When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups?
Romania and Netherlands meet in the Round Of 16 match at UEFA EURO 2024.
Romania and Netherlands at a glance
When: Wednesday 03 July (00:00 GMT+8 kick-off)
Where: Munich Football Arena, Munich
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Round Of 16
What do you need to know?
After their rousing comeback win against Poland on Matchday 1, the Netherlands drew 0-0 with France before a 3-2 loss to Austria meant they qualified as one of the four best third-placed sides. “We have to come up with a response as a team for the next match,” warned coach Ronald Koeman after the Austria defeat. “That’s what’s at stake: it could be the final knockout game for us.”
The Oranje have won ten of their 14 meetings with Romania, losing just one, but Edward Iordănescu’s Group E winners are high on confidence – and through to their first EURO knockout phase since 2000. “It’s a historic moment for us,” said the Romania coach, whose team have been buzzing since their opening 3-0 defeat of Ukraine. “This new generation is writing its own story,” added goalkeeper Florin Niță as the Tricolorii aim to reach the last eight at a major tournament for just the third time.
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
Form guide
Romania:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DLWDDL
Netherlands:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): LDWWWL
Expert predictions
Cristina Tache, Romania reporter
This Romania squad have a steely look in their eyes. There will be changes in Munich: Deian Sorescu is likely to come in for the suspended Nicuşor Bancu, while Dennis Man and Valentin Mihăilă are also possible starters. Iordănescu has put his players through a couple of particularly intense training sessions as he seeks to inspire just a second win for the Tricolorii against the Dutch in 15 attempts (L10 D3). The players have upped the ante, their spirits are high; they are ready for the biggest night of their careers.
Derek Brookman, Netherlands reporter
The 3-2 defeat by Austria in Berlin on Matchday 3 was a rude awakening for the Dutch. Especially in the first half, they were passive, inaccurate in possession, hesitant and profligate with the few chances they did create. You can bet that Koeman and his staff will have been doing everything they can over the last few days to rectify this. The Netherlands clearly have the talent to go far in this tournament – now let’s see if they can deliver an improved performance against Romania.
Views from the camps
Edward Iordănescu, Romania coach: “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 tomorrow. 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.”
Ronald Koeman, Netherlands coach: “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.”