Sports Flash
The Romanian football Cup comes to Craiova.
Florin Orban, 14.05.2026, 13:45
Universitatea Craiova won the Romanian Football Cup, after on Wednesday night they won the final against Universitatea Cluj, held in Sibiu, 6-5 after penalty kicks. After regular time and the two extra time periods, the score was tied at 0-all.
The game was balanced, dynamic, although without a lot of dangerous attacks at either goal. Craiova moved better, but this was not enough to overcome the well-organized defence prepared by the Cluj coach, Cristiano Bergodi (Italy).
In extra time, the two teams slowed down, choosing to have the fate of the final decided by penalty kicks. Craiova won, thanks to the goalkeeper Laurențiu Popescu, who saved the last shot, by Iulian Cristea.
Universitatea Craiova won the trophy for the eighth time, after victories in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1991, 2018 and 2021. The team has played two other finals, in 1975 and 1985. For Portuguese coach Filipe Coelho, it was the first Romanian Cup in his career.
Cluj’s coach, Bergodi, has two Cups on his record, won in 2022 and 2023 with Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe. Universitatea Cluj remains with one Romanian Cup trophy, dating back to 1965. The Transylvanian team lost six finals, in 1934, 1942, 1949, 2015, 2023 and 2026.
The two teams are to meet again on Sunday, in the last but one stage of the play-off phase of the Romanian Football Super League. Craiova are one point ahead of Cluj and will play on home turf. If they win, they also win the championship one leg before the final.
Also on Wednesday, the Romanian coach Cristian Chivu won his first Italian Cup. His team, Internazionale Milan, won the final against Lazio 2-0, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. It is Milan’s third Championship – Cup double in history, as Inter secured their champions title three stages before the end of the competition. This season, the club won its 21st championship and its 10th Italian Cup, also the 3rd in the last 5 years. (AMP)
