Cosmin Contra
Encyclopedia
Cosmin Marius Contra is a retired Romania
n footballer who played mainly as a right defender.
Offensive-minded, he could also appear as a midfielder
, and played professionally in four countries (his own included), mainly in Spain
, where he appeared for three clubs, mainly Getafe CF
, which he helped consolidate in the top division
.
A Romanian international
for nearly 15 years, Contra represented the nation in two European Championships
.
, Contra started his professional career at local FC Politehnica
, and moved in January 1996 to arch-rivals FC Dinamo Bucureşti.
After three 1/2 seasons with the capital
-based team, he was transferred for $
800.000 to Spain
's Deportivo Alavés
, where he was a vital player in the Basque
side's UEFA Cup runner-up campaign, his performances earning him in a place in the season's UEFA Team of the Year
; he also added five La Liga
goals in his two seasons combined.
Contra then managed yet another excellent move, as Italian
giants A.C. Milan
bought him, but his spell there lasted only one season. In September 2002 he changed clubs once more and went to Atlético de Madrid, playing with the Colchoneros two seasons (though he played very rarely in his second year, due to a serious ankle
condition). A player of character, Contra was involved, while still with Milan, in an incident with Juventus FC
player Edgar Davids
, this being pointed as one of the reasons for his quick departure from Milan.
Contra moved to West Bromwich Albion
on loan in August 2004, making his debut in a 2–1 League Cup
defeat to Colchester United
on 21 September. His Premier League debut came almost two months later, when Albion lost 2–1 at home to Middlesbrough
. The loan was not particularly successful, with Contra playing just six times and receiving a red card
in the last game of his spell, in a 5–0 home defeat to Liverpool
. He then returned to the Romanian first division
, at the club which brought him up as a player, Politehnica Timisoara, where he managed to be recalled to the national side
due to his good performances.
In August 2005, Contra returned to Spain, penning a season-long loan with Getafe CF
(which was made permanent at the season
's end); with the side from the Madrid
outskirts, he was used regularly, battling for position with David Cortés
.
In the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, Contra scored in both legs in an epic quarterfinal bout against FC Bayern Munich
, which ended in an extra time 4–4 aggregate elimination. Earlier in the competition, he scored a penalty kick
against AEK Athens, appearing in that match even though his father had died just hours before. In September 2006, he also became a naturalized Spanish citizen.
In late January 2010, after being ousted from the team's lineups by manager Míchel, Contra left Getafe and returned to his country, rejoining hometown's FC Timişoara, initially until June. On 26 February 2010 he made his debut in his second spell for the club, scoring from a 30-yard a free kick
against FC Politehnica Iaşi
; two months later, against FC Steaua Bucureşti, he again found the net from two set pieces
, one from the penalty spot
; during his second spell at the club, he played mainly as a central midfielder.
On 29 August 2010, Contra scored again from a free kick and again against Steaua, in a late 1–1 equalizer. One day after, his contract expired. On 9 September, he signed a new contract with the club and, only six days later, was announced Timişoara's new player-manager
.
72 times, netting seven goals. He appeared for his country at UEFA Euro 2000 and 2008.
On 1 April 2009, after a match with Austria
, Contra announced his retirement from international football. On 30 August 2010, however, the 34-year old was recalled for two Euro 2012 qualifiers
against Albania
and Belarus
.
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n footballer who played mainly as a right defender.
Offensive-minded, he could also appear as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, and played professionally in four countries (his own included), mainly in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, where he appeared for three clubs, mainly Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, which he helped consolidate in the top division
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
.
A Romanian international
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
for nearly 15 years, Contra represented the nation in two European Championships
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
.
Club career
Born in TimişoaraTimisoara
Timișoara is the capital city of Timiș County, in western Romania. One of the largest Romanian cities, with an estimated population of 311,586 inhabitants , and considered the informal capital city of the historical region of Banat, Timișoara is the main social, economic and cultural center in the...
, Contra started his professional career at local FC Politehnica
FC Politehnica Timişoara
Fotbal Club Politehnica Timişoara is a Romanian football club which was established in 1921 and is currently playing in Romania's second league, Liga II...
, and moved in January 1996 to arch-rivals FC Dinamo Bucureşti.
After three 1/2 seasons with the capital
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
-based team, he was transferred for $
Dollar sign
The dollar or peso sign is a symbol primarily used to indicate the various peso and dollar units of currency around the world.- Origin :...
800.000 to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
, where he was a vital player in the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
side's UEFA Cup runner-up campaign, his performances earning him in a place in the season's UEFA Team of the Year
UEFA Team of the Year
The UEFA Team of the Year is a football award given by UEFA through a poll on its . This award started in 2001 to allow users and visitors of the organization's website to choose their own eleven players and a coach based on their overall performances in European club football and international...
; he also added five La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
goals in his two seasons combined.
Contra then managed yet another excellent move, as Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
giants A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
bought him, but his spell there lasted only one season. In September 2002 he changed clubs once more and went to Atlético de Madrid, playing with the Colchoneros two seasons (though he played very rarely in his second year, due to a serious ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
condition). A player of character, Contra was involved, while still with Milan, in an incident with Juventus FC
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
player Edgar Davids
Edgar Davids
Edgar Steven Davids is a retired Dutch footballer and current member of the supervisory board of Ajax. After beginning his career with the Amsterdam club, he subsequently played in Italy for Milan and Juventus before a loan spell with Barcelona. He went on to play for Internazionale and Tottenham...
, this being pointed as one of the reasons for his quick departure from Milan.
Contra moved to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
on loan in August 2004, making his debut in a 2–1 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
defeat to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
on 21 September. His Premier League debut came almost two months later, when Albion lost 2–1 at home to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. The loan was not particularly successful, with Contra playing just six times and receiving a red card
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
in the last game of his spell, in a 5–0 home defeat to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. He then returned to the Romanian first division
Liga I
Liga I, or in full, due to sponsorship reasons, Liga I Bergenbier, is the top division of the Romanian football league system. Before the 2006/2007 season, it was called Divizia A, but the name had to be changed following the discovery that someone else had registered the trademark "Divizia A"...
, at the club which brought him up as a player, Politehnica Timisoara, where he managed to be recalled to the national side
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
due to his good performances.
In August 2005, Contra returned to Spain, penning a season-long loan with Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
(which was made permanent at the season
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
's end); with the side from the Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
outskirts, he was used regularly, battling for position with David Cortés
David Cortés Caballero
David Cortés Caballero is a Spanish footballer who plays for Granada CF as a right defender.-Football career:Cortés made his professional debuts with local CF Extremadura, then in the second level...
.
In the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, Contra scored in both legs in an epic quarterfinal bout against FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, which ended in an extra time 4–4 aggregate elimination. Earlier in the competition, he scored a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
against AEK Athens, appearing in that match even though his father had died just hours before. In September 2006, he also became a naturalized Spanish citizen.
In late January 2010, after being ousted from the team's lineups by manager Míchel, Contra left Getafe and returned to his country, rejoining hometown's FC Timişoara, initially until June. On 26 February 2010 he made his debut in his second spell for the club, scoring from a 30-yard a free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
against FC Politehnica Iaşi
FC Politehnica Iasi
Fotbal Club Politehnica Iaşi was a football club from Iaşi, Romania. Its colours were blue and white. Its home stadium was the Emil Alexandrescu Stadium. It was founded in 1945 and dissolved in 2010.-History:...
; two months later, against FC Steaua Bucureşti, he again found the net from two set pieces
Set piece (football)
The term set piece or set play is used in association football and rugby to refer to a situation when the ball is returned to open play following a stoppage, particularly in a forward area of the pitch. Most often, the term is used to refer to free kicks and corners, but sometimes throw-ins. Many...
, one from the penalty spot
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
; during his second spell at the club, he played mainly as a central midfielder.
On 29 August 2010, Contra scored again from a free kick and again against Steaua, in a late 1–1 equalizer. One day after, his contract expired. On 9 September, he signed a new contract with the club and, only six days later, was announced Timişoara's new player-manager
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
.
International career
During nearly 15 years, Contra played for RomaniaRomania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
72 times, netting seven goals. He appeared for his country at UEFA Euro 2000 and 2008.
On 1 April 2009, after a match with Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
, Contra announced his retirement from international football. On 30 August 2010, however, the 34-year old was recalled for two Euro 2012 qualifiers
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
The qualifying competition for UEFA Euro 2012 is a series of parallel association football competitions held over 2010 and 2011 to decide the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2012, to be held in Poland and Ukraine...
against Albania
Albania national football team
The Albania national association football team is the national association football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania...
and Belarus
Belarus national football team
The Belarus national football team represents Belarus in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Belarus, the governing body for football in Belarus. Belarus' home ground is Dinamo Stadium in Minsk...
.
International goals
-
- Scores and results table. Romania's goal tally first:
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 March 2001 | Boris Paichadze Stadium Boris Paichadze Stadium The Boris Paichadze National Stadium , also known as the Dinamo Stadium, is a football stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia. It is the home stadium of FC Dinamo Tbilisi. The stadium was built in 1976 by Georgian architect Gia Kurdiani. Before then Dinamo's stadium was a smaller ground with a maximum... , Tbilisi Tbilisi Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936... , Georgia Georgia (country) Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of... |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2002 World Cup qualification | |
| 2 | 14 November 2001 | Stadionul Ghencea, Bucharest Bucharest Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River.... , Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... |
1–1 | 1–1 | 2002 World Cup qualification – Playoffs | |
| 3 | 16 October 2002 | Stade Josy Barthel Stade Josy Barthel Stade Josy Barthel is the national stadium of Luxembourg, home to the Luxembourg national football team and also used for athletics. It is located on route d'Arlon, in Luxembourg City.It was first constructed in 1928 and it was entirely rebuilt in 1990... , Luxembourg Luxembourg (city) The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg... , Luxembourg Luxembourg Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south... |
4–0 | 7–0 | Euro 2004 qualifying | |
| 4 | 16 October 2002 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg | 5–0 | 7–0 | Euro 2004 qualifying | |
| 5 | 16 October 2002 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg | 7–0 | 7–0 | Euro 2004 qualifying | |
| 6 | 28 March 2007 | Stadionul Ceahlăul Stadionul Ceahlaul Ceahlăul Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Piatra Neamţ, Romania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ. The stadium, as well as the local football club takes its name from the Mount Ceahlău, located in the region. The stadium holds... , Piatra Neamţ Piatra Neamt Piatra Neamț , , ; is the capital city of Neamţ County, in the historical region of Moldavia, eastern Romania. Because of its privileged location in the Eastern Carpathian mountains, it is considered one of the most picturesque cities in Romania... , Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... |
2–0 | 3–0 | Euro 2008 qualifying | |
| 7 | 6 June 2007 | Stadionul Dan Păltinişanu Stadionul Dan Paltinisanu Dan Păltinişanu Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Timişoara, Romania. It is currently used mostly for football matches by the local team, Politehnica Timişoara... , Timişoara Timisoara Timișoara is the capital city of Timiș County, in western Romania. One of the largest Romanian cities, with an estimated population of 311,586 inhabitants , and considered the informal capital city of the historical region of Banat, Timișoara is the main social, economic and cultural center in the... , Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... |
2–0 | 2–0 | Euro 2008 qualifying |
Club
- AlavésDeportivo AlavésDeportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
:- UEFA Cup: Runner-up 2000–01
- GetafeGetafe CFGetafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
:- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Runner-up 2006–07, 2007–08
- Spanish Cup