Romania has matched its historical records in the Eurocup. In the five previous participations, they had only achieved one victory in 16 matches. It was in the 2000 edition against England (3-2). They have now secured their second victory with a resounding 3-0 win over Ukraine, placing them on the cusp of advancing to the knockout stages. They need another push on Wednesday against Slovakia in Frankfurt to make it to the round of 16.
The return of Romania to the continental tournament harks back to the old and glorious days of the yellow national team. The common thread between these times are two last names, Iordanescu and Hagi, echoing 30 years later. Edward Iordanescu and Ioanis Hagi, sons of the legendary Anghel Iordanescu and Gheorghe Hagi, are in Germany, with the former as the coach and the latter as the captain, reaching the quarterfinals of the 1994 World Cup after finishing first in the qualifiers and the group stage. They were eliminated on penalties by Sweden.
“We have brought back honor to Romania, but we still have much to do,” said Edward Iordanescu about the national team’s return to the Eurocup. For now, the legacy of their parents weighs heavily on them. Anghel Iordanescu, now 74 years old and a politician, won several titles in Romania as a player and coach, including the 1986 European Cup with Steaua Bucharest.
Gheorghe Hagi, 59 years old, is considered the greatest footballer in Romanian history. He played in three World Cups and three Eurocups, had stints at Real Madrid and Barcelona, and finished his career with numerous titles and goals. His son, Ianis, born in Istanbul, has followed in his father’s footsteps and currently plays for Alavés. The similarities between father and son are evident, with both wearing the number 10 jersey.
Edward Iordanescu, following in his father’s footsteps, transitioned from a player to a coach, leading CFR Cluj to four titles between 2018 and 2021 before being named the coach of the Romanian national team in January 2022. He turned 46 on June 16, the day before Romania’s first victory over Ukraine, marking a significant milestone in his coaching career.
In addition to the Iordanescu and Hagi families, there are other notable footballing dynasties in the current Eurocup. Kasper Schmeichel, son of Peter Schmeichel, continues his father’s legacy with Denmark. Federico Chiesa, son of Enrico Chiesa, plays for Italy. Francisco Conceiçao, son of Sergio Conceiçao, represents Portugal. Marcus Thuram, son of Lilian Thuram, plays for France. These second-generation footballers carry on the traditions and successes of their fathers on the international stage.
As the Eurocup unfolds, the spotlight is not only on the current players but also on the famous names from the past whose children are making their mark in the world of football. The legacies of these iconic footballing families continue to inspire new generations and shape the future of the sport.