Romania returned to the European Championship in rip-roaring style with a historic victory over Ukraine in Munich.
Edward Iordanescu’s side failed to qualify for Euro 2020 and had only scored three goals in a European Championship match once before, during their famous 3-2 win over England at Euro 2000, but in Munich, they got their Euro 2024 campaign off to the perfect start courtesy of goals from Nicolae Stanciu, Razvan Marin and Denis Dragus.
Seb Stafford-Bloor and Mark Critchley analyse the main talking points from a statement Romania win.
Stanciu’s stunner is Euro 2024’s first true firecracker
If the opening days of the European Championship had been missing something, it was a true goal-of-the-tournament contender.
Sure, several of Germany’s finishes against Scotland were emphatic, Fabian Ruiz’s feet were nice and nimble for Spain’s second against Croatia, and it was hard not to appreciate Jonas Wind’s flick to set up Christian Eriksen’s opener for Denmark yesterday.
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But for a bona fide, highlight-reel, replay-worthy strike to remember these early days of the tournament by? Step forward Nicolae Stanciu.
Yes, it originated from a mistake that Andriy Lunin will be desperate to forget, a shanked clearance straight to Razvan Marin, but that made the execution no less impressive. If Lunin could have avoided turning possession over so easily, he was helpless to stop the strike itself.
UEFA’s speedometer clocked Stanciu’s shot at 116km/h — or about 72mph — but its speed was not as ferocious as its whip, bend and curve entirely beyond the Real Madrid goalkeeper’s reach.
Stanciu, currently playing in the Saudi Pro League after two years in China, has those in his locker and occasionally lets one out. He almost followed it up quickly with another, hitting the underside of the crossbar from a corner. Yet even if that had gone in, it wouldn’t have been his best of the day and for the rest of tournament, it will take some beating.
Mark Critchley
Ukraine’s attack fails to gel
Ukraine packed a lot of talent into their front four. The big developing force in their national team is Georgiy Sudakov, who has the kind of two-footed playmaking ability to be a problem against any defence.
Something was askew in the Ukrainian attack, though. In the first half, Sudakov managed just a single pass into the penalty box and was generally restricted to playing his balls towards the touchlines, rather than into more central areas. Through that first 45 minutes, he failed to find forward Artem Dovbyk with a single pass and also found his route to attacker Viktor Tsygankov heavily restricted.
That seemed less to do with Sudakov’s form and more the general lack of connectivity in the Ukrainian attack. Whereas, down the other end, Romania took their chances in short bursts, attacking precisely at critical moments, Ukraine’s front four seemed afflicted by hesitation, with the respective players all operating at contrasting speeds.
One of the most telling moments of the game occurred early in the second half when Sudakov broke away but ended up isolated and without support in the right places, and was crowded out by retreating Romanian defenders. That was with Ukraine trailing 1-0. Within 10 minutes, it was 3-0 and the game was as good as lost.
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It was a Ukrainian performance full of errors down the other end but that stuttering attacking seemed complicit and part of why their collective confidence dwindled so sharply after conceding first. Ukraine had a habit of starting slowly in qualifying — they were outscored nine goals to five during the first half of games. In the tournament proper though, they lacked the power — and rhythm — to come back.
Seb Stafford-Bloor
Romania’s defending: Decisive and domineering
Whatever Ukraine’s attacking deficiencies may have been, it would be churlish not to acknowledge how well Romania defended. In fact, part of the reason why the passing networks among the Ukrainian forwards were so disrupted was because of how well their opponents managed to deny them a space.
But there was also a difference in energy. Romania brought an excellent defensive record into this tournament. Through qualifying, they conceded at an average of under a goal a game and that infused their defending with plenty of authority and aggression.
The way centre-backs Radu Dragusin and Andrei Burca dealt with the physical threat of Dovbyk was was typical of that. The Ukrainian forward felt contact all afternoon and was repeatedly harried by defenders who seem to really relish the challenge of facing him.
Romania became a little loser in the second half. Ukraine manage to penetrate the area in front of the penalty box a bit more regularly but with never with any real success. A rasping Sudakov drive from distance, well saved by Florin Nita, was as good as it got.
Contrast that to the mood of the defending down the other end: Ukraine were tentative without the ball and, in different ways, the argument could be made that more urgent reactions might have prevented all three of the goals.
Seb Stafford-Bloor
Do Romania have what it takes to cause more upsets during the tournament?
Romania have arrived at this major tournament — their first in eight years — just as they started their qualifying campaign: without any great expectations of themselves but ready to exploit opponents who make the mistake of underestimating them.
That was the story of how Iordanescu’s side secured a place at these finals, finishing as one of only six to go unbeaten on their way to qualification, conceding only five goals in 10 games. Group I was admittedly one of the kinder draws, with Switzerland and Israel the top two seeds, yet Romania beat both in November to ensure their qualification to Euro 2024.
This is not the golden generation of years past. There is no ‘Maradona of the Carpathians’, even if there is a Hagi (Ianis, son of the legendary Gheorghe). But instead, Iordanescu has built an organised, workmanlike unit willing to dig deep and frustrate opponents.
This dominant win greatly helps chances of qualification as at least one of the best third-placed teams. And, despite more technically-gifted opponents to come, it should be no great surprise. Nor would them causing Belgium problems on Saturday.
Mark Critchley
Romania celebrate loudly and proudly
Romania’s last Euros appearance back in 2016 ended in a group-stage exit. One point. Two defeats. Two goals. Both penalties. Eight years earlier, they were also eliminated, fighting bravely in a group of death (against Italy, Netherlands and France) but falling short.
This was Romania’s first win at this tournament in 24 years, back at Euro 2000. That was the only time they qualified for the knockout stages of the competition but today’s victory put them on the brink of repeating that feat.
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So even if they’re not quite in the next round yet, who can blame them for the scenes of celebration at the end?
After forward Dragus had shared a tender moment with his partner in the crowd and Andrei Ratiu had wiped away his own tears, Stanciu sought out a megaphone from their supporters behind one of the goals and handed it over to Ianis Hagi, who led that entire section at the Allianz in song, players and fans bouncing in unison.
It was reminiscent of Iceland and Wales at Euros past, where a connection between the travelling crowd and those on the pitch propels a modest team far into the tournament. It may not be the last time we see it.
Mark Critchley
What did Edward Iordanescu say?
“I’d like to thank every Romanian everywhere in the world. I know that they were with us today.
“It was a fantastic effort by my team. If you had any doubts, I think you can believe me now that this is a great team. Congratulations to the lads. It’s just incredible.
“Since I joined the national team, I’ve had difficult moments. It’s not always been easy. We’ve had other big performances. We’ve had golden generations with big performances but this generation represents the soul.
:This team has put the biggest effort into everything. As big a heart as this team, nobody has ever had. This generation is limitless.”
What did Serhiy Rebrov say?
“Clearly, there were different components of the game. We had possession but didn’t create any chances.
“Nobody expected this result. We have a very serious game in front of us. We have to talk among ourselves and we have to get ready for the next game.”
What next for Romania?
Saturday, June 22: Belgium, Group E (Cologne), 8pm BST, 3pm ET
What next for Ukraine?
Friday, June 21: Slovakia, Group E (Dusseldorf), 2pm BST, 9am ET
Recommended reading
- Euro 2024 Group E guide: Revitalised Belgium, Ukraine’s comebacks and Romania’s direct free kicks
- Romania Euro 2024 squad guide: Iordanescu has a settled defence but Coman could star
- Ukraine Euro 2024 guide: A strong squad and La Liga’s top scorer – but the war weighs heavy
(Top photo: Mahmut Serdar Alakus/Anadolu via Getty Images)