The Netherlands face Romania in Munich on Tuesday in the round of 16 of Euro 2024. The Oranje, who have not been part of the continental top 8 for sixteen years, have a status to uphold against Romanians who are uninhibited and driven by a favorable sporting dynamic.
Published on: 02/07/2024 – 06:45
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They were cited among the outsiders of Euro 2024 before the competition, now it is up to them to make their status respected. The Netherlands face Romania on Tuesday, July 2, in Munich and have the opportunity to find their colors in a competition where they struggle to reach the quarter-finals.
Accustomed to the last four of Europe between 1988 and 2004 (four times out of five), the Oranje have not been in the continental top 8 for 16 years: they were eliminated in the group stage in 2012, absent from the final phase in 2016, and eliminated in the round of 16 against the Czech Republic in 2021.
“We have to find the right answers because there is a lot at stake. This could be the end of the road for us. It is obviously not what we want, but it could happen if we do not play better,” warned Dutch coach Ronald Koeman.
Back at the helm of the Netherlands since January 1, 2023, the 1988 European champion is under pressure, even if his contract is supposed to go until the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in two years in North America – the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“I don’t think it’s a question at the moment,” replied Ronald Koeman, regarding the possible consequences for his future in the event of elimination in the last 16 of the Euro.
A feeling of inadequacy on the part of the Netherlands despite qualification
The Dutch coach is aware that the performance of his players is currently insufficient, with a victory against Poland (2-1) after being behind on the scoreboard, a sad draw against Les Bleus (0-0) and a logical defeat against Austria (3-2).
Knocked out on penalties in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup by Argentina – the future world champion – the Netherlands took third place in Group D with 4 points.
By a lucky draw for the Dutch, they face the weaker group winner, Romania, who finished the group stage with an identical record.
On the other hand, the Romanians are riding a wave of euphoria, which has not subsided since the success against Ukraine (3-0), to launch their tournament two weeks ago in Munich.
With only this second victory in 17 matches in the final phase of a European Nations Championship, Romania, led by its striker Nicolae Stanciu, has validated its qualification for the knockout phase, as in 2000.
On the Romanian side, “this generation has soul and a huge heart”
At the time, it was in the quarter-finals, eliminating Germany and England in the group stage, and Romania was then in the twilight of a golden generation led by Gheorghe Hagi.
At the height of his powers, the “Maradona of the Carpathians” reached the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup with his team, before being beaten by Sweden after knocking out Argentina in the round of 16.
“Romanian football has had golden generations with great results,” coach Edward Iordanescu stressed after the victory over Ukraine. “But this generation has soul and a huge heart. It has no limits,” he warned about his players.
Son of Anghel Iordanscu, coach of the Tricolorii from September 1993 to July 1998, he provides the link between the two generations, just like Ianis Hagi, son of Gheorghe. At 25, he plays “with pride” with his father’s number 10 on his back. “It’s a pressure I was born with, so I’ve gotten used to it,” explained Ianis Hagi, who started the last group match against Slovakia (1-1).
With AFP
