Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11:08 / Updated Saturday, March 28, 2026 11:08
The Romanian U21 national team defeated the one from Kosovo, score 1-0in the qualifiers for the 2027 U21 European Championship, in a match where Atanas Trică (21 years old) returned to the field after almost 2 months. He left his mark on the game, providing the decisive pass for the only goal scored by the national team.
After the match, the Cluj University striker posted a message about the difficult period he went through.
Atanas Trică, decisive return to the field
Atanas Trică last played in an official match on February 7, in the match between CFR Cluj and Cluj University (3-2). Since then, the striker has gone through a difficult period marked by injury.
Costin Curelea sent him in the 60th minute of the duel in Pristina, with the score 0-0. Just 6 minutes after he entered the field, the striker made a decisive pass to Ioan Vermeșan who scored the only goal of the duel. Shortly after the end of the game in Kosovo, Atanas Trică posted a message on social networks in which he talks about faith and the difficulties he faced in the last 2 months.
I'm not the type to talk too much about God, but today I felt Him next to me on the field. After a break of almost two months, in which I felt that I could no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel, following a rather heavy injury – which only those close to me know how difficult it was for me to walk normally – I worked hard. I went through hard and painful moments, but the One Above did not let me down.
Today I was back on the pitch for the national team and I thank God that I was able to help these amazing boys again.
– the message posted by Atanas Trică
Romania U21, victory in Kosovo
After this victory, Romania U21 reached 10 points and climbed to the 3rd place. It is 3 points away from Finland U21, the main opponent for the 2nd place, which would lead to the play-off.
For the Romanian U21 national team, the duel against San Marino follows on March 31, also in the preliminaries for the European Championship.
Romania U21 in the qualifying group for Euro 2027 / photo source: flash score capture
