By Romania, one of the surprise packages of Euro 2024, is set to face the Netherlands in the Round of 16 on Tuesday afternoon at the Allianz Arena in Munich. This match marks Romania’s first appearance in the knockout stages of the European Championship since 2000, a testament to their impressive group stage performance.
Romania topped Group E with four points, including a stunning 3-0 victory over Ukraine in their opening match. Their final group game draw against Slovakia was enough to secure first place, ahead of pre-tournament favorites Belgium. Despite lacking individual star power, Romania’s success has been built on exceptional team cohesion and spirit.
The Netherlands, despite their pedigree, enter this match as slight favorites but with question marks over their form. Ronald Koeman’s side finished third in a tough Group D behind France and Austria, struggling to impress despite their talented squad. Their performances have been particularly lacking in both attack and defense throughout the tournament.
Historically, these two nations have met only once in the European Championships, back in 2008, when the Netherlands secured a 2-0 victory. The Dutch will be hoping for a similar result to advance to the quarter-finals.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, with kick-off at 17:00 BST. German referee Felix Zwayer will officiate, with Bastian Dankert serving as VAR.
In their last five meetings across all competitions, the Netherlands hold a significant edge with four wins to Romania’s one. Their most recent encounter was a friendly in November 2017, which the Dutch won 3-0.
Recent form favors Romania slightly. They are unbeaten in their last three matches, including their impressive Euro 2024 group stage performances. The Netherlands, on the other hand, have had mixed results, with two wins, a draw, and a loss in their last four games.
As the underdogs, Romania will look to continue their tournament-shocking run with another upset. Their solid defensive organization and team spirit could prove challenging for a Dutch side that has struggled to find consistency. The Netherlands, however, will be eager to silence critics and showcase the talent within their squad.
This intriguing Round of 16 clash promises to be a test of Romania’s resilience against the Netherlands’ individual quality, with a quarter-final berth at stake in this year’s European Championship.
