Euro 2008: Romanians remain

Defenders rarely steal as much of the limelight as their goal-scoring counterparts, but a solid back four has been the linchpin of many successful teams and according to the Castrol Performance Index Romania have one of the best in Europe.

The top three defenders have remained as resilient in the Index as they have on the pitch following the recent round of friendly games. While Greek centre back Sotirios Kyrgiakos stays top, Cosmin Contra has climbed up a place from eleventh, putting three of the Romanian back four in the CPI top ten.

Romania's 1-0 away defeat at the hands of Israel wasn't enough to drop Tamas and Goian out of the top three, but it has allowed the rest of the Europe's top stoppers to close the gap.

Juan Capdevila's meteoric rise from 36th to fourth, just 66 points behind Goian, doubles the Spanish top 20 presence. The Villareal CF left back scored the late winner as Spain beat France 1-0 at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga, and played a significant part in the Spanish clean sheet.

Traditionally viewed as the defensive kings of Europe, Italy's last line can hold it's head higher still after Massimo Oddo and Fabio Cannavaro's performances in the 3-1 victory against Portugal propelled them into the top twenty. Before this latest round of friendlies the list didn't contain a single Azzurri.

Among others the new Spanish and Italian additions come at the cost of veteran centre back Lillian Thuram. The 36-year-old FC Barcelona player was France's only representative in the top 20 and his demise leaves the French back four distinctly in the shadows.

For more news on the European Football Championship 2008 please visit http://www.castrolindex.com

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