DPA
Munich
The Netherlands are determined to rebound from a modest Euro 2024 group stage when they take on Romania in the last 16 on Tuesday in the city where they celebrated their biggest success in international football.
The Dutch won Euro 1988 in then West Germany by beating the Soviet Union 2-0 in the final in Munich’s Olympic Stadium, with the help of Marco van Basten’s wonder goal.
The class of 2024 is far from that form after a group stage in which they laboured to a 2-1 victory over Poland, drew 0-0 with France and lost 3-2 against Austria.
Coach Ronald Koeman, who was part of the 1988 team, and forward Cody Gakpo said on Monday there has been a lot of soul searching in the camp and that they will aim to do better in the Munich Arena.
“We had to take a hard look at ourselves after all the criticism. I think that was a positive process. But you can only prove it when you play a game,” Koeman said.
“There were enough reasons for this hard analysis. We must see the confirmation on the pitch tomorrow.” Liverpool’s Gakpo admitted that “we know the whole country was a bit disappointed” after the Austria match and that the team now wants “to show a reaction and show how good we really are.
“We know that we have to improve. It is behind us and now a new tournament starts,” Gakpo said.
The Dutch have history on their side with 10 victories and just one defeat from 15 matches against Romania, but Koeman is taking nothing for granted.
“I expect they will be really aggressive. They are physically strong in defence and dangerous from corners and free-kicks,” he said.
Koeman said he was looking forward to being back in Munich as he recalled the 1988 triumph.
“It was a fantastic time and I am happy that we won this tournament,” he said.
Romania looking to
make history
In contrast, Romania want to make history in their last 16 match against the Netherlands at Euro 2024 on Tuesday, with coach Edward Iordanescu out to emulate his father.
Romania are yet to win a knock-out match at the Euros but managed one at the World Cup, when father Anghel Iordanescu coached that team to a 3-2 triumph over Argentina in 1994.
“We are ahead of a game here in Munich which could be historic for Romania. We want to make Romanians happy and make history,” Edward Iordanescu told reporters on Monday.
“Of course we also like to look at the past and those are fantastic moments. But it is a different generation now. We are speaking about a fantastic moment.
Romania want to reach the quarter-finals for the second time at the Euros. They reached last eight in 2000 when that round came right after the group stage, losing 2-0 to Italy.
“When you can make history, you have great expectations of yourself and are prepared to give everything,” Iordanescu said. “There’s a whole country behind us, cheering us on.”
Forward Razvan Marin added: “I’m sure that everyone on the pitch tomorrow will give their all to ensure that we qualify for the next round.” Romania have beaten the Dutch only once in 15 meetings, losing 10 and drawing four.
Deian Sorescu is set to start in place of suspended Nicusor Bancu and Ianis Hagi is expected in the first 11 as well.
Hagi is the son of former midfield great Gheorghe Hagi, who scored the final Romania goal in the famous victory over Argentina 30 years ago.
