Second-half goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie ended Romania’s hopes of a quarter-final place in Berne as the Netherlands rounded off an impressive Group C campaign with a third successive victory.

Netherlands on top
Romania knew three points would ensure they joined their opponents in the last eight, yet Victor Piţurcă’s side were always on the back foot and Huntelaar, having passed up one presentable opening in the first half, clinically guided in Ibrahim Afellay’s teasing right-wing cross nine minutes into the second. Marco van Basten made widespread changes from the team that had swept aside Italy and France in their first two fixtures, yet victory was sealed with three minutes left as Van Persie drove in his second goal in as many games. 

New-look lineup
With progress already assured, Basten named a much changed side with only Khalid Boulahrouz and Orlando Engelaar retaining their places. That was little relief for Romania, however, given that the reshuffle brought Arjen Robben, Van Persie and Huntelaar into the starting lineup, and the Netherlands started the game showing their usual command in possession, Romania having to hector and hassle for every touch. Nonetheless, the best the Dutch had to offer in the opening exchanges was an Engelaar shot from distance which Cristian Chivu bravely charged down. If the key to tackling Van Basten’s team was to deny them space, it seemed Romania had found it with everyone chipping in to cut the Oranje supply lines.

Near misses
The Netherlands were not held entirely in check, Van Persie heading wide from an Engelaar cross. Romania then threatened for the first time, Adrian Mutu collecting a throw-in and twisting and turning to work space only to pull his shot across the face of goal. Boulahrouz then got behind the Romanian defence on the right, cutting the ball back for Huntelaar, but the AFC Ajax striker lifted his shot over. Robben was soon guilty of a more glaring miss, running on to a Huntelaar flick only to nudge his shot wide of Bogdan Lobonţ’s right-hand post. Paul Codrea may have been equally disappointed to have missed the target after Răzvan Raţ’s teasing pass from the left wrong-footed the Dutch defence as half-time approached.

Huntelaar strike
The Netherlands took up where they had left off after the interval and might have broken through within four minutes of the restart when a long ball found Van Persie with only Gabriel Tamaş for company, but while he spun his marker, Lobonţ turned his low shot round the post brilliantly. The goalkeeper had no chance five minutes later, however, Afellay’s ball from the right finding its way through a crowded penalty area for Huntelaar to guide in expertly.

Late clincher
With news filtering through that Italy had taken a 2-0 lead against France, Romania’s situation started to seem desperate. Still unable to control possession, they continually found themselves on the back foot but while flying interceptions and timely challenges kept Piţurcă’s team in contention, it was goals that were needed. Mutu set up substitute Florentin Petre for an overhead kick which looped over, but for all of their efforts, Romania were not to conjure up a second Miracle of Berne, with Van Persie underlining the class divide with the fiercely-struck second goal. The Netherlands will play either Sweden or Russia in the last eight in Basel on Saturday, while Romania finish in third position.

Victor Piţurcă may have guided Romania to their first-ever victory over the Netherlands when the countries last met, but he believes the Dutch will prove a much tougher prospect in their final Group C encounter in Berne.

‘Extremely good form’
It is eight months since Romania defeated the Oranje 1-0 en route to topping their UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying group and Piţurcă believes Marco van Basten’s men have taken a significant stride forward in the intervening period. Recalling that triumph in Constanta, Romania’s coach said: "We had some experienced players who knew Dutch football well and that helped us with our tactics against them in the qualifiers. However, that wasn’t a good time for the Netherlands whereas right now, unfortunately for us, they are in extremely good form."

Permutations endless
Romania go into the game with draws against France and Italy behind them - and in pole position to take second place behind a Dutch team already assured first place. The permutations for Romania reaching the last eight appear endless but a victory would provide the easiest route although a draw or even a defeat might be enough depending on what happens in the other game, between France and Italy. Piţurcă stressed that his focus would be fixed entirely on events at the Stade de Suisse, however. "I don’t care about [the other] game," he said. "I don’t think I’m going to be able to coach my team if I’m thinking about another game. We know the different scenarios but by the end of the game I hope we will have qualified because we deserve it."

Goian missing
It does not help Piţurcă to be without centre-back Dorin Goian, scorer of the winner against the Dutch last October, who misses out through suspension. Holding midfielder Mirel Rădoi, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the tournament after breaking his nose and cheekbone in last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Italy. "Any loss is a great one for a small country like Romania," said Piţurcă who should give Sorin Ghionea his first start of the finals in place of FC Steaua Bucureşti team-mate Goian.

Van Basten pledge
The Netherlands’ team selection is a matter of debate amid considerable speculation that Van Basten will rest some key players. Yet although the Oranje are already through to the quarter-finals, having won their first two games in handsome fashion over Italy and France, Van Basten insists that whoever takes the field at the Stade de Suisse will give their all to secure a third straight victory. "We are taking the game very seriously and will play the best available team against Romania," said Van Basten who has a fully-fit Mario Melchiot and Klaas Jan Huntelaar at his disposal after recovering from respective pelvic and calf injuries.

‘Professional group’
Speaking at his pre-match press conference in Lausanne, Van Basten talked up the merits of his whole squad. "I am not saying anything about the starting lineup," he said. "I will tell the players first tomorrow and only after that will I make it public. We have a very professional group of 23 players, so we go into the game with the same concentration and desire as we always do." Midfielder Nigel de Jong and defender André Ooijer are prime candidates to be given the evening off with both players one booking away from a suspension while the likes of Wilfred Bouma, John Heitinga, Melchiot, Demy de Zeeuw, and Ibrahim Afellay are being mooted as possible starters.

Euro 2008 Group C Matchday 2
Netherlands vs France
Friday 13 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne, Switzerland
Herbert Fandel (Germany)

Friday evening’s encounter between the Netherlands and France is fascinatingly poised. A Dutch victory would seal their place in the knockout stages and put France under severe pressure.

It was a case of ‘brilliant Oranje’ for the Dutch on Monday as a breathtaking display of counter-attacking football proved far too much for a beleaguered Italian side to handle.
Victory in their tournament opener gives the Netherlands a superb chance of progressing from the ‘Group of Death’. Victory over the French on Friday evening would ensure progression and really lay down a message of intent to the other big nations.
Head coach Marco van Basten, who departs to take over Ajax after the tournament, will be acutely aware that it is not how the Dutch start the tournament but how they finish.
Although Monday’s 3-0 victory appears emphatic the margins were fine. After Ruud van Nistlerooy’s highly controversial opening goal the Dutch scored their second and third goals from swift counters moments after the Italians had posed a serious threat at the opposite end of the field.
Van Basten remains coy regarding his side’s chances telling the assembled press after Tuesday’s victory that, “We have won just one game. It is only the first step.” 
Still it takes a special side to beat the Italians by a three goal margin. This was the first time in quarter of a century that the Azzurri had been beaten by such a score.
Van Basten understatedly said, “It shows that we have a good team with quality and I’m proud of this.” Formerly a Dutch international of distinction himself Van Basten said that his side could do “great things” in the tournament.
Once again Vas Basten will look to a deadly attacking quartet to slice open the French defence. Van Nistlerooy is a prolific scorer both at club and international level. His poached goal against Italy was a typical predatory effort from the Real Madrid striker. Supporting him will be Rafael van der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt and club-mate Wesley Sneijder.
If this unit can perform as impressive against France as they did against Italy than the Dutch can be extremely confident of victory.  

France’s head coach, Raymond Domenech, finds it difficult to stay out of the papers for the wrong reasons. Even when the French side are going well few pundits have too many complimentary words to say about the former Lyon boss but after catastrophes such as Monday’s scoreless draw with Romania there are no shortage of critics.
Les Bleus’ tepid draw with the Romanians resonated loudly around Europe. German tabloid newspaper Bild declared Domenech an “idiot” while the French media were highly critical of his tactics without ever being quite so cutting.
A lack of attacking flair was sighted as France’s problem. Missing Patrick Vieira in midfield there was no-one from the centre of park prepared to push forward and get past the strikers. This situation was not helped by a poor showing from Florent Malouda on the left while Ribéry on the right was often crowded out.
The balance of France’s midfield was all wrong against Romania; it was much too defensive. The Netherlands will pose a very different threat to France than the Romanians and so Domenech can probably afford to start with the defensive pair of Makélélé and Toulalan at the heart of his side.
If no changes are made to the starting eleven of Domenech’s side it will be a major surprise. Casualties are likely to include Nicolas Anelka, Malouda and Willy Sagnol.
Elsewhere other options must be examined. Thierry Henry, who has returned to training after a back problem, will likely start in attack alongside Karim Benzema while the widemen may also be subject to change.
Ribéry has already stated that he prefers to play on the left, his club position with Bayern Munich, yet he started on the right against Romania. It would be no surprise to see the ineffective Malouda dropped to the bench on Friday to be replaced by Marseille’s Samir Nasri. The future Arsenal player would play on the right thus releasing Ribéry to play in his favoured role.
Patrice Evra and François Clerc both come into contention after uninspiring showings by incumbent full-backs Sagnol and Abidal.
Certainly something has to change if France are to hope to beat a slick looking Dutch outfit.

Netherlands

06/02/08 - Croatia 0-3 Netherlands (Friendly)
26/03/08 - Austria 3-4 Netherlands (Friendly)
24/05/08 - Netherlands 3-0 Ukraine (Friendly)
29/05/08 - Netherland 1-1 Denmark (Friendly)
01/06/08 - Netherlands 2-0 Wales (Friendly)
09/06/08 - Netherlands 3-0 Italy (Euro2008, Group Stage)

France
06/02/08 - Spain 1-0 France (Friendly)
26/03/08 - France 1-0 England (Friendly)
27/05/08 - France 2-0 Ecuador (Friendly)
31/05/08 - France 0-0 Paraguay (Friendly)
03/06/08 - France 1-0 Colombia (Friendly)
09/06/08 - France 0-0 Romania (Euro2008, Group Stage)

Marco van Basten was without a plethora of attacking talent for the Dutch side’s opening game of the tournament and will face France with a depleted squad. 
Ryan Babble (ankle ligaments) and Clarence Seedorf (personal reasons) are, of course, unavailable but Van Basten’s squad is otherwise returning towards fitness. Robin van Persie was fit enough to play a cameo role against Italy while Melchiot is also expected to be strong enough to play a part if required. 
There is only one Dutch doubt and that comes in the form of Arjen Robben. The Real Madrid winger is closing in on fitness and could be used to play a part from the bench.
Netherlands Lineup Starting Eleven: Van der Sar; Van Bronckhorst, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, Mathijsen; De Jong, Engelaar, Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Kuyt; Van Nistlerooy

Like the Dutch les Bleus were adversely affected by injury for their tournament opener however unlike Friday’s opponents France could not cope. Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were conspicuous by their absence against Romania and both will likely play a part if deemed fit enough. Henry should certainly return to the starting eleven however there are greater doubts over the fitness of Vieira.
Raymond Domenech will likely make a handful of changes to the side that claimed a feeble point against Romania.
France Lineup Starting Eleven: Coupet; Clerc, Abidal, Gallas, Thuram; Toulalan, Nasri, Makélélé, Ribéry; Henry, Benzema