Romanian players have swapped their normal squad numbers for maths problems in an effort to help promote the importance education for children back home.
Romanian national players prepared for their friendly against Spain whilst wearing their unusual training gear. The idea for the new numbers, printed on the back of training tops was supposed by a video at the Cluj Arena.
It was explaining that the unique move was designed to combat the nation’s problem with uneducated children and the country’s high dropout rate. As of 2014 Romania had a dropout of 18%, the highest of all European Union countries.
“Football and mathematics are not mutually exclusive,” Romanian Football Federation (RFF) president, Razvan Burleanu explained.
“We must look at sports and education as not only complementary but fundamental elements integrated in the training and perfection of children. We want to have healthy generation and smart students who achieve performance and tools through tailored passions.”
“Through this project, children will learn the basics of football and have an opportunity for the first time in our country – to discover mathematics through an attractive approach.”
On top of holding a lackluster Spain to 0-0 draw in the friendly, Romania had finished second in their Euro 2016 qualifiers group behind Northern Ireland. But the Central Europeans face a tough test in the tournament, playing host nation France in their opening match on June 10, before facing Switzerland and Albania.