Sports Weekend
The latest in Romanian and European football
Florin Orban, 30.08.2024, 13:50
Romania’s football champions, FCSB, have qualified into the main stage of the Europa League, Europe’s second-tier inter-club competition. On Thursday, in the playoffs, the Bucharest-based team coached by Elias Charalambous (Cyprus) won 1-0 on home turf against the Austrian side LASK Linz. In the first leg, in Austria, the two teams drew, 1-all. In Bucharest, the match was rather balanced, with goal opportunities on both sides. FCSB only managed to score in extra time, thanks to a spectacular goal by skipper Darius Olaru, who secured his team’s victory and qualification.
In the playoffs for the 3rd-tier European competition, Conference League, CFR Cluj lost 0-3 to Paphos (Cyprus). The latter, playing on home turf, scored on 28 minutes thanks to Jajà (Brazil). Only 3 minutes later, the Spaniard David Goldar increased the difference, and the final score was set by Muamer Tankovic (Sweden) on 49 minutes, after a foul by the Slovenian Matija Boben brought the hosts a penalty kick. In the first leg, CFR had won 1-0.
Over the weekend, matches are scheduled, counting for the 8th round of the Romanian football Super League. On Friday, Oţelul Galaţi take on Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe. On Saturday, in Sibiu, FC Hermannstadt face Politehnica Iaşi, while in Craiova, Universitatea play Rapid Bucharest. Three games are scheduled for Sunday: FC Botoşani vs Petrolul Ploieşti, Farul Constanţa vs CFR Cluj, and FCSB vs UTA Arad. And the last matches in this round will be played on Monday, with Unirea Slobozia playing in Chiajna against Gloria Buzău, and Universitatea Cluj facing Dinamo Bucharest. After the first 7 rounds, Universitatea Cluj are top of the standings with 15 points, followed by Universitatea Craiova, with 14. (AMP)
