Late goals see off Moldova
Two goals in the last quarter of an hour gave Romania a 2-0 win over Moldova in their friendly international on Wednesday. Rapid Bucharest striker Ionut Mazilu scored his first goal for the national team after 75 minutes while Fiorentina forward Adrian Mutu headed home his 22nd goal in his 50th international three minutes from time. Victor Piturca's side had found it difficult to break down a strong Moldova rearguard before the second-half introduction of Mazilu, in what was the final game to be played at the "National-Lia Manoliu Stadium" before it is demolished for reconstruction. Romania met Moldova in a hastily-arranged match after their scheduled friendly against Italy was cancelled following the ban imposed by Italian authorities after the death of a policeman in Catania last week. Romania meet the Netherlands in their next Euro 2008 Group G qualifier on March 24 while Moldova face Malta in a Group C game.

Netherlands held by Romania
The result keeps Marco van Basten's side three points clear of Romania at the summit of the group, but they have played a game more than their opponents. Van Basten was able to call upon the services of Arjen Robben, who had recovered from a knee injury, and the Chelsea man partnered sought-after Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in attack. But it was the visitors who looked most threatening in the early stages and they twice went close to opening the scoring. Firstly, Dorin Goian's header from the edge of the penalty area arrowed narrowly past the post, while Ciprian Marica saw his crisp drive from 15 yards tipped around the post by Maarten Stekelenburg, who replaced the injured Edwin van der Sar in goal. Romania were dominant in the opening 10 minutes and they went close again when Adrian Mutu's powerful long-range drive was well saved by the athletic Stekelenburg. It was all Romania and only a smart save from Stekelenburg denied Goian giving his side the lead their enterprising play deserved after 20 minutes. The pressure from Romania was relentless and both Paul Codrea and Marica saw efforts fly just past Stekelenburg's post as they tried in vain to find the opening goal of the game. Netherlands had to wait until seven minutes before the break for their first real sight of goal and it came from the left boot of midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. The Hamburg player unleashed a stinging drive from 20 yards that was well saved by Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont, but, in truth, Holland's limp first-half display did not deserve a goal. Romania started the second half in the same fashion they had begun the first and Fiorentina striker Mutu saw his fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area fly narrowly over Stekelenburg's crossbar. Netherlands threatened through Robben and Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the second half, but they were unable to find a way past a solid Romania backline which was expertly marshalled by Goian.

Romania cruise past Luxembourg
Romania maintained their push for a place at UEFA EURO 2008T with a comfortable victory against bottom team Luxembourg in Group G. Adrian Mutu gave the hosts a first-half lead and goals after the break from Cosmin Contra and Ciprian Marica completed a routine success. The win rounded off a good few days for the Romanians after their goalless draw in the Netherlands, while Luxembourg remain without a point in the section. AC Fiorentina forward Mutu was a constant thorn in Luxembourg's side. He almost caught goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert off guard after seven minutes with a ten-metre strike, while his subsequent corner was headed narrowly past the post by Dorin Goian. Mutu drilled another shot centimetres wide of the left post, before Mirel Radoi's speculative effort from distance grazed the crossbar. It seemed only a matter of time before Romania broke the deadlock and their breakthrough came after 26 minutes when Ianis Zicu's precise cross was fired into the bottom corner by Mutu. Mutu almost added his second ten minutes later when he blazed over following another Zicu delivery, before the midfielder himself tried to get in on the act with a 20-metre volley that was cleared off the line by defender Eric Hoffmann. Romania finally doubled their advantage on 56 minutes with Contra slotting home neatly from close range. The hosts were rampant now and Joubert did well to keep out Mutu's long-distance attempt while Marica should have done better with a header that he directed wide with the goal at his mercy. Zicu had another effort blocked on the line, before substitute Marica wrapped up the points at the death with a powerful header from Goian's centre.

Romania rise to Group G summit
Romania lead UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying Group G on goal difference after a 2-1 win against Slovenia in Celje in which both sides were reduced to ten men. With the Netherlands not in action until September, Victor Piturca's side seized the whip hand in the section with Gabriel Tamas and Banel Nicolita scoring second-half. Romania's Daniel Niculae and Bostjan Cesar of Slovenia were later dismissed for professional fouls before substitute Dare Vršič volleyed a consolation goal for the home side deep into added time. The hosts produced the first meaningful chance of the opening half with Klemen Lavrič firing over from Robert Koren's cross. Adrian Mutu then put an effort too high for Romania before Nicolita tested Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovič with a long-range shot. Mutu forced the goalkeeper into action again and Handanovič then produced a great save to deny Paul Codrea from ten metres. Handanovič kept out a second Mutu effort with another fine save after 50 minutes, turning the ACF Fiorentina striker's shot round the post, but he could do little to prevent Tamas volleying the opener from ten metres two minutes later. The goalkeeper pushed another Mutu shot round the post on 56 minutes but Nicolita made it 2-0 13 minutes later with a low shot from close range. Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont was called into serious action for the first time in the 73rd minute to tip a Lavrič effort round the post before Cesar and Niculae both saw red. Vršič's last-gasp consolation came too late for Slovenia. The two sides meet again on Wednesday in Timisoara with Romania looking to move three points clear at the top of the section.

Mutu fires Romania to top spot
Adrian Mutu was at his scheming best as Romania completed back-to-back victories against Slovenia in Timisoara to move two points clear at the Group G summit. Victor Piturca's team had been forced to wait until seven minutes into the second half before breaking the deadlock in the reverse UEFA EURO 2008T fixture on Saturday and history looked to be repeating itself as Romania were initially kept at bay. Mutu eventually made the breakthrough five minutes before half-time, though, rising virtually unchallenged to head in Paul Codrea's pinpoint cross. It was little more than the home side's dominance deserved, yet it was not until 20 minutes from time that Cosmin Contra sealed the win, meeting Mutu's corner and beating Samir Handanovič with an exquisite volley. It secured a victory that always seemed on the cards when, with the first whistle still reverberating, Mutu was sent clear. Handanovič did well to parry the ACF Fiorentina forward's half-volley but Slovenia were all at sea and Mutu should have scored 60 seconds later when he failed to connect with Florentin Petre's low cross. The visitors slowly began to gain a foothold yet this would prove a false dawn as Romania stepped up a gear on the half-hour. Dorin Goian missed a fine chance when he contrived to direct a point-blank header against the crossbar before Mutu finally ended Slovenia's resistance. The goal caused extravagant dancing on the Romania bench, which might have become more energetic had Handanovič not kept out efforts from Ciprian Marica and Ianis Zicu soon after. Andrej Komac squandered a decent opportunity at the other end following the restart, but Slovenia never seriously threatened an equaliser and Contra rubber-stamped the win in style.

Romania beats Turkey 2-0 in friendly game
The Romanian national football team won Wednesday's friendly game against Turkey, score 2-0 (0-0 at half time), played on the National stadium within the "Lia Manoliu" Sports Center. The goals were scored by Nicolae Dica in the 61st minute and Mutu in the 71st minute. Turkey was close to opening the score in the 5th minute, with Arda's 22 meter effort beating Romanian goal-keeper Bogdan Lobont only to hit the crossbar. In the 62nd minute Ciprian Marica penetrated the enemy box and his right-cross was pushed in by Dica from 4 meters to put Romania in the lead. Adrian Mutu made it 2-0 in the 71st minute. Dorinel Munteanu's long cross found Marica who sent the ball forward to Mutu in the box, the latter breaking away from Volkan's marking and scoring. The game was refereed by German Markus Merk, aided by his fellow national assistant referees Matthias Anklam and Holger Henschel. Alexandru Tudor was the reserve referee. The Wednesday's game was Mutu's 55th game in Romania's national team and his goal was the 25th he scored for Romania. here were only 12.000 fans in attendance, and the stadium was almost empty, with only a few hundred people inside a few minutes before the kick-off.
Terim apologizes for Turkey's poor performance in friendly with Romania
Fatih Terim, Turkey's coach, apologized Wednesday evening for his team's poor game in the friendly Turkey lost 0-2 in Bucharest, "Aksam" daily informs. "Romania is a strong team. A large number of its players are part of important European clubs. Anyway, it is a team we haven't beaten in 42 years. However, all these facts should not be an excuse", Terim added.

Mutu double keeps Romania rolling
Adrian Mutu scored twice as Romania won in Belarus to strengthen their lead in UEFA EURO 2008T qualifying Group G. One of three unbeaten teams in the section at kick-off, Romania were hoping to consolidate first place as they will sit out Wednesday's fixtures. Mutu opened the scoring 16 minutes in and although Maksim Romashchenko equalised, Nicolae Dica struck before the break and the ACF Fiorentina forward confirmed the victory late on from the penalty spot. If it was a slow start to the game, it burst into life on the quarter-hour when Romashchenko fired over the bar. Seconds later Romania were celebrating after a swift attack was finished off by Mutu into the bottom left-hand corner. Belarus responded with Vladimir Korythko shooting wide and they were soon level: Aleksandr Hleb setting up Romashchenko to shoot in. Romania reacted well, Mutu forcing Vasili Khomutovski into a smart save and the No10 went close again just before the half-hour. Cristian Chivu also threatened a goal but it was Dica who restored the advantage on 42 minutes when he headed in Petre Marin's right-wing cross. Belarus began the second half well with Romashchenko's effort being blocked by Marin while, on 64 minutes, a Timofei Kalachev attempt produced a fine parry from Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont. Sensing they were losing their grip on proceedings, Romania upped the tempo and Mutu's header was kept out by Khomutovski, who then watched a Paul Codrea shot fly wide. Mutu was again frustrated by the goalkeeper on 73 minutes but not long afterwards he was brought down by Khomutovski and picked himself up to convert the resulting penalty. Romania are now well-placed for the 13 October visit of the Netherlands while Belarus, in fifth, go to Slovenia on Wednesday.

Germany took revenge, defeating Romania 3-1
The Romanian national football team lost in Köln on Wednesday the friendly game against Germany. Goian scored Romania's goal in the 4th minute, with Schneider, Odonkor and Podolski scoring for the hosts in the 42nd, 66th and 83rd minutes. The defeat in the game against Germany is Romania's first after a series of 14 games. Dorinel Munteanu, the record holder of games played for the national team, registered his 134th game for Romania. Joachim Löw, the coach of the German side, offered a short analysis of the friendly against Romania: "We were much too passive in the first half, we lacked rhythm, especially when faced with a player like Mutu. In the game's second half we were completely different. We have a team of young players that have the urge to play and move ahead". Crisitan Chivu, the Romanian captain, dislocated his left shoulder during the game's first half and according to Victor Piturca the player risks missing the game with the Netherlands scheduled on October 13. "Chivu's injury is very serious, he dislocated his shoulder. I don't know how long he would be advised to stay away from the pitch. It's painful that we lost a very important player that started the game very well on his central midfielder post. The risk is that he could miss the game against the Netherlands", Piturca stated for TVR 1 after the game's final whistle. Ovidiu Petre substituted Chivu in the 23rd minute after the latter suffered the injury. Romania's game against the Netherlands is scheduled on October 13 in Constanta, counting for Group G in the Euro 2008 qualification stage.

Goian downs Dutch
A second-half goal from defender Dorin Goian helped Romania beat the Netherlands 1-0 in their top-of-the-table Euro 2008 Group G qualifier on Saturday. Romania, undefeated in nine qualifying matches, recorded their first-ever win against the Netherlands on a soaked field, to move three points clear of their opponents on 23 points. The Netherlands remain second on 20 points with third-placed Bulgaria, who do not play on Saturday, on 18. Romania travel to Luxembourg on Wednesday and meet Bulgaria away in November. "It is a huge step towards qualifying for next year's finals", Romania coach Victor Piturca told reporters. Goian scored from close range on 72 minutes after goalkeeper Maarten Skeletenburg deflected a headed effort from Paul Codrea. It was his third goal for Romania in the qualifying campaign and he added to his memorable game by stopping a ball on the goal line in the dying seconds. Piturca fielded a defensive line-up, hoping to counter-attack and the Dutch subsequently dominated the first half, but without creating any clear chances until the 23rd minute, when Wilfred Bouma's header from a corner hit the crossbar. The Dutch increased the pressure and five minutes later Clarence Seedorf hit a 25-yard drive, but Bogdan Lobont made a fine save. Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy wasted another opportunity ten minutes from time when he missed with a low shot from the edge of the area. "I wish to congratulate everyone, the boys were fantastic today as they had a lot to suffer, especially in the first half", Piturca said.

Romania qualified to Euro 2008!
Romania's football team qualified to the Euro 2008 final tournament, eight years from the last qualification. This result was due to the results registered on Wednesday's games in Group G. Romania is mathematically qualified to the Euro 2008 tournament after winning 2-0 in the away game against Luxembourg, while Bulgaria drew 1-1 in its away game against Albania. The Netherlands defeated Slovenia 2-0. Following these results, Romania ranks seven points ahead of Bulgaria, the latter ranking 3rd in the Group with only 6 points put up for grabs in the Group's final two legs. In those games Bulgaria will face Piturca's Romania on November 17 and Slovenia in an away game scheduled for November 21. Coach Victor Piturca registered his second qualification with the national team after a similar performance in 1999. Romania registered 7 wins and 3 draws in Group G, scoring 25 goals while receiving only 3. Like eight years ago, Romania has obtained the qualification while undefeated in the preliminary games and it tops Group G with 26 points, with the Netherlands (23 points) and Bulgaria (19 points) trailing behind. Romanian players have stated on Wednesday that their generation deserved a qualification to the final tournament, captain Cristian Chivu mentioning that his teammates have sweated on the pitch for seven years in order to ensure their presence in such a tournament. "We deserve this qualification, there are seven years since we last qualified, we don't even know how to enjoy it properly anymore. I offer this qualification to all those that have been by our side", Chivu stated, adding that compared to Bulgaria, Romania has "more composure and more intelligence in the game". Striker Adrian Mutu has stated during a TV show that he doesn't know how to properly enjoy the qualification to the final European tournament hosted by Switzerland and Austria in 2008. Coach Victor Piturca has stated on Wednesday for TVR1 that the team's qualification to the European Tournament 2008, won with two games to go in the preliminaries, is a true performance. "We could consider that it is a real performance for us to win the qualification with two games to go before the end of the preliminaries", Piturca stated before the final whistle in the game in which Bulgaria drew 1-1 against Albania, a game that virtually sealed Romania's Euro 2008 qualification. Regarding Wednesday's game against Luxembourg, Piturca stated: "We wanted this very important victory. We were a little nervous, but it wasn't a very hard game. After you play against a valuable team like the Netherlands and put a lot of effort into it, the body feels the need to relax". The coach ruled out the possibility of using a secondary team setup in the game against Bulgaria. "Why wouldn't we go with the first team? It is very important to start our preparations for the final tournament. We are not trying to seek revenge for the draw in Constanta. That's how football is, you must expect anything from it and the Bulgarians only did their duty back then. I am not interested about media attacks, only football interests me", Piturca stated. The coach joked that he could use Cristian Chivu as striker or midfielder in the away game in Sofia.

First defeat of campaign
Velizar Dimitrov's early goal gave Bulgaria a 1-0 victory over Romania on Saturday to hand the Group G leaders their first defeat in Euro qualifying. Bulgaria moved on to 22 points, one point behind the Netherlands, but have only a slim chance of reaching next year's finals as the Dutch should make sure of progressing with Romania when they host Luxembourg later on Saturday. In front of less than 2.000 spectators at "Vasil Levski" Stadium, the home side went in front after six minutes when Martin Petrov curled in a tempting cross from the left and Dimitrov scored with a firm header. Romania replied in style as Bănel Nicoliță was put through on goal but was denied by Bulgaria goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov 10 minutes later. Ivankov did even better seven minutes before halftime when he saved Daniel Niculae's thunderous shot from the edge of the penalty area. Bulgaria started positively in the second half. Romania keeper Bogdan Lobonț parried a shot from 20 metres by Stilian Petrov after 59 minutes while Martin Petrov blasted just over the bar few minutes later. Dimitar Berbatov, searching for his 39th international goal in 60 appearances, missed a golden opportunity to double Bulgaria's advantage with 10 minutes remaining after failing to covert Hristo Yovov's precise cross from the right. Riot police were forced to intervene at halftime after Romanian fans began fighting amongst themselves.

Rampant Romania sign off in style
Romania completed their UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying campaign in style with a comprehensive victory over nine-man Albania to finish top of Group G. After taking a first-half lead through Nicolae Dică, Romania scored five goals in a 20-minute second-half spell. Gabriel Tamaș put the home side 2-0 up on 53 minutes before Debatik Curri was dismissed. Daniel Niculae added Romania's third and though substitute Edmond Kapllani pulled one back for Albania, Romania countered with further strikes from Niculae, Ciprian Marica and Dica, who registered his second from the penalty spot after Nevil Dede had been shown a second yellow card for bringing down Marica. Romania started well and their pressure told on 22 minutes when Razvan Cocis crossed from the right to Dică who converted from close range. Albania almost equalised at the beginning of the second half when Kapllani centred for Erion Bogdani, but his attempt was superbly saved by Bogdan Lobonț. Romania doubled their lead shortly after when Tamas drilled a low free-kick from 30 metres through a crowded area and into the bottom right corner. Albania's problems intensified on 61 minutes when Curri was sent off for a foul on Marica and three minutes later, before Albania could regroup, Dică chipped towards the far post where an unmarked Niculae shot powerfully into the roof of the net. Almost straight from the restart Albania gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Altin Haxhi played the ball into substitute Kapllani on the edge of the box and he turned his marker before finishing well. Romania, however, extinguished that hope in ruthless fashion on 66 minutes. Cociș broke down the right and laid the ball across for Niculae to tap in. With 19 minutes remaining, Dede impeded Răzvan Raț and Marica sent goalkeeper Arian Beqaj the wrong way to make it 5-1. Two minutes later Dede was penalised again for another foul in the area on Marica. Dede was red-carded and Dică stepped up to fire in the penalty. Romania top their group on 29 points, three above the Netherlands, as Victor Pițurcă's men progressed to their first major tournament since UEFA EURO 2000. The match was the last to be played at Bucharest's "Lia Manoliu Stadium", which will be demolished to make way for a new five-star arena to be opened in April 2010.