Romania go into tonight’s game against Holland knowing that a win against the already qualified Dutch side will seal qualification to the Quarter Finals at the expense of Italy and France. Very few people had tipped Piturca’s side to be anything other than whipping boys in the Group of Death but they have shown both the major sides in this group that they are anything but an easy touch. To be fair, Romania should already be through, they underestimated just how bad France have been in these Euro’s and were incredibly unlucky not to beat Italy, thanks largely to Buffon’s heroics. Tonight’s game will be pivotal not only for the Romanian nation, but also to Victor Piturca, personally and professionally.In December 1999, Piturca was looking forward to taking his Romanian side to the Euro 2000 finals with some confidence. His team had remained unbeaten throughout the qualifying group finishing above Portugal and Hungary and they were looking to build on a growing reputation forged through the last 3 major tournaments but dark clouds were on the horizon.Piturca had refused to budge on a matter of principal and had gone against Romania’s golden hero, Georghe Hagi, in a bonus payment deduction. Piturca didn’t want anyone who hadn’t featured in all the qualifying matches to receive as much bonus as those that had played in all the games. Hagi and also Popescu had missed the crucial game in Portugal and Piturca stood his ground on the payments. Incensed, Hagi and Popescu flexed their muscles with the Romanian FA and Piturca was out on his ear.
