Romania's goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon (L) attends a training session on March 26, 2016, on the eve of the friendly football match Romania against Spain in Cluj Napoca city. / AFP / DANIEL MIHAILESCU (Photo credit should read DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images)
Fans preparing for Sunday's international friendly between Romania and Spain may have needed their calculators handy.
In an effort to combat Romania's poor school dropout rate and boost children's interest in math, the country's football federation has kickstarted a novel initiative - having players swap their standard kit numbers for mathematical equations.
The recently devised concept for the squad numbers, printed on the back of training tops ahead of the clash against La Roja, was reinforced by a video shown at the Cluj Arena describing the measure.
"Football and mathematics are not mutually exclusive," said Romandian Football Federation president Razvan Burleanu. "We must look at sports and education as not only complementary but fundamental elements integrated in the training and perfection of children. We want to have healthy generation and smart students who achieve performance and tools through tailored passions. Through this project, children will learn the basics of football and have an opportunity for the first time in our country -- to discover mathematics through an attractive approach."
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