Fresh faces for Romania

Youthful complexion
With Romania having missed out on a place in the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals, Iordanescu has called up a number of young players, including strikers Nicolae Mitea and Ciprian Marica, from AFC Ajax and FC Dinamo Bucuresti respectively. Both players are only 18, while fellow forward Andrei Cristea of FCM Bacau is a mere 19. Marica and Cristea are included for the first time, while Mitea is yet to make his international debut.

Experienced head
In addition, FC Universitatea Craiova's 20-year-old midfield player Mihai Plesan and defender Ionut Rada are also part of the 22-man party. At the other end of the age spectrum, VfL Wolfsburg's Dorinel Munteanu is set to win his 119th cap at the age of 35.

Romania squad
Lobont, Dolha, Chivu, Rat, Iencsi, Radoi, Miu, Stoican, Rada, Dumitru, D Munteanu, Stancu, Plesan, Dica, Pancu, Bratu, Ganea, Mutu, Mitea, Cristea, C Raducanu, Marica.