Romania unveils 23-man Euro 2016 team
Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu trimmed down his squad and revealed Tuesday the 23-man squad that will make the trip to France.
(Courtesy: Romanian Football Federation)
"I thank all the players who participated in the training session in Italy, and the clubs to which they evolve," Iordanescu told the federation's website. I'm so sorry you had to give up five players. Together with the leadership of the Romanian Football Federation decided that these five players to be our guests during the European Championship in France "
19-year-old Andrei Ivan was one of the men left off Iordanescu's final selection, while veteran Lucian Sanmartean, 36, will be one of the oldest players headed to the continental competition.
Defenders Cosmin Moti and Razvan Rat, who will captain the team, are the only two players selected that participated in the country's last major tournament, during the European Championship in Austria-Switzerland in 2008.
Goalkeepers: Ciprian Tatarusanu (Fiorentina), Costel Pantilimon (Watford), Silviu Lung (Astra Giurgiu)
Defenders: Cristian Sapunaru (Pandurii Targu Jiu), Alexandru Matel (Dinamo Zagreb), Vlad Chiriches (Napoli), Valerica Gaman (Astra Giurgiu), Dragos Grigore (Al Sailiya), Cosmin Moti (Ludogorets Razgrad), Razvan Rat (Rayo Vallecano), Steliano Filip (Dinamo Bucharest)
Midfielders: Mihai Pintilii (Steaua Bucharest), Ovidiu Hoban (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Andrei Prepelita (Ludogorets Razgrad), Adrian Popa (Steaua Bucharest), Gabriel Torje (Osmanlispor), Alexandru Chipciu (Steaua Bucharest), Nicolae Stanciu (Steaua Bucharest), Lucian Sanmartean (Al Ittihad)
Forwards: Claudiu Keseru (Ludogorets Razgrad), Bogdan Stancu (Genclerbirligi), Florin Andone (Cordoba), Denis Alibec (Astra Giurgiu)