Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: Romania
Romania have continued a recent habit of qualifying for one major tournament every eight years by securing their spot at Euro 2024.
But how will Edward Iordanescu's underdogs fare in Germany? Get clued up with Odds Now's comprehensive team guide, which features tactical analysis, players to watch, predicted XI's, betting tips and more.
How Romania qualified for Euro 2024
Romania secured a place at their first major tournament in eight years with an unexpected first-placed finish in Group I.
Finishing five points ahead of well-fancied Switzerland, Iordanescu’s side cruised through an underwhelming qualifying group to book a place at their sixth European Championship.
Back in 2016, they were knocked out at the group stage after picking up just one point across three matches.
Meanwhile, their best ever finish at a European Championship came in 2000, when they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Italy at the quarter-final stage.
Unbeaten in their 10 outings (six wins, four draws), six clean sheets proved a fine foundation for their progression while their 15 goals scored was the lowest of any group winner.
Romania's squad for Euro 2024
Romania named a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Horațiu Moldovan (Atlético de Madrid), Florin Niță (Gaziantep), Ștefan Târnovanu (FCSB)
Defenders: Nicușor Bancu (Universitatea Craiova), Andrei Burcă (Al-Okhdood), Radu Drăguşin (Tottenham), Vasile Mogoş (CFR Cluj), Ionuț Nedelcearu (Palermo), Bogdan Racovițan (Rakow), Andrei Rațiu (Rayo Vallecano), Adrian Rus (Pafos)
Midfielders: Alexandru Cicâldău (Konyaspor), Ianis Hagi (Alavés), Marius Marin (Pisa), Răzvan Marin (Empoli), Darius Olaru (FCSB), Deian Sorescu (Gaziantep), Nicolae Stanciu (Damac), Adrian Şut (FCSB)
Forwards: Denis Alibec (Muaither), Daniel Bîrligea (CFR Cluj), Florinel Coman (FCSB), Denis Drăguş (Gaziantep), Dennis Man (Parma), Valentin Mihăilă (Parma), George Puşcaş (Bari)
Romania's predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
Romania's star player - Nicolae Stanciu
Attacking midfielder Nicolae Stanciu is set for his second appearance at a major tournament this summer, having featured twice in his nation's Euro 2016 group stage campaign.
Stanciu was just 23 back then but now, as captain, stands as one of the senior pillars of a Romania squad looking to build on an impressive showing during qualifying.
The 31-year-old featured in all ten matches en route to the tournament in Germany, scoring three goals in the process which in a low-scoring outfit, ended up being extra precious.
Blessed with sharp footwork and a remarkable long-range strike, close-watchers of the Romanian game are often mystified as to how he has not yet plied his trade in one of Europe’s major leagues.
Now campaigning in the Saudi Arabian Pro League with Damac, Stanciu previously enjoyed a glittering career in his home country, where he won two Super Liga titles and a Cupa Romaniei with the mighty Steaua Bucharest.
He has also featured for both Sparta and Slavia Prague down the years, alongside spells with Anderlecht, Al-Ahli and Wuhan Three Towns before pitching up in the Middle East last summer.
Romania's one to watch - Radu Dragusin
Born in Bucharest in 2002, Dragusin began his playing career with Sportul Studentesc and Regal Sport Bucuresti before catching the eye of some of Europe’s big-hitters.
A move to Italian giants Juventus developed in 2018, but the centre-back managed just a single appearance for the 36-time Serie A winners and spent the majority of his time at the club out on loan.
After spells with Sampdoria, Salernitana and Genoa, Dragusin penned a permanent deal with the latter and helped Genoa secure promotion back to Serie A.
His exploits earned him the Romanian Footballer of the Year Award in 2023 and a £21.5 million move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur back in January.
Dragusin has made just four starts since signing for Spurs but is a regular for his national side — for whom he will hope to showcase his talents once again after a frustrating six months.
Since making his Romania debut back in March 2022, the 22-year-old has featured in their last 15 matches and has played the full 90 minutes in 11 of those.
Six of his 16 appearances for the side have ended in a clean sheet, showing how crucial his presence will be to Romania's hopes of progression.
Romania's manager - Edward Iordanescu
After spending the majority of his playing career in his native Romania, Iordanescu has also spent the bulk of his time as a coach in his home country.
Initially working his way through the youth system at Steaua Bucharest and Vaslui before enjoying senior roles at several clubs in the Romanian football pyramid, his greatest club achievement came in leading CFR Cluj to the Super Liga title in 2021.
Iordanescu had to ride out a bumpy start when only winning one of his first seven games in charge of Romania, though things have rapidly improved since then.
Tasting defeat just once in 14 outings, he has made his nation tough to beat with a robust defence at the heart of a side that have become reliably gritty and well organised.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Anghel, who enjoyed three separate spells in charge of the national team, Iordanescu will now take charge at a major tournament for the first time in his career.
Romania's Euro 2024 betting odds
Romania to win Euro 2024 - 300/1
Romania to reach the Euro 2024 final - 100/1
Romania to qualify from Group E - 4/5
Romania top team goalscorer - Denis Alibec 9/2, George Puscas 11/2, Nicolae Stanciu 7/1, 10/1 BAR
*All best UK prices as of 30/05/24
Analysis and best bets for Romania at Euro 2024
Expert analysis from Odds Now’s Bradley Walker:
“Belgium and Ukraine look a level above both Romania and Slovakia, who will likely rely on their match against each other to secure a potential spot among the four-best third-placed sides.
"Edward Iordanescu’s side no doubt impressed during qualifying, finishing above a Switzerland side who are well established in major tournaments, but the Swiss are enduring their own troubles off the pitch and may have made for easy pickings.
"Nevertheless, Romania should head to Germany with little to fear and in celebratory mood, having qualified for their first major tournament in eight years. A spot in the last 16 would be a remarkable achievement but that looks a big ask for a side low on obvious goal threats.
"Presuming that they come up short against Belgium and Ukraine as expected, all will come down to the final clash with Slovakia.
"Iordanescu has made his side tough to beat and while victory is far from assured, it is hard to see them losing to a side of a similar calibre. I'd therefore be inclined to cover exactly one or three points at 4/1 and 7/2 respectively."
Brad's Best Bets:
Romania to finish with exactly 1 point - 4/1 (SkyBet)
Romania to finish with exactly 3 points - 7/2 (SkyBet)