Page 26 - Soccer360 Issue 106

S360 PREDICTION | 23RD PLACE NICKNAME: THE TRICOLOURS
ROMANIA
A record of 10 games and zero defeats throughout qualifying makes Romania a dangerous proposition for their Group E rivals and a chance to repeat their Euro 2000 exploits. Ian Waterhouse explains.
EURO APPEARANCES: 5
EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
FIFA RANKING 46TH
ROCK-SOLID ROMANIA
Group E appears to be one of the most wide open in this year’s European Championships with Romania up against Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine. After failing to qualify for Euro 2020, Romania come into the tournament as something of an unknown and lacking household names. However, that is not
to say the squad has a dearth of quality embedded in it.
Tottenham’s Radu Dragusin has impressed in the Premier League this season and
will play a crucial role in defence for the Tricolours. They also boast Ianis Hagi; the son of legendary joint Romania top scorer Gheorghe Hagi, who was on loan at Alaves from Scottish club Rangers during 2023-24. Since taking charge of Romania in 2022, head coach Edward Iordănescu has galvanised a national team that was wandering the football wilderness for a while and turned them into an intense, powerful force with a staunch defence which conceded just five goals in 10 qualifying games, coming on particularly strong towards the end to overtake Switzerland for top spot in their section.
Scoring goals might prove a problem, but with such strong foundations Romania might feel they have an edge over Slovakia and Ukraine in the race to reach the knockout stage, with Belgium expected to top the group. They will fancy their chances of improving on their past two Euros appearances in 2008 and 2016 by at least progressing out of Group E and from there, anything can happen.
PROBABLE STARTING XI
THE COACH:
EDWARD IORDANESCU
A nomadic coach who has enjoyed short spells in charge of various clubs in Romania and neighbouring Bulgaria, 45-year-old Edward Iordanescu has had a terrific
impact since being appointed to lead his national team in January 2022. An unbeaten qualifying campaign showcased his tactical nous and ability to organise a side, and if he can find a more abundant source of goals he stands a good chance of becoming the first manager to lead Romania to the knockout stage of a competition since 2000.
KEY PLAYER:
NICOLAE STANCIU
In a relatively young squad, captain Nicolae Stanciu is one of the more experienced names. A veteran of the side that last reached the Euros in 2016, the midfielder is a crucial cog in the Romania wheel and their most creative force going forward. With a solid defence behind him, the midfielder, who plays for Damac in the Saudi Pro League, will look to make each moment count in what are expected to be tight encounters in Group E.
THEIR BEST THREE EUROS
1984
2000
2008
7TH
7TH
12TH
COMAN
STANCIU
MAN
MARIN
OPRUT
HAGI
PUSCAS
DRAGUSIN
MIHAILA
BURCA
MOLDOVAN
UEFA EURO OVERALL RECORD PLD:16 W:1 D:5 L:10
FACTFILE
POPULATION:
19.6 million
EURO FINALS APPEARANCES: 5
BEST FINISH:
Quarter-finals, 2000
MOST MEMORABLE EUROS MOMENT: Beating England at Euro 2000
HOW THEY GOT TO EURO 2024: Topped their qualifying group with 22 points and an unbeaten record.
LAST EUROS APPEARANCE: 2016 - Lost the opening match to France before ending bottom of their group.
MOST CAPPED PLAYER: Dorinel Munteanu, 134
LEADING INTERNATIONAL SCORER: Adrian Mutu and Gheorghe Hagi, 35
HOW TO FOLLOW:
GHEORGHE HAGI
VS UKRAINE VS BELGIUM VS SLOVAKIA JUNE 17TH JUNE 22ND JUNE 26TH 9:00AM | EST 3:00PM | EST 12:00PM | EST
24
SOCCER360 SUMMER 2024
GROUP E - UEFA EURO 2024