Kick-off time: 17:00 (GMT), 2 July 2024 | Munich Football Arena | H2H: 13 – 1W, 3D, 9L<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After an absence from the Euros in 2020 when they didn\u2019t qualify, Romania qualified this time undefeated in all 8 of their games and shocked viewers and punters alike when they topped their group ahead of Belgium. A resounding 3-0 win over Ukraine was followed by a loss to Belgium and a draw against Slovakia, but with all four sides level on four points, Romania\u2019s \u2018Goal For\u2019 tally meant they finished 1st, despite sharing the same goal difference as the Belgians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edward Iord\u0103nescu, their 9th coach since 2000 but already the manager with the most matches under his belt, will be hoping his team can deliver a repeat of their performance against Ukraine, where R\u0103zvan Marin and captain Nicolae Stanciu delivered the goods, but will have to be conscious that this 3rd place opponents are not known for their lack of resolve and could easily run havoc if his team don\u2019t fill the gap left by Bancu, currently suspended with 2 yellow cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite a strong qualifying run with just a single loss and a period between 1988 and 2008 where they won the Euros once and made it to the Semi-Finals three further times, Netherlands latest performances have been a little lacklustre. A 2-1 comeback against Poland in their first game, was followed by a draw against France then a shocking loss to Austria, leaving them on 4 points and qualifying third in the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Ronald Koeman back at the helm for his second spell in charge, after a first tenure that saw the side reach the UEFA Nations League Final, all eyes will be on forwards Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo to continue their scoring ways and help the side through to the Quarter Finals, for the first time in 16 years. With Depay just 4 goals behind legendary Robin van Persie\u2019s record, expect the Dutch side to come out fighting when they face Romania on the 2nd July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While these sides have played against each other 13 times, four consecutive losses for Romania where they conceded 13 goals \u2013 or worse \u2013 8 losses in 10 games going back as far as 1988 do not bode well for the predictions, but considering Romania topped their group and Netherlands had to scrape through in 3rd place, perhaps this game might see a turning of the tide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n