FRANCE 98 – Romania puts the finishing touches to its preparations

With the exception of the defender Tibor SELYMES (20), who is suffering from a slight sprain of his left ankle, the Romanian squad trained twice on Monday 8^th June at the Rigaud stadium in Albi. Around 200 spectators watched the afternoon session, which unlike the morning’s, was open to the public. They witnessed what the coach Anghel IORDANESCU termed a “complex training session, with stress on physical, technical and tactical aspects of the game.” After the first training session scheduled for the previous day had been cancelled at the players’ request, the team were able to take advantage of the “excellent state of the training ground” to put the finishing touches to their preparations. Following Anghel IORDANESCU’s instructions, the outfield players interspersed their various exercises (playing in two groups within a small area, running with the ball then shooting on the move, passing practice), with long stretching sessions. The three goal-keepers followed a specific training programme of their own. At the end of the session, just before 7.00pm, the players signed autographs before going back to their hotel. The squad have two training sessions planned for Tuesday 9^th at the Rigaud ground, (both behind closed doors, at 11.00am and 5.30 pm) before playing a friendly match on Wednesday 10^th June against local side US Albi, who have just been given Amateur French Championship status. A second match is also planned for the Thursday 11^th June at 11.00am against a local team.