Euro 2008
2008-06-17 - Romania vs Holland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Romania
I am sure if someone had told Romania at the beginning of this tournament that their destiny would be in their own hands going into the last match, the Romanians would be looking to section them. After a tough 0-0 draw with France, Romania managed to hold off the Italians for a 1-1 draw, but it could have been so much better if Adrian Mutu had scored his penalty with 10 minutes left.
Romania need to win this game if they are to ensure progression to a Quarter Final with Spain. If they draw, they need France and Italy to draw. However, if they lose, they need Italy and France to draw 0-0 and ensure Holland dont win by more than a 3 goal margin.
Romania are confidant in their ability to qualify after taking their 2 points from the French and Italians, and have promised to go all out for the win over Holland rather than just hope Italy and France cancel each other out.
Mirel Radoi is out through injury while Dorin Goian is suspended after picking up 2 bookings. Chivu is likely to deputise in defence while Nicolae Dica and Banel Nicolita will come into the midfield.
Holland
Holland brushed aside the challenge of Italy and France in their opening 2 games with some devastating counter attacking football, scoring 7 and only conceding 1. Holland are rightly the joint favourites with Spain to win this tournament after their exceptional start which leaves them to face Russia or Sweden in the Quarter Finals.
Holland seem to have really gelled as a team in this tournament, a clear contrast to past years of internal fighting and disputes, and so far the absence of Clarence Seedorf and Mark Van Bommel are irrelevant. The Dutch have scored goals at just the right time in their opening 2 games, at times when it seemed their opposition were coming back into contention. They will also know if they lose to Romania, Italy and France are both out.
Marco Van Basten has done his best to alleviate fears that he will not want to win this game so France and Italy are forced out of the competition. While he has made it clear that he will make changes, he still expects his side to get better as this tournament progresses.
Andre Ooijer and Nigel de Jong are definitely out because they are both 1 booking away from a suspension. John Heitinga and Demy de Zeeuw are likely to deputise for those players, while Arjen Robben makes his first start of the competition. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Robin Van Persie and Ibrahim Afellay are expected to replace Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael Van der Vaart.
Head to Head
These 2 nations also qualified alongside each other. The Romanians kept 2 clean sheets in the qualifying matches between the sides, a 0-0 in Holland and also managed a 1-0 win in Romania.
The nations had also met in the previous World Cup qualifying campaign when the Dutch won home and away 2-0.
Romania have played Holland on 10 occasions, winning 1 game and only scoring 2 goals in that time.
Prediction
I think the bookies have over-reacted to the potential of Holland allowing Romania to win at the detriment of Italy and France.
Holland have a lot of talent coming into the side to replace the regular starters and I think they can be good enough to take the win.
However, the Romanians have proven their toughness in holding teams when they need to and the first goal will critical here. If Romania score it, they can hold a Holland side that wont go hell for leather for an equaliser.
I think ill go with a Holland win here at a nice price.
The Pick :
Romania 0-2 Holland
