[ToonUSA]

Here it is...what we've all been waiting for.



vs.



Discuss the upcoming match. This means tactics, personnel, and the occasional shot acrross the bow.

There will be no conspiracy theory talk in this thread.

[sardus_pater]

there's no conspiracy theory involved... Holland will rest a lot of their best players and they are perfectly right in doing so. fatigue plays a major part in a tournament and it would be foolish to waste some precious energies out of pride only to hunt you when you reach qf's or sf's against a fresher team.

Holland will play with a b team, they won't play to lose, i don't think so, but I suspect they will likely play a different game than the first two, they will play a more open attacking game with far less tactical cynicism and attention thus exposing to romanian hunger and well constructed counters.

still anything could happen but the most likely result is a romanian win, not necessarily as a result of playing a better game.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by sardus_pater

there's no conspiracy theory involved... Holland will rest a lot of their best players and they are perfectly right in doing so. fatigue plays a major part in a tournament and it would be foolish to waste some precious energies out of pride only to hunt you when you reach qf's or sf's against a fresher team.

Holland will play with a b team, they won't play to lose, i don't think so, but I suspect they will likely play a different game than the first two, they will play a more open attacking game with far less tactical cynicism and attention thus exposing to romanian hunger and well constructed counters.

still anything could happen but the most likely result is a romanian win, not necessarily as a result of playing a better game.

yes i feel the same way. if the romanians score first then holland will probably won't force too much to equalize. but the dutch reserves will try their best at the start of the game. after all they want a place in the first 11.

i say Piturca will start with Lobont - Rat, Ghionea, Tamas, Contra - Chivu, Dica, Codrea, Nicolita - Mutu, D Niculae (?).

[1shot1kill]

It's all going to depend on if Van der Sar gets rest or not, without him Romania has a lot more chance to score.

[Andrei2004]

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

yes i feel the same way. if the romanians score first then holland will probably won't force too much to equalize. but the dutch reserves will try their best at the start of the game. after all they want a place in the first 11.

i say Piturca will start with Lobont - Rat, Ghionea, Tamas, Contra - Chivu, Dica, Codrea, Nicolita - Mutu, D Niculae (?).

There is a chance Chivu will play in the defense with Ad.Cristea as a Left Midfielder. But it wouldn't be a surprise if Ghionea plays in Goian's place. However, from what Piturca said to the media, it seems that Marica will start.

And I agree with previous posts, Holland will rest some players but they will not step aside and let us win. It should be an interesting game. If we win, even against the B-squad, it means we deserve to go through.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by Andrei2004

There is a chance Chivu will play in the defense with Ad.Cristea as a Left Midfielder. But it wouldn't be a surprise if Ghionea plays in Goian's place. However, from what Piturca said to the media, it seems that Marica will start.

And I agree with previous posts, Holland will rest some players but they will not step aside and let us win. It should be an interesting game. If we win, even against the B-squad, it means we deserve to go through.

Ghionea is the most valuable substitute for Goian but i think Moti would be better because he played with Tamas at Dinamo. Cristea is a good offensive player. i don't know if he is in form, but i believe he deserves to play at least in the second half if the game is still in the balance.

[exeprime]

I would say Moti too. Ghionea had a very hard year at Steaua, long periods on inactivity, i think he'd be a bit of a gamble...

And Cristea... hm. He's a bit like Dica, great technique, amazingly talented player, but a bit lazy... I think it's more likely we'll see Cocis start and MAYBE have Cristea on later, if the situation requires a more offensive team. Although, God knows, considering Mutu's form, we could use a good set piece taker. Still, I guess Dica can take them too.

[ToonUSA]

Originally Posted by sardus_pater

there's no conspiracy theory involved... Holland will rest a lot of their best players and they are perfectly right in doing so. fatigue plays a major part in a tournament and it would be foolish to waste some precious energies out of pride only to hunt you when you reach qf's or sf's against a fresher team.

Holland will play with a b team, they won't play to lose, i don't think so, but I suspect they will likely play a different game than the first two, they will play a more open attacking game with far less tactical cynicism and attention thus exposing to romanian hunger and well constructed counters.

still anything could happen but the most likely result is a romanian win, not necessarily as a result of playing a better game.

Always classy Italians.

[ToonUSA]

Radoi will have surgery for any of those unaware. He's heading back to Romania today.

Goian is also suspended for the match for getting a (dumb) yellow card against Italy.

[Boian]

Romania has a big chance to qualify for the quarterfinals. I think Romania can win this game, and the main reason is that Holland is not motivated for a win. Holland is a great team, so far the most impressive. But I think they are gonna rest a lot of their players. Romania proved against Italy and France that they are a good team, and I think they deserve to go to the next stage of the competition. Too bad Radoi got injured, he showed some great play.