RRI Sports Club

Three Romanian football sides are one step away from reaching the group stage of the Conference League European competition. They will play on Thursday the second leg of the play-off matches, and all three have to win in order to advance to the next stage. Of the three of them, CFR Cluj have the greatest chances to pull this off. The Romanian champions CFR will be playing at home against the Slovenian side NK Maribor, having drawn nil-all in the away match. CFR have so far been able to score each time they played at home, both in the domestic championship and in the European competitions. If they reach the next stage, they will win the Conference League bonus of 1 million euros, notes the Bucharest press, which would be very helpful to CFR in ensuring a stable season given that the club has some serious financial problems.

Universitatea Craiova, who are managed by the former Romanian international Mirel Rădoi, also drew in their previous match, which they played against the Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva at home, 1-all. The Israeli vice-champions scored first, with Universitatea Craiova equalising from a penalty kick. The Romanian side then missed several more opportunities to score, something they have been struggling with for most of the season. Their attack, however, has some of the most talented players of the young generation, the international players Andrei Ivan and Jovan Markovici, so fans have high expectations. If they reach the Conference League groups, it would be a first for Universitatea Craiova, who haven't been able to qualify for any of the European competitions in their new format.

Finally, the Romanian vice-champions FCSB will be facing the Norwegian side Viking away in Stavanger. In the first leg in Bucharest, Viking won 2-1, so they are favourites in the next match, especially as FCSB need to win by a two-goal difference. With their new manager Nicolae Dică, however, FCSB have shown more determination and ambition, so they shouldn't be ruled out just yet. (CM)