This nail-biting World Cup qualifying clash showcased Romanian grit and determination as they held off a strong Austrian side and struck with a decisive moment of brilliance.

The match began with Austria controlling possession and applying pressure early on, but Romania’s defence, marshalled impressively by Virgil Ghita, remained resolute. Romania looked to disrupt Austria’s rhythm and launched quick counters, creating chances but failing to find the net throughout regular time.

Both teams fought hard with physical challenges and tactical discipline, but it was Ghita who emerged as the hero when a precisely delivered cross in the dying moments found him unmarked in the box. Ghita timed his run perfectly to volley the ball past Austria’s keeper, sparking wild celebrations among the packed home crowd. The late strike not only secured all three points but also kept Romania’s qualification hopes alive.

Goalkeeper Andrei Radu produced several key saves to keep Romania in the game, while captain Alexandru Chipciu played a pivotal role in midfield, orchestrating attacks and maintaining composure under pressure. Romania’s coach, Mircea Lucescu, praised the team’s resilience and ability to capitalise on critical moments against a formidable Austrian side.

This victory moves Romania closer to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, demonstrating their growing tactical maturity and fighting spirit on the international stage. Austria, despite the defeat, remains a strong contender with an impressive campaign so far, but it will need to regroup for the upcoming fixtures.

Romania’s triumph at the National Arena will be remembered for its dramatic timing and a shining moment for Virgil Ghita, whose goal proved to be the difference in this vital qualifier. Romanian fans will now look forward with renewed hope as the team builds momentum in the closing stages of the qualification campaign.

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Regarding satisfaction scores, Romania achieved 65 points, Austria scored 66 points, with Bulgaria trailing at 58 points. The study identifies key factors contributing to this satisfaction, including economic stability, strong social connections, and access to healthcare.

Key Findings

• Satisfaction Scores: Romania scored 65 points, Austria achieved 66 points on the life satisfaction scale, and Bulgaria scored 58. This data underscores a positive trend in well-being among these populations despite various economic challenges.
• Factors Influencing Satisfaction: The study highlights several factors contributing to this satisfaction. Economic stability, strong social connections, and access to healthcare are pivotal. Additionally, community support is crucial in enhancing individuals’ overall happiness.
• Concerns Amid Satisfaction: Despite high satisfaction levels, Romanians and Austrians are concerned about rising poverty and potential food crises. This duality reflects a complex socio-economic landscape where personal contentment coexists with broader societal worries.

The Kantar Life Satisfaction report not only showcases Romanians’ and Austrians’ positive outlook but also emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying economic issues to maintain and improve the quality of life in the region. As these nations navigate challenges, their high satisfaction rates may serve as a foundation for further social and economic development.

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Precisely, Austrian politicians stated they could offer Romania entrance to Schengen with aerial borders. This is only a statement, not an official act, but it is the first time that Austria seems to concede anything to Romania.

The Schengen scandal involved Romania and Austria and started when the Austrian chancellor refused to accept Schengen’s enlargement. The refusal brought along criticism, not only from Romania but from other European countries. Also, Romanians started boycotting the Austrian companies and refused to buy Austrian products.

Romania had successfully checked all criteria to join the Schengen area as early as 2011. Still, specific countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria, systematically refused to adhere to Schengen. Some nuanced their position, but Austria opposed completely accepting Romania into the free economic area.

Bulgaria is in a similar situation, and Bulgarian politicians even suggested that the two countries create a “little Schengen area” between them.

What is wrong with Romania’s accession to Schengen with aerial borders?

Nothing, as the Romanian tourists will be able to avoid queues in airports when travelling to fellow Schengen member states. And everything, as this is only a bone tossed by Austria to Romania. Yet, Romanian politicians used to boost their popularity and assume this gesture’s success. One after another, left or right-wing, the Romanian politicians marched from TV studio to TV studio to show the bone tossed by Austrians and to take as much credit as possible.

Yet, the real problem with keeping Romania and Bulgaria outside Schengen is the freight cost on roads. Transporters suffer the most and lose around EUR 2 Billion yearly because of the time they lose at borders.

As long as Romania is outside Schengen, freight transport companies have lost 18-22% of their turnover. At the border with Hungary, they sometimes wait 10-12 hours in the column, which means a missed driving schedule, which is 9 hours. If a truck is stuck at the border, a driving program does not produce money; it only produces losses.

Adrian Pop, President of the Employers’ Association of Transporters “Europe 2002” in December 2022

So, what is to be done? Why is Romania accepting this bone? Politics is intricate and needs deep understanding, but Romania is undoubtedly negotiating with Austria and other countries for its Schengen access behind closed doors.

Land transport still has to wait, as far as the negotiations have gone, but the aerial accession is a first step towards the final goal.

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Ciolacu said that if Austria again uses its right to veto Romania, he will appeal to the European Court of Justice and ask the European Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament to join in this process.

First of all, what Austria does not understand, or I think it understands very well – and you saw that the Austrian people understand better than the politicians. What Chancellor Nehammer is doing is unacceptable. First of all, I, too, am prime minister, and he is transient. You have the right to veto. The European Commission, the European Council, and the European Parliament have made a recommendation that Romania has deserved this for ten years; it is meeting absolutely all the technical requirements. You have the right to veto, but you have to justify it. That’s why I said that as long as I’m Romania’s prime minister, I won’t accept the chancellor as a hypocrite and continue humiliating Romanians and Romania.

Marcel Ciolacu, Romania’s Prime Minister, about Austrian Chancellor

The statement was offered to CNN Antena 3, a private broadcaster in Romania, when asked to confirm that Romania would block Austria’s participation in NATO meetings, as two Austrian officers have been waiting for months to be accredited to NATO. Still, their access is delayed by Romania, which asked for time to think.

While Romania respects all the sanctions against Russia, all of them without exception, while Romania helps the Republic of Moldova stop being dependent on Russia – and at this moment, I can tell you for several weeks that the Republic of Moldova has been independent of Russian gas – you, Austria, are a neutral country, don’t spend a single euro on defence acquisitions. Romania increased its GDP allocation from 2% to 2.5% to deter Russia from doing what it wants to do. And you come up as a hypocrite and say that Romania has no right in Schengen without justifying your veto at all.

Marcel Ciolacu for CNN Anena 3

The prime minister also said that Austria has continued to buy oil and gas from Russia for almost 7 billion euros since the war started.

“From my point of view, it is money that Putin uses in the Russian economy further to support the war in Ukraine, dirty cash. But you come up – although everyone proves that there is no migration through the territory, 2% – 3% pass through Romania – but you come up and say: ‘Sir, I am against’ (…) Romania loses at least 2% of its GDP by not joining the Schengen area”, Ciolacu added

He added that Romania will not impose economic sanctions on Austria but respects the sanctions imposed on Russia. 

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Austria is not a NATO member, but it has officers accredited and actively participates in humanitarian aid. As the Austrian press mentions, two Austrian army officers have been waiting weeks for their accreditation with the alliance. Romania has delayed access and asked for time to consider the accreditation. In the Austrian journalists’ opinion, this is undoubtedly a retaliation for the Austrian federal government’s Schengen veto.

The reason for this to be seen as a diplomatic retaliation following Austria’s decision to block Romania’s access to Schengen is that Austria refused Romania and Bulgaria’s access to the Schengen area, even though the European Parliament recommended the member states to vote for the two Eastern European countries to be accepted.

The Romanian population protested in Romania against Austrian companies, and #boycottaustria became a popular movement after Austria’s decision. Also, a Romanian MEP asked Romania and Bulgaria to create the Little Schengen, as the name was coined.

Also, the Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, mentioned that Romania could bring Austria to the European Court of Justice for refusing access to Schengen. The losses brought to Romania and Bulgaria by Austria’s decision sum up to billions of EUR, and the European Commission and the European Parliament understood that. However, the Austrian federal government has points to gain in popularity, thus making everything possible to keep the two Eastern European nations out of Schengen.

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The so-called Austrian boycott targeted all the major Austrian companies activating in Romania, including the oil giant OMV and banks like Raiffeisen and Erste BCR.

Soon after the widespread boycott started, Romania recalled its ambassador to Vienna. Also, the first state-owned Romanian companies announced their decision to cease cooperation with the Austrian banks. Besides, the Romanian Fiscal Agency announced that the Austrian oil giants are among the companies to pay the so-called “solidarity tax”, a decision contested by the targeted companies.

A month and a half after the vote on Schengen, Romania looks more than prone to concessions. The Romanian Government re-sent its ambassador to Vienna, drivers are queuing up to fill their cars’ tanks in OMV petrol stations and the Schengen scandal was replaced by other subjects on the public agenda. People forgot about their initial intention to open bank accounts with Romanian banks, and the Austrian products are still sold in supermarkets.

Is this weakness or part of a bigger plan of re-negotiating accession to Schengen? One thing is clear, though: Austria has spoiled its image in Romania, and people will definitely remember the vote on Schengen for a time, even if the government is successful in its attempt to join Schengen finally.

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After Austria opposed Romania’s accession to the Schengen area, companies and individuals started boycotting Austrian companies and products. Among them are oil giants like OMV and Petrom and banks like BCR – Erste or Raiffeisen.

The Romanian National Road Infrastructure Management Company (CNAIR) announced that it would close its accounts with BCR-Erste and switch to CEC Bank. The announcement was made in an official reply to the local news platform Bugetul.ro.

This is a strong signal for the other state-owned companies collaborating with the Austrian companies.

Recently, the boycott reached a new dimension – the Romanian state television, TVR, refused to broadcast the New Year Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. It can’t be a coincidence that the Austrian chancellor Nehammer invited the Bulgarian PM Rumen Radev to the concert to show his consideration for Bulgaria’s efforts to join Schengen, but not to Romania. Moreover, the Austrian official announced he would visit Bulgaria this month to see how the country secured its borders. This could be a message that Bulgaria will be favoured over Romania when the next vote is offered. The thing is, the two countries enter as a pair for evaluation, and if one is denied, both are denied.

A new consultation on Schengen enlargement with the member states is not to be organized soon, as the Swedish presidency of the European Union doesn’t have this subject on its agenda. Even so, the Romanian Government and Presidency continue to hope and tell people Romania is to join Schengen in 2023.

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Romanian politicians, entrepreneurs, football club owners and large agricultural associations call for boycotting Austria and their brands. For a starter, Romania withdraws its ambassador to Vienna, but the political battle has just started. Some politicians publicly warned Austria to expect Romania to oppose its interest in Europe. Also, the Universitatea Craiova football club announced they won’t fuel in Austrian gas stations, and one museum cancelled the exhibition of an Austrian artist.

Also, politicians and influencers ask Romanians not to spend their vacations in Austria, as there are many other ski destinations for these winter holidays. Protests were summoned in front of the Austrian Embassy in Bucharest, and there is a certain turmoil in the country that show similar actions are to come.

Romanians have massively started boycotting Austrian companies. These days hundreds of social media posts ask or show fellow citizens boycotting Austrian brands. The easiest way to protest against the arbitrary decision to oppose Romania’s presence in Schengen was to stop buying fuel from OMV, the Austrian oil giant, and Romanians understood that quickly. Instead of driving to OMV petrol stations, Romanians are now heading for local brands like Rompetrol.

Another target is the banking and financial sector. Raiffeisen Bank and BCR – Erste Bank are on the list, and Romanians are asked to withdraw all their money from these banks or close their accounts here and head for the Romanian CEC Bank. Both Austrian banks issued rather boring than convincing press releases and posted them on their social media accounts, but this didn’t seem to help.

Also, the insurance sector is another battlefield for the ones upset with Austria’s decision: UNIQA or Vienna Insurance Group are also targeted by the boycott calls, and people are asked to head for other insurance companies.

An infamous company is on the list as well: Holzindustrie Schweighofer, now rebranded as HS Timber Productions, is the one seen as the usual suspect for exploiting the woods from the Romanian forests. More than that, the Austrian company was under investigation for using timber from illegal logging, but, as it always happens in Romania when it comes to Western companies, this investigation has never been concluded.

On top of that, products like coffee and natural juice are now pointed out: Julius Meinl, Red Bull and even Pfanner are only some of the Austrian brands for which they ask for a boycott.

Romania is one country whose citizens are not famous for this sort of boycott action or protesting against Western companies or decisions. Western companies thrive in Romania, especially the Austrian ones, which make billions in profit each year. Yet, this could be the beginning of an uprising that could wake the Romanian people and make them understand how to stand up for their rights.

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During that dark time for the country, its Western borders separated Romania from the Austro-Hungarian empire. Even to this day, Romanians can’t forget the bitterness of that distant past.

More than a century later, things should’ve changed, though. Romania, Austria and Hungary are part of the same European Union, and the three countries should’ve long left behind their tumultuous past. It’s not like it.

Let’s say it politely, Hungary cannot be named Romania’s best neighbour. The constant care for provoking Romania seems to be the new politics in Budapest. The most recent incident of this kind was when the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wore a scarf with an imprinted version of so-called Great Hungary.

Austria is not far from this behaviour as well. The Austrian companies have invested in Romania, but sometimes these investments seem like something else. One of these is the investment of Holzindustrie Schweighofer, one of the most prominent European wood processors. A few years ago, the Romanian branches of the group faced public rage when they found out that the Austrian company bought wood from illegal loggers during Romania’s massive deforestation.

Now, the very same Austria is the only country to oppose Romania’s accession to Schengen. After the Swedish parliament and the Dutch government greenlighted Romania’s road to the free economic area, Austria remained the final frontier for a country which, technically, has accomplished all the criteria to join the area since 2011.

As we mentioned, Romania is unlikely to join Schengen this December. Will the almighty Austrian Minister of Interior understand that the migrants arriving in Austria do not cross Romania on their way to Western Europe? We can find out on December 8 at the soonest when the JAI Council (Justice and Internal Affairs) will give a vote on the subject.

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Romania ended its group second with 7 points, behind Denmark, undefeated.

This year’s European Championship is organized by Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro between 4-20 November.

Romania is at its 14th participation in the final tournament.

Photo and video: Romanian Handball Federation Facebook account

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