| ROMANIA
Best finals record:
First phase 1984,1996
Qualification record:
Won Group Seven
|
Adrian Ilie
|
Coach: Emerich Ienei
Squad: Bogdan Stelea, Bogdan Lobont, Cosmin Contra, Ioan Ganea, Dan Petrescu, Constantin Galca, Viorel Moldovan, Stefan Nanu, Ioan Lupescu, Christian Chivu, Iulian Filipescu, Gheorghe Hagi, Liviu Ciobotariu, Dorinel Munteanu, Gheorghe Popescu, Adrian Ilie, Florian Prunea, Catalin Munteanu, Florentin Petre, Eric Linkar, Marius Maldarasanu,
Adrian Mutu, Laurentiu Rosu, Catalin Haldan, Miodrag Belodedici.
Prospects
Romania will need to break their jinx of never winning a match in a European Championships finals, if they are to make any impression at Euro 2000.
Their dismal record of played six, drawn one and lost five is poor for a team of their stature. Particularly disappointing was the campaign in England four years ago as they lost all three group matches.
Instead, they will hope to reproduce the scintillating form in edging out Portugal to win Group 7 in qualifying. They remained undefeated from the 10 matches and conceded only three goals.
Amazingly though, the man who led them to group success will not be at the helm for Romania's testing battle against Germany, England and Portugal. Victor Piturca got the push late last year after reported run-ins with several of the big name players.
Chief among the critics was golden boy Gheorghe Hagi - a man you don't want to cross considering his hero status with the fans.
The 'Maradona' of the Carpathians is said to have thought Piturca caused unnecessary tension in the ranks. Thus the appointment of one of Romania's old friends, Emerich Ienei, who managed the national team from 1986 up to Italia '90.
Ienei took over the team in the new year and has received a contract until July 2002. The feeling is that Piturca was more likely to have axed some of the senior members of the squad for the finals. Ienei veers towards the old school and should retain the established names.
This could be Romania's downfall with several players including Hagi, Gheorghe Popescu and Dan Petrescu facing up to their last major finals. A wealth of experience is undoubtedly there but there is a distinct lack of youth in the squad.
Much will depend on the shoulders of playmaker Hagi and classy striker Adrian Ilie, and if this pair are not firing then Romania may not have the strength in depth to worry the likes of Germany.
The managerial reshuffle is hardly a positive sign with suspicions of player power ruling the roost. As proved by Holland in recent finals, no team has ever lifted a major trophy with the natives running the ship.