Romania ravage Latvia in Buzau

Romania denied Russia breathing space at the top of UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group 1 with Sabrin Sburlea setting them on their way to a 4-1 victory against Latvia in Buzau.

Fine finishes
Ştefan Bărboianu's long pass found Sburlea after ten minutes, and the FC Brasov man finished brilliantly from ten metres to break the deadlock. Mihai Costea then left defender Aleksejs Kuplovs-Oginskis chasing shadows on 28 minutes to score a fine second, and it was 3-0 by half-time as Sburlea's precise cross allowed Paul Papp to crash in a 43rd-minute header. Edgars Gauračs' dismissal further sapped Latvia's morale, with substitute Ioan Hora making it 4-0 on 82 minutes, not long before Artjoms Rudņevs received a red card for a second bookable offence. Down to nine men, Latvia nonetheless secured a fine consolation goal, with Igors Tarasovs on target from 18 metres. Romania trail Group 1 leaders Russia on goal difference with neither side in competitive action again until August 2010.