Romania took four points off the Netherlands in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008™, but when push came to shove, Victor Pi?urc?'s side were unable to register the win they required to accompany their opponents into the quarter-finals.

Nine changes
The Netherlands maintained their 100 per cent record in relative comfort despite fielding a much-changed team as no fewer than nine of their first-choice players were rested ahead of the quarter-final in Basel on Saturday. Although a win was the only result that could ensure Romania's progress, they did not play as if that were the case. Their approach was cautious and conservative, and it was the Oranje who seized the initiative from the outset.

Dutch in control
By half-time Marco van Basten's team had accumulated a 66-34 per cent possession advantage. The only difference from their previous handsome wins against Italy and France was a lack of precision in front of goal, with Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben both shooting wide of the target within a couple of minutes of each other. The skill and imagination in midfield of Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder was also conspicuously absent.

Lone star Mutu
Victor Pi?urc? made four changes from the 1-1 draw against Italy, the most notable at the point of attack where one Niculae, Marius, replaced another, Daniel. But it was star forward Adrian Mutu, seeking to atone for his saved penalty against the Azzurri, who proved to be Romania's only real threat. The ACF Fiorentina forward was responsible for his team's only shot on target in each half and five of the eleven shots managed by the entire team. The Netherlands' collective superiority in circulating the ball from one orange shirt to another was demonstrated by an 84 per cent completion rate from their 541 passes – compared with 70 per cent of 395 for Romania. The Dutch holding midfielders also boasted impressive individual pass completion figures - 90 per cent for Demy de Zeeuw and 86 per cent for Orlando Engelaar.

Goal inevitable
Romania's more adventurous approach after the interval played into Dutch hands. With more room for manoeuvre, the Group C winners became increasingly threatening and took a firm grip on proceedings. Led by Carlsberg Man of the Match Robin van Persie, a goal appeared inevitable, and it arrived through Huntelaar, who thus scored for his fifth successive international. Romania's efforts to claw their way back came to nothing. The news that Italy were ahead in Zurich evidently dampened their spirits and the Netherlands simply pressed home their advantage, extinguishing their rivals' hopes for good with a fiercely struck second goal from Van Persie three minutes from time. It was the Netherlands' fifth shot on target from 16 attempts and put the seal on a magical first-round performance.