Netherlands held by Romania

The Netherlands and Romania maintained their unbeaten records in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group G with an uninspiring goalless draw in Rotterdam.

Bright start
The result keeps Marco van Basten's side three points clear of Romania and Bulgaria at the summit of the group, though they have played a game more than their nearest challengers. The visitors made the brighter start and had two early opportunities to take the lead. First, Dorin Goian's header from the edge of the area sailed narrowly wide, before Ciprian Marica saw his crisp drive from 15 metres tipped around the post by Maarten Stekelenburg.

Visitors' pressure
Two further chances were spurned by Victor Piturca's men inside the first 20 minutes with Stekelenburg holding a strike from Adrian Mutu and Goian also unable to find a way past the keeper. The AFC Ajax stopper was beaten twice before the break, although the attempts from Paul Codrea and Marica both drifted wide of his goal. For their part the Oranje had to wait until seven minutes from half-time for their first decent opening, which came from the left foot of Rafael van der Vaart, who forced Bogdan Lobont into a fine save.

Deserved point
Romania continued to set the tempo after the restart and ACF Fiorentina forward Mutu was unlucky with a fierce shot that flew just over Stekelenburg's crossbar. The Netherlands provided more of a threat thereafter, with Arjen Robben and Giovanni van Bronckhorst both threatening, but the Romania defence - marshalled by Goian - held firm for a deserved share of the spoils. Both countries will hope to return to winning ways on Wednesday when the Netherlands travel to Slovenia and Romania host Luxembourg.