Football isn't a strong league, a £2billion TV deal or a useful political tool. It's a state of mind.

Which is why Romania, without the proverbial pot to relieve themselves in, outclassed England with such ease in Charleroi on Tuesday night.

As a country, they have always been associated with austerity, poverty and the grey drabness of the old Eastern bloc. Which is perhaps why, during those dark years under Ceaucescu, Romanians opted to make their football colourful and exciting.

And where did they look for inspiration? Not to England, that's for sure, nor even to the successful and pragmatic Germany, who became role models over the years. No, the Romanians decided to go latin.

Drawing on influences from Italy, Spain and even South America, they developed a patient passing style in their domestic football, one which enabled the very best talent to easily move abroad to the Spanish, Italian and Dutch leagues.

Coach Emerich Jenei firmly believes there were few other options for Romania. 'We are a team who play in a latin style and that, for me, is the best way to play,' he insisted.

'We can keep the ball, pass it around and make the opposition work. We are creative, we put the emphasis on playing an attractive style, and it works. We believe in our system, we believe in our players. Why should we change it?'

Romania were unlucky not to beat Germany, even more unfortunate to lose to Portugal in the fifth minute of injury time, and fully deserved their victory over England.

Portuguese defender Abel Xavier had spent 20 minutes after Saturday's narrow win just warning England to beware the style and bravura of Romania. Yesterday, he took no pleasure in seeing his predictions borne out.

'I was always concerned about this game and, sitting on the bench, I kept trying to find out the score because I wanted England to go through,' said the Everton player.

'But you saw that Romania caused many, many problems for us. For long periods of our game they were better than us, they played in a Portuguese style and did it better. I really believe they can cause problems for Italy.'

The Italians will know all about a team with players sprinkled over the continent, with the collapse of club finances back home forcing many abroad in search of lira, pesetas and guilders. Of the 22 players in action for Romania in Holland and Belgium, 15 earn their crust abroad.

On the eve of the match in Charleroi, no less respected a figure than Scotland coach Craig Brown added his voice of caution, mentioning in passing conversation about Germany how much England had to fear.

That he picked out Dorinel Munteanu and Christian Chivu as the danger men may seem like great foresight but, to any serious student of football, it shouldn't have taken flashing read lights to warn England of the potential pitfalls.

Portugal's Standard Liege defender Dimas Teixeira said: 'It is good for football that England and Germany are out. It is good for football that, finally, two teams like Romania and Portugal - total outsiders - are through to the Quarter-finals. It means football is more challenging and competitive.'