Romania vs Switzerland
European Championship qualifying heads to Bucharest and a clash between the top two in Group I.
Yes, it now may seem a little bit of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show and all that’ for, what looked like a potentially pivotal match for both nations, is now a far more relaxed affair.
Yet that’s not to say this will be an exhibition encounter as there’s still plenty to play for.
That’s because the winners will be in a higher pot for spring’s Euro 2024 draw which, in theory, means a more straightforward group stage to contend with in Germany.
Talking Points
Both unbeaten, Romania are currently at the summit on 19 points, two points ahead of second-placed Switzerland, after both nations confirmed their qualification on Saturday night.
If the contest is level, Romania will be in Pot 2 and Switzerland in Pot 4, which would also be the same if Romania win, but if Switzerland were to seal the points, they would take first position and be included in Pot 2, with Romania falling into Pot 3 or 4.
Edward Iordanescu’s side will enter this off the back of successive wins over Andorra and Israel, although they will be without the services of Valentin Mihaila after the Parma midfielder was sent off during the clash with Israel on Saturday evening.
They recovered from Israeli forward Eran Zahavi scoring in the second minute, responding with goals from George Pușcaș and Ianis Hagi (son of the great Gheorghe). Israel was the official host team but the game was played in Hungary because of the Israel-Hamas war.
Switzerland, meanwhile, go into the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Kosovo on Saturday, which proved to be their third straight stalemate in this section.
Switzerland hugely impressed me at the last European Championships when only a laughable decision arguably cost them a place in the semi-finals.
Their recent away form, though, leaves a lot to be desired and I think Romania may have the edge here.
History
Romania have won five of their meetings with five draws and four Swiss success.
Indeed, this fixture has been closely contested since their first ever clash in a World Cup qualifier in October 1933 which ended 2-2 in Berne.
That day Gratian Sepi and Stefan Dobay put Romania ahead before two goals from Erwin Hochstrasser and Ernst Hufschmid (penalty) earned a point apiece.
Their very first clash in a tournament was in the 1994 World Cup when Switzerland, managed by Roy Hodgson, ran out 4-1 winners.
That triumph came nearly 40 years to the date of Switzerland’s previous World Cup victory, also a 4-1 win (over Italy). Romania’s Ion Vlădoiu was sent off in that encounter, just three minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Alain Sutter, Stéphane Chapuisat and Adrian Knup (two) scored the goals with the great Gheorghe Hagi (one of the greatest playmakers of all time) replying for Romania who went onto knock out Argentina before bowing out to Sweden in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals.
The Swiss were defeated by Spain in the last 16.
They have only met competitively twice since.
At Euro 2016 they drew 1-1 in the group stages when Bogdan Stancu slotted home a penalty before Admir Mehmedi equalised to become the first Swiss player to score in both the European Championships and World Cup finals tournament.
Their draw in Euro 2024 qualifying in June saw a remarkable finish.
Zeki Amdouni’s first half double had put the Swiss in the ascendancy before Valentin Mihăilă scored in the 89th and 92nd minute to earn an unlikely 2-2 draw in Lucerne.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP European Championship qualifying betting odds haven’t always offered much hope for Romania because of their sizeable gap with Switzerland in the FIFA men’s rankings. However, they are a young and hungry bunch who can prove doubters wrong. I am going to go for honours even in this one.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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