Albania target rare Romania victory
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Article summary
Albania will look to end their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign on a high note by securing a first home win against Romania in 65 years when the two sides meet in Tirana.
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![Albania's Ervin Bulku (left) and Romania's George Florescu compete in the 1-1 draw in Piatra Neamt in September 2010 Albania's Ervin Bulku (left) and Romania's George Florescu compete in the 1-1 draw in Piatra Neamt in September 2010](https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0253-0d7d3664cd89-7b0362195927-1000/format/wide1/1522745.jpeg?imwidth=158)
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Albania will look to sign off from UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying on a high note as they welcome Romania in their final Group D fixture.
• Albania's record in 14 games against Romania reads W2 D2 L10 (W1 D0 L5 at home, with that lone win in Tirana a 1-0 success in the sides' very first encounter on 13 October 1946).
• The teams both scored in the closing ten minutes when they drew 1-1 in their opening Group D qualifier on 3 September 2010. Substitute Bogdan Stancu put Romania in front, but Albania struck back through their own replacement, Gjergj Muzaka, three minutes from time.
• Prior to that contest, Albania had been on a nine-match losing streak against Romania, having last denied their opponents victory in a 1-1 friendly draw in Bucharest on 23 October 1949. Their most recent win against Romania – 1-0 away from home – came in the encounter before that, also in Bucharest on 2 May 1948.
• The nations crossed paths in UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying. Nicolae Dică and Adrian Mutu scored as Romania won 2-0 on their travels, before the dismissals of Debatik Curri and Nevil Dede helped the Romanians secure a 6-1 success in the return encounter. Dică (22 and 71pen), Gabriel Tamaş (53), Daniel Niculae (62 and 65) and Ciprian Marica (69pen) grabbed the goals.