As we approach the big Euro 2016 kick-off, we’re going back in time to look at some of the competing nations’ greats from yesteryear.
Romania kick off the tournament against hosts France in Saint-Denis, with coach Anghel Iordanescu enjoying his third spell in charge of his national team.
The 66-year-old, who won more than 50 caps for his country as a player, was also in charge at Euro 96 and for the unsuccessful Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.
With an international management career spanning an interrupted 20-year period, it’s only natural that many of these players will be familiar to the current coach.
Goalkeeper – Bogdan Stelea
Every major tournament needs a goalkeeper who looks like he’d steal your cigarettes in the prison yard. While younger fans have Rustu Recber, 90s kids had Bogdan Stelea.
Contrary to popular belief, the Bucharest-born stopper did once have hair. But, in line with popular belief, he has never smiled on camera.
Happy Birthday to Bogdan STELEA pic.twitter.com/eySqZiwYaQ
— Old School Panini (@OldSchoolPanini) December 5, 2014
Right-Back – Dan Petrescu
The only Premier League footballer to be named after a daytime TV show, the full-back was a mainstay for Chelsea and Southampton in the English top-flight.
His most memorable moment in English football was a chip against Manchester United which I believed he’d scored for about a decade, only to later find out it was Graeme Le Saux.
Left-Back – Razvan Rat
One of those Football Manager players you loved to sign over and over when you learned Shakhtar had a great group of players who didn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Then he signed for West Ham, ruining the illusion by forcing you to admit he was (a) real and (b) just a barely above-average defender.
Centre-Back – Gica Popescu
Back when the idea of any foreigners coming to the Premier League was mysterious and exotic, Popescu signed for Spurs along with compatriot Ilie Dumitrescu.
He didn’t stick around too long, but he did keep up the noble tradition (started by Nayim) of becoming ‘Proper Spurs’ by denying Arsenal in Europe. He was also a pretty great ball-playing centre-back who could do a job in midfield, so there’s that too.
Centre-Back – Mircea Rednic
Not the guy who released ‘Cotton Eye Joe’, apparently. Heartbreaking.
Midfield – Dorinel Munteanu
Munteanu was one of those classic big-tournament players who always looked on the verge of tears at any point in any given game.
Scorer of a great long-range goal against England at Euro 2000, the 47-year-old has now moved into management. He still looks exactly the same as he did almost 20 years ago, except with a slightly wider head.
Midfield –Â Christian Chivu
Latterly a defender, Chivu started out as a midfielder and burst onto the scene against England at Euro 2000.
His goal, which was definitely deliberate and not at all a mishit cross, was just the start of a career in which he would end up accidentally winning the 2010 Champions League.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80hZNGOY_g8
Midfield – Gheorghe Hagi
Was Hagi the Maradona of the Carpathians or was Maradona the Hagi of Buenos Aires? Okay, don’t answer that.
Hagi might have fallen short of the Argentine’s genius, but he’s surely one of the best ever Eastern European footballers. And there’s another one of him making his way through the ranks.
Forward – Adrian Ilie
One of those players who you remember existing and being good without remembering a single thing they did, Ilie definitely seemed like a great footballer.
He was part of the Valencia team that made back-to-back Champions League finals, and Spanish fans nicknamed him ‘The Cobra’. Which, granted, isn’t always a good thing.
Forward – Adrian Mutu
Football’s greatest Pokemon alter-ego, Mutu’s retirement means he won’t get to rub shoulders with compatriot and fellow member of the original 151, Florin Gyarados (is it too much to expect a comprehensive knowledge of Romanian football and Pokemon? Yes, probably).
Given the extent to which he has gradually become more and more of a laughing stock since leaving Chelsea, it’s easy to forget how prodigiously talented he was as a youngster.
Our Stallion ADRIAN 'MARQUEE' Mutu @adrianmutu in action from Match Day 2 #PUNvsNEU!#KarPunekar pic.twitter.com/MoyQm0d5Wd
— FC Pune City (@FCPuneCity) October 10, 2015
Forward – Marius Lacatus
A properly great forward, even if most of his career was spent away from the spotlight with Steaua Bucharest.
He was part of that great 80s team before returning the following decade, and keeps Viorel Moldovan, Florin Raducioiu and Ioan Ganea out of the reckoning.
