Radu comes to Romania's rescue
Monday, September 3, 2007
Article summary
The 30-year-old VfL Wolfsburg forward Sergiu Radu has received his first call-up by Romania as Victor Piturca draws on his reserves after a raft of injuries.
Article body
Victor Piturca has been hit by a raft of injuries ahead of Romania's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Belarus on Saturday, with the absence of Cosmin Contra, Alin Stoica and Laurentiu Rosu meaning maiden call-ups for Dan Matei and VfL Wolfsburg forward Sergiu Radu.
Trica back
Now 30, Radu has been overlooked until now but scored 26 Bundesliga goals in two years for Energie Cottbus to earn a summer move to Wolfsburg, for whom he has already hit two. It has convinced Piturca to finally give Radu his chance, alongside Matei while Eugen Trica returns to the fold after a seven-year absence. Injuries have perhaps forced the coach's hand but the trio could get their chance for the Group G leaders against Belarus. Gabriel Tamas is suspended but has been called up with the friendly against Germany four days later in mind.
Romania squad
Goalkeepers: Bogdan Lobont (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti), Danut Dumitru Coman (FC Rapid Bucureşti).
Defenders: Petre Marin (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Dan Matei (CF Gloria 1922 Bistrita), Gabriel Tamas (AJ Auxerre), Dorin Goian (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Cristian Chivu (FC Internazionale Milano), Marius Constantin (FC Rapid Bucureşti), Razvan Rat (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Stefan Radu (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti).
Midfielders: Florentin Petre (PFC CSKA Sofia), Banel Nicolita (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Ovidiu Petre (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Paul Codrea (AC Siena), Nicolae Dica (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Eugen Trica (CFR Ecomax Cluj-Napoca), Dorinel Munteanu (SC Vaslui), Adrian Cristea (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti).
Forwards: Adrian Mutu (ACF Fiorentina), Gheorghe Bucur (FC Politehnica 1921 Stiinta Timisoara), Ciprian Marica (VfB Stuttgart), Sergiu Radu (VfL Wolfsburg).
