Have Romania delivered the biggest shock of Euro 2024?

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Unfancied Romania ran out comfortable victors over Ukraine with a superb showing in Munich

Denis Dragus of Romania celebrates with teammate Dennis Man after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Romania and Ukraine at Munich Football Arena on June 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany.
(Image credit: Alex Caparros - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Romania delivered the first real shock of Euro 2024 as they ran riot over Ukraine with a 3-0 victory in the first game of Group E.

A wonderful Nicolae Stanciu strike gave Romania a first-half lead before Razvan Marin and Denis Dragus scored a quickfire double early in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

The opening weekend of Euro 2024 went almost entirely to form, with Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and England all winning their opening games. Slovenia’s draw with Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark raised eyebrows, but Romania’s heavy victory was the first really decisive stunner.

Romania's comfortable victory over Ukraine defies expectations

Nicolae Stanciu of Romania scores the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Romania and Ukraine at Munich Football Arena on June 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany.

Nicolae Stanciu of Romania scores the opening goal (Image credit: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Quarter-finalists at the 1994 World Cup and Euro 2000 – memorably going through the group at England’s expense in the latter case – Romania topped their group in qualifying after going undefeated in their ten games (six wins, four draws) to make it to their first major tournament since Euro 2016.

However, their group was regarded as one of the easier draws, and the country came into the tournament as 200/1 outsiders.

Four straight friendly games without a victory – including a goalless draw against minnows Liechtenstein – had done little to improve their outlook for their voyage to  Germany.

Ukraine had meanwhile matched Italy’s record in the rather tougher Group D, finishing on 14 points after four wins, two draws and two defeats, drawing their nominal ‘home’ games against England and Italy but losing the away fixtures.

Not entirely fancied themselves at pre-tournament odds of 80/1, Ukraine were nonetheless evens favourites to get the better of Romania, making their eventual loss a real coupon-buster.

Belgium will take on Slovakia in the other round of initial Group E fixtures in Monday’s teatime kick-off. 

More Euro 2024 stories

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We have a list of the Euro 2024 favourites, with best odds on nations to win European Championship in Germany, while these are the best Euros games ever and these are the best pundits ever. With England set to be one of the favourites, meanwhile, we've analysed what the pathway to the final could look like for the Three Lions. 

With plenty of favourites for the tournament in 2024, here's a look at the previous records of some of the bigger nations at the tournament.

Steven Chicken
Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.