# Nicola Rizzoli

> Italian football referee

**Wikidata**: [Q315234](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315234)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Rizzoli)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nicola-rizzoli

## Summary
Nicola Rizzoli is an Italian football referee renowned for his career officiating high-profile matches, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final. Born in 1971, he is also a trained architect, combining professional expertise in both fields. Rizzoli's refereeing career spans over two decades, marked by his leadership in major international tournaments and his affiliation with the University of Florence.

## Biography
- **Born:** October 5, 1971
- **Nationality:** Italian
- **Education:** Architect (specific institution not provided in source material)
- **Known for:** Officiating as a football referee in top-tier matches, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final
- **Employer(s):** Affiliated with the University of Florence (specific role not detailed)
- **Field(s):** Football refereeing, architecture

## Contributions
Nicola Rizzoli has made significant contributions to football as a referee, overseeing critical matches in international competitions. His most notable achievement was refereeing the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina, a pinnacle event in global football. Additionally, his dual career as an architect highlights his multidisciplinary expertise, though specific architectural projects are not detailed in the provided material.

## FAQs
**What is Nicola Rizzoli best known for?**
Nicola Rizzoli is best known for his career as a football referee, particularly for officiating the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, one of the most prestigious matches in the sport.

**Where was Nicola Rizzoli educated?**
Rizzoli is a trained architect, though the specific institution where he studied is not provided in the source material.

**What other profession does Nicola Rizzoli have?**
In addition to refereeing, Rizzoli is a qualified architect, demonstrating his expertise in both sports and design.

**When did Nicola Rizzoli start his refereeing career?**
Rizzoli began his refereeing career in 2001, as indicated by the work period start date in the source material.

## Why They Matter
Nicola Rizzoli's impact on football is underscored by his role in high-stakes matches, where his decisions have influenced the outcomes of major tournaments. His presence in the 2014 World Cup Final solidified his reputation as a top-tier referee, contributing to the integrity and fairness of the sport. Beyond football, his background in architecture reflects a unique blend of analytical and creative skills, though his architectural work remains less documented.

## Notable For
- Refereeing the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final
- Dual career as a football referee and architect
- Affiliation with the University of Florence
- Recognized as a leading figure in Italian and international football officiating

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Nicola Rizzoli was born on October 5, 1971, in Italy. He pursued higher education in architecture, though the specific institution is not detailed in the source material. His academic background in architecture suggests a strong foundation in design and structural planning, which may have influenced his analytical approach to refereeing.

### Refereeing Career
Rizzoli's refereeing career began in 2001, and he quickly rose to prominence in Italian and international football. His most notable assignment was the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, where he officiated the match between Germany and Argentina. This role placed him among the elite referees in the sport, known for his ability to manage high-pressure situations.

### Affiliation with the University of Florence
Rizzoli is affiliated with the University of Florence, though the exact nature of his role is not specified. The university, founded in 1321, is one of Italy's oldest and most prestigious institutions, suggesting that his connection may involve academic or administrative contributions.

### Dual Profession
In addition to his refereeing career, Rizzoli is a trained architect. This dual profession highlights his versatility and ability to excel in both technical and creative fields. While his architectural projects are not detailed, his background in design may have influenced his approach to problem-solving and decision-making on the football pitch.

### Legacy and Influence
Rizzoli's legacy in football is defined by his role in major tournaments, where his decisions have shaped the outcomes of critical matches. His presence in the 2014 World Cup Final is a testament to his expertise and reliability as a referee. Beyond football, his architectural training adds a unique dimension to his professional identity, though his contributions in this field remain less documented.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013