Romania dominated England and achieved its first victory at the European mini-football championship. Group standings

The success was extremely important for Romania, especially after it was tied in the last minute by Spain, score 1-1. The “tricolors” authoritatively controlled the game against the English as well.

Romania attacked from the first minute, but England's goalkeeper resisted heroically

Just like in the duel with Spain, Romania started the game excellently and was dangerous from the first seconds. Viorel Șaim sent the first warning in the 2nd minute, with a shot that went very slightly over the goal, and two minutes later Alexandru Bourceanu, quickly introduced on the field, was close to the goal after an action on the left side.

The opportunities continued to flow to the British goal. Andrei Balea missed one of the biggest chances of the first half in the 7th minute, when he finished from the ideal position, but the ball missed the goal by a millimeter.

Even Ionuț Neacșa did not give up his spectacular incursions. Romania's keeper again rose high in the opposition half and tried to surprise England's defense with a shot from distance, but Pitman intervened without problems.

Until the break, Romania continued the siege. Vlad Mocanu went very close to the goal with a header from a few meters, Viorel Șaim sent a millimeter past the bar, and in one of the most spectacular phases of the half, Mocanu shot violently from a distance, but Dominic Morgan incredibly blocked the ball right on the goal line.

However, he entered the booth with a clean sheet, mainly thanks to the English goalkeeper Pitman, the man who kept England in the match.

Romania's pressure continued after the break

The aspect of the game did not change in the second half either. Romania remained the more dangerous team and continued to push the game towards the opposing goal. Valentin Croitoru had the first great opportunity after the restart, and later Vlad Mocanu was again blocked by the excellent Pitman.

With time running out in favor of the English, the opportunities became bigger and bigger. In the 40th minute came the biggest miss of the match. After another spectacular save by the British goalkeeper, the ball reached Viorel Șim, who was only two meters from the goal, but the Romanian striker also sent it to Pitman, who signed another saving intervention.

In the end, the clear dominance of the “tricolors” was rewarded with the winning goal, and Romania got the 3 points through Alin Robuwho opened the scoring for the “tricolors” after a set phase that seemed practiced in training. The former player from CSA Steaua finished excellently and managed to bring the 3 points.

Group D standings

In the other match of the stage, Georgia and Spain finished tied, score 0-0, a result that favors Romania.

The ranking of Group D after two stages is as follows:

• 1. Romania – 4 points

• 2. Georgia – 4 points

• 3. Spain – 2 points

• 4. England – 0 points

• Thus, the duel in the last stage between Romania and Georgia becomes decisive for winning the group.

• The stakes against Georgia go beyond simply winning the group. The team that finishes first will, in theory, have a more accessible opponent in the round of 16, coming up against a team ranked 3rd in another group or one of the lowest-scoring runners-up.

• On the other hand, the holder of the second position risks running into a stronger team from the first elimination round.

Romania remains one of the big favorites of the tournament

Alexandru Bourceanu was one of the important people of the national team and in the duel with England. The former FCSB captain played almost the whole game and had a solid performance both in the defensive phase and in the construction of the game.

Our national team continues to confirm its status as a force in European mini-football. Romania is the most successful team in the history of the European Championship, with six trophies won, and in the previous edition, contested in 2024, it reached the final, losing dramatically to Serbia in the penalty shootout.

In addition, the “tricolors” also have the world title won in 2023, a performance that strengthened Romania's position among the great powers of this sport.

The last match in the group will take place on Saturday, when Romania and Georgia will fight for the first place and for a more favorable route in the knockout stages of the European Championship.

FINAL » England – Romania 0-1

mark: Alin Robu 41'

Min. 41: GOAL Romania! Alin Robu opens the score for the “tricolors” after a fixed phase that seemed practiced in training. The former player from CSA Steaua finishes excellently and unlocks the game with only 10 minutes left in the game.
Min. 40: Missing the match for Romania! After a new save by Pitman, Viorel Șaim restarts from just two meters away, but still shoots at England's goalkeeper, who became the hero of the British this evening.
Min. 37: Vlad Mocanu finishes excellently with his right foot, but England's goalkeeper has another saving intervention, and Romania benefits from a corner.
Min. 29: Valentin Croitoru has the first big chance of the second half, but Pitman intervenes excellently and keeps the scoreboard unchanged.
Break in Bratislava! Romania and England enter the cabins tied, score 0-0, after a first half in which the English defended heroically against the numerous opportunities of the “tricolors”.
Min. 25: Romania, close to opening the score after a superb execution by Vlad Mocanu! He sends a real “missile shot”, but Dominic Morgan sacrifices himself and blocks the ball with his head right on the goal line. The English player collapsed after the impact with the ball, but was able to continue the game.
Min. 24: Romania, close to gaining an advantage in cabins! The goalkeeper of England was beaten by Viorel Şaim's shot, but the ball did not enter the goal, it passed the right post by a millimeter and went out of the field.
Min. 14: Huge opportunity for Romania! Vlad Mocanu takes an excellent header from just a few meters away, but the ball fails to enter the English goal.
Min. 9: Our goalkeeper, Ionuț Neacșa, just like in the first match, goes up a lot and tries to finish from the opposing half, but Pitman manages to defend.
Min. 7: Andrei Balea misses the match after an excellent pass from the right flank. He reaches a central position, and his shot misses the English goal by a millimeter. Goalkeeper Pitman was down, diving into the far corner.
Min. 4: Newcomer Alex Bourceanu receives the ball on the left side of the box, and his powerful shot hits the side netting of the opponents' goal.
Min. 2: The first occasion of the “tricolors”! Viorel Șaim sends a dangerous shot, which goes over the English crossbar.
The match in Bratislava has started!

Romania's team for the European mini-football championship

• Goalkeepers: Ionuț Neacșa (AFC Nova Vita), Daniel Constantinescu (ACS Tazmannschaft Bucharest);

• Field players: Mircea Ungur, Andrei Balea, Viorel Saim, Andrei Moldovan, Laurențiu Moț (all AFC Nova Vita), Mircea Popa (Annabella Râureni), Vlăduț Mocanu, Valentin Croitoriu (both ACS Arsenal Iași 2021), Gabriel Dumitrașcu (AS Chedra Tax Ploiești), Alin Robu (ACS Tazmannschaft Bucharest), Ciprian Timiș (ACS Stone Team), Adrian Zaluschi (ACS Dinosaurs Timișoara), Alexandru Bourceanu (Ajax Dulcisimo)

• Staff: Virgil Bejenaru (Head Coach), Ovidiu Gorcea (Second Coach), Laszlo Klein (Goalkeeper Coach), Dan Cojocaru (Team Manager), Alin Pascan (Physiotherapist), Robert Lupu (Video Analyst), Mircea Trifan (Masseur).