Männer

“I still think about that a lot”

Former Wolf Dorinel Munteanu spoke in an interview about old times and EUROs past and present.

Dorinel Munteanu was the first VfL player to feature at a European Championship. The midfielder was part of the Romania team that was the surprise package in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2000, going on to become his country’s most-capped player. In this interview, the now 56-year-old, who scored 15 goals in 123 appearances for the Wolves between 1999 and 2004, and who is now coach of SC Otelul Galati in Romania’s top division, spoke about this year’s EURO and Romania’s team and fans, as well as looking back on his time at Wolfsburg.

Dorinel Munteanu, it’s great to speak to you. Where do we find you at the moment?

Dorinel Munteanu: “I’m delighted to hear from VfL Wolfsburg. At the moment I am at training camp in Austria, where we’re preparing for the new season.”

Even though you are not on home soil, you can no doubt tell us what the atmosphere is like in Romania at the moment. Your country has put in some great performances so far at the EURO.

Munteanu: “Yes, it’s great to experience that. The team has played some incredible football, particularly against Ukraine and also in the second match against Belgium. Excitement is running high, and not just back in Romania – you could see how many fans were there to support the team in Germany. Everyone’s delighted about how we’ve started the tournament.”

The last time that Romania made it through the group stage, you were part of the team. What do you remember most about the 2000 tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands?

Munteanu: “It was a great time. We ended up in a really tough group, with Germany, Portugal and England, but we finished second and made it through. It was a good tournament for me personally, as well. Back then, we made people as happy as they are now watching the current team.”

Did you know at the time that you were the first VfL Wolfsburg player to feature at a European Championship?

Munteanu: “No, I didn’t realise that at the time. But it was a good opportunity to show the world the standard of football being played in Wolfsburg (laughs).”

You were also the first VfL player to score at a EURO.

Munteanu: “That was obviously something that I was aware of. Our right-back crossed the ball and I swung my boot and volleyed it home from 18 or 20 yards out. That made it 2-2 in the match against England, and we managed to get the winner just before the end. I still think about that a lot.”

What are your memories of your four-and-a-half years at VfL?

Munteanu: “That was a wonderful time, in a beautiful, quiet little city with a great club. I think back to the likes of Frank Greiner, Tomislav Maric, Jonathan Akpoborie and Stefan Effenberg. I really enjoyed those days.”

How far do you think Romania can go at this year’s EURO? You face the Netherlands on Tuesday in the round of 16.

Munteanu: “Anything could happen in that match. Holland are not as good as they used to be. Our lads can go into the match with no pressure on them, and that’s why I think we can get a result. We’ll still be here at training camp and we’ll be following it with the whole team, as we’ve done with all the other matches.”