Romania scratch seven-year itch

Cristian Chivu finally saw Romania reap the benefit of "seven years' hard toil" as they sealed their place at UEFA EURO 2008™ in Luxembourg on Wednesday.

Chivu relieved
Their 2-0 away win, coupled with a 1-1 draw for Bulgaria in Albania, enabled coach Victor Piturca to steer Romania into their first major tournament since UEFA EURO 2000™, to the immense relief of captain Chivu. "It has taken seven years' hard toil to achieve this qualification," the FC Internazionale Milano defender said. "I dedicate this victory to all those who believed in us, who stuck with us and will stay with us. I am sorry for not having qualified for previous tournaments, but from now on we will reach all our goals."

Generation vindicated
The generation of players spearheaded by Chivu, Bogdan Lobont, Cosmin Contra, Adrian Mutu and Florentin Petre had looked destined to pale in comparison with the golden vintage that reached five successive finals competitions between 1990 and 2000. Piturca – who led Romania unbeaten through UEFA EURO 2000™ qualification too, but was dismissed before those finals after a dispute with senior players – has finally lifted the burden. Now he can look forward to UEFA EURO 2008™, his first tournament assignment.

Best XI
"From now on, we will start preparing for the finals," said the 51-year-old trainer, who also scored six goals in 13 games for Romania. "That's why in our next qualifier in Bulgaria, we will field our best XI. Not to avenge the 2-2 draw they earned in Romania – after all, the Bulgarians were only doing their job – but because we want to finish top of the group, without losing. We want to win in Sofia. Don't forget that we represent Romania."

Romanian composure
Piturca was pleased with the composure his side showed in Luxembourg following the excitement of Saturday's 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in Constanta. He said: "It's normal after the effort of a win like the one against the Dutch that you relax, but my players showed true professionalism, they focused on the game and you could see the result. The victory meant three decisive points. It's a big achievement to qualify with two games to spare."

Corks pop
With the pressure resulting from near misses in 2002 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying finally lifted, Chivu and company could finally relax thanks to goals from Petre and Ciprian Marica at the Josy Barthel Stadium. FC Shakhtar Donetsk defender Răzvan Raţ summed up the mood in the squad, saying: "We are lost for words after this qualification. But we will celebrate with a lot of champagne."