Stanciu in Romania Euro 2016 squad, Maxim left out

Bucharest (AFP) – Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu included young forward Nicolae Stanciu in his final squad for Euro 2016 on Tuesday, but left out attacking midfielder Alexandru Maxim.

Steaua Bucharest’s Stanciu only made his international debut in March, but after impressing with three goals in four appearances, Iordanescu has turned to the 23-year-old to help fix Romania’s attacking problems.

The coach opted to leave out Stuttgart’s Maxim, after the key player criticised the side because of a 4-3 friendly defeat to Ukraine on Sunday.

Romania take on hosts France in the opening match of the tournament on June 10, before also playing Group A matches against Switzerland and Albania.

23-man Romania squad for Euro 2016

Goalkeepers: Ciprian Tatarusanu (Fiorentina/ITA), Costel Pantilimon (Watford/ENG), Silviu Lung (Astra Giurgiu)

Defenders: Cristian Sapunaru (Pandurii Targu Jiu), Alexandru Matel (Dinamo Zagreb/CRO), Vlad Chiriches (Napoli/ITA), Valerica Gaman (Astra Giurgiu), Dragos Grigore (Al-Sailiya/QAT), Cosmin Moti (Ludogorets Razgrad/BUL), Razvan Rat (Rayo Vallecano/ESP), Steliano Filip (Dinamo Bucharest)

Midfielders: Mihai Pintilii (Steaua Bucharest), Ovidiu Hoban (Hapoel Be’er Sheva/ISR), Andrei Prepelita (Ludogorets Razgrad/BUL), Adrian Popa (Steaua Bucharest), Gabriel Torje (Osmanlispor/TUR), Alexandru Chipciu (Steaua Bucharest), Nicolae Stanciu (Steaua Bucharest), Lucian Sanmartean (Al Ittihad/SAU)

Forwards: Claudiu Keseru  (Ludogorets Razgrad/BUL), Bogdan Stancu (Genclerbirligi/TUR), Florin Andone (Cordoba/ESP), Denis Alibec (Astra Giurgiu).