European Football Championship 2024: Europe is dancing: Romania is celebrating its new football heroes

A clarinet, a saxophone and a mobile sound system, that’s all you need to bring the motto of this European Championship to life. “United by Football” – the slogan shines from a huge video wall on Cologne Cathedral Square. On Saturday night, hundreds of people sang and danced there, and two Romanian musicians brought them all together. The jerseys and flags of 14 European nations could be seen in the crowd. But blue, yellow and red were the colors of that night: Romania celebrated its new football heroes.

The final celebration in the Cologne stadium belonged to the opponent. With an ultimately deserved 2-0 win against the “Tricolorii”, the Belgian team rehabilitated itself for the unexpected opening defeat against Slovakia. The Romanian moment of disappointment after the final whistle only lasted a short time – then the passionate “România” echoed through the arena, where only yellow and red could be seen in the stands. There has never been a stadium in which almost exclusively spectators wear the colors of the respective national teams at this European Championship. And because two thirds of the 43,000 seats shone in the yellow of the Romanian uniform, the losers were sent off like winners.

First win in 24 years

“I feel the joy and hope of all Romanians,” national coach Edward Iordanescu said before kick-off. The euphoria after the 3-0 win in the opening game against Ukraine could really be experienced everywhere in Cologne. It was also the first victory at a major tournament in 24 years. Romania hasn’t taken part in a World Cup since 1998; once managed to qualify for a European Championship, then it ended disappointingly in the preliminary round.

The heyday of Romanian football was a long time ago, but it is still present. The name “Hagi” echoed loudly through the Cologne stadium several times. Before every game at this European Championship, a message from former football greats to their country’s fans and team is played on the stadium’s video walls. On Saturday evening, Gheorghe Hagi sent his best wishes, but they couldn’t be heard over the noise of the fans. The living legend still outshines everything: The now 59-year-old appeared in the national jersey 125 times, played for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona and was then voted Coach of the Year three times in Romania.

New idol

Hagi’s son Ianis initially only sits on the bench against Belgium. Together with George Pușcaș, he was considered the leader of a new golden generation of football. In 2019 they made it to the semi-finals of the U21 European Championships. It remained the big promise. Pușcaș also only sits on the bench on Saturday. A Romanian colleague sits very tightly next to me and is passionately keeping both fingers crossed for kick-off. He jumps out of his seat several times during the game. Radu Drăgușin is the fans’ new idol, he tells me. Sure, the 22-year-old defender is the only one who plays for a top European club, Tottenham Hotspur in England. I learn that the 31-year-old captain Nicolae Stanciu is also very popular.

The national team’s upswing began in January 2022 – with the appointment of national coach Iordanescu. He rebuilt the team without taking big names like Hagi into account, and so only a few of his footballers have played more international matches than their coach. How strong the structure is was also demonstrated on Saturday evening. After two minutes, the big favorite takes the lead through Youri Tielemans. Just two minutes later, Drăgușin narrowly missed the equalizer and Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels had difficulty fending off his header.

New heroes

New Romanian football heroes include Valentin Mihaila and Dennis Man from the Italian second division champions Parma. Shortly after the restart, Mihaila runs alone towards Casteels, 20 minutes later Man appears free-standing in front of the Belgian keeper. Both times it doesn’t work with one hit, the finish is a bit too hesitant. The two offensive players embarrassed the Belgian defense several times this evening. The Romanian team was left unimpressed neither by the quick deficit nor by the powerful first half of Belgium, third in the world rankings. Coach Iordanescu later said proudly: “We never gave up, we were better in the second half.” The second goal ten minutes before the end by Kevin de Bruyne didn’t change that.

So there is no reason to be less optimistic going into the final group game against Slovakia. Especially the Romanians the group E be among the front runners. And that can be helpful in the most exciting and unique constellation at a European Championship so far, that Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine also have three points in their account. The support of the fans will certainly help again next Wednesday, when blue, yellow and red are the colors of the day in Frankfurt.