Slovakia 0-0 Romania LIVE SCORE – Euro 2024: Group E clash on NOW as battle for last-16 spots heats up – latest updates

Slovakia 0-0 Romania 

3 mins: Romania have their first expedition into the Slovakian half as they look to put themselves on top.

The threat is dealt with, neither team look like they are playing for a draw just yet…

Slovakia 0-0 Romania 

1 min: A quick start from Slovakia as they pump the ball forward.

There were a couple of opportunities to let fly from range but both were blocked by the Romanian defenders.

PEEP PEEP

Off we go, Slovakia gets us underway.

Kick off nears

The match will get started at the Frankfurt Arena in the next two minutes.

Group E has already served up some brilliant matches, hopefully we will see another one today.

How the teams are set up

Here is how the teams have been set up for the crunch match.

How the group looks

Here is a reminder of how close Group E is ahead of the match.

With Hungary and Croatia already finishing third with three and two points respectively, it is now GUARANTEED four points will be enough for both Romania and Slovakia to make it through.

30 mins to go

A view from SunSport’s Martin Lipton from the Frankfurt Arena

A draw puts both teams through, defeat will see one go out if Belgium and Ukraine draw. 

What would you do? I think we could have 20 minutes of footballing infamy. 

Fifa moved to play the final group games simultaneously after the “Disgrace of Gijon” in 1982, when West Germany and Austria agreed a 1-0 win for Die Mannschaft, eliminating Algeria and putting both through.

But with third place teams progressing, we have a situation when a mutually beneficial result is clear.

There are other elements at play, though.

If Belgium are winning easily, then the jeopardy of defeat goes out of the window. 

In that case, a Slovakia win would give them the group on the head to head rule – making the top half of the draw even more lop-sided, with Belgium playing France in the last 16.

Unless Belgium do not win, Romania can only come second at best – meaning France. And finishing third means Spain or Portugal. Hobson’s choice.

By the way, it’s hot in Frankfurt. Baking hot. Stultifyingly hot. Brutal.

Not that it has stopped the fans coming to party. And, if it goes as I suspect it will, they will both be partying long into the night.

Slovakia in high spirits

Slovakia assistant coach Marek Hamšík has insisted that the team in is high spirits ahead of facing Romania.

The mood is really good.

We are ready to fight. Everybody knows how important a game we have in front of us and we will do everything to be successful.

Regarding the line-up, there is one change: instead of Róbert Boženík we will start with David Strelec up front.

Marek Hamšík

Odds?

Here are the odd for Slovakia vs Romania…

• Slovakia – 15/8
• Draw – 10/11
• Romania – 3/1

Provided by Betfair.

History for Romania

A result for Romania could see them progress to the Euro knockout stages for just the second time in its history.

The last time the team made it that far was 24 years ago in Euro 2000.

Romania beat England in their final group game to qualify for the latter stages.

Romania have ‘no fear’

Nicolae Stanciu has insisted that Romania does not fear anybody and is determined to qualify for the Euro 2024 knockouts.

We reached a point where there was nothing and nobody to fear.

We know what we can do for Romania and what we can offer.

We know our strengths as a team and, as such, good things are bound to come.

We have players with tremendous quality and when everyone works for the team, we are all conscious of what we can achieve together.

There are no reasons to be fearful.

Nicolae Stanciu

Line ups announced

Here is how Romania and Slovakia line up today.

• Slovakia team: Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Strelec, Haraslin
• Romania team: Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; M Marin, R Marin, Stanciu; Coman, Dragus, Hagi

Form so far

Both Romania and Slovakia have won one game and lost one.

Romania stunned the Ukraine in their opening match with a 3-0 win.

However, they were then dispatched by Belgium 2-0.

Slovakia beat Belgium 1-0m in their first Euro 2024 match before being beaten by Ukraine 2-1.

How the group looks

Here is a look at Group E in full…

Slovakia vs Romania!

Welcome to SunSport’s coverage of Slovakia vs Romania in Group E.

The group is finely poised with all four teams on three points heading into the final match.