Exile ends for Romanian duo

The Romania coach, Anghel Iordanescu, has handed surprise recalls to Dennis Serban and Adrian Mihalcea in naming 17 foreign-based players for the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying match against Denmark.
 
Playing well
Serban, a right-sided midfield player, has been in good form for Spanish second division side Córdoba CF this season. The 27-year-old has 13 caps for his country but has not figured for two years. Mihalcea, who plays for Genoa 1893, has been away from the Romania set-up for 18 months. The 26-year-old forward has scored six goals in Serie B; form which could see him add to his 15 international appearances.

Late call for Reghecampf
Constantin Maldarasanu also features after three years away from the international scene. However, the Besiktas JK midfield player is unlikely to be fit for the 29 March fixture in Bucharest, prompting Iordanescu to add the 27-year-old Laurentiu Aurelian Reghecampf of FC Energie Cottbus to his original selection. Notable absentees include strikers Adrian Ilie and Viorel Moldovan.

Four more to come
Iordanescu will complete his selection by adding four players who play domestically at the end of next week. Romania are second in Group 2 with six points from three games, one behind leaders Norway. Denmark are third with four points, but have played a game less than Iordanescu's men.

Romania squad
Lobont, Stelea, Contra, Filipescu, Chivu, Gheorghe Popescu, Codrea, Maldarasanu, Dorinel Munteanu, Serban, Stoica, Pancu, Mutu, Ganea, Niculae, Mihalcea, Reghecampf.