Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Friday, February 27, 2026, 08:42 / Updated Friday, February 27, 2026 08:42
Gică Craioveanu (58 years old), former international with 26 selections and 4 goals for Romania's first national team, is of the opinion that Mircea Lucescu's “tricolors” can take advantage of the pressure that is put on Turkey, the favorite of the barrage to qualify for this year's World Championship.
Although Turkey's team is much more valuable, Craioveanu believes that Romania's collective play can represent a real asset in the match that takes place on March 26, in Istanbul, at “Besiktas Park”.
Gică Craioveanu knows where the difference can be made in Turkey – Romania: “This advantage can become a disadvantage”
“They are much better individually, I think our chance is the strength of the group, without discussion, we have a united group. We also have good, valuable players.
They have the advantage of playing at home, but this advantage can become a disadvantage, the pressure on them is very high. They are big favorites.
I read that Arda Guler is worth as much as the entire Romanian national team, but in the end it's not the individual value, it's the collective value, and here we have an extra advantage over them.
I hope that nea Mircea will be inspired, to choose the best 11, and these boys, these hardworking goats, will make us happy”, declared Gică Craioveanu, according to as.ro.
Gică Craioveanu was introduced by Anghel Iordănescu to the first representative team of Romania in September 1993, in a 4-0 away win against the Faroe Islands.
In total, Craioveanu marked 26 matches for the Romanian national team, during which he scored 4 goals, one in a friendly match with Israel, score 2-0, and 3 in the qualification campaign for the 1998 World Championship, all with Liechtenstein, one in the match won at home with the score of 8-0 and two in the away victory, score 8-1.
At club level, Gică Craioveanu played for Turnu-Severin, Universitatea Craiova, Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Getafe.
