Valentin Samungi began his handball career as a goalkeeper with Dinamo București in 1958 before becoming an outcourt player. Three years later Samungi made his début for the Romanian national team in 1961, and he played on the team until 1973. During his international career he played in 113 matches, scoring 134 goals. His first international success came in 1963, winning bronze at the World University Handball Championship. At the World Championships he won bronze in 1967 before winning gold with the team at the 1970 tournament. Two years later he was part of the Romanian team that won bronze at the 1972 München Olympics.
Following his playing career Samungi became a coach, first with the national junior team (1977–85), followed by a stint coaching the national team (1989–91). In 1991 he was appointed in an advisory role at the Ministry of Youth and Sports before becoming the President of the Romanian Handball Federation in 1995.
Romania