📰 Table Of Contents
Team news
Slovakia and Romania have named their starting line-ups for their third and final Group E games at Uefa Euro 2024 in a crucial match for both sides.
Slovan Bratislava forward David Strelec made his first start of the finals for Slovakia, while Peter Pekarik and Juraj Kucka will become the first players to reach ten Euro appearances for the nation.
Romania have made two changes to the starting side beaten 2-0 by Belgium in their second group-stage match, leaving them on three points.
Ianis Hagi – son of Romania icon Gheorghe – replaced Valentin Mihalia. Florinel Coman also came in, supplanting Dennis Man.
The line-ups made this the second game in Euro history to feature four players aged 35 and over start, after Netherlands v France at Euro 2008.
💪🇷🇴 pic.twitter.com/hQfQsIb25u
— Echipa Națională (@hai_romania) June 26, 2024
The state of the group
The mission for both teams is essentially to avoid defeat, although the exact permutations are a little more complicated.
Romania will finish in the top two with a point but be out if they lose and Ukraine avoid defeat against Belgium in the simultaneous group closer.
Slovakia will go through at least as a best third-placed team if they earn a point but cannot reach the round of 16 if they lose and Belgium avoid defeat.
The winners of Group E will play the third-placed team from Group C or D, while the runners-up face France. The third-placed team could advance to play Spain or England.
Romania are aiming to reach the Euro knockout stage for a second time, while Slovakia are bidding to be in the knockout phase of a third major tournament.
