Sports Weekend
Agony, ecstasy and grit in the matches of the Romanian football teams in European football competitions.
Florin Orban, 22.08.2025, 13:45
Three Romanian football teams played on Thursday in the European competitions, with extremely different results. In the course of a single day, Romanian football fans went from agony to ecstasy, and the evening ended with a wonderful example of determination offered by the country’s football champions.
Agony. In the first round of the Conference League play-offs, CFR Cluj were defeated in Sweden by Häcken, 7-2. It was the first time that the Transylvanians conceded 7 goals in a European competition. The score difference makes any comments redundant, except for the news of the resignation of Dan Petrescu as the coach of Romania’s vice-champions.
Ecstasy. Also in the Conference League play-offs, Universitatea Craiova defeated the Turkish team Bashakshehir Istanbul 2-1. The Romanians played with ambition and talent against an opponent with a high-value line-up. Craiova led 2-0, after goals scored by Alexandru Cicâldău, in the extra time of the first half, and by Costa Rican Carlos Mora, on 61 minutes. The Irishman Festy Ebosele scored for the hosts, on 87 minutes.
Grit. In the Europa League’s play-offs, FCSB played away from home the first leg of the round against the Scottish team Aberdeen. The Romanian champions were the first to score, on 32 minutes, thanks to Daniel Bîrligea. Seven minutes later, FCSB saw one of their men, the Italian Juri Cisotti, red-carded for a foul on the Australian Nicolas Milanovic. Immediately after the break, FCSB’s Darius Olaru scored again, despite the Romanians being outnumbered. The hosts assailed Ştefan Târnovanu’s goal and reduced the difference on 61 minutes, through the American Dante Polvara. The Bucharest team’s defence held firm until the 90th minute, when the Slovenian Ester Sokler managed tie the game. However, the Romanian team is the favourite to qualify for the Europa League main group stage.
This weekend, games are scheduled in the 7th round of the Romanian Football Super League. On Friday, UTA Arad take on Unirea Slobozia and Metaloglobus on Rapid Bucharest. On Saturday, FC Botoşani play on home turf against Csikszereda, and Universitatea Cluj face Dinamo Bucharest. On Sunday, three more matches are scheduled: Oţelul Galaţi vs CFR Cluj, Universitatea Craiova vs Petrolul Ploieşti and FCSB vs FC Argeş. The last game of the round will take place on Monday, pitting FC Hermannstadt against Farul Constanţa. Craiova currently lead the standings, with 16 points, followed by Rapid and UTA, 4 points behind. (AMP)
