ROMANIA’S football players are not the only ones stunning the world this summer.
Their men’s football team romped to a 3-0 victory over Ukraine in their opening group match of Euro 2024, and the win would have left their hottest fan over the moon.
While it was the likes of Radu Dragusin and Nicolae Stancui taking the thunder on the pitch, off it was Romanian music artist Aza Gabriela stealing the limelight.
Aza, 25, was born in Calarasi and is social media sensation with almost one million followers across TikTok and Instagram.
As well a successful career in music, the 25-year-old is also a model and reality TV star.
She originally shot to fame on Romania’s version of The Voice, making it all the way to the semi-final in 2015 which saw her career explode.
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Aza did athletics for five years before switching over to music.
Speaking to Fanatik in 2021, she said: “Although I did five years of athletics, a sport that I actually loved, I was faced with a choice.
“And, at that time, just as I would do it, in fact, even now, I chose to go on with music.
“But, when it comes to ambition, I can say that I have worked since I was a child and I have that in my blood, so I am convinced that I will get where I want to be in music.
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“I go to the gym from time to time, unfortunately I don’t have time for sports every day, as sometimes I would like.
“When it comes to maintenance, however, I rely on simple skin cleansing procedures, proper maintenance and hydration.”
Her remarkable rise has also seen her enter some high profile relationships.
In 2019 she began dating Romanian footballer Dragoș Nedelcu after meeting on Instagram, but after three years together the pair split.
On the break up, she told Kanal D: “Footballers must have a woman next to them who is at home, and I wasn’t there, I was away on business.
“We loved each other very much, we cared extremely much about each other, but we both felt that things were not working anymore and we chose to make this decision.
“The woman who wants a footballer has to do nothing, just stay after him, be at home when he comes from the training camp, wait for him with food at home and stay next to him.
“I used to do this thing, but I couldn’t take it anymore.”
Aza has since moved on and is now dating Romania’s Euro 2024 back-up goalkeeper Horațiu Moldovan.
Moldovan, 26, is highly rated at club Atletico Madrid, but with just 11 international caps to his name, 36-year-old Florin Niță was preferred in goal for the Ukraine match.
Before the tournament, Aza posted a series of photos alongside him with the caption: “It happened for a reason…❤️”
Her reality TV appearances have included “Splash! Stars in the water”.
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And if that wasn’t enough, her dazzling outfits on social media always get fans hearts pumping.
She, and the rest of Romania, will doubtless be hoping their football team can carry their momentum from Ukraine into match two against Belgium on Saturday.
Romania Euro 2024 guide
FORMER World Cup quarter-finalists Romania are back after eight years without qualifying for a tournament.
They aren’t pretty to watch but they are effective and topped their qualifying group unbeaten ahead of Switzerland.
MANAGER: Edward Iordanescu
His father Anghel managed them at the 1994 World Cup where they reached the last eight. Tough act to follow.
STAR MAN: Radu Dragusin
Has struggled to win a first team place at Spurs but has been a stalwart at international level.
How Romania attack
Romania will play out from the back and play one or two-touch passes to break between the lines.
However, they can run out of ideas when faced with a low block.
How Romania defend
Romania do not tend to press high as a unit and their players can be dragged out of position up the pitch.
However, they are far more effective close to their own goal with the midfield dropping deep to support the back four.
Read the full Romania Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups and latest odds
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk