The team has been announced as Larisa Iordache, Diana Bulimar, Andreea Munteanu (not that one) Stefania Stanila, Silvia Zarzu. I’ll be honest, I’ve barely even heard of the last two. It would appear that they won’t have anyone carrying on the Izbasa/Ponor ‘world is my gynaecologist’ leotard tradition either, which is a damn shame.
What I do know is that they’ll have the usual kickarse beam lineup. Iordache is, of course, a world beater as and when she can get her shit together. The number of major medals she has now thrown away thanks to falling on what should be her best event now stands at three. But we think she’ll hit, particularly if she doesn’t bother with the pikey layout full she chucked in Glasgow last December(she watered down in Doha). The problem with that routine is not a lack of difficulty.
Bronwyn’s favourite Diana Bulimar isn’t quite in the same league, but is always good for mid to high 14s, and Andreea Munteanu scored 14.833 recently in Jesolo.
An average of 15 for this event is not beyond the realms of possibility. Elsewhere, they should manage 3 DTYs on vault, which is as much as any other medal contender will. They probably won’t be of Kyla Ross quality, but then neither will anyone else’s. Bars will be the usual shitshow.
We eagerly anticipate floor, as the Romanians showed the best choreography of any team at worlds, by a long way. Iordache and the allegedly retired Izbasa put on something of a masterclass. They were vair enjoyable in London too. It’s too much to expect that they’ll top that, but they’re likely to be more watchable than most. Their D scores are quite competitive: 5.8 for Iordache, 5.7 for Bulimar and Munteanu. Not bad. Italy are quite serviceable on floor at the moment, Russia are anyone’s guess, but this is Romania’s best chance to put clear blue water between themselves and GB.
So although this team isn’t exactly stuffed to the gills with superstars, we know enough about them to be able to identify that this is a team in the typical Romanian mode: fine on vault, heinous bars, world beating beam and competitive floor. Business as usual. In recent years, that has meant crapping out in the middle of the quad and pulling their shit together in time for the Olympics, but at this point we would say they’re probably the favourites.
It may or may not be significant that this is Machiavelli Belu’s first midquad in 12 years.
Let’s leave the last word to Daniela Silivas, who reckons this is how many points they’ll win by. Any excuse to dig out this stunning piece of photography from the archives.
STOI! 
May 11th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
what do you all think of kharenkova’s beam. she’s capable of 6.8-7?
May 12th, 2014 at 2:34 am
Death or glory, I should think. Actually that has the potential to be one helluva beam rotation. On paper they could be up there with Romania.
C
May 11th, 2014 at 7:57 am
By the way, Stoi!, I think Lari is catching up to Ponor/Izbasa on the high cut leo front, so don’t worry.
May 10th, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Belu is a master, for having approximately 2 usable gymasts and putting together a team that might actually win this thing. Hats off.
May 10th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Did you see FIG’s videos about credit for layouts, where they basically stated that only the Chinese have E worthy layouts? It seems like that weakens Romanian beam slightly (Iordache and Bulimar).
May 10th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Did you read the recent interview with Valentina Rodionenko? Apparently the reason they’re leaving Paseka at home isn’t injury, or lack of need, it’s because she has “weight problems.” Sigh.
May 11th, 2014 at 7:56 am
Mostly I wonder how Valentina R looks at herself in the mirror. Surely by those standards she is obese?
I wouldn’t take Paseka either, but just because she is a one-eventer who is looking really shaky on her one event. The team could really have used Nabs. Even not at her best, her DTY and floor is serviceable and her bars not much weaker than some of the specialists.
May 10th, 2014 at 8:27 am
Russia and Romania look shallow, but they do both have a superstar. GB don’t: Downie is the closest, and much as I like her she’s not even in Iordache’s league, let alone Mustafina. I do think it’s likely to be close.
May 9th, 2014 at 8:36 pm
Andrea Munteanu looks very good on beam. I have to say that, compared to GB, the Romanian and Russian teams look very depleted and shallow. I like their chances more and more.