Euro 2024: Everything you need to know about Romania vs Netherlands match
By Seyi Babalola
Romania and the Netherlands will face off in the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 on Tuesday, July 2 by 5 pm.
The Netherlands may have escaped from a dismal performance in the European Championship group stage with a favourable matchup, but they will be wary of Romania when they clash in Munich for their round of 16.
Following their thrilling comeback victory over Poland on Matchday 1, the Netherlands drew 0-0 with France before losing 3-2 to Austria, ensuring their qualification as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Romania is 40 spots below seventh-placed Netherlands in the FIFA rankings and has won only two of 19 games played in six Euro finals appearances.
Romania has only won once in 14 previous games with the Dutch, losing ten. Its single triumph came in a Euro 2008 qualifier, which it won 1-0 at Constanta.
The last time the two teams met was in an international friendly in 2017 when the Netherlands defeated Romania 3-0.
Speaking ahead of the match, Edward Iordănescu, Romania’s coach said: “If you’re playing with history in front of you, you’re ready to give your all. No game is easy, especially not one that can get you into the quarter-finals.
“The Netherlands are favourites. They have incredible players, but we have our own strengths. We have a chance to make history and equal our best performance at a European Championship. This is our motivation and this is a moment we have wished for and dreamed of for so long.”
Also, Ronald Koeman, Netherlands coach said: “We are a proud nation. We like to win and play good football. We know that doesn’t always work, but we’re taking Romania really seriously. I expect [Romania] will be really aggressive.
“They are physically strong in defence and dangerous from corners and free-kicks. I know our fans were disappointed [after the Austria game] like we were as well. But [for the round of 16] we go again and we need that full support. We will give it our best and give everything on the pitch, and hopefully make the fans proud with a win.”
The winner between these two teams will advance to face Austria or Turkey in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
The match will be broadcast on GOtv and DStv. On GOtv channel 61, and DStv channels 222 and 225, respectively.
Possible line-ups
Romania: Niță; Rațiu, Drăgușin, Burcă, Sorescu; M.Marin, R.Marin, Stanciu; Man, Mihăilă, Drăguș
Suspended: Bancu
Misses next match if booked: Burcă, M. Marin, R. Marin, Puşcaş
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké; Schouten, Simons, Reijnders; Frimpong, Depay, Gakpo
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Schouten, Veerman.
