What do 11 known footballers say plus a sound coach when asked “Who will win Euro 2020?”

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Euro 2020, which took place a year late this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, has reached the quarter-finals, and the clashes that have spanned the continent’s stadiums, another first, have produced huge surprises so far.

Us, in the living room or on the National Arena

There are eight teams left in battle for the domestic trophy. They left the tournament and the last European champion, Portugal, but also the last world champion and vice-champion, France and Croatia respectively.

Romania has ticked off a new disillusionment with not qualifying for Euro 2020 after a five-year absence, but has impressed by organising four matches at the country’s biggest stadium, the National Arena, including the big surprise of the competition so far, Switzerland’s elimination of France.

Romanian footballers, like supporters of the Tricolours, were left watching television, some of whom were even spectators in the stadium at the decisive moment when Kylian Mbappe missed the decisive penalty with Switzerland on penalties.

Play the predictions

Freedom conducted a poll among Romanian players. 11 footballers, experienced or young talents, top scorers or people with weight at the first representative, plus a champion coach of League 1, were interviewed and questioned as to who they consider at the moment to have the best chance of winning the ultimate trophy at this edition of Euros.

Most “specialists” in football believe that the winner of the quarter-final Belgium – Italy is the favorite for the laurel wreath. A few are betting on England, and one hopes denmark will repeat the 1992 miracle and become continental champion again to devote the success to Christian Eriksen, who juggled death in the Nordics’ first game. Many’s favourite footballer is Belgium star Kevin De Bruyne, the star of Manchester City.

Here are the options of Romanian footballers, who debated the topic as genuine microbiologists:

Florin Tanase is betting on the country that invented football

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Florin Tanase, 26, FCSB captain and top scorer in the last edition of League 1:

Andrei Cristea, 37, striker Mioveni, former goalscorer of the championship, with 114 goals in Liga 1 in 408 matches, the best scorer in activity: “Who will win in the double Belgium – Italy will win the competition. I’m betting on Belgium, not for nothing is for about three years the first in the FIFA rankings. My favorite is Danish Kasper Dolberg.”

Olympians go to Italy

Dragoș Grigore, 34, who yesterday signed with Rapid after the break-up of the multiple champion of Bulgaria, Ludogorets, former captain of the national team: “Forza Italia! He’s played perfectly so far, he’ll probably have a bigger momentum after he gets past Belgium.”

Marius Marin, 22, captain of the Olympic national team that will represent us in Tokyo, defender at Pisa, wanted by Parma: “I believe and hope that Will win Italy, I am impressed, and not just me, by this valuable team and the united group created by Roberto Mancini. I like Marco Verratti a lot.”

Chipciu “bets” on “Devils”

Alex Chipciu, 32 years old, 5 championships in Romania with FCSB and WITH CFR Cluj, one in Belgium with Anderlecht, 6 goals in 46 national selections: “I believe Belgium will win. The players have matured, they have a very good coach, Martinez, who has collected years at the first representative. Sentimentally, I care about Belgium, I have former colleagues from Anderlecht there. It’s got the strongest lot. I like more players, Belgian De Bruyne, Italian Chiesa. Too bad Cristiano Ronaldo, Kimmich and Gundogan are out of the tournament, other of my favorites.”

Sergiu Hanca, 29, ex-dynamicist now the leader of the Polish team KS Krakow, International of Romania: “Honestly, I would love to win Denmark for Eriksen. I want a surprise. I was with Poland, but it hurts the most that we Romanians have been on television again. I hope we are ambitious, not to miss the final tournaments. My favorite is De Bruyne.”

Paul Anton, 30, leader of Dinamo Bucureşti, midfielder with 12 first representative selections: “Italy or Belgium, one of them will win the ultimate trophy. Whoever reaches the semi-finals between the two doesn’t miss the trophy. There are many good footballers at this Euro, you are more dear to watch”.

Dan Nistor, 33, Craiova University midfielder, the best active passer in Ligue 1, with 74 assists: “I am with Italy, he will definitely win. I like Verratti a lot. Italy is playing impressively.”

Andrei Ciobanu, 23, midfielder of the Constanta Lighthouse, part of the Olympic national team in Tokyo: “De Bruyne will lead Belgium to the ultimate trophy. Probably with Lukaku’s goals. It’s the year of Belgium, it will also be imposed on Italy.”

Shumudica is betting on Belgium

Cristi Tanase, 34, midfielder at FC Arges, three-time champion with FCSB, 6 goals in 41 national team selections: “I looked with emotion at this Euro, I would like to tell you, almost all matches, although I would have liked Romania. They were really nice games. I wish Ronaldo and Portugal had continued. I liked Belgium, but Italy is impressive, it doesn’t give space to the opponent. I see Italy as champions, she’s well-placed in the field and very strong.”

Gabriel Vasvari, 34, Sepsi’s midfielder, 33 goals in Ligue 1 from penalties, the second best performer in the history of domestic competition: “Belgium with De Bruyne in the lead will become the new champion of Europe. It’s a pleasure to look at this team, it’s a disappointment that we can’t see Romania evolving in such a competition.”

Marius Şumudică, 50, coach of the reigning champion of Romania, CFR Cluj, and champion as coach with Astra in 2016: “Belgium – champion. I really like Romelu Lukaku, the striker of this national, who I think will be decisive and the MVP of the tournament. As a coach, clearly, Roberto Martinez, the Belgian selector.”