TEAM

ROMANIA

GROUP: E PLAYER TO WATCH: Radu Drăgușin EXPECTED FINISH: Group stage

Romania Fixtures

Before we dig deep into Romania’s squad and their chances of advancing, we examine Group E and the fixtures of the Tricolorii.

Of all the groups Romania could have landed, they have probably got the one that gives them the best chance of advancing; Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine provide the opposition.

Belgium are not the force of old despite retaining some stellar talent in Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku. They could not, for instance, find a way past the Republic of Ireland in a 0-0 stalemate in a friendly back in March and, while they earned a creditable 2-2 draw away to England during the same international break, much of that was down to the misfortune of the English backline.

In Slovakia, there is a team that famously failed to beat Luxembourg in the qualifiers at home and Ukraine only scraped through via the play-offs.

As a result of Belgium’s presence, the Romania betting odds to win this group are unsurprisingly generous but getting through to the next round is eminently achievable.

Romania’s fixtures in full:

Romania vs Ukraine: 17th June (Munich Football Arena)
Romania vs Belgium: 22nd June (Cologne Stadium)
Romania vs Slovakia: 26th June (Frankfurt Arena)

Standings

Venues

Key players

There are some notable players in the squad, some of whom have Premier League experience. But the base of the talent is in defence and it is difficult to pinpoint any real threat moving forward. Here is more information on three of Romania’s key players:

Radu Drăgușin

Caps (goals): 15 (0)

Position: Defender

Club: Tottenham

It has been a transformational few years for Drăgușin, who was loaned out to three different clubs while at Juventus between 2020 and 2023. He finally found his ideal nesting ground at Genoa and, after some excellent form, earned a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the 2024 January transfer window.

Robust in the tackle and quick across the ground, Drăgusin was subject to interest from Napoli and Bayern Munich before choosing North London; he is going to have to showcase his talent on the biggest stage to help his team advance.

George Pușcaș

Caps (goals): 41 (11)

Position: Forward

Club: Bari (on loan from Genoa)

An experienced forward who has made his name in the second tier of Italy and England’s divisional system with Bari and Reading respectively, Pușcaș proved his predatory instincts with a pouncing header to pull his side level in the qualification-clinching victory over Israel.

He knows how to find the net and averages better than a goal per game for his country, which is no mean feat in an era of improving international football. Puscas does not always start games but he can have an impact at this tournament regardless.

Ianis Hagi

Caps (goals): 33 (5)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Alavés (on loan from Rangers)

Being the son of the national team icon does not guarantee you a place in the starting XI but, when you score goals with the quality Ianis Hagi has, you are going to be in with a shout.

Hagi is an elegant, gliding forward player who has an eye for a killer pass and is just as strong with both feet, much like his iconic father Gheorghe.

He registered three goals and assists in seven appearances during his country’s successful qualifying campaign and could be a crucial cog if they are to advance in Germany.

Previous performances in the Euros

You have to look back to the final playing days of Hagi Sr to find the last time Romania had a real impact on this tournament. In the year 2000, they made the quarter-finals but lost 2-0 to eventual runners-up Italy, a game in which Hagi was sent off

Here are Romania’s previous performances in the Euros over the years in full:

1960: Did not qualify
1964: Did not qualify
1968: Did not qualify
1972: Did not qualify
1976: Did not qualify
1980: Did not qualify
1984: Group stage (fourth in Group 2)
1988: Did not qualify
1992: Did not qualify
1996: Group stage (fourth in Group B)
2000: Quarter-final (lost 2-0 to Italy)
2004: Did not qualify
2008: Group stage (third in Group C)
2012: Did not qualify
2016: Group stage (fourth in Group A)
2020: Did not qualify

Expectations

The best Romania Euros betting strategy might be one of avoidance given their pre-tournament expectations.

That said, they have some players of note, are well-drilled and qualified automatically from a group featuring Switzerland, Israel and Belarus. They conceded just five goals in 10 games throughout qualifying; that defensive resilience is going to be their best way out this summer.

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change