Euro 2024: what time and on which channel to watch the round of 16 between the Netherlands and Romania

Les Pays-Bas à l’épreuve de la Roumanie. MAXPPP – Pan Yulong

Cités parmi les outsiders de l’Euro-2024, les Pays-Bas ont un statut à faire respecter face à la Roumanie, portée par une dynamique favorable et un héritage à honorer.

Cited among the outsiders of Euro-2024, the Netherlands have a status to uphold in the round of 16 on Tuesday (6 p.m.) in Munich against Romania, driven by a favorable dynamic and a legacy to be honored.

Accustomed to the last European four between 1988 and 2004 (four times out of five), the Oranje have not entered the continental top-8 for 16 years, with eliminations from the group stage in 2012, in the round of 16 in 2021 against the Czech Republic and an absence from the final phase in 2016.

"We have to find the right answers, because the stakes are high. This could be the end for us. This is obviously not what we want, but it could happen if we don't play better", warned Dutch coach Ronald Koeman.

Back at the head of the Netherlands since January 1, 2023, the 1988 European champion is under pressure, even if his contract is supposed to run until the 2026 World Cup, in two years in North America (United States, Canada, Mexico). "I don't think this is a question at the moment", replied Koeman, regarding possible consequences for his future in the event of elimination in the round of 16 of the Euro.

He is aware that the copy made by his players is currently insufficient, with a victory against Poland (2-1) after being behind, a sad draw against the French (0-0) and a logical defeat against Austria (3-2). Exited on penalties in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup by Argentina, future world champion, the Netherlands took third place in the toughest group of this first round of the Euro- 2024 with 4 points.

Sweet Romanian euphoria

Lucky luck of the draw for the Dutch, they face the weakest group winner, Romania, who finished the group stage with an identical record. On the other hand, the Romanians are riding a sweet euphoria, which has not subsided since the 3-0 success against Ukraine to launch their tournament two weeks ago in Munich.

Thanks to this second victory in only 17 matches during the final phase of a European Nations Championship, Romania, led by its striker Nicolae Stanciu, validated its qualification for the knockout phase, as in 2000 At the time, it was in the quarter-finals by eliminating Germany and England in a group, and Romania was then in the twilight of a golden generation led by. Gheorghe Hagi.

At the height of his art, the "Maradona of the Carpathians" had climbed with his selection to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup, beaten by Sweden after having taken out Argentina in the eighth. "Roman football had golden generations with great results", underlined coach Edward Iordanescu after the victory (3-0) against Ukraine. "But this generation has soul and a huge heart. It is limitless", he warned about his players.

Son of Anghel Iordanscu, coach of the Tricolorii from September 1993 to July 1998, he ensures the link between the two generations, just like Ianis Hagi, son of Gheorghe. At 25 years old, he moves "with pride" with his father's N.10 on his back. "It’is a pressure I was born with, so I’m used to it", explained Ianis Hagi, starter for the last group match against Slovakia (1-1).

The meeting will be broadcast on beIN Sports 1 at 6 p.m.