EnzoParty
28th May 2008, 19:25
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Squad list
Goalkeepers
1 Bogdan Lobonţ »
12 Marius Popa »
23 Eduard Stancioiu »
Defenders
2 Cosmin Contra »
3 Răzvan Raţ »
4 Gabriel Tamaş »
5 Cristian Chivu »
6 Mirel Rădoi »
13 Cristian Sapunaru »
14 Sorin Ghionea »
15 Dorin Goian »
17 Cosmin Moti »
22 Ştefan Radu »
Midfielders
7 Florentin Petre »
8 Paul Codrea »
11 Răzvan Cociş »
16 Bănel Nicoliţă »
19 Adrian Cristea »
Forwards
9 Ciprian Marica »
10 Adrian Mutu »
18 Marius Niculae »
20 Nicolae Dică »
21 Daniel Niculae »
Team kits
401452
Team Profile
401450
How did they perform in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying?
• Romania confirmed their progress to their first finals tournament since UEFA EURO 2000™ with two games to go, with a 2-0 win in Luxembourg completing a run of ten unbeaten games in Group G.
• It was vindication for coach Victor Piţurcă, who had also led Romania through qualifying for UEFA EURO 2000™ but was no longer in the post when the finals came round.
• Romania got their campaign off to a shaky start when they conceded two late goals in a 2-2 home draw with Bulgaria but that was to be their biggest setback.
• A 0-0 draw in the Netherlands in their fourth game sparked a run of six straight wins, with Dorin Goian scoring the only goal in the return against the Dutch in Constanta to leave Romania on the threshold of the finals.
• They took the final step by winning 2-0 in Luxembourg through goals from Florentin Petre and Ciprian Marica.
• Although Piţurcă's side let their unbeaten record slip in their next game, losing 1-0 in Bulgaria, they finished the campaign with a 6-1 victory over nine-man Albania to confirm their place as group winners.
How did they perform in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification round?
• Excluding Germany, the hosts and automatic qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, Romania were the only second seeds in the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualification round draw not to have advanced to at least the play-offs. They finished in third place behind the Netherlands and the Czech Republic in their efforts to advance to the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals.
• Romania had eight wins and a draw from their twelve-game campaign to finish seven points behind the Dutch, two points behind the Czechs and nine points clear of their closest pursuers, Finland.
• Three wins from their opening three games had Romania in pole position early in proceedings, but they finished off 2004 with a 1-0 loss away against the Czech Republic and were then held to a 1-1 draw away against Armenia despite holding an interval lead following Ciprian Marica's 29th-minute goal. Karen Dokhoyan equalised for the Armenians on the hour mark.
• They then opened 2005 with another defeat, this time a 2-0 reverse at home against the Netherlands, their only blemish on Romanian soil throughout the qualification round. Phillip Cocu scored the opening goal at the Giulesti stadium in the opening minute before Ryan Babel added a second six minutes from time.
• After defeating F.Y.R. Macedonia 2-1 in Skopje, the Romanians were defeated in Rotterdam with Arjen Robben (26) and Dirk Kuyt (47) on target for the home side.
• Nevertheless, Romania finished off their campaign in some style, winning four matches in a row and without conceding a goal in 403 minutes. Adrian Mutu scored their final five goals of the qualification round, enough to defeat Andorra (2-0) and the Czech Republic (2-0) at home before Finland (1-0) were overcome in Helsinki.
How did they perform in UEFA EURO 2004™?
• Romania finished third in their five-team group behind Denmark and Norway in the race to compete in the UEFA EURO 2004™ final round in Portugal. With four wins and two draws from their eight outings, Romania trailed group winners Denmark by a point, and although they finished level with Norway, they lost out due to an inferior head-to-head record. Bosnia-Herzegovina finished a further point behind in fourth with Luxembourg pointless in fifth.
• It was their home form that proved Romania's undoing, losing in their second outing of the competition in Bucharest to Steffen Iversen's 83rd-minute goal for Norway. Worse was to come as Denmark recorded a 5-2 victory in the Romanian capital despite the home side taking the lead on two occasions. Adrian Mutu had put Romania one-up after five minutes only for Dennis Rommedahl to equalise three minutes later. Dorinel Munteanu then restored Romania's advantage two minutes into the second half before the Danes responded with four goals of their own thanks to Thomas Gravesen (53), Jon Dahl Tomasson (71), a Cosmin Contra own goal (73) and Rommedahl (90+2).
• Victories against Luxembourg and Bosnia-Herzegovina were comfortable, the Romanians winning the four matches by a combined record of 16 goals scored and none conceded. Their greatest margin of victory came away to Luxembourg, a 7-0 win in which Contra (45+1, 47 and 86) netted a hat-trick.
What is their best performance in the UEFA European Championship?
• Romania topped their qualification round group for UEFA EURO 2000™ with 24 points from their ten matches. Their reward was to be drawn against England, Germany and Portugal in the group stage of the final tournament. Romanian hopes were receding following one point from their opening two games, but a 3-2 defeat of England, with Ioan Ganea scoring the winner in the 89th minute, provided them with a place in the knockout stage. Italy ended their involvement in the competition, running out 2-0 winners following their quarter-final meeting with goals from Francesco Totti (33) and Filippo Inzaghi (43).
Key facts
• Although Romania qualified for the 1984 and 1996 UEFA European Championship finals, they failed to win a match. Their first victory in the finals actually took place in their ninth match, defeating England 3-2 in the UEFA EURO 2000™ finals, a result that provided them with a place in the knockout stages of the competition.
All-time record
• Up until the end of qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008™, Romania had appeared in all 13 UEFA European Championship qualifying competitions, and had played 105 matches. In that time, they had won 52, drawn 27 and lost 26 with 191 goals scored and 104 conceded.
Coach Profile
Victor Piţurcă
401451
Victor Piţurcă must be doubly determined to make an impact with his Romania side at UEFA EURO 2008™ given what happened the last time he led his country to a major tournament. Piţurcă guided Romania through qualifying for UEFA EURO 2000™ but missed out on the finals in the Low Countries after he was dismissed from his post in December 1999 following a dispute with some senior players.
'Big achievement'
Romania have not featured on the big stage since then but Piţurcă, who returned in place of Anghel Iordănescu in December 2004, has done his bit to put that right, making amends for missing out on the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Romania qualified for Austria and Switzerland in style, three points ahead of the Netherlands at the top of their group. "It's a big achievement to qualify with two games to spare," said the coach after the 2-0 win against Luxembourg that secured their ticket.
Prolific striker
Born on 8 May 1956, Piţurcă's playing career included stints with FC Universitatea Craiova, FC Dinamo Slatina, CS Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu and FC Olt before he came to the fore with FC Steaua Bucureşti. During six years there, he won the 1985/86 European Champion Clubs' Cup and the 1986 UEFA Super Cup and also collected a runners-up medal in the 1988/89 European Cup before leaving for RC Lens in France. Although limited to six goals in 13 international appearances, his record of 165 goals in 301 league games make him one of the most prolific strikers in Romanian football history.
Coaching career
After returning from France, he started his coaching career as an assistant at Steaua in 1991 and he was a senior coach there by 1992 when the club won the Romanian Cup. Piţurcă's first opportunity as a head coach came at Universitatea Craiova, between 1994 and 1995, before he was then handed the reins of the Romania Under-21 side. In July 1998 he made the step up to the senior national team, but following his dismissal returned to Steaua whom he led to the league title in 2000/01.
Golden Player
401454
Hagi at the heart of the golden era
To help mark UEFA's Jubilee, each national association was asked to nominate its most outstanding player of the past 50 years. Romania selected Gheorghe Hagi as their Golden Player.
"Football is my life. It means everything to me and has made me the person I am today," is what Gheorghe Hagi has always said. And that's why Hagi, recently crowned Romania's player of the 20th century, has always wanted to give something back to the game.
Early years
A football fanatic from a young age, the ball had for him a magical quality. It was evident from early on that he was a huge talent, and he proceeded to represent Romania at Under-16, U17 and U18 level. During this period he lived and was educated at the Luceafarul football school with the other members of the junior national squads, and it came as no surprise when some big clubs came knocking at his door.
'Wonderful period'
After a spell with FC Farul Constanta, the 18-year-old Hagi moved in 1983 to Bucharest side CF Sportul Studentesc. During his three years with the club he scored 58 goals in 108 appearances, and he looks back on this time with affection. "It was a wonderful period and it helped me to improve greatly," he remembers, and his performances were duly noted.
International honours
The coach of the Romanian national team at the time was Mircea Lucescu, and in August 1983 he awarded Hagi the first of 125 senior caps in a friendly against Norway. Although the match ended in a 0-0 draw, it was the start of a glorious international career which would span 17 years, leave him as Romania's most capped player and, with 35 goals to his credit, their leading scorer.
Captain's armband
In October 1985 Hagi reached another milestone. Lucescu, well known for his penchant for promoting young players, gave the 20-year-old the captain's armband for a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Northern Ireland. This was the first of 65 occasions Hagi would lead his country, and he understood well the importance of the responsibility that came with it. "The national team is something holy for me, and being captain my duties are that much greater," he said.
Home highlights
Hagi played in three World Cups and three European Championships for his country, and even a sending-off in his last international against Italy could not detract from a wonderful career. With FC Steaua Bucuresti he won three Romanian titles, two Romanian Cups, a European Champion Clubs' Cup and a UEFA Super Cup, before spending the remaining eleven years of his playing career abroad.
Foreign adventures
Following the 1990 World Cup, Hagi moved to Real Madrid CF for approximately $4m, and moved again in 1992 to Italian side Brescia Calcio where he rejoined coach Lucescu. After a magnificent 1994 World Cup he departed once more for Spanish shores joining FC Barcelona, then managed by his idol Johan Cruyff. A surprise move to Turkish side Galatasaray SK in 1996 provided evidence that rumours of his footballing demise were wildy exaggerated, and won him a mountain of silverware over a five-year period. His affection for the club was evident. "Galatasaray is my second home after Romania," he said before finally retiring in April 2001.
Coaching career
He moved in to coaching in 2001 but endured brief and unsuccessful spells with the Romanian national team, Bursaspor and Galatasaray. He fared better with FCU Politehnica Timisoara after joining the Romanian league side in November 2005 and then guided Steaua into the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League group stage but resigned after Matchday 1.
'The King'
Hagi played a total of 550 matches both at home and abroad. For the Galatasaray fans he was known as "the Sultan", while in Romania he is called quite simply "the King".
Tactics
Piţurcă gelling Romanian units
Coach Victor Piţurcă's instincts may be attacking but his Romania side have been a model of discipline while giving star striker Adrian Mutu plenty of opportunity to shine.Team focus
A former striker himself, Piţurcă loves exciting forward play but is not reckless, often deploying two men to protect his back four. The coach is also a great believer in making full use of a squad, using 39 players during his UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign and insisting that – barring a couple of ever-presents – his side "don't depend upon one player or another".
Defensive variations
Goalkeeper Bodgan Lobont is one of those exceptions, but the defence in front of him will change from time to time. The good form of tall, powerful centre-backs Dorin Goian and Gabriel Tamaş even persuaded the coach to field versatile captain Cristian Chivu in midfield on occasion. Cosmin Contra at right-back and Răzvan Raţ on the left also carry an attacking threat.
Pacy alternative
Usually a central defender or left-back, Chivu has deputised successfully in both central and left midfield in the absence of the injured Răzvan Cociş and Mirel Rădoi. Left midfield, however, is likely to go to Nicolae Dică at the finals. On the right, Bănel Nicoliţă and Florentin Petre are both hard workers, if not prolific scorers.
Striking contrast
The real menacing work is left to Piţurcă's preferred striking partnership of Mutu and Ciprian Marica, who scored eleven goals between them in qualifying and have made good use of their contrasting styles. Mutu has style in spades, specialising in free-kicks and dangerous raids from the left. Marica, by contrast, gets among opposition defences, looking to exploit his pace to snatch goals.
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7003/logoeuro2008jx6.png
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2444/37067758rx9.png
Squad list
Goalkeepers
1 Bogdan Lobonţ »
12 Marius Popa »
23 Eduard Stancioiu »
Defenders
2 Cosmin Contra »
3 Răzvan Raţ »
4 Gabriel Tamaş »
5 Cristian Chivu »
6 Mirel Rădoi »
13 Cristian Sapunaru »
14 Sorin Ghionea »
15 Dorin Goian »
17 Cosmin Moti »
22 Ştefan Radu »
Midfielders
7 Florentin Petre »
8 Paul Codrea »
11 Răzvan Cociş »
16 Bănel Nicoliţă »
19 Adrian Cristea »
Forwards
9 Ciprian Marica »
10 Adrian Mutu »
18 Marius Niculae »
20 Nicolae Dică »
21 Daniel Niculae »
Team kits
401452
Team Profile
401450
How did they perform in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying?
• Romania confirmed their progress to their first finals tournament since UEFA EURO 2000™ with two games to go, with a 2-0 win in Luxembourg completing a run of ten unbeaten games in Group G.
• It was vindication for coach Victor Piţurcă, who had also led Romania through qualifying for UEFA EURO 2000™ but was no longer in the post when the finals came round.
• Romania got their campaign off to a shaky start when they conceded two late goals in a 2-2 home draw with Bulgaria but that was to be their biggest setback.
• A 0-0 draw in the Netherlands in their fourth game sparked a run of six straight wins, with Dorin Goian scoring the only goal in the return against the Dutch in Constanta to leave Romania on the threshold of the finals.
• They took the final step by winning 2-0 in Luxembourg through goals from Florentin Petre and Ciprian Marica.
• Although Piţurcă's side let their unbeaten record slip in their next game, losing 1-0 in Bulgaria, they finished the campaign with a 6-1 victory over nine-man Albania to confirm their place as group winners.
How did they perform in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification round?
• Excluding Germany, the hosts and automatic qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, Romania were the only second seeds in the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualification round draw not to have advanced to at least the play-offs. They finished in third place behind the Netherlands and the Czech Republic in their efforts to advance to the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals.
• Romania had eight wins and a draw from their twelve-game campaign to finish seven points behind the Dutch, two points behind the Czechs and nine points clear of their closest pursuers, Finland.
• Three wins from their opening three games had Romania in pole position early in proceedings, but they finished off 2004 with a 1-0 loss away against the Czech Republic and were then held to a 1-1 draw away against Armenia despite holding an interval lead following Ciprian Marica's 29th-minute goal. Karen Dokhoyan equalised for the Armenians on the hour mark.
• They then opened 2005 with another defeat, this time a 2-0 reverse at home against the Netherlands, their only blemish on Romanian soil throughout the qualification round. Phillip Cocu scored the opening goal at the Giulesti stadium in the opening minute before Ryan Babel added a second six minutes from time.
• After defeating F.Y.R. Macedonia 2-1 in Skopje, the Romanians were defeated in Rotterdam with Arjen Robben (26) and Dirk Kuyt (47) on target for the home side.
• Nevertheless, Romania finished off their campaign in some style, winning four matches in a row and without conceding a goal in 403 minutes. Adrian Mutu scored their final five goals of the qualification round, enough to defeat Andorra (2-0) and the Czech Republic (2-0) at home before Finland (1-0) were overcome in Helsinki.
How did they perform in UEFA EURO 2004™?
• Romania finished third in their five-team group behind Denmark and Norway in the race to compete in the UEFA EURO 2004™ final round in Portugal. With four wins and two draws from their eight outings, Romania trailed group winners Denmark by a point, and although they finished level with Norway, they lost out due to an inferior head-to-head record. Bosnia-Herzegovina finished a further point behind in fourth with Luxembourg pointless in fifth.
• It was their home form that proved Romania's undoing, losing in their second outing of the competition in Bucharest to Steffen Iversen's 83rd-minute goal for Norway. Worse was to come as Denmark recorded a 5-2 victory in the Romanian capital despite the home side taking the lead on two occasions. Adrian Mutu had put Romania one-up after five minutes only for Dennis Rommedahl to equalise three minutes later. Dorinel Munteanu then restored Romania's advantage two minutes into the second half before the Danes responded with four goals of their own thanks to Thomas Gravesen (53), Jon Dahl Tomasson (71), a Cosmin Contra own goal (73) and Rommedahl (90+2).
• Victories against Luxembourg and Bosnia-Herzegovina were comfortable, the Romanians winning the four matches by a combined record of 16 goals scored and none conceded. Their greatest margin of victory came away to Luxembourg, a 7-0 win in which Contra (45+1, 47 and 86) netted a hat-trick.
What is their best performance in the UEFA European Championship?
• Romania topped their qualification round group for UEFA EURO 2000™ with 24 points from their ten matches. Their reward was to be drawn against England, Germany and Portugal in the group stage of the final tournament. Romanian hopes were receding following one point from their opening two games, but a 3-2 defeat of England, with Ioan Ganea scoring the winner in the 89th minute, provided them with a place in the knockout stage. Italy ended their involvement in the competition, running out 2-0 winners following their quarter-final meeting with goals from Francesco Totti (33) and Filippo Inzaghi (43).
Key facts
• Although Romania qualified for the 1984 and 1996 UEFA European Championship finals, they failed to win a match. Their first victory in the finals actually took place in their ninth match, defeating England 3-2 in the UEFA EURO 2000™ finals, a result that provided them with a place in the knockout stages of the competition.
All-time record
• Up until the end of qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008™, Romania had appeared in all 13 UEFA European Championship qualifying competitions, and had played 105 matches. In that time, they had won 52, drawn 27 and lost 26 with 191 goals scored and 104 conceded.
Coach Profile
Victor Piţurcă
401451
Victor Piţurcă must be doubly determined to make an impact with his Romania side at UEFA EURO 2008™ given what happened the last time he led his country to a major tournament. Piţurcă guided Romania through qualifying for UEFA EURO 2000™ but missed out on the finals in the Low Countries after he was dismissed from his post in December 1999 following a dispute with some senior players.
'Big achievement'
Romania have not featured on the big stage since then but Piţurcă, who returned in place of Anghel Iordănescu in December 2004, has done his bit to put that right, making amends for missing out on the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Romania qualified for Austria and Switzerland in style, three points ahead of the Netherlands at the top of their group. "It's a big achievement to qualify with two games to spare," said the coach after the 2-0 win against Luxembourg that secured their ticket.
Prolific striker
Born on 8 May 1956, Piţurcă's playing career included stints with FC Universitatea Craiova, FC Dinamo Slatina, CS Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu and FC Olt before he came to the fore with FC Steaua Bucureşti. During six years there, he won the 1985/86 European Champion Clubs' Cup and the 1986 UEFA Super Cup and also collected a runners-up medal in the 1988/89 European Cup before leaving for RC Lens in France. Although limited to six goals in 13 international appearances, his record of 165 goals in 301 league games make him one of the most prolific strikers in Romanian football history.
Coaching career
After returning from France, he started his coaching career as an assistant at Steaua in 1991 and he was a senior coach there by 1992 when the club won the Romanian Cup. Piţurcă's first opportunity as a head coach came at Universitatea Craiova, between 1994 and 1995, before he was then handed the reins of the Romania Under-21 side. In July 1998 he made the step up to the senior national team, but following his dismissal returned to Steaua whom he led to the league title in 2000/01.
Golden Player
401454
Hagi at the heart of the golden era
To help mark UEFA's Jubilee, each national association was asked to nominate its most outstanding player of the past 50 years. Romania selected Gheorghe Hagi as their Golden Player.
"Football is my life. It means everything to me and has made me the person I am today," is what Gheorghe Hagi has always said. And that's why Hagi, recently crowned Romania's player of the 20th century, has always wanted to give something back to the game.
Early years
A football fanatic from a young age, the ball had for him a magical quality. It was evident from early on that he was a huge talent, and he proceeded to represent Romania at Under-16, U17 and U18 level. During this period he lived and was educated at the Luceafarul football school with the other members of the junior national squads, and it came as no surprise when some big clubs came knocking at his door.
'Wonderful period'
After a spell with FC Farul Constanta, the 18-year-old Hagi moved in 1983 to Bucharest side CF Sportul Studentesc. During his three years with the club he scored 58 goals in 108 appearances, and he looks back on this time with affection. "It was a wonderful period and it helped me to improve greatly," he remembers, and his performances were duly noted.
International honours
The coach of the Romanian national team at the time was Mircea Lucescu, and in August 1983 he awarded Hagi the first of 125 senior caps in a friendly against Norway. Although the match ended in a 0-0 draw, it was the start of a glorious international career which would span 17 years, leave him as Romania's most capped player and, with 35 goals to his credit, their leading scorer.
Captain's armband
In October 1985 Hagi reached another milestone. Lucescu, well known for his penchant for promoting young players, gave the 20-year-old the captain's armband for a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Northern Ireland. This was the first of 65 occasions Hagi would lead his country, and he understood well the importance of the responsibility that came with it. "The national team is something holy for me, and being captain my duties are that much greater," he said.
Home highlights
Hagi played in three World Cups and three European Championships for his country, and even a sending-off in his last international against Italy could not detract from a wonderful career. With FC Steaua Bucuresti he won three Romanian titles, two Romanian Cups, a European Champion Clubs' Cup and a UEFA Super Cup, before spending the remaining eleven years of his playing career abroad.
Foreign adventures
Following the 1990 World Cup, Hagi moved to Real Madrid CF for approximately $4m, and moved again in 1992 to Italian side Brescia Calcio where he rejoined coach Lucescu. After a magnificent 1994 World Cup he departed once more for Spanish shores joining FC Barcelona, then managed by his idol Johan Cruyff. A surprise move to Turkish side Galatasaray SK in 1996 provided evidence that rumours of his footballing demise were wildy exaggerated, and won him a mountain of silverware over a five-year period. His affection for the club was evident. "Galatasaray is my second home after Romania," he said before finally retiring in April 2001.
Coaching career
He moved in to coaching in 2001 but endured brief and unsuccessful spells with the Romanian national team, Bursaspor and Galatasaray. He fared better with FCU Politehnica Timisoara after joining the Romanian league side in November 2005 and then guided Steaua into the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League group stage but resigned after Matchday 1.
'The King'
Hagi played a total of 550 matches both at home and abroad. For the Galatasaray fans he was known as "the Sultan", while in Romania he is called quite simply "the King".
Tactics
Piţurcă gelling Romanian units
Coach Victor Piţurcă's instincts may be attacking but his Romania side have been a model of discipline while giving star striker Adrian Mutu plenty of opportunity to shine.Team focus
A former striker himself, Piţurcă loves exciting forward play but is not reckless, often deploying two men to protect his back four. The coach is also a great believer in making full use of a squad, using 39 players during his UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign and insisting that – barring a couple of ever-presents – his side "don't depend upon one player or another".
Defensive variations
Goalkeeper Bodgan Lobont is one of those exceptions, but the defence in front of him will change from time to time. The good form of tall, powerful centre-backs Dorin Goian and Gabriel Tamaş even persuaded the coach to field versatile captain Cristian Chivu in midfield on occasion. Cosmin Contra at right-back and Răzvan Raţ on the left also carry an attacking threat.
Pacy alternative
Usually a central defender or left-back, Chivu has deputised successfully in both central and left midfield in the absence of the injured Răzvan Cociş and Mirel Rădoi. Left midfield, however, is likely to go to Nicolae Dică at the finals. On the right, Bănel Nicoliţă and Florentin Petre are both hard workers, if not prolific scorers.
Striking contrast
The real menacing work is left to Piţurcă's preferred striking partnership of Mutu and Ciprian Marica, who scored eleven goals between them in qualifying and have made good use of their contrasting styles. Mutu has style in spades, specialising in free-kicks and dangerous raids from the left. Marica, by contrast, gets among opposition defences, looking to exploit his pace to snatch goals.