Euro 2000 Group A - England v Romania Preview

The England team bring to a close three days of deep significance for international football with their last Group A match against Romania in Charleroi.

Both England the Romanians can still qualify for the quarter finals but the wider significance of tonight's match lies in reaction by UEFA to any problems caused by England fans.

The England party have spent the last two days recovering from the news that Euro 2000 organisers UEFA may ban the team from competition if there is any "repetition" according to UEFA chief Gerhard Aigner of violence over the weekend in Brussels and Charleroi which saw more than 850 England fans arrested.

UEFA held an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the violence and Aigner's statement of that evening means a national FA could now be held directly responsible for trouble caused by its fans and this week could set an unwelcome precedent for the English.

Their 2006 bid for the World Cup finals has been dealt a death blow by the scenes of violence as drunk English fans clashed with Belgian riot police before a 1-0 win over Germany which set up Kevin Keegan's men for the possibility of a quarter final place against Italy on Saturday.

The violence was a long was from the stadium and UEFA has always been reluctant to blame national FAs for violence by fans away from grounds and matches but not any more according to Aigner.

The fact that UEFA are now speaking openly of banning the England team is a major move and provides a complex political background to a difficult match for the English against Romanian.

Even if England win a place in the next round misbehaviour by fans could see them thrown out of Euro 2000.

This seems unlikely and Turkish fans were involved in violence last night in Brussels but UEFA seem in no mood for compromise and it is understandable after the whole event came close to souring at the weekend as English fans got into numerous fights with police.

The England players have to find a way to concentrate on the game itself amid the possibility that their efforts may count for nothing very shortly.

A deserved win over Germany means England need to beat Romania to set up a quarter final tie against Italy.

This outcome assumes that Portugal can get past defending champions Germany and win Group A.

England looked much more comfortable in defence against the predictable German attack and face Romania without the creative presence of Gheorghe Hagi who is suspended for the match.

Adrian Ilie will get more chance to make the play for the Romanians and he drifts further wide than Hagi and has more speed. Ilie's attacks down the left flank could well prove very dangerous for Romania who can back up the Valencia star with the goals of Viorel Moldovan. he has 20 goals in 46 internationals which is a highly respectable record although Moldovan did little to impress at Coventry City two seasons ago.

Chelsea's Dan Petrescu knows English opposition well after four season at the London club and his work down the right hand side could be very important if Romania are to create chances.

In defence the Romanians are led well by Gheorghe Popescu whose tackling and positional ability should be able to deal with any English attacking options except two - the speed of Michael Owen and the right foot crosses of David Beckham.

Owen has yet to impress in Euro 2000 and against the Romanians who are an ageing team across their back line, Owen needs to show the speed he became famous for two years ago.

Numerous hamstring injuries look to have killed off the express acceleration the Liverpool star used to show and he may not prove a threat to the Romanian team tonight.

David Beckham is the ultimate attacking option of Euro 2000 so far and his crosses from the right are good enough to expose any defence.

Beckham has created eight of England's nine goals in the year 2000 and he will find possibly two markers trying to prevent his deliveries to the front runners. If Beckham can find only inches a space he can set up goals with his right foot so Beckham's form is crucial to England achieving the result they need. Beckham is on a yellow card though and could be banned from the next match if he is booked again.

The reality for England is that they have to win twice tonight to stay in the competition. England must win on and off the pitch although UEFA will probably allow the team through to the quarter finals if their fans can behave inside the stadium tonight and around Charleroi tonight.

Half Time score 0-0

Full Time score - England 1 Romania 0

First scorer - Paul Scholes

Number of corners - 15