Romania's European Championships Record
Romania are ranked 13th in the FIFA rankings issued on February 2008. This signifies that this nation should be respected by its opponents. The Golden Era of the Romanian national football team was the 1990s, when Gheorghe Hagi formed part of the Romanian starting line-up. Euro 2008 will be Romania's fourth appearance in the European Championships. The team has qualified for the 1984, 1996 and 2000 events. The '84 and '96 were very disappointing with Romania being eliminated at the group stage. The Euro 2000 held in Belgium/Netherlands was their most successful, they reached the quarterfinal of the competition.
In the Euro 2000, Romania were favourites to be kicked around by the opposition, being drawn in an ultra-tough group containing Portugal, Germany and England. However, Romania surprised everyone by earning a draw against the Germans, losing to a late goal against Portugal, and managing a 3-2 over England with a late penalty from Ganea. Romania qualified in second place, behind Portugal. However, Romania had to play Group B winners Italy, who had won all three group stage matches, in their quarter final, which they lost 2-0.
Romania failed to qualify for Euro 2004, but did extremely well in the qualifying stage for Euro 2008. They topped a very tight group, finishing above the Netherlands (runners-up) and Bulgaria (3rd - eliminated). Romania lost just one game in qualifying, winning nine games and drawing two. Unluckily, Romania was once again drawn in the toughest group of this year's European Championship. They were drawn in Group 3, having to face Netherlands, Italy and France.