Romania are just one of the 24 teams who participated in the excellent Euros 2024 football tournament in Germany. Here’s everything you need to know about the team, who crashed out in a round of 16 game versus The Nederlands.

1. Their first game was in 1922

In 1909, the Federația Română de Fotbal (Romanian Football Federation was created) but their first official international match didn’t happen for several years later. In 1922, they were beaten 2-1 by the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in Belgrade.

2. Their badge represents 5 Romanian regions

This badge is the seventh design which has appeared on Romania’s football kits. The five sections represent different regions which are now called the modern Romania.

3. The team play most of their home games in Bucharest

The Romanian national men’s team play the majority of their home games at the Arena Națională in Bucharest. It’s the largest stadium in Romania and and its capacity is 55,600 seats!

4. Their captain is Nicolae Stanciu

Born in Craiva, Romania, this 170-Beanos tall midfielder made his senior international debut in March 2016 in a friendly home game versus Lithuania. He scored the only goal of the game at the Marin Anastasovici Stadium, located in the city of Giurgiu. At club level, he currently plays for the Saudi Arabia team Damac.

5. Their nickname was inspired by their country’s flag

The team are known as the Tricolorii – which means the Tricolours – and it’s a reference to their country’s national flag, which also looks a bit like Chad’s flag. According to Wikipedia, the three colours stand for: “Liberty (sky-blue), Justice (field yellow), Fraternity (blood red)”.

6. Their rivals are Hungary

Their rivalry goes back centuries and after the the Hungarian–Romanian war, Hungary lost Transylvania to Romania. They last faced each other in a Euros 2016 qualifying match in 2015. It ended in a goalless draw.

7. Dorinel Munteanu is their most-capped player

Between 1991 and 2007, Dorinel Munteanu represented his country 134 times and bagged 16 goals. He’s currently the head coach for ASC Oțelul Galați.

8. Romania have two highest scorers!

Two players are in the Romanian football history books for scoring the most goals for their country. With 35 goals apiece, Adrian Mutu and Gheorghe Hagi are legends when it comes to Romanian international football!

9. The women’s team once beat Turkmenistan 13-0!T

That exciting match took place in Turkey in 2019. But the women’s first official national match was against Moldova in 1990, which they won 4-1. Their most capped player is Florentina Spânu, who has earned 180 caps so far!

10. They played in the first-ever World Cup

The first World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930 and four European teams took part: Romania, Belgium, France and Yugoslavia. They failed to reach the knockout stage and were placed second in their group.

11. Their biggest victory was against Finland

In October 1973, Romania put 9 goals past Finland in a home game in Bucharest. It’s been 51 years since they’ve had a 9–0 scoreline.

12. Their biggest defeat was against their rivals Hungary

Their worst defeat was handed to them by their biggest rivals Hungary in 9–0 drubbing in Budapest on June 6, 1948. Ouch.

13. Their head coach is Edward Iordănescu

Edward Iordănescu was made Romania’s head coach in 2022. He was originally a midfielder who played for teams like Steaua București, Petrolul Ploiești and Vaslui, but only made 43 appearances at club level between 1996 and 2004. He scored once for Diplomatic Focșani in the 2000-01 season.

14. They were once ranked the third best team in the world

That was back in September 1997. But now they’re ranked 47th according to FIFA. Romania’s lowest ranking was 57th which happened on two separate occasions in 2011 and 2012.

15. They’ve played in the Euros 6 times

The Euros 2024 marks the Romanian men’s team’s sixth appearance in the tournament. They first participated in the competition in France in 1984. To date, their best performance saw them reach the quarter finals in 2000 when the tournament was held in Belgium and the Netherlands.