Euro games reports

[Ronners]

Whilst I was rooting for Slovenia, the best team won, although it was a great effort defensively for Slovenia to keep Portugal out for the 90 mins plus extra time. Ironically Slovenia had the better chances but the lack of quality cost them. UTM

[GlennMiller]

Slovenia's big star centre forward had a chance to wrap it up with a one-on-one with the keeper. Shame he fluffed his lines as I would have loved to have seen Ronaldo's reaction if Portugal had lost.

Ronaldo obviously has total control over the Portugal side. How many times did he insist on taking scoreable free-kicks only to blast them over the bar or straight at the keeper. Can't be healthy for the side overall.

[Brin]

I think Romania have surprised a lot of fans with their uptempo pace/style and the results they have achieved so far.
The Netherlands need to be at their best if they are looking to progress.

The Dutch are up against Romania in the last 16 in Munich on Tuesday but there have been concerns over their performance so far, particularly in the 3-2 loss to Austria in their final group game. Depay, who scored his first goal of the European Championship in that game, said: "We must ensure that we learn from our mistakes.
"We had discussions and criticised each other and it is normal that there is friction if the results do not go as you want them to go. It’s logical that there will be irritations.
"But that’s behind us now. There’s a good spirit among the group and we are looking forward."
The Atletico Madrid striker added: "The tournament is only starting now."

Romania topped Group E to secure their place in the tournament knockouts for the first time since 2000.
Romania coach Edward Iordanescu said: "I don't know what we can do in the future but we are very pleased to have reached the next stage. We want to go as far as we can.
"We are facing a fantastic and very hard test. We all are aware of this. But we also know that we will do what we've always done: give everything on the pitch."

Match stats:

This will be only the second ever major tournament (World Cup/Euros) meeting between Romania and the Netherlands, with the Oranje winning 2-0 in the group stage of Euro 2008.
Romania have won just one of their 14 matches against the Netherlands in all competitions (D3 L10), losing their last four in a row since a 1-0 win in European Championship qualifying in October 2007. The Tricolorii have only scored three goals in those 14 encounters, while conceding 29.
Romania have reached the knockout stage of a major tournament (World Cup/Euros) for the first time since Euro 2000, when they were knocked out by Italy at the quarter-final stage. The Tricolorii have only progressed from one knockout tie in major competitions, beating Argentina 3-2 in the 1994 World Cup last 16.
The Netherlands have lost each of their last three knockout stage matches in the European Championship, defeats by Portugal (1-2 in 2004 semi-final), Russia (1-3 in 2008 quarter-final) and Czech Republic (0-2 in 2020 last 16). They could become only the second side to lose four consecutive knockout matches in the tournament’s history, after Yugoslavia from 1968 to 2000.
This will be Romania’s 20th game at the European Championship, making them the 16th side to reach that total at the finals. They have won just two of their 19 games to date (D6 L12); previously, the fewest wins by a nation in their first 20 matches in the competition was four by Switzerland.

Anyone care to call this one?

[Brin]

Austria have really been the surprise package in the Euros. Topping their league which included France and the Netherlands, they have turned on the style that has caught a lot of attention.

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick says his side are capable of going all the way and winning Euro 2024.
The former Manchester United interim boss has transformed Austria's fortunes since he took charge two years ago.

"I said at the beginning of the tournament it is not impossible to become champion or get to the final," Rangnick said.
"We are realistic. There is only one way to get as far as possible which is to take care of the next match. This philosophy helped us to get to Leipzig and this is the only way to get further in the tournament."

Meanwhile, Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella said his side face a tough test against a "complete team" who are "perhaps the best team as a unit". Austria thrashed Turkey 6-1 when the sides met in a friendly in March.
Montella said: "They are a team that presses very aggressively high up the pitch, very consistently and they are excellent in transition. "They remind me of a club team because they are able to recognise all different match situations."

As much as Turkey have given a good showing of themselves, I feel this may be a 'bridge too far' to cross for them. Can only se Austria progressing in this match. There you go, I've cast my spell on Austria.....clarkey knows what I mean .

Match stats:

This is the 18th meeting between Austria and Turkey but the first time they have faced each other at a major tournament. The teams met for the first time in eight years in March where Austria ran out 6-1 winners thanks to a Michael Gregoritsch hat-trick.
Austria's last victory in the knockout phase of a major tournament was a 3-1 win over Uruguay at the 1954 World Cup. They did win a second-round game against Germany at the 1978 World Cup when the format involved a second group stage.
Ralf Rangnick has a win percentage of 60% as Austria boss having tasted victory in 15 of his 25 games in charge. Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands are the only European nations with a higher win percentage since Rangnick took charge in June 2022.
Turkey have qualified from the group stage of a European Championship for the third time. Their last appearance in the knockout phase was in 2008 when they reached the semi-finals before they were beaten by Germany.
Turkey have not won any of their past four competitive matches (D3, L1) without their captain Hakan Calhanolgu, who is suspended for the game. That run includes a 2-1 defeat by the Faroe Islands.

[Lolmorgan]

2-1 Netherlands.

[Lolmorgan]

3-0 Austria.

[Brin]

3-0 Austria.

Big shout that pal but possible to see that happening.

[Brin]

2-1 Netherlands.

I actually fancy the Romanians for this one...1 v 0

[Brin]

Well that's my prediction down with the Netherlands taking a 1-0 lead.

[Lolmorgan]

Well that's my prediction down with the Netherlands taking a 1-0 lead.

They look a better side than they did in the last game, crafty move or what.