Sports roundup

A look at the main sports action this past week

Florin Orban, 25.11.2019, 13:45

Two Romanian men’s handball teams will prove their mettle in the Challenge Cup in men’s handball. On Saturday, CSM Bucharest outclassed HC Mashenka of Belarus in the first leg of the tie, counting towards the Challenge Cup’s third round, CSM had secured a 34-28 win, while in the second leg, CSM was defeated, 25-28. Both matches were played in Mogylev, Belarus. A 38-35 first-leg win, away from home, and a 32-all home draw, played in Turda, secured Potaissa Turda’s qualification at the expense of Latvian opponents TENAX Dobele. We recall Potaissa is the winner of the Challenge Cup in 2018.

Romanian head-coach Razvan Lucescu has won the Asian Champions League in football with Saudi team Al Hilal Ryadh. This past Sunday, Al Hilal defeated Japanese contenders Urawa Red Diamonds away from home, 2-nil, in the final confrontation’s second leg. WE recall Al Hilal had secured a 1-nil win n home turf. It was the first trophy won by Al Hilal in the Asian Champions League. The competition was re-launched in 2002. In 1991 and 2000, Al Hilal had also emerged as winners, when the competition rolled as The Asian Clubs Championship. Al Hilal will represent Asia in the Clubs’ World Cup, to be held in Qatar, in December.

Romanian striker Bogdan Stancu scored both goals for his team, Genclerbirligi Ankara, as the team secured a 2-1 away win against Kasimpasha, in the 12^th round of Turkey’s championship. Aytac Kara drew first blood for the Istanbul team on 54 minutes, but Stancu provided the leveller on 82 minutes. It was also Stancu who sealed the fate of the game in minute 88, turning a penalty kick into a goal. The former Romanian international football has scored six goals in the ongoing season.

This past weekend saw matches matches being played, counting towards League One’s 17^th round. On Friday, CFR Cluj secured 4-nil home win against Chindia Targovoiste. On Saturday, Poli Iasi and FC Voluntari drew, 2-all, while in Bucharest, Astra Giurgiu won the game against FCSB, 3-1. Three matches were played on Sunday. Academica Clinceni managed a 2-all home draw against Dinamo Bucharest. Gaz Metan Medias were held by FC Botosani to a blank draw. In the southern Romaniantownn of Craiova, Universitatea secured a 3-nil win against FC Hermannstadt Sibiu.The 17^th round’s last game this coming Monday will see Viitorul Constanta taking on Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe. CFR Cluj are at the top of the table, with 34 points, followed by Universitatea Craiova and Astra Giurgiu, with 31 points each.