When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups?
Slovakia and Romania meet in their Third Group E match at UEFA EURO 2024.
Slovakia and Romania at a glance
When: Wednesday 27 June (00:00 GMT+8 kick-off)
Where: Frankfurt Arena
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Group E Matchday 3
What do you need to know?
Whoever penned the script for Group E is a more than capable dramatist, with Slovakia and Romania both going into this third and final matchday with compelling back stories and powerful cases for inclusion in the last 16. Romania coach Edward Iordănescu reckons his generational talents are ready to stand and deliver; his team, who sparkled in their win against Ukraine, have overcome the setback of losing at the weekend and still hold the advantage of top spot in a section where all four sides have three points.
Early conquerors of Belgium, Slovakia also tasted the downside of tournament football last time out, but for coach Francesco Calzona they remain the Cinderella team of this EURO. That Slovakia are vying for qualification on Matchday 3 is progress in itself according to Calzona – albeit the progress the confident Slovaks really covet is a first-ever qualification as group winners. Something will have to give in Frankfurt.
Possible line-ups
Slovakia: Dúbravka; Pekarík, Vavro, Škriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Boženík, Haraslín
Misses next match if booked: Schranz
Romania: Niță; Rațiu, Burcă, Drăgușin, Bancu; R Marin, M Marin, Stanciu; Man, Draguş, Coman
Misses next match if booked: Bancu, R Marin, M Marin
Form guide
Slovakia:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): LWWWDL
Romania:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): LWDDLD
Expert predictions
Rastislav Hribik, Slovakia reporter
The moment of truth has come for Slovakia. Romania play a similar game to us, except maybe the Slovaks try to press more from the front, and Calzona’s boys are ready to do all they can to stop ambitious opponents and progress to the knockout phase for the second time in the last eight years. Winning the group would be a first and that is an extra motivation for some, but Romania have showed their team ethic already in this tournament. Be in no doubt: they are a very dangerous side.
Cristina Tache, Romania reporter
The Belgium reverse has not demoralised Romania, but the pressure is on to get the job done against Slovakia. Iordănescu has some issues in terms of his starting XI; there is a doubt over Bancu, with Olaru and Sorescu potential replacements. Sorescu is a utility player who can fill in anywhere, but on the left Bancu would be a big miss. Also, will Coman start again in place of Mihăilă? I suspect Iordănescu might go with the same XI that won against Ukraine.
What the coaches say
Francesco Calzona, Slovakia coach: “Romania are a physical side and have quality. It’s a difficult game for us, but we have our own style of play and I don’t like changing our style.Getting to the round of 16 would be a great result, and we would deserve it. We have played good football and had a great qualifying round. I trust my team and my players – they will have a great game.”
Edward Iordănescu, Romania coach: “Slovakia are one of the best organised teams at this tournament. They have a clear plan, they are balanced, they have experience.This is a historic moment for the Romanian national team. This is the greatest moment of our careers so far, and we have passion and a sense of responsibility about this. This team has an identity. We have rediscovered our spirit: the fans have seen this. This has created something incredible.”