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Subs: Kaminski, Sels, Debüts, Trossard, Carrasco, Vranckx, De Ketelaere, Mangala, Openda, Vermeeren, De Cuyper
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Romania (4-1-4-1): Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; M Marin; Man, R Marin, Stanciu, Mihăilă; Dragus
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Subs: Moldovan, Tarnovanu, Rus, Nedelcearu, Alibec, Cicaldau, Pușcaș, Hagi, Olaru, Coman, Magos, Sorescu, Racovitan, Birligea, Sut
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Referee: Szymon Marciniak
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These two sides endured and enjoyed a surprising opening round of fixtures as Belgium were beaten by Slovakia, while Romania gave Ukraine a shock 3-0 defeat. Despite their contrasting efforts last time around, everyone is expecting the Belgians to come away from Cologne with three points and their Euros campaign up and running.
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Football, however, is not always that easy and Romania will sense a bit of weakness in the Red Devils. They will be high on confidence and eager to cause a second upset.
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Kevin De Bruyne et al might claim to be a touch tired from a season of club success but they have never lived up to the hype at international level. It would seem the days of the golden generation has passed and we await to see if this group can trouble the latter stages.
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Au trecut de mult zilele lui Gheorghe Hagi si Gheorghe Popescu. Echipa Romaniei are o noua generatie de jucatori care a dat suporterilor sperante pentru etapa urmatoare. Hai Romania!
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Here’s to a cracker.
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Kick-off 8pm BST
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Important Events
Big Ange also airs on ITV. It’s a great achievement for these young people.
I think Ange Postecoglou speaks very well here.
— Adam Harry (@FootballCliches) June 22, 2024
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I think Ange Postecoglou speaks very well here.
— Adam Harry (@FootballCliches) June 22, 2024
My daughter is half Romanian so she was given the opportunity to choose which team she wanted to root for in this tournament and she chose Romania over England. Will it pay off?
Pre-match coverage of England by The Guardian’s Karen Carney. I’m sure she’ll be commentating on this match.
Starting Lineup
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Castilles, Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Teathe, Tielemans, Onana, Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Doku, Lukaku
Subs: Kaminski, Sels, Debutz, Trossard, Carrasco, Vranks, De Ketelaere, Mangala, Openda, Vermaelen, De Kuyper.
Romania (4-1-4-1): Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burka, Bank; M Marin; Man, R Marin, Stanciu, Mihăilă; Dragas
subtitles: Moldova, Tarnovanu, Rus, Nedelceal, Alibec, Tikardağ, Puskas, Hagi, Oral, Koman, Magos, Sorecu, Racovitan, Birligea, Sut
Judge: Simon Marciniak
Around 25,000 Romanians will be gathering in the stands in Cologne, creating a sea of yellow. However, the Belgians will not be outdone.
Let’s learn a bit more about this new era of Romanian football with your friend and my friend, Nick Ames.
preamble
These two teams have been entertaining with unexpected struggles in their opening matches, with Belgium losing to Slovakia and Romania suffering a shock 3-0 defeat to Ukraine. Despite contrasting results in their previous meetings, everyone is expecting Belgium to kick off their Euros challenge with three points against Cologne.
But football isn’t always that simple, and Romania will sense some of the Red Devils’ weaknesses and will be full of confidence, desperate to pull off a second upset.
One could argue that Kevin De Bruyne and co are a little tired after a successful season at club level but have not lived up to expectations at international level. The days of the golden generation seem to be behind us and it will be exciting to see if this group can pose a threat in the second half of the season.
Multiple vest cutouts of Gheorghe Hagi and Gheorghe Popescu. Etipa Romanei is a new young generation that gives everything for the future generations. Hello, Romania!
Cheers to the crackers.
Kickoff 8pm BST
