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.”