Key events
Big Ange is on ITV, too. What a get for the lads.
Ange Postecoglou speaking very well here, I think
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) June 22, 2024
As my daughter is half Romanian, she was offered the opportunity to select who she wants to support this tournament and she picked Romania over England. Will it pay off?
Some pre-match reading from the Guardian’s very own Karen Carney on England. She is about to do some punditry on this match, I am assured.
Starting lineups
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Onana; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Doku, Lukaku
Subs: Kaminski, Sels, Debüts, Trossard, Carrasco, Vranckx, De Ketelaere, Mangala, Openda, Vermeeren, De Cuyper
Romania (4-1-4-1): Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; M Marin; Man, R Marin, Stanciu, Mihăilă; Dragus
Subs: Moldovan, Tarnovanu, Rus, Nedelcearu, Alibec, Cicaldau, Pușcaș, Hagi, Olaru, Coman, Magos, Sorescu, Racovitan, Birligea, Sut
Referee: Szymon Marciniak
There will be around 25,000 Romanians in the stands in Cologne, bringing a sea of yellow. The Belgians, however, will not be outdone.
Learn a bit more about a new era of football in Romania with your friend and mine Nick Ames.
Preamble
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.
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.
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.
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!
Here’s to a cracker.
Kick-off 8pm BST
