Rangnick: Home game feeling for Romanians-expect fans in the Happel-Oval!

Rangnick: Home game feeling for Romanians-expect fans in the Happel-Oval!

Berlin, Deutschland - On June 7, 2025, a important football game will take place in the Happel-Oval, for many fans to be waiting for. Ralf Rangnick, coach of the Austrian national team, expects an emotional home game atmosphere with approx. 48,500 spectators. The great encouragement of the Romanian diaspora, which has grown in Austria and other countries in recent years, plays an important role. Rangnick trusts that the players let the spark skip to fans when they exhaust their potential on the pitch.

The Romanian diaspora, which has changed a lot in recent years through migration and Europeanization, is an interesting phenomenon. Since Romania's accession to the EU, numerous citizens of the country have opened up to different European countries to start a new life there. This includes a considerable migration to Italy and Spain, which has increasingly continued to Western and Northern Europe in recent years. A 2014 survey shows that Romanian migrants formed the largest group among the new immigrants in Germany, followed by an increase in the following years.

challenges of the diaspora

The reality of life of the Romanian migrants is characterized by different experiences and goals. Around 700,000 Romanians live in Germany, of which around 25,000 are located in Berlin. This group often tries to distance itself from foreign status and makes it politically speaking. But integration is difficult for many. According to a sociological study of 2023, Romanians living abroad perceive discrimination and fear of loss of their national identity as great risks. These topics are particularly relevant for Romanians who live in countries such as Spain, Italy and Great Britain.

The challenges in front of which the Romanian diaspora faces are further highlighted by the research of Alina Dolea, a lecturer at Bournemouth University. She has been investigating the perceptions of Romanians in Great Britain since 2019 and calls for the development of improved diaspora programs that are geared towards intercultural competence and navigation skills. In her view, it is essential to expand the understanding of Romanian culture and the associated values in the reception center.

The movement in the diaspora

dolea also indicates the need to establish cultural educational offers such as "weekend schools" for Romanian children in Great Britain. These programs could promote a better understanding of Romanian culture and at the same time contribute to integration. Despite diverse challenges, the majority of Diaspora members show no return to Romania. This often happens out of concern for the back and future of your children.

Overall, the developments that result from Romania's commitment in the European Union illustrate the complexity of migration and the many facets of the Romanian diaspora. The term "diaspora" is not only understood as a political project, but also includes local and global perspectives that enable new discourses and interpretations in today's networked world.

Ralf Rangnick and his team are aware of the importance of the Romanian diaspora, and maybe the upcoming game in the Happel-Oval will not only be a sporting event, but also a symbol for the strong connection between Romanians and their home country.