Romania have certainly had its fair share of contributions to the beautiful game over the years, with Steaua Bucharest winning the 1986 European Cup, while the national team boasted a star-studded lineup, including the likes of Gheorghe Hagi, Gheorghe Popescu, and Dan Petrescu.
However, financial problems in the Romanian Football Federation in the 2000’s saw the decline of both their domestic and national team performances, meaning their glory days are far behind them.
An extension from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup may provide renewed hope that the Tricolorii can return to the world stage for the first time since 1998, with these Euros being their chance to show everyone what they are made of.
Here is the breakdown of the Romanian team and their chances at UEFA Euro 2024:
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Manager: Edward Iordanescu
Iordanescu came through the academy at Steaua Bucharest as a player, the same club his father had made over 300 appearances for, where he scored over 150 goals and won the European Cup in 1986.
However, Iordanescu's playing career never amounted to the same success and he spent his time in the lower leagues of his native Romania, as well as spells in Greece and Cyprus.
Following an assistant manager role at Steaua Bucharest, he had short stints in charge of a variety of Romanian clubs, such as Astra Giurgiu, CFR Cluj and FCSB.
Then in 2022, less than six years after his father was sacked following their performance at Euro 2016, Iordanescu followed in his footsteps and became manager of the national team, with this being his first time in charge at a major tournament.
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Story of qualification:
Romania were placed in a group where getting out of it was a high possibility and after winning their first two against Andorra and Belarus, they were on course to achieve this.
Possessing a resolute defence all tournament, they went on to claim wins against Kosovo, Andorra again, Israel and then Switzerland, taking their tally to six.
Four draws alongside these wins meant they finished the qualifying campaign unbeaten and topped the group on 22 points, reaching these European Championships with relative ease.
Scoring 16 goals was one of the lowest amongst the teams that finished top of their group, but after keeping the second-most clean sheets, Romania may become known as the 'smash-and-grab' team in Germany this summer.
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Radu Dragusin looks to rally his troops:
Perhaps the most recognisable name in the Romanian squad is the 22-year-old defender who joined Tottenham Hotspur in January, and he may carry the weight of a nation on his shoulders.
Defensive solidity was a key aspect to qualification for Iordanescu’s side, conceding just five goals across the ten qualifying matches. In fact, they conceded fewer goals than Netherlands, Italy and Denmark, highlighting just how impressive they have been.
Dragusin plays aggressively and possesses a wide range of passing skills that could help Romania evade the press when they are trying to get out from the back.
All in all, not only is he the one in the squad playing at the highest level, he also possesses the exact qualities that Iordanescu's will want for a centre half that is likely to be busy across the tournament.
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Predicted Lineup (5-3-2):
Having played a staggering six different formations across ten qualifying games, nailing one down for Romania can prove very difficult.
Five at the back seems to be the way Iordanescu likes to operate against the bigger sides, suggesting a 5-3-2 could be how they line up in Germany.
Moldovan; Bancu, Burca, Dragusin, Rus, Ratiu; Stanciu, M. Marin, Hagi; Coman, Puscas
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Group E - The task ahead:
Romania will be joined in Group E by Belgium, Ukraine, and Slovakia, team's they will fancy their chances against.
Here is where and when you can catch them on television:
Monday 17th June 2024 - Romania vs Ukraine, 2:00pm BST, Live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Saturday 22nd June 2024 - Romania vs Belgium, 8:00pm BST, Live on ITV 1
Wednesday 26th June 2024 - Romania vs Slovakia, 5:00pm BST, Live on BBC iPlayer (BBC TV channel TBC)
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How far can they go?
Romania have not won a tournament match since the year 2000, where they beat none other than England 3-2 to earn a passage into the quarter-finals. This game happened on the 17th June, exactly 24 years prior to their Euro 2024 opener vs Ukraine.
Iordanescu’s side will be quietly confident heading into their first match after taking four points from Switzerland in qualifying, a side possessing more quality than Ukraine and Slovakia on paper.
It is absolutely plausible that they could get a result against these two sides, with four points likely securing them a third place pass to the knockout stages.
Defensively sound performances throughout the tournament might be enough to see them produce an underdog story, so do not be surprised if you hear their name later into the tournament.
