Today, June 24, the Ukrainian youth team will play their second group stage match of Euro-2023 (U-21). We present our opponent — the Romania U-21 team.

Romania U-21

Number of appearances in the final stages of the European Championship (U-21) — three (1998, 2019, 2021). Highest achievement — reaching the semi-finals (2019).

Squad

Goalkeepers: Andrei Gorca (“Universitatea” Cluj), Mihai Popa (“Vulcanul”), Stefan Tirnovanu (FCSB).

Defenders: Bogdan Racovican (“Racov”, Poland), Alexandru Pantia, Mihai Lixsandru (both — FCSB), Victor Dican (“Botossani”), Andrei Borza (“Farul”), Valentin Ciuca (“Petrolul”), Andres Dumitrescu (“Sepsi”).

Half-backs: Alexi Pitu (“Bordeaux”, France), Vladimir Scurciu, Alexandru Kimpunu, Alexandru Isfan (all — “Universitatea” Craiova), Dragos Albu, Vlad Pop (both — “Universitatea 1948”), David Micleasu, Octavian Popescu (both — FCSB), Adrian Mazilu (“Farul”), Claudiu Petrelea (CFR).

Forwards: Jovan Markovic (“Universitatea” Craiova), Daniel Berildja (CFR), Luis Munteanu (“Farul”).

Main Coach

The Romanian youth team is coached by local specialist Emil Sendei. The 58-year-old coach took charge of the team on August 16, 2022. Under his leadership, they have played five matches — lost three and drew two (goal difference — 1—9).

Previously, Sendei worked with Romanian clubs “Universitatea” (Craiova), “Vulcanul,” “Vaslui,” “Concordia,” “Argeș,” and “Kindia.” In 2006—2013, he also coached the Romanian U-21 national team.

Together with “Universitatea” (Craiova), he became a finalist of the Romanian Cup (1999/2000), and with “Vulcanul,” a champion of Division V in the Romanian league (2004/2005).

The main tactical formation that Sendei prefers is 4—4—2.

Leader

Currently, the leader of Romania's youth team can be considered half-back Octavian Popescu from FCSB. In 20 matches for the Romanian youth team, the 20-year-old Popescu has scored one goal. 

With FCSB, he has played in 108 games and scored seven goals. He was a finalist of the Romanian Super Cup (2020). His main positions are winger and attacking half-back. Preferred foot — right.

Octavian Popescu is the most expensive player in the current Romania U-21 squad, with a transfer value of 3.8 million euros.

Path to Euro-2023 (U-21)

The Romanian team received an automatic qualification for the final stage of Euro-2023 (U-21) as one of the hosts along with Georgia.

As a reminder, the match between Romania's and Ukraine's youth teams at Euro-2023 (U-21) will take place on June 24 in Bucharest (kick-off — 7 PM Kyiv time).