Thirty years ago, when they could claim briefly to be among the world’s best teams, Romania captured hearts with their eye for the spectacular. It glinted again to devastating effect in their return to major tournament football and, even if this side cannot compare technically to the class of 1994, a performance of genuine quality suggested the modern breed can create their own legends. Ukraine did not know what had hit them.
They ran into a brick wall for nearly half an hour before Nicolae Stanciu, with a demonstration of stupendous technique, transformed the picture. It was a goal Gheorghe Hagi, who had addressed their horde of yellow-clad fans via the giant screen before kick-off, would have gladly called his own. ‘Radical change’: resurgent Romania seek to forge new legacy at Euro 2024 Read more By the latter stages Romania were three goals up and Radu Dragusin, who had an exceptional game, was geeing up the crowd after repelling Ukrainian attempts at a consolation.
The Tottenham defender exemplified their display: physical, aggressive but controlled. Romania qualified unbeaten for their first finals in eight years and perhaps, amid names that have become more fashionable, their prospects have been overlooked. “We have had golden generations but this nation does not represent any metal, it is the generation of the soul,” their manager, Edward Iordanescu, said.
“Such a big heart, such a big soul, no one has ever had that. This generation is limitless.�.
