UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Romania
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Romania.
One of the best teams in Euro 2024 qualifying was Romania. The “Tricolorii” went unbeaten in their group with six wins in 10 matches. They finished top of their group ahead of Switzerland. However, since then they have yet to win a match, drawing three times and losing once in the build-up to Euro 2024. Romania has a rather inexperienced team at major tournaments but will look to surprise people when they land in Germany.
Euro Appearances
Romania started rather poorly, failing to qualify for any of the first six Euros held. They made their debut at Euro 1984 before missing out on the next two. From 1996 to 2016, “Tricolorii” made four of six Euros. They were one of the 11 host nations for Euro 2020, yet still did not qualify and were one of two hosting nations that failed to qualify.
Best Finish at the Euros
There has not been very much success for Romania at the Euros. Four of their five previous appearances ended in the group stage with no wins in any of them. The only time “Tricolorii” have won a match was at Euro 2000. Their win over England saw them advance to the knockout stage from a group with Portugal, Germany, and England. Their Euros ended in the quarterfinals following a 2-0 defeat to Italy.
Key players
Romania has a very wide variety of players who play their club football around the world. Their leader and captain is Nicolae Stanciu. The midfielder who plays his club football for Damac in the Saudi Pro League is not only the most capped player on the current “Tricolorii” team with 70 but also the leading goal scorer with 14 goals. In qualifying for Euro 2024, he was tied with Parma’s Valentin Mihăilă and Qatari side Muaither SC’s Denis Alibec as Romania’s leading scorers with three goals each.
Defensively, Romania has been very strong, allowing just five goals in 10 qualifying matches. A big part of this success is the consistency of having used the same back-four and goalkeeper for the majority of the qualifying stage. Atletico Madrid’s Horațiu Moldovan has been rock solid in goal and will continue to have the starting spot. 22-year-old Radu Drăgușin of Tottenham and 31-year-old Andrei Burcă of Saudi side Al-Okhdood are the two center-backs that have made it a nightmare for opposing attackers.
Manager
Edward Iordănescu was named manager of Romania at the start of 2022. Since taking over he has led them to qualification for Euro 2024. This is the ninth team that Iordănescu has managed since 2013. His biggest accomplishment was being named by Gazeta Sporturilor as the Romanian coach of the year in 2023.
Biggest Group Game – vs Ukraine on June 17
As it was in the Ukraine preview, this match is the most important since a win could help finish second place in the group. Since it is the first match for Romania, getting three points from the get-go will give them great promise ahead of a tough second match against Belgium. The neighboring countries will also have bragging rights on the line.
Prediction
Romania has some intriguing players but a run at Euro 2024 does not seem too likely. A third-place finish in Group E is looking possible. It will be close to see if they get enough points to advance to the knockout stage. I think they will do that. However, “Tricolorii” will likely be bounced out in the round of 16 by either the winner of Group B or C.
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