Euro 2008 Team Preview: Romania

Adrian Mutu Romania Euro 2008 FOOTBALL – Euro 2008 Team Preview – ROMANIA
50/1 with skybet to win Euro 2008.

12/1 with skybet to win Qualifying Group C (includes Italy, France and Holland).
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Coach

Former international striker and national team coach Victor Piturca is just over three years into his second spell in charge of Romania and will be looking forward to a proper crack at the European Championships. Having taken Romania on an undefeated path to Euro 2000, he was abruptly sacked after a disagreement with Gheorghe Hagi, but should face no such problems this time. Piturca has earned the respect of his players and has moulded them into a tough side with enough Romanian flair to make a positive impression.

Qualification

In the qualifying stages, Romania were particularly strong in the goal scoring department and tight-fisted in defence (in 12 games, 26 goals scored and only 7 conceded). In a strong group, containing Holland and Bulgaria, the only blot on the Romanian copybook was a 1-0 away loss to Bulgaria. Their 1-0 home win over Holland was enough to secure top the group, by 3 points, from the Dutch.

Key Players

Adrian Mutu, Romania’s best-known player, has just turned 29, and is playing some of the best football of his career for current club Fiorentina. His ability in front of goal is priceless for Romania, who are expected to concede at the other end with France, Italy and Holland in the same group. A dead ball specialist with a devastating turn of foot, Mutu is lethal in the box. The former Chelsea man is playing at his fifth Italian club in Fiorentina, for whom he has netted 30 times in 53 attempts, earning him the nickname "The Phenomenon." Mutu will spearhead the Romanian attack, though can, if needed, drop back into midfield, where Fabio Capello used him at Juventus.
Internazionale defender Christian Chivu has proven to be a rock in the Romanian midfield since coach Piturca moved him from his familiar central defensive role. Comfortable on the ball and tenacious in the tackle with the added bonus of being an experienced head in midfield with the captain’s armband.
Right midfielder Banel Nicolita has been one of the brighter young lights in the Romanian team. A busy bee in the middle with an eye for goal, Nicolita exploded onto the stage when he won the title and reached the UEFA Cup semi-final with Steaua in 2005. In their European adventure, Nicolita scored two crucial goals to help his club beat Real Betis to reach the last eight, and another goal in the quarter final against local rivals Rapid.

Aged 23, the Steaua Bucharest midfielder has the opportunity this summer to step up and join the short list of Romanian players coveted by Europe’s big clubs.

Past Championships

Traditionally viewed as one of the most attractive and skilful sides in Eastern Europe, Romania’s European Championship performances have been dismal. They failed to qualify for the first six tournaments and exited at the group phase in France 1984. They qualified next for Euro ’96 in England, again making and early exit. Their best recent Championship performance was in Holland / Belgium in 2000. They managed to eliminate England in the group phase, but succumbed 2-0 to subsequently beaten finalists Italy, at the quarter-final stage. They again failed to qualify in 2004, but given their qualification record for 2008, may surprise some, despite being drawn in the toughest qualifying group.

1960 – Did not qualify

1964 – Did not qualify

1968 – Did not qualify

1972 – Did not qualify

1976 – Did not qualify

1980 – Did not qualify

1984 – Round 1

1988 – Did not qualify

1992 – Did not qualify

1996 – Round 1

2000 – Quarter-finals

2004 – Did not qualify

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    Related Articles:
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Holland (Netherlands)
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Italy
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: France
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Spain
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Turkey


    • Written by Bet123 · Filed Under Euro 2008, Football 

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