Romania

Coach:

Victor Piturca

Born: 08/05/56

Goalkeepers

Bogdan Lobont (Dinamo Bucharest)

Born: 18/01/78 Caps: 63 Goals: 0

Agile, calm and experienced, Lobont is a reassuring presence for his defenders. However, he is also prone to shout when needed.

Marius Popa (Poli Stiinta Timisoara)

Born: 12/04/76 Caps: 2 Goals: 0

Having been called up twelve times and left on the bench on each occasion.

Eduard Stancioiu (CFR Cluj)

Born: 03/03/81 Caps: 1 Goals: 0

A last-minute call-up to replace injured Danut Coman. Had a good season, helping his team to win both the Romanian league title and the cup.

Defenders

Sorin Ghionea (Steaua Bucharest)

Born: 11/05/79 Caps: 10 Goals: 1

The defender has enjoyed a long run of games having recovered from a serious knee injury.

Cristian Sapunaru (Rapid Bucharest)

Born: 05/04/84 Caps: 1 Goals: 0

A newcomer to the national ream.

Cosmin Moti (Getafe)

Born: 12/03/84 Caps: 2 Goals: 0

Another newcomer to the team.

Cosmin Contra (Getafe)

Born: 15/12/75 Caps: 63 Goals: 7

Scoring in both legs of Getafe's UEFA Cup quarter-final with Bayern Munich this season, Contra is the most talkative member of the squad.

Stefan Radu (Lazio)

Born: 22/10/86 Caps: 8 Goals: 0

Seen as Chivu's successor at the back, the former Dinamo Bucharest central defender and right back has now won a place in Lazio''s line-up.

Dorin Goian (Steaua Bucharest)

Born: 12/12/80 Caps: 19 Goals: 3

His height makes him an imposing presence in the box at both ends, enabling him to clear danger on the defensive and pose an attacking threat on set pieces.

Gabriel Tamas (Auxerre)

Born: 09/11/83 Caps: 32 Goals: 2

A much-travelled defender who has had spells in Turkey, Russia, Spain and France. A tough customer, Tamas is one half of Romania's first-choice central defensive partnership with Dorin Goian.

Razvan Rat (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Born: 26/05/81 Caps: 48 Goals: 1

A popular choice for Mircea Lucescu's Shakhtar Donetsk and for Romania, he considered leaving his club with the hope of a move to a western European league. He has since settled down and become a regular for Shakhtar Donetsk.

Mirel Radoi (Steaua Bucharest)

Born: 22/03/81 Caps: 43 Goals: 1

Mr Radoi can either man the defence or the midfield and has a reputation for a blistering shot from a distance. Returns to the squad after recovering from a severe knee.

Cristian Chivu (Inter)

Born: 26/10/80 Caps: 59 Goals: 3

Gheorghe Hagi's successor as Romania uncontested skipper and can fill a number of positions between defence and midfield. Skilful and determined, Chivu is also a redoubtable free-kick taker.

Midfielders

Razvan Cocis (Lokomotiv Moskow)

Born: 10/02/75 Caps: 21 Goals: 1

Has recovered after a serious injuries put him out of action for several months. Used in games where pace and a counter-attacking threat are needed.

Paul Codrea (Siena)

Born: 04/04/81 Caps: 33 Goals: 1

A regular in the qualifiers and one of Romania's strongest, Codrea has benefited from his eight seasons with Genoa, Palermo, Perugia, Torino and now Siena.

Adrian Cristea (Dinamo Bucharest)

Born: 30/11/83 Caps: 6 Goals: 0

Could be given a call-up if Piturca is looking to add an attacking midfielder to the mix.

Banel Nicolita (Steaua Bucharest)

Born: 07/01/85 Caps: 20 Goals: 1

A crowd favourite for his determination, Nicolita is an industrious winger who can man either flank.

Nicolae Dica (Steaua Bucharest)

Born: 09/05/80 Caps: 25 Goals:8

Capable of turning on a one-man show at club level.

Florentin Petre (CSKA Sofia)

Born: 15/01/76 Caps: 49 Goals: 5

The smallest member of the Romania squad, Petre is a real threat down the right wing and a important weapon in the team's counter-attacking game.

Forwards

Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina)

Born: 08/01/79 Caps: 61 Goals: 28

Mutu is a proven finisher who turns goal-maker for his team mates. As popular now with fans in Romania as Gheorghe Hagi was with an earlier generation.

Marius Niculae (Inverness Caledonian Thistle)

Born: 16/05/81 Caps: 30 Goals: 13

Has made a welcome return to the national squad after a series injuries and took his goal count into double figures this season at club level. Not one to be messed with,Mr Niculae was a national judo champion at junior level in Romania.

Daniel Niculae (AJ Auxerre)

Born: 06/10/82 Caps: 22 Goals: 5

After a difficult start to his French Ligue Un career, Mr Niculae has blossomed this season, scoring eleven league goals to steer his club clear of the danger zone.

Ciprian Marica (VFB Stuttgart)

Born: 02/10/85 Caps: 24 Goals: 8

Great at Dinamo Bucharest and Shakhtar Donetsk, he moved in 2007 to German champions Stuttgart for a fee estimated at €8 million. He has failed to impress so far in the German Bundesliga but has kept his first-choice status with Piturca at international level.