Euro 2024: Romania Test for Uncertain Oranje

Romania vs Netherlands

At the start of the European Championships, two weeks ago already, Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands were plenty of people’s picks for a decent dark horse; a nation which can go deep into the competition and maybe even win it.

Well, we’re in the Round of 16 and the Oranje are safely through, and they have an inviting path on the easier side of the draw. And when Euro 2024: Romania vs Netherlands kicks off at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Tuesday evening in Munich Koeman will be leading the strong favourites…but that isn’t half the story.

Romania ended up top of Group E as all four teams finished on four points and, courtesy of a 3-0 win over Ukraine, Edward Iordanescu’s team finished as top dogs. And take a look at the fate  of  the other qualifiers from Group E. Belgium face France in the Round of 16 while Slovakia meet England. It was a good group to win and Romania will be determined to ride their luck.

They come into the game on the back off a 1-1 draw with Slovakia while the Netherlands were on the wrong end of a five goal thriller against Austria, a result which took Ralph Rangrick’s side to the top of Group D and the Oranje won one a knockout spot as one of the best third placed sides. 

The Romania vs Netherlands betting odds back Koeman to guide his team to the last eight, but the underdogs are dangerous, have little to lose and bags of fight in them. 

 

Talking Points

Koeman is yet to settle

The Netherlands have a talented group of players but Koeman is yet to name an unchanged team at Euro 2024 and he needs to get his line-up settled quickly. If he does, a quarter final against Turkey or Austria awaits, and with Spain, France, Belgium, Portugal and Germany all on the other side of the draw there is a route to the final opening up.  

There were good signs for the Netherlands at the group stage; a win over Poland, a draw with France and they had slightly more possession and more shots than Austria but, crucially, the Oranje had only two shots on target while their opponents had five. A Donyell Malen own goal gave Austria a first half lead but Cody Gakpo equalised just after the break. After Romano Schmid restored Austria’s lead Memphis Depay levelled again for the Netherlands but Marcel Sabitzer won the points with an 80^th minute rocket.

The Oranje will be on the front against Romania and Liverpool’s Gakpo will line up alongside Donyell Malen. Jeremie Frimpong will hope for a start but there could be a return for Red Bull Leipzig’s 21 year old flying winger Xavi Simons who scored a goal against France which was ruled out controversially by VAR. And wing back Denzil Dumfries could well make a start with Lutsharel Geertruida stepping aside.  

 

Do Romania have another surprise in them?

The Tricolori’s best effort at a European Championship was a quarter final spot in 2000 and they are one step away from matching that in Germany. They have probably done better than anyone outside Romania expected; but Iordanescu’s team played with a real swagger in the 3-0 win over Ukraine. A 2-0 loss to Belgium wasn’t entirely unexpected but with 14 shots and five on target Romania gave it a real go and were still in the game until Kevin De Bruyne scored a 79^th minute cracker.  

Rasvan Marin is one of five players with two goals in the competition so far, alongside Gakpo and behind only Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze; and he scored a penalty to get a draw with Slovakia last time out, as Romania had five shots on target again in an evenly matched game. Defensive midfielder Marin will be a key player in a side which will defend with grit and soak up the pressure from the Oranje, before striking with venom and accuracy. There is competition for places up front with forwards Ianis Hagi, Dennis Man, Florinel Coman and Valentin Mihaila all fighting for places. And there will be a change at the back with left back Nicusor Bancu suspended and Vasil Mogos likely to step in.     

 

History

The Oranje have won six of the head to head Romania vs Netherlands results while the underdogs have picked up one win and one draw, though the last meeting was a World Cup qualifier 11 years ago which the Netherlands won 4-0.

With three wins, one draw and two defeats the Netherlands were better form leading up to the tournament while Romania have won one, drawn three and lost two. But since the serious business began in Germany, they have both picked up four points.  

 

Betting Tip

The Oranje are hot favourites to win this tie at SBOTOP odds of 1.44 to see off Romania in 90 minutes while the underdogs are way out at 6.76 and the draw is 3.96. But while the Netherlands are yet to click, the Romanians will be full of confidence and I can see a difficult evening ahead for Koeman and his men.  

   

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