Romania Euro 2016 team profile: Defensive stubbornness best chance of trumping class of 2000

World ranking: 22

Best European Championship finish: Quarter-finals - 2000

How they qualified: Victory in the final round of qualifying games against the Faroe Islands ensured Romania joined Northern Ireland in earning passage to the European Championships from Group F. Conceding just two goals in their 10 matches, they progressed with the best defensive record.

Fixtures: Group A - France (10 June), Switzerland (15 June), Albania (19 June)

Squad -

Goalkeepers: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Costel Pantilimon, Silviu Lung Jr

Defenders: Cristian Sapunaru, Alexandru Matel , Vlad Chiriches, Valerica Gaman, Dragos Grigore, Cosmin Moti, Razvan Rat, Steliano Filip

Midfielders: Mihai Pintilii, Ovidiu Hoban, Andrei Prepelita, Adrian Popa, Gabriel Torje, Alexandru Chipciu, Nicolae Stanciu, Lucian Sanmartean

Forwards: Claudiu Keseru, Bogdan Stancu, Florin Andone, Denis Alibec

Expectations: Despite being drawn with the hosts France and having the dubious honour of facing Didier Deschamps' side on opening night, there is quiet optimism that Romania can match their best-ever performance at the Euros, when they reached the last eight in 2000. Their defensive approach should be enough to see them through the group stage and could prove vital come the knock-out rounds. The lack of a plan B when they concede first might be their undoing.

Manager: Anghel Iordănescu is one of a throng of international managers who have their team functioning well beyond the individual quality available to them. The 66-year-old came out of retirement to take charge of the national team for a third time, eight years after leaving the sport. He has adopted a robust and defensive approach that, while it might not be pretty, is effective. The tournament in France is expected to be his final involvement in management.

Prediction: Last 16 – Finishing third in Group A will draw Romania into a potential last 16 clash with Germany, which is unlikely to end in anything other than disappointment. Frustrating Les Bleus in the opening game is perhaps their best bet of matching the heroics of 2000.