Romania national under-21 football team

Last updated

Romania Under-21
Nickname(s) Tricolorii Mici (The Small Tricolours)
Association Romanian Football Federation (FRF)
Head coach Daniel Pancu
Captain Louis Munteanu
Most caps Alexandru Pașcanu (29)
Top scorer George Pușcaș (18)
Home stadiumVarious
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First colours
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Kit left arm.svg
Kit body rou23A.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm rou23a.png
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Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
Kit left arm rou23t.png
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Third colours
Biggest win
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 0–5 Romania  Flag of Romania.svg
(Yerevan, Armenia; 16 November 2004)
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 0–5 Romania  Flag of Romania.svg
(Trabzon, Turkey; 25 April 1995)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 8–0 Romania  Flag of Romania.svg
(Magdeburg, Germany; 9 September 2014)
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances4 (first in 1998 )
Best resultSemi-finals (2019)

The Romania national under-21 football team, also known as Romania under-21s or Romania U21(s), is considered to be the feeder team for the Romania national football team.

Contents

This team is for Romanian players aged under 21 at the start of the calendar year in which a two-year European Under-21 Championship campaign begins, so some players can remain with the squad until the age of 23. As long as they are eligible, players can play for Romania at any level, making it possible to play for the U21s, senior side, and again for the U21s. It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (providing the player has not played a senior competitive game in his previous country.)

History

The U-21 team came into existence, following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions, in 1976. Romania qualified for the 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, and under Victor Pițurcă reached the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by the Netherlands. Romania had been 1–0 up, but were eventually beaten 2–1. The Romanian lineup included players like: Cosmin Contra, Bogdan Lobonț, Cătălin Munteanu, Ionel Dănciulescu and Ion Luțu.

Romania once again qualified unbeaten for the finals after topping their group in the qualifying series. The Romanians reached semi-final of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship for the first time in their history in the 2019 UEFA Under-21 Euro but eventually lost 4–2 to defending champions Germany who scored twice in the dying moments. Romania qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics for their first Olympics since 1964. Overall, Romania was a revelation at the tournament, beating both England and Croatia (4-2 and 4–1), and looked on course for a shock before Germany fought back to make the final.

Romania U21s do not have a permanent home. They play in stadia dotted all around Romania, in an attempt to encourage younger fans in all areas of the country to get behind Romania. Because of the lower demand compared to the senior national team, smaller grounds can be used.

Competitive record

UEFA U-21 Championship Record

UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship record UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification record
YearRoundPldWD*LGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1978 did not qualify410358
1980 420273
1982 6213912
1984 6213812
1986 614157
1988 630377
1990 630387
1992 620459
Flag of France.svg 1994 85031310
Flag of Spain.svg 1996 104421710
Flag of Romania.svg 1998 Quarter-finals3003258800184
Flag of Slovakia.svg 2000 did not qualify8332108
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg 2002 8512135
Flag of Germany.svg 2004 821567
Flag of Portugal.svg 2006 10613178
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2007 210145
Flag of Sweden.svg 2009 8431113
Flag of Denmark.svg 2011 10811236
Flag of Israel.svg 2013 8422116
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg 2015 83321419
Flag of Poland.svg 2017 105141514
Flag of Italy.svg Flag of San Marino.svg 2019 Semi-finals421110710730194
Flag of Hungary.svg Flag of Slovenia.svg 2021 Group stage31203210622227
Flag of Romania.svg Flag of Georgia.svg 2023 301204Qualified as hosts
Flag of Slovakia.svg 2025 000000107122310
Total5/25133461518170943254291191

Olympic Games

Football at the Summer Olympics was first played officially in 1908. The Olympiads between 1896 and 1980 was only open for amateur players. The 1984 and 1988 tournaments were open to players with no appearances in the FIFA World Cup. After the 1988 Olympics, the football event was changed into a tournament for U23 or U21 teams with a maximum of three older players. See Romania national football team for competition record from 1908 until 1988.

Olympic Games record Olympic Games Qualification record **
YearRoundPositionPldWD *LGFGAPldWDLGFGA
Flag of Spain.svg 1992 did not qualify620459
Flag of the United States.svg 1996 104421710
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2000 8332108
Flag of Greece.svg 2004 821567
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2008 210145
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2012 10811236
Flag of Brazil.svg 2016 83321419
Flag of Japan.svg 2020 Group Stage11th311147149412911
Flag of France.svg 2024 did not qualify301204
Flag of the United States.svg 2028 to be determined000000
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Includes both qualification phase and final tournament of UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.
***Gold background color indicates that the tournament was won. Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

EURO 2025

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Romania.svgFlag of Finland.svgFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svgFlag of Albania.svgFlag of Montenegro.svgFlag of Armenia.svg
1Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 107122310+1322 Final tournament 1–0 3–1 5–0 1–0 2–0
2Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 10622218+1320 Play-offs 2–0 1–2 4–1 2–1 6–0
3Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 105322112+918 2–2 1–1 1–2 4–2 5–0
4Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 105141217516 3–2 0–0 1–3 2–0 1–0
5Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 10217819117 2–6 1–2 0–2 1–0 0–0
6Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 10028221192 0–1 1–3 0–0 1–2 0–1
Source: UEFA

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of matches in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win  Draw  Lose  Fixture

2024

6 September 2024 (2024-9-6) 2025 UEFA Q Romania  Flag of Romania.svg1–0Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro Târgoviște, Romania
18:30 (19:30 EEST)
  • Munteanu Soccerball shade.svg8'
Report Stadium: Eugen Popescu Stadium
Referee: David Dickinson, (Scotland)
10 September 2024 (2024-9-10) 2025 UEFA Q Finland  Flag of Finland.svg2–0Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Tampere, Finland
16.00 UTC Report Stadium: Tammelan Stadion
Attendance: 2,014
Referee: Kristoffer Hagenes, (Norway)
11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) 2025 UEFA Q Montenegro  Flag of Montenegro.svg2–6Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Podgorica, Montenegro
16:00 Report
Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium
Referee: Jérémie Pignard (France)
15 October 2024 (2024-10-15) 2025 UEFA Q Romania  Flag of Romania.svg3–1Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Bucharest, Romania
18:00 (19:00 EEST)
Report
Stadium: Stadionul Rapid-Giulești
Referee: Marc Nagtegaal (Netherlands)

2025

21 March 2025 (2025-3-21) Friendly Portugal  Flag of Portugal.svg0–1Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
20:30
Stadium: Estádio Municipal 22 de Junho
25 March 2025 (2025-3-25) Friendly Romania  Flag of Romania.svg0–2Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Bucharest, Romania
19:30 Report
Stadium: Arcul de Triumf Stadium
11 June 2025 (2025-06-11) 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group stage Italy  Flag of Italy.svgvFlag of Romania.svg  Romania Trnava, Slovakia
21:00 Report Stadium: Anton Malatinský Stadium
14 June 2025 (2025-06-14) 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group stage Spain  Flag of Spain.svgvFlag of Romania.svg  Romania Bratislava, Slovakia
18:00 Report Stadium: Tehelné pole
17 June 2025 (2025-06-17) 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group stage Romania  Flag of Romania.svgvFlag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia Bratislava, Slovakia
21:00 Report Stadium: Tehelné pole
5 September 2025 (2025-9-5) 2027 UEFA Q Romania  Flag of Romania.svgvFlag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo
9 September 2025 (2025-9-9) 2027 UEFA Q San Marino  Flag of San Marino.svgvFlag of Romania.svg  Romania
14 October 2025 (2025-10-14) 2027 UEFA Q Romania  Flag of Romania.svgvFlag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus
14 November 2025 (2025-11-14) 2027 UEFA Q Finland  Flag of Finland.svgvFlag of Romania.svg  Romania
18 November 2025 (2025-11-18) 2027 UEFA Q Romania  Flag of Romania.svgvFlag of Spain.svg  Spain

2026

27 March 2026 (2026-03-27) 2027 UEFA Q Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svgvFlag of Romania.svg  Romania
31 March 2026 (2026-3-31) 2027 UEFA Q Romania  Flag of Romania.svgvFlag of San Marino.svg  San Marino
25 September 2026 (2026-9-25) 2027 UEFA Q Cyprus  Flag of Cyprus.svgvFlag of Romania.svg  Romania
30 September 2026 (2026-9-30) 2027 UEFA Q Romania  Flag of Romania.svgvFlag of Finland.svg  Finland
6 October 2026 (2026-10-6) 2027 UEFA Q Spain  Flag of Spain.svgvFlag of Romania.svg  Romania

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Portugal and Netherlands on 21 and 25 March 2025 respectively. [1]

Note: Names in italics denote players that have been called up to the senior team.

Caps and goals are correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against Netherlands

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11 GK Otto Hindrich (2002-08-02) 2 August 2002 (age 22)30 Flag of Romania.svg CFR Cluj
231 GK Alexandru Roșca (2003-11-12) 12 November 2003 (age 21)10 Flag of Romania.svg Dinamo București
121 GK Vlad Răfăilă (2005-02-17) 17 February 2005 (age 20)00 Flag of Italy.svg Lecce

32 DF Cristian Ignat (2003-01-29) 29 January 2003 (age 22)110 Flag of Romania.svg Rapid București
132 DF Andrei Borza (2005-11-12) 12 November 2005 (age 19)101 Flag of Romania.svg Rapid București
62 DF Matei Ilie (2002-12-11) 11 December 2002 (age 22)82 Flag of Romania.svg CFR Cluj
52 DF Ümit Akdağ (2003-10-06) 6 October 2003 (age 21)61 Flag of France.svg Toulouse
162 DF Darius Oroian (2003-08-01) 1 August 2003 (age 21)30 Flag of Romania.svg Sepsi OSK
42 DF Dan Sîrbu (2003-04-22) 22 April 2003 (age 21)30 Flag of Romania.svg Farul Constanța
22 DF Matteo Duțu (2005-11-23) 23 November 2005 (age 19)20 Flag of Italy.svg Milan Futuro
182 DF Robert Bădescu (2005-04-02) 2 April 2005 (age 19)00 Flag of Romania.svg Rapid București

83 MF Constantin Grameni (2002-10-23) 23 October 2002 (age 22)193 Flag of Romania.svg Rapid București
173 MF Marius Corbu (2002-05-07) 7 May 2002 (age 22)171 Flag of Cyprus.svg APOEL
73 MF Ianis Stoica (2002-12-08) 8 December 2002 (age 22)143 Flag of Romania.svg Hermannstadt
113 MF Ștefan Baiaram (2002-12-31) 31 December 2002 (age 22)142 Flag of Romania.svg Universitatea Craiova
193 MF Rareș Ilie (2003-04-19) 19 April 2003 (age 21)123 Flag of Italy.svg Catanzaro
203 MF Ovidiu Perianu (2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 (age 22)70 Flag of Romania.svg Unirea Slobozia
103 MF Cătălin Cîrjan (2002-12-01) 1 December 2002 (age 22)50 Flag of Romania.svg Dinamo București
213 MF Cristian Mihai (2004-09-23) 23 September 2004 (age 20)32 Flag of Romania.svg UTA Arad
223 MF Alexandru Musi (2004-07-17) 17 July 2004 (age 20)30 Flag of Romania.svg FCSB
153 MF Andrei Gheorghiță (2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 22)20 Flag of Romania.svg FCSB

94 FW Louis Munteanu (captain) (2002-06-16) 16 June 2002 (age 22)175 Flag of Romania.svg CFR Cluj
144 FW Ionuț Cojocaru (2003-07-26) 26 July 2003 (age 21)20 Flag of Romania.svg Farul Constanța

Recent call-ups

Players born in or after 2002 are eligible for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

The following players have also been called up in the past to the Romania under-21 squad and remain eligible to play in the qualification matches for 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship:

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GK Răzvan Sava (2002-06-21) 21 June 2002 (age 22)100 Flag of Italy.svg Udinese v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
GK Robert Popa (2003-03-05) 5 March 2003 (age 22)10 Flag of Romania.svg FC U Craiova v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
GK Alexandru Borbei (2003-06-27) 27 June 2003 (age 21)00 Flag of Romania.svg CFR Cluj v. Flag of Albania.svg  Albania, 12 September 2023

DF Costin Amzăr INJ (2003-07-11) 11 July 2003 (age 21)40 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Nasr v. Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands, 25 March 2025
DF Alexandru Pantea (2003-09-11) 11 September 2003 (age 21)120 Flag of Romania.svg FCSB v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
DF Gabriel Dănuleasă (2003-05-08) 8 May 2003 (age 21)30 Flag of Romania.svg Afumați v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
DF David Maftei (2004-07-12) 12 July 2004 (age 20)20 Flag of Romania.svg Oțelul Galați v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
DF Cristian Licsandru (2003-03-27) 27 March 2003 (age 22)00 Flag of Romania.svg Dinamo București v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
DF Tony Strata (2004-09-07) 7 September 2004 (age 20)20 Flag of France.svg Ajaccio v. Flag of Finland.svg  Finland, 10 September 2024
DF Bogdan Oteliță (2002-08-12) 12 August 2002 (age 22)20 Flag of Romania.svg Sepsi OSK v. Flag of Finland.svg  Finland, 10 September 2024
DF Ștefan Ștefanovici (2002-02-20) 20 February 2002 (age 23)10 Flag of Romania.svg Politehnica Iași v. Flag of Finland.svg  Finland, 10 September 2024
DF Ștefan Duțu (2004-02-16) 16 February 2004 (age 21)00 Flag of Romania.svg Afumați v. Flag of Finland.svg  Finland, 10 September 2024
DF Sergiu Rimovecz (2003-07-29) 29 July 2003 (age 21)00 Flag of Romania.svg CSM Reșița v. Flag of Finland.svg  Finland, 10 September 2024
DF Răzvan Pașcalău (2004-05-05) 5 May 2004 (age 20)00 Flag of Romania.svg Dinamo București v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, November 21, 2023
DF Gabriel Buta (2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 23)00 Flag of Romania.svg Farul Constanța v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, November 21, 2023
DF Radu Drăgușin (2002-02-03) 3 February 2002 (age 23)90 Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur v. Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands, 27 September 2022
DF Andrei Coubiș (2003-09-29) 29 September 2003 (age 21)10 Flag of Italy.svg Milan Futuro v. Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands, 27 September 2022
DF Daniel Bîrzu (2002-05-28) 28 May 2002 (age 22)10 Flag of Romania.svg Dunărea Călărași v. Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia, 7 June 2022

MF Octavian Popescu (2002-12-27) 27 December 2002 (age 22)152 Flag of Romania.svg FCSB v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
MF Cătălin Vulturar (2004-03-09) 9 March 2004 (age 21)81 Flag of Romania.svg Rapid București v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
MF Mihnea Rădulescu (2005-09-17) 17 September 2005 (age 19)21 Flag of Romania.svg Petrolul Ploiești v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
MF Robert Silaghi (2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 (age 22)20 Flag of Romania.svg Universitatea Cluj v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
MF Rareș Pop (2005-06-14) 14 June 2005 (age 19)30 Flag of Romania.svg Rapid București v. Flag of Finland.svg  Finland, 10 September 2024
MF Andrei Bani (2002-08-22) 22 August 2002 (age 22)20 Flag of Romania.svg Oțelul Galați v. Flag of Finland.svg  Finland, 10 September 2024
MF Luca Mihai (2003-10-11) 11 October 2003 (age 21)10 Flag of Romania.svg Gloria Buzău v. Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia, 26 March 2024
MF Andrei Pandele (2003-07-09) 9 July 2003 (age 21)00 Flag of Romania.svg Voluntari v. Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia, 26 March 2024
MF Ștefan Pănoiu (2002-09-23) 23 September 2002 (age 22)10 Flag of Romania.svg Botoșani v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, November 21, 2023
MF Aurelian Ciuciulete (2003-04-04) 4 April 2003 (age 21)00 Flag of Romania.svg Concordia Chiajna v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, November 21, 2023
MF Alexi Pitu (2002-06-05) 5 June 2002 (age 22)80 Flag of France.svg Dunkerque v. Flag of Albania.svg  Albania, 12 September 2023
MF Marian Danciu (2002-04-24) 24 April 2002 (age 22)11 Flag of Romania.svg UTA Arad v. Flag of Albania.svg  Albania, 12 September 2023
MF Robert Filip (2002-03-02) 2 March 2002 (age 23)10 Flag of Romania.svg Botoșani v. Flag of Albania.svg  Albania, 12 September 2023

FW Vladislav Blănuță (2002-01-12) 12 January 2002 (age 23)50 Flag of Romania.svg Universitatea Cluj v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, 15 October 2024
FW Rareș Burnete (2004-01-31) 31 January 2004 (age 21)30 Flag of Italy.svg Lecce v. Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia, 26 March 2024
FW Adrian Mazilu (2005-09-13) 13 September 2005 (age 19)70 Flag of England.svg Brighton & Hove Albion v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, November 21, 2023
FW Filip Ilie (2002-07-05) 5 July 2002 (age 22)10 Flag of Romania.svg Unirea Slobozia v. Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland, November 21, 2023
Notes

Coaching staff

RoleName
Head Coach Flag of Romania.svg Daniel Pancu
Assistant Coaches Flag of Romania.svg Lucian Sânmartean
Flag of Romania.svg Răzvan Rotaru
Goalkeeping Coach Flag of Romania.svg Răzvan Stanca
Fitness Coach Flag of Romania.svg Vlad Nicoară
Video Analyst Flag of Romania.svg Ovidiu Popescu
Doctor Flag of Romania.svg Costin Dan
Video Analyst Flag of Romania.svg Ovidiu Popescu
Physioterapists Flag of Romania.svg Constantin Crețu
Flag of Romania.svg Mădălin Tălpălaru

See also

Footnotes

    References

    1. "Lotul naționalei de tineret pentru dubla de verificare cu Portugalia și Țările de Jos" (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2025.