A preview of the Romanian participation in the European football competitions
Three Romanian football sides are trying to make it to the next stage of the European Cups
Florin Orban, 13.08.2025, 13:45
Football sides representing Romania in the European competitions, namely FCSB, CFR Cluj and Universitatea Craiova, are facing a new exam. FCSB and CFR are playing in the second round of the third preliminary leg of Europa League, while Universitatea in the third round of the Conference League qualifiers.
Romania’s champions FCSB, will be taking on the Kosovo champions Drita, in Pristina. The first game in Bucharest went to FCSB 3-2 after the visitors had got the upper hand 2-0. In the domestic championship FCSB made another wrong step and lost their home game 1-0 against Unirea Slobozia. If they manage a win against Drita, FCSB will be taking on the Scottish side Aberdeen in the play-offs. If they got eliminated from Europa League, the Romanian champions will be playing in Conference League play-off against the winner of the match pitching Differdange, of Luxemburg, against Levadia Tallinn, of Estonia, which are the odds-on favourites after winning the first match away 3-2.
CFR Cluj’s task is more difficult in the same competition as they will be playing against the Portuguese side Sporting Braga. CFR clinched a 2-1 home win in the first round but postponed their game in the domestic championship against Csikszereda for October 16. If they manage to eliminate Braga, they will be playing in the competition’s play-off against the winner pitching Lincoln of Gibraltar against the Armenian side Noah. The two sides ended their first match in a one-all draw. If they get eliminated form the competition, CFR will be playing in the Conference League against the winner of the match between the Swedish side Haecken and the Norwegians from Brann Bergen. The Norwegians won the first game away 2-0.
In the Conference League, Universitatea Craiova will be up against Spartak Trnava in Slovakia, after a 3-0 home win. In the domestic championship, Universitatea had a difficult home game against Hermannstadt, which it eventually won 1-0. If they outperform the Slovaks, Universitatea will be up next against the winner of the game between Viking Stavanger of Norway and Istanbul Başakşehir of Turkey. The first game away went to the Turkish side 3-1.
(bill)
