Chivu urges calm amid Dutch storm

Captain Cristian Chivu is eager not to put "too big an emphasis" on Saturday's game against the Netherlands as Romania continue to dream of UEFA EURO 2008™.

Heavyweight contest
Top of Group G, level on points with the Netherlands in second place, Romania can massively boost their qualifying chances with a win in Constanta, but the left-back – 27 next week – refuses to get carried away. "We don't want to put too big an emphasis on this match," said the FC Internazionale Milano player.

'Prove it'
"Of course, it is a very important game because if we win, our qualifying prospects would increase hugely," he added. "But be sure that nobody is forgetting the matches to come against Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Albania. There are nine points available there. But you don't pick up points without playing – you have to prove you deserve the points."

Maturity
Chivu does, however, believe that his side deserve to travel to Austria/Switzerland next summer. He describes Romania as "a very good team with skilful and highly talented players who have confirmed, with results over the last two years, that we have reached a new level of maturity." A place at a first final tournament since UEFA EURO 2000™ is long overdue.

Generation game
The former AFC Ajax and AS Roma man continued: "We all understand what football at the highest level means – the expectations of the fans, media and everyone involved, and the sacrifices that we as players have to make in order to achieve something. Getting to UEFA EURO 2008™ would a big achievement for us because qualification would represent the success of an entire generation."

Worthy leader
Players such as Chivu, Cosmin Contra, Bogdan Lobont, Adrian Mutu, Laurentiu Rosu and Răzvan Raţ have arguably under-performed at international level given their club careers. Should they reach the finals, Chivu feels credit will be due to coach Victor Piturca – "an extraordinary tactician" – who also led Romania in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2000™. But first, Piturca's skills will be stretched to the limit when Marco van Basten's Netherlands come calling. Chivu's tip: Don't bet against him.