Romania squad
Goalkeepers
Bogdan LOBONT
18.01.78
Dinamo Bucharest
62 caps (0 goals)
Highly experienced first-choice keeper who is a reassuring presence to his defence. Renowned for his loud commands, which can often be heard above the crowd.
Marius POPA
31.07.78
Poli Timisoara
1 cap (0 goals)
Third-choice keeper who was called up to the squad 12 times before getting the chance to make his debut, in the 3-0 friendly win over Russia in March.
Eduard STANCIOIU
03.03.81
09.08.79
CFR Cluj
0 caps (0 goals)
Had an extremely good season, helping his team to win both the Romanian league title and the cup.
Defenders
Cristian CHIVU
26.10.80
Internazionale (Ita)
58 caps (3 goals)
Captain and one of the team’s stars. Chivu is skilful, determined and has a cool head. Also versatile – he can play in central defence, at left-back or in midfield – and a free-kick specialist.
Cosmin CONTRA
15.12.75
Getafe (Spa)
62 caps (7 goals)
Tough-tackling right-back who also gets among the goals. Back after being plagued by injuries over the past two years. The most talkative member of the squad, jokingly nicknamed Gurita (small mouth).
Dorin GOIAN
12.12.80
Steaua Bucharest
19 caps (3 goals)
Central defender and the “control tower” of the back line at 1.94m (6ft 2in). Superb in the air at both ends – he has scored five goals for Steaua in 25 Champions League and UEFA Cup matches.
Sorin Ghionea
11.05.79
Steaua Bucharest
10 caps (1 goal)
Returned to action in January after missing 11 months due to a knee injury.
Cosmin MOTI
12.03. 84
Dinamo Bucharest
2 caps (0 goals)
Mirel RADOI
22.03.81
Steaua Bucharest
42 caps (1 goal)
Can play anywhere in defence or in midfield, superb at breaking up attacks and has a powerful shot. Quickly refound his form after a nine-month lay-off for a knee injury. Dressing-room joker.
Cristian SAPUNARU
05.04.84
Rapid Bucharest
1 cap (0 goals)
Sapunaru made his debut for Romania on 31 May 2008, against Montenegro.
Stefan RADU
22.10.86
Lazio (Ita)
7 caps (0 goals)
Central defender or right-back who is considered the successor to Chivu and is a valuable substitute. Joined Lazio on loan from Dinamo Bucharest in January and quickly made his mark.
Razvan RAT
26.05.81
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr)
47 caps (1 goal)
Automatic first-choice left-back for Romania and Shakhtar (under ex-Romania boss Mircea Lucescu) and has not missed a game through injury in his career. Has a “they shall not pass” reputation.
Gabriel TAMAS
09.11.83
Auxerre (Fra)
31 caps (2 goals)
Tough, experienced central defender who forms a strong partnership with Goian. France is his fourth foreign stop-off point at club level, after Turkey, Russia and Spain.
Midfielders
Razvan COCIS
19.02.83
Lokomotiv Moscow (Rus)
20 caps (1 goal)
Skilful, strong holding midfielder who gave a number of good performances in the qualifiers. Sidelined by a knee injury for several months last year but back to form for his club.
Paul CODREA
04.04.81
Siena (Ita)
32 caps (1 goal)
A regular in the qualifiers but the strong central midfielder suffered a knee injury earlier this year, putting his finals place in jeopardy. Has great experience from eight years in Italy.
Adrian CRISTEA
30.11.83
Dinamo Bucharest
5 caps (0 goals)
Left-sided central midfielder who has developed as an attacking force in recent months.
Nicolae DICA
09.05.80
Steaua Bucharest
24 caps (6 goals)
Skilful playmaker who has the ability to turn a game and often runs the show for Steaua. Also has an eye for goal – he has scored 13 in 36 UEFA Cup and Champions League matches.
Forwards
Ciprian MARICA
02.10.85
Stuttgart (Ger)
23 caps (8 goals)
Still a first-choice despite having failed to impress in his first season at Stuttgart. Joined them on the back of four good seasons at Shakhtar Donetsk and fine form for the national team.
Adrian MUTU
08.01.79
Fiorentina (Ita)
60 caps (27 goals)
Fans’ favourite and leader of his generation, driving the team on in search of victory. Often runs the show, but is also a good team player. Scored six goals in the qualifiers.
Daniel NICULAE
06.10.82
Auxerre (Fra)
21 caps (5 goals)
Back in form at club level – he is in double figures for Auxerre this season – and scored a fine goal against Russia in March. A good athlete and links well with his team-mates.
Marius NICULAE
16.05.81
Inverness (Sco)
29 caps (13 goals)
Muscular forward who scored and made an assist in the March friendly against Russia on his national team comeback after a four-year absence because of a series of injuries.
Florentin PETRE
15.01.76
CSKA Sofia (Bul)
49 caps (5 goals)
Speedy, skilful right-winger who is particularly effective on the counter-attack and always full of running. Smallest squad member at 1.66m and 61kg (5ft 5in/9st 8lb). No relation of Ovidiu Petre.
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