LIVE Romania – Cyprus, the last match in the League of Nations

Mircea Lucescu’s national team is first in the group of Division C of the League of Nations. He has 4 wins in 4 matches and is waiting for UEFA’s verdict regarding the match with the national team of the state of Kosovo. Most likely, a victory at the “green table”. While Cyprus is in 3rd place with 6 points, three away from the second place occupied by Kosovo.

Update, 20:40 » How the Cypriot starting line-up looks

Cyprus (4-4-2): Demetriou – Karo, Andreou, Laifis, Anderson Correia – Loizou, Spoljaric, Artymatas, Kakoulli – Tzionis, Sotiriou
reserves: Mall, Michael, Panagiotou, Shelis, Charalampous, Antoniou, Pittas, Satsias
Coach: Sofronis Avgousti

Update, 20:30 » The official team of “Il Luce”

Romania (4-2-3-1): Niță – Rațiu, Drăgușin, Pașcanu, Bancu – R. Marin, M. Marin, Olaru – I. Hagi, Bîrligea, Mihăilă
reserves: Sava, Târnovanu, Manea, Alibec, Șut, Miculescu, Burcă, Fl. Coman, Drăguș, M. Ilie, Mitriță, Sorescu
coach: Mircea Lucescu

Update, 20:20 » Those from Cyprus have also arrived

A quarter of an hour after the arrival of the “Il Luce” team, the Cypriot delegation also arrived at the stadium, the atmosphere being relaxed.

Update, 20:05 » The “Tricolors” have arrived at the stadium

Led by Radu Drăgușin, the stopper from Tottenham, the “tricolors” got off the coach, to the cheers of the supporters present at the gates. Nicolae Stanciu, absent for tonight’s game after the injury suffered against Kosovo, came on crutches to support his teammates, being also applauded by the fans at the gates. On the run, the players also signed autographs for the youngest fans.

Update, 20:00 » What history says

The first confrontation between Romania and Cyprus took place precisely on December 3, 1966, approximately 58 years ago, in the preliminaries of the 1968 European Championship. The “Tricolors” then prevailed 5-1. Mircea Dridea and Constantin Frațilă each managed a “doppietta”, and Mircea Lucescu, the current selector, scored the second goal, in the 5th minute!

All-time, 14 matches were played between Romania – Cyprus or Cyprus – Romania, the record being clearly in our favor: 11 wins and 2 draws. The only setback came in a friendly, 2–3 on 6 February 2000. Prunea – Fl. Dumitru, Mutic, Bolohan, Pompiliu Stoica – Lupescu, Hîldan, Mara – Roșu, M. Niculae – Fl. Petre was the team sent to the field then by Ienei.

Update, 19:45 » “We beat 3-0! Don’t let them leave the field either…”

With approximately two hours until the start of the game, the “heavies” of the FRF made their appearance, including Răzvan Burleanu or Mihai Stoichiță. Also, more and more supporters are making their way to the Arena’s access ways. Most of them overflow with optimism: “We beat 3-0! Don’t let them leave the field either…”

Update, 19:00 » Cold evening in Bucharest

In a bitter cold, the supporters started to populate the stands of the National Arena. With 2 hours and 45 minutes until the first whistle of the “central”, the thermometers show 0 degrees in the Capital.

Update, 18:30 » The fans are already gathering around the Arena

At these moments, supporters are already starting to fill the streets around the country’s biggest stadium. The gates of the National Arena will open at 18:45.

Around the stadium, which will be sold-out for this match as well, there is an extensive area for supporters, who can take part in various activities.

Update, 17:30 » Surprises in the starting team of “Il Luce”

Niță – Rațiu, Drăgușin, Pașcanu, Bancu – R. Marin, M. Marin, Olaru – I. Hagi, Bîrligea, Mihăilă will be Mircea Lucescu’s starting line-up for the game with Cyprus, the last in the Nations League group.

Update, 16:45 » Olaru, Bîrligea and Hagi are certainly the starters

From GSP information, Mircea Lucescu decided to start from the first minute with Darius Olaru, Daniel Bîrligea and Ianis Hagi.

The three were on the bench in the fractious match against the Kosovars, abandoned in extra time of the second half.

Around 17:00 the meeting will take place where Lucescu will finalize the final details.

Romania – Cyprus, live from 21:45

Probable teams from Romania – Cyprus:

ROMANIA (4-3-3): Niță – Rațiu, Drăgușin, Burcă, Bancu – R. Marin, M. Marin, Olaru – Hagi, Bîrligea, Mihăilă
reserves: Sava, Târnovanu, Pașcanu, Ilie, Alibec, Șut, Drăguș, Mitriță, Miculescu, Coman, Sorescu
Selector: Mircea Lucescu

CYPRUS (4-3-3): Dimetriou – Karo, Andreou, Panagitou, Malekkidis – Satsias, Artymatas, Charalampous – Loizou, Pittas, Kakoullis
reserves: Mall, Michail, Antoniou, Makris, Sielis, Sotiriou, Spoljaric, Tzionis, Correia, Laifis
coach: Sofronis Avgousti

Stadium: National Arena (Bucharest)
Referee: Luca Pairetto // Assistants: Davide Imperiale, Alessio Berti (Italy)
VAR Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni // Assistant VAR: Valerio Marini

The batch and numbers of the “tricolors” for the match with Cyprus. Ianis Hagi took over number 10

FRF has officially announced the squad for tonight’s game, as well as the numbers that each of the “tricolors” will wear. Adrian Rus was left out of the team, along with the injured Nicolae Stanciu and the suspended Dennis Man. In the captain’s absence, Ianis Hagi took over number 10.

Romania’s team for the match with Cyprus // photo: Facebook @ National team

Romania, without Nicolae Stanciu and Dennis Man

Mircea Lucescu will not be able to use captain Nicolae Stanciu, injured, and Dennis Man, suspended due to the accumulation of yellow cards, tonight.

“Il Luce” also decided who will be the third “tricolor” left out of the squad for the dispute with Cyprus. It is about the central defender Adrian Rus.

The “Tricolori” are one step away from winning the group and finishing the campaign undefeated. In addition, a positive result with Cyprus will also help the national team secure a place in the second ballot of the WC 2026 draw, which will take place on December 13.

Firstly, the players realized they had a poor game, I suspect due to the pressure to perform well to win the group. We made big, childish mistakes, we gave them the opportunity to reach the goal. I agree that we lose balls, but because of the opponent, not because of our mistakes!

I was quite upset that they didn’t find the best solutions. They tried to play individually. Kosovo presented themselves very well, they have players who play in good clubs. They controlled the game. We weren’t incisive in attack, we lost a lot of balls. Out of 300 or so I lost about 70, a lot! I was lucky with an extraordinary goalkeeper. The match ended with a draw which satisfied us.

The players also felt the pressure of a full stadium, otherwise I can’t explain it. We knew in advance that they would leave the field, they had declared at the conference.

– Mircea Lucescu, Romania selector