Hagi, Belodedici, Popescu and company on final

The UEFA Europa League group stage ends this week, setting the scene for Friday and a round of 32 draw that already contains the names of holders FC Porto and Manchester United FC.

At stake for the knockout contenders will be a place in the 9 May final at Bucharest's National Arena, the first such showpiece match to be held in Romania. It is a big moment for the country and UEFA.com caught up with some of Romania's best-known football figures who are counting down the days.

Watch the video to hear from Gheorghe Popescu, Dorinel Munteanu, Gheorghe Hagi, 2012 UEFA Europa League final ambassador Miodrag Belodedici and Romanian Football Federation (FRF) president Mircea Sandu.