Romania manager Edward Iordănescu believes his team can “create some beautiful moments” for the nation as they prepare to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign on Monday against Ukraine.
This is the first game of Group E and both teams will be wanting to cause a shock in this tournament, and Romania will feel confident after only conceding five goals in their entire qualifying campaign.
With just a combined total of three wins between both teams in the history of the tournament, something may have to give when the two meet in Munich.
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“We can go to the European Championship and create some beautiful moments for Romania.”
Iordănescu retired at the age of 26 from club football, starting his managerial career in his early thirties. He spoke of his hopes for the tournament and why this Romania team can have a good run.
“We want to stay in Germany as long as possible so we need to deliver results. We know our opponent very well and we need to act accordingly. The players have to give their best for the Romanian national team and honour this opportunity. What we can do on the pitch remains to be seen.
“I believe that if we continue on this good path that we are on now, we can go to the European Championship and create some beautiful moments for Romania and the Romanian fans. That's all I hope for. We have to take it step by step, enjoy every moment, every day, every hour, every minute spent in the tournament, and treat it with the utmost responsibility and give it all during the campaign.
“It's been a long time since Romania's last tournament proper and the fans went through many tough moments. Our hard work was based on trust, on (maintaining] consistency and every player understood that they had to give 200% – not 100%, but 200%. This has led us to believe that we can progress together as a group and as individuals, and then as a team. We brought honour to Romania, but we still have a lot to do.”
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"It's a truly enormous motivation"
Whilst Iordănescu’s playing career failed to take off, the same cannot be said for Ukraine manager Serhiy Rebrov, who played over 650 games for club and country. He spoke about his hopes for the national team and how the team will want to make the country proud.
“I see our current squad and I think they are highly motivated and high-quality players. Looking at our friendly matches, 90% of almost every national team's main squad represent foreign clubs.
“I think this is a big advantage for our national team because it's represented not only by footballers who play abroad, but also by players from the domestic championship. This national team has great potential but it can sometimes mean nothing if you don't show your maximum at a tournament like the Euros. If we want to achieve certain goals, it's crucially important for us to perform well and show our best level in every game.
“When there is a war still happening in our country, the guys understand that playing for the national team is a responsibility; it's a truly enormous motivation. We do remind them sometimes, but I can see it in their faces and in their approach towards training and games that they are very motivated. I can see my players' attitude. It's very professional. They want to show everything they've got to make Ukraine proud.
“I think it's very important for the national team to understand how to play with a different style and we showed this during the qualification campaign. And I am sure that, at the Euros, there will also be times when we will have to adjust our style of play.
“It's very important that we've been working together for a year. I can see the players understand much better what we're trying to get from them. We understand each other much better than in the beginning. We have to respect our opponents and concentrate on each match.
"Romania have done very well of late. They have some very good young players. They are clearly a team who understand what they have at their disposal. They have very fast players, which basically got them through to Euro 2024."
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“I think we’re ready for them”
Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi spoke about the emotions that will be ringing through the national team.
"It will be a very emotional moment for us. When you see Ukrainian flags in the stadium and you understand what's going on at home, it's difficult to put into words. Every day is difficult. It will be an emotional moment before kick-off, but we need to keep a cool head and give 100% tomorrow.
"For me, Romania have good attacking players. They are a good, exciting team, but I think we’re ready for them."
Quotes accessed via Uefa.com.
