, a referee has made that prestigious list for the top referees in the continent.  UEFA included Aleksandar Stavrev on the list of the 40 best referees for 2012.  With the achievement, the doors will now open for the 34-year-old Macedonian referee to take part in major tournaments such as the EURO championships, World Cups, Olympic Games, and the knockout stages of the Champions League.  Of course, he can’t participate in the upcoming EURO 2012 tournament in the summer since the referees have already been chosen by UEFA. 

Stavrev became the first Macedonian referee to lead a game in the group stages of the Champions League.  He was the main referee during the clash between Barcelona and Viktoria Plzeň from Group H.  Stavrev has been an international referee since 2006 and has taken part in more than 30 matches.