Romania hit by striker shortage

Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu will be without two key strikers for the UEFA EURO 2004™ home game with Denmark on 29 March, while a third is doubtful.

Key injuries
Adrian Iiie and Viorel Moldovan, are definitely out of the game in Bucharest, while a third forward, Marius Niculae, is unlikely to play. Both Ilie and Moldovan, who have each won more than 50 caps for their country and played in the FIFA World Cup finals, sustained injuries in training sessions over the weekend.

Three-week absence
Deportivo Alavés striker Ilie suffered an injury during training on Friday, and will be out of action for around three weeks having suffered a muscle rupture in his right abductors. Ilie suffered an almost-identical injury last season, but said: "It's much more serious; there is a five-millimetre rupture. I had almost recovered from my last injury, and I was going to play on Sunday against Real Sociedad."

'I will miss the Denmark game'
"I left the pitch immediately after I felt the pain," he went on. "If I had stayed, I would have missed action for at least six weeks. Unfortunately, I will miss the game versus Denmark and this hurts, too."

'Impossible to play'
Meanwhile, doctors confirmed on Sunday that FC Nantes Atlantique striker Moldovan will also be missing for three weeks having suffered a similar injury. "Maybe I would be able to recover [by] 26 March," Moldovan said. "But this would be three days before the game versus Denmark, so that, without games, it would impossible to play." Moldovan has also suffered injury problems in recent years.

Toe injury
Niculae has picked up a toe injury to his right foot and, although the injury is not thought to be serious, he will miss several games for his club Sporting Clube de Portugal and it is uncertain if he will be fit for the Denmark match.

Munteanu back in action
However, VfL Wolfsburg midfield player Dorinel Munteanu has recovered much quicker than anticipated from the back injury he suffered on 19 February, and played for his club in their 3-2 win against FC Energie Cottbus on Saturday.

Group situation
Romania are currently second in Group 2 having six points from their three games so far. Denmark are currently two points behind in third.