Iordanescu finalises Romania squad

The finalised Romania squad was announced yesterday for the EURO 2004™ qualifying matches against Norway in Bucharest on Saturday and in Luxembourg the following Wednesday.

Training camp
There were eight players from Romanian clubs due to be called up after 13 foreign-based players were announced last week. There were no real surprises in the squad that met up today in Bucharest to attend a training camp. The only player not to attend was the captain Gheorghe Popescu of FC Dinamo Bucuresti as he is in Italy receiving medical attention but is due to join the squad later in the week.

Filipescu injury
The Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu has injury concerns over only one player: Yulian Filipescu, the Real Betis Balompié central defender, who has a leg injury.

Decisive game
Romania won their first qualifying match 3-0 away to Bosnia-Herzegovina, a result that pleased their coach. "I was very satisfied with the result, 3-0 in Bosnia, as well as with the way our players played," Iordanescu said. "But if we do not beat Norway, all we achieved in Bosnia will be for nothing. If, however, we beat Norway it will really harm their chances of qualification. And if we win both games we will be in superb shape for the next round of qualifiers in the spring of next year."

Romania squad
Vintila, Dolha, Dumitru, Miu, Radoi, Popescu, Stelea, Contra, Chivu, Codrea, Ghioane, Cernat, Munteanu, Mutu, A Ilie, Ganea, Moldovan, Pancu, Niculae, Soava, Rat.