The Romania national football team represents Romania in men’s international football competition and is managed by the Romanian Football Federation, also known as the FRF. They are colloquially called Tricolorii. Romania Football History.
Romania is one of only four European national teams — the other three being Belgium, France, and Yugoslavia — to have competed in the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930. The national team’s best time came in 1994 when they reached the quarter-finals of the competition. Led by playmaker Gheorghe Hagi, they were eliminated by Sweden in a penalty shootout after beating Argentina 3-2 in the previous round.
European Championship
At the European Championships, Romania’s best performance was in 2000 when they reached the quarter-finals from a group alongside Germany, Portugal, and England, before falling to eventual runners-up Italy. They also reached the last eight in 1960 and 1972, and have qualified for five tournaments in total.
The Romanian Football Federation was found in October 1909 in Bucharest. Romania played its first international match on 8 June 1922 in Belgrade, winning 2–1 against Yugoslavia, coached by Teufel Monaro. Several temporary coaches were employe, managing the team for about four years, before Moraro resumed control in August 1924. Romania had some success during the 1930s. Manager Costel Rădulescu took them to their first three FIFA World Cup tournaments, a feat accomplished only by Brazil, Belgium, and France.
1930 World Cup
In the 1930 World Cup, Romania won their first match 3–1 against Peru, with goalkeepers Adelbert Desu, Constantin Stanco, Nicolae Kovacs, and Samuel Zauber, before defeating the hosts and eventual winners Uruguay 4 Defeated by -0.
Romania qualified for the next World Cup in 1934, defeating Yugoslavia 2–1 in their first international match. In the final, Romania played only one game in a new knockout format, losing 2–1 to Czechoslovakia in Trieste, Italy, with Ștefan Dobay scoring his only goal of the tournament.
1938 World Cup
Romania qualified for the 1938 World Cup by default after their qualifying playoff opponents Egypt withdrew. They suffered a surprise defeat in the final in France, losing to Cuba, who, like Romania, had only qualified due to the withdrawal of their qualifying rivals, the United States. The first match at the Stade du T.O.E.C. ended 3–3 after extra time in Toulouse, but Cuba won the replay 2–1 four days later.
1970 World Cup
Despite a 3–0 defeat by Portugal in Lisbon and two incredible draws against unseeded Greece, Romania managed to qualify for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Angelo Niccolescu’s promising side was drawn in the toughest of Group 3 with England, giants Brazil and Czechoslovakia.
Geoff Hurst’s goal in the first leg at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara gave England a narrow victory in the first leg in Romania. Chances improved with a 2-1 win over the Czechs. Despite going behind early through a goal from Ladislau Petras, Romania turned it around after half-time with goals from Alexandre Nego and Floria Dumitrach giving them two vital points. Even then, only a win against the formidable Brazilians would see them through to the quarter-finals.
Main History
There were rumors before the match that Brazil might prefer Romania over world champions England for promotion. Despite beating them 1-0 in their previous match in Guadalajara, the South American giants still see England as their biggest obstacle to victory in the tournament.
But Brazil played some of the best football in the competition, with Pele scoring twice and Jerezinho in between. Romania fought bravely; Domitrach pulled the score back to 2-1 before the break and a late Emmerich Dembrowski goal made it 3-2, but they were out.
2018 FIFA World Cup
For the qualification round, Romania was draw into Group E, in Pot 1 for the first time in a long time. Romania’s two strongest rivals are Denmark and Poland. His other opponents are Montenegro, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. The qualifying campaign began with a 1–1 home draw against Montenegro followed by a 0–5 defeat against Armenia. In the next match, Romania held another draw (0–0) against Kazakhstan.
The last match played in 2016 was a 0–3 defeat against Poland, in which Robert Lewandowski scored a double. After an uninspiring campaign, Romania finished fourth in Group E with 13 points. After 8 out of 10 games, due to poor performances, coach Christophe Daum was fire and replaced by a promising new coach, Kosmin Kontra. Romania Football History.
UEFA Euro 2020
Romania was draw in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying alongside Malta and the Faroe Islands in a group. Including the national teams of Spain, Sweden, and Norway. In the opening game, Romania lost 1–2 to Sweden. This was follow by an easy 4-1 victory over the Faroe Islands and a 2-2 draw with Norway in Oslo, two wins. Against Malta, and a 1-2 defeat at home to Spain.
In the end, Romania went on to beat the Faroe Islands 3-0. But was later held to a disappointing 1-1 draw with Norway. This significantly reduced their chances of automatic qualification. As they had to meet strong Swedish and Spanish teams for the remaining two competitive games. A 0-2 home defeat to Sweden ensured Romania missed out on the automatic qualification places.
Romania eventually qualified for the playoffs, but their performance cost Cosmin Contra their coaching position. As he was sacked before the play-offs. And Romania lost 1–2 to Iceland and was eliminate from UEFA Euro 2020. Romania Football History.
FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
For the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Romania was draw in UEFA Group J. Along with Germany, Armenia, North Macedonia, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.[8] Romania failed to qualify, and the group I finished third. For more details click here