Sports Weekend
Football, rugby and handball fans can look forward to a series of highly anticipated international fixtures this weekend.
Florin Orban, 13.11.2026, 13:45
Romania’s national football team take on Poland in Bucharest on Saturday in a UEFA Nations League Group B4 fixture. Having played four matches in the current edition of the competition, in September and October, Romania have yet to earn a single point. They have lost away to Sweden, at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina, away to Poland and, most recently, at home to Sweden in Bucharest.
The initial objective of finishing in one of the top two places in the group, thereby securing a place in Pot 2 for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw and avoiding as many of Europe’s leading teams as possible, is now out of reach. It will nevertheless be interesting to see whether there has been any improvement in the performance of the Romanians, who have so far disappointed across all areas of the pitch.
Also on Saturday, Romania’s national rugby team face the United States in the Nations Cup. The Oaks have played four matches in the inaugural edition of the new competition. In July, during their tour of South America, Romania beat Samoa, drew with Uruguay and lost to Chile. Last week, they were defeated by Tonga in Bucharest. The side coached by Frenchman David Gérard currently occupy fourth place in Group A. The United States have won all four of their matches and lead the Group B standings.
Women’s European handball competitions also feature prominently this weekend. In the EHF Champions League, Group B, Gloria Bistriţa travel to Croatia on Saturday to face Podravka Koprivnica. The two sides also met last week in Romania, where Gloria claimed a 33-29 victory. The Transylvanian side currently occupy third place in the standings. In Group A, CSM Bucharest host French side Brest Bretagne on Sunday. The Romanian champions suffered a heavy away defeat against the same opponents last week, going down 40-25. The Romanian runners-up currently sit fourth in the group standings. The second legs of the third qualifying round are also being played in the EHF European League. On Saturday, SCM Râmnicu Vâlcea travel to Poland to face Lublin, whom they defeated 32-27 at home in the first leg.
On Sunday, Dunărea Brăila host Norwegian side Molde, who secured a narrow 30-29 victory in the first leg. Corona Braşov will also be playing at home, against French team Chambray Touraine. In the first leg, the side coached by Mariana Târcă secured a 26-25 away victory in France. The winners of these ties will qualify for the group stage of the EHF European League. (EE)
