Euro 2016 finally kicks off this evening as France face Romania. As we watch the tournament opener we will all be well acquainted with the French team, however you could be forgiven for not being overly familiar with their opponents.
We have therefore decided to help everyone out by investigating who exactly will line up for Romania this evening.
UEFA Predicted line up:
GK Ciprian Tătăruşanu – 30-year-old, (30 Caps) Was Fiorentina’s first choice goalkeeper this season, is expected to keep Watford keeper Costel Pantilimon out of tonight’s game.
DR Cristian Săpunaru – 32-year-old, (13 Caps) Has previously played for Porto and Real Zaragoza, currently playing back in Romania for Pandurii who finished 3rd in the country’s top flight this season.
DC Vlad Chiricheş – 26-year-old (40 Caps) Romania captain and probably the most well known member of the team. Spent two years at Tottenham before joining Napoli last summer for £4.5 million.
DC Dragos Grigore – 29-year-old (20 Caps) The center back made over 100 appearances for Dinamo Bucharest before joining Toulouse in 2014. He recently left the French side to join Al Sailiya in Qatar.
DL Razvan Rat – 35-year-old (111 Caps) Ex-West Ham defender and Football Manager cult hero. Rat had a rather ill fated spell with the Hammers in 2014. He is now with Spanish side Real Vallecano who were relegated to the second tier this year.
LM Nicusor Stanciu – 23-year-old (5 Caps) The speedy winger was an ever present in the Steaua Bucharest side this season and could be a threat.
MC Ovidiu Hoban – 33-year-old (20 Caps) Played in Romania for his whole career before joining Israeli Premier Division side Haopel Be’er Sheva in 2014. He played a key role in helping his side to the league title this season.
MC Mihai Pintilii – 31-year-old (31 Caps) Helped Steaua Bucharest to a second place finish this season in the Romanian Premier Division. The midfielder has also spent time with Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv and Saudi club Al-Hilal.
RM Adrian Popa – 27-year-old (14 Caps) Another player who has spent his whole career thus far in Romania. Popa has made over 100 appearances for Steaua Bucharest, scoring 17 times.
ST Bogan Stancu – 28-year-old (40 Caps) Netted 10 goals for Turkish Super Lig side Gençlerbirliği last season. Has previously had a spell with Turkish giants Galatasaray
ST Claudiu Keșeru. – 29-year-old (13 Caps) Currently plays for Bulgarian side Ludogorets, finished as the second top goalscorer in the division as he helped his side to the title this year. Keșeru scored 33 goals in 100 appearances for French side Angers between 2010 and 2013.
Manager – Anghel Iordanescu – Came out of retirement to manage the national side in 2014 after exploring a potential career in Romanian politics. He is best remembered for leading Romania to the quarter finals of the 1994 World Cup.
Rather interestingly he is running some sort of interview process to pick his successor by hiring three out of contract managers to work as his assistants during the competition!
