Martin Dubravka has rubbished allegations of Romania and his Slovakia side 'arranging a draw' in their final Euro 2024 group game. Former Romanian international Danut Lupu made an unsubstantiated claim before the match on the two sides agreeing to share the spoils - a result which would have seen them both through to the group stages.
Eyebrows were subsequently raised when Slovakia and Romania drew 1-1 in Frankfurt on Wednesday evening. "We will qualify, draw with Slovakia," Lupu said ahead of the match. "It's arranged, it would be a shame if we both didn't go [through]. Why risk it? It would be a shame! At that level the players get along very well! Why risk it? Why get in an accident?"
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Slovakia and Newcastle United goalkeeper Dubravka, however, was having none of it. "That's ridiculous, that's what I say," he ranted. "If someone said we arranged a draw - why would we do that?
"It's the first time in the history of Slovakia that we had a chance to win the group. I think we tried to go for it. We scored the first goal. Unfortunately we conceded from the penalty, but you can tell that everyone wanted to win. We had chances. I don't think anyone can think that we arranged some kind of draw."
Slovakia quietened a raucous crowd heavily weighted towards Romania when Ondrej Duda headed home a superb team move in the 24th minute.
But their lead didn't last long. With the half-time interval approaching, Ianis Hagi was brought down by David Hancko, and though there was fierce debate about where the contact occurred, the referee and his team of officials pointed to the spot.
Romania's Razvan Marin stepped up and scored the equaliser, and what proved to be the game's final goal. A bizarre Group E campaign, also involving Ukraine and Belgium, finished with all four teams on four points.
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Ukraine were the unfortunate side to be sent home, despite amassing more points than Slovenia in Group C, who are heading through as one of the tournament's four best third-place finishers. After Tuesday's rain-soaked encounter in Frankfurt, Romania finished top of the group with Slovakia second and Belgium third.
With Slovakia making it to the knockout stages of a European Championship for only the second time ever, defender Milan Skriniar is ready to shoot for the stars. "We can certainly go further than the round of 16," he said. "That's why we are here, we will do everything we can to make it happen. It's football and anything can happen."
