Romania vs Spain betting tips: U21 Euros preview, predictions, team news & odds

Romania vs Spain betting tips: Under-21 Euros preview, predictions, team news and odds

By Ben Gray

Updated: July 05, 2023 at 9:47 am GMT+1

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Romania U21s vs Spain U21s

Spain to win 2-0 against Romania- 5/1!

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Romania U21s vs Spain U21s

June 21, 2023

7:45 pm GMT+1

Romania vs Spain match preview

Will Spain’s remarkable recent record at under-21 European Championships continue?

La Rojita have dominated this tournament over the last decade or so, hoisting aloft the trophy in 2011, 2013 and 2019, also beaten in the 2017 final by Germany.

Two summers ago, Spain were dethroned at the semi-final stage, ousted 1-0 by rivals Portugal at Ljudski vrt.

Since then, they’ve won all eight qualifiers en route to this competition, scoring 37 goals and conceding just five.

So, it almost goes without saying at this point, Spain are amongst the favourites to win the U21 Euros, looking to make a winning start in București.

Romania meantime will be hoping to make home advantage count, having qualified for this competition as co-hosts.

This’ll be the Tricolorii Mici’s third successive appearance at this tournament, upsetting the odds by reaching the semi-finals in 2019, before bowing out in the group phase two years ago.

Emil Săndoi’s side are winless in seven friendlies ahead of this tournament, smashed 4-1 when Spain visited Cluj last September, so will need the partisan home crowd to be right behind them.

Can the hosts spring a big surprise at Stadionul Steau, or will Spain send out a clear message of intent?

Romania team news

Valentin Mihăilă was in the headlines on Monday night, scoring in the 89th and the 93rd minute as Romania’s senior team came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Switzerland at Swissporarena in Euro 2024 qualifying.

The Parma winger has been include in the squad for this competition, but it remains to be seen if he’ll feature in this opener.

Almost the entire rest of the squad play domestically, with Bogdan Racovițan (Raków Częstochowa) and Alexi Pitu (Girondins de Bordeaux) the two exceptions.

Spain team news

Santi Denia’s squad looks very strong, even with Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde out injured.

Manchester City’s Sergio Gómez hardly featured at all for the treble-winners this season, so will be hoping to show what he can do at this tournament.

Oihan Sancet, Álex Baena, Gabri Veiga and Rodrigo Riquelme have all shone in La Liga this season, while Hugo Guillamón will sit at the base of midfield.

Braga’s Abel Ruiz scored 12 times for the Primeira Liga club this season, and has ten goals in just 20 caps for the U21s.