Universitatea Craiova Becomes Romanian Champion After 35 Years
Universitatea Craiova secured the Romanian football championship title after a 35-year absence, with a decisive 5-0 victory (2-0) over Universitatea Cluj on Sunday evening at the "Ion Oblemenco" stadium. This win came in the 9th play-off round of the Superliga, the second to last match of the season.
The team from Bania asserted themselves without mercy, with goals scored by David Matei (3), Assad Al Hamlawi (9, 48), Anzor Mekvabişvili (59), and Luca Băsceanu (72).
This victory comes on the heels of Universitatea Craiova winning the Romanian Cup on Wednesday through penalties, after a final against Universitatea Cluj.
The match began with a 1-0 lead for the hosts when David Matei scored in the 3rd minute with a shot from the center of the field, after a pass from Nicuşor Bancu. Assad Al Hamlawi doubled the lead in the 9th minute, after breaking free following a clearance by goalkeeper Laurenţiu Popescu.
The team, coached by Portuguese Filipe Coelho, continued to dominate the game and create opportunities, but Matei (18, 39, 39) and Mekvabişvili (28, 34) could not add more goals. Universitatea Cluj had notable chances, including a header by Jovo Lukic (30) and a successful block by Mora (36).
Towards the end of the first half, Universitatea Cluj's Oucasse Mendy received a second yellow card (42) for a rough tackle on Matei, leaving the visitors with ten men for the rest of the half.
Universitatea Craiova started the second half strongly, with Al Hamlawi scoring again in the 48th minute. Mekvabişvili scored superbly from 18 meters out in the 59th minute, and Luca Băsceanu sealed the scoreline in the 72nd minute.
The match attracted 27,810 spectators. Since the return of the two teams to the top league in 2022, they have met 12 times in the main internal competition, with five wins for Craiova, two for Cluj, and five draws.
This is the fifth Romanian championship title for Universitatea Craiova, following those in 1973-1974, 1979-1980, 1980-1981, and 1990-1991. The club has achieved three trebles in 1.81, 1.91, and 2026.
The match ended 5-0 (2-0) in favor of Universitatea Craiova at the "Ion Oblemenco" stadium in Craiova.
Goals: David Matei (3), Assad Al Hamlawi (9, #48), Anzor Mekvabişvili (59), Luca Băsceanu (72).
Red card: Oucasse Mendy (Universitatea Cluj, 42).
Referee: Marcel Bîrsan (Bucharest); Assistant referees: Valentin Avram (Bucharest), Imre-Laszlo Bucsi (Sfântu Gheorghe); Fourth official: Iulian Călin (Ştefăneşti/Argeş)
Video assistant referee: Cătălin Popa (Piteşti); Video assistant referee: Vasile Marinescu (Bucharest)
Observers: Augustus Constantin (Râmnicu Vâlcea) - CCA, Eduard Alexandru (Ploieşti) - LPF
Tags: Universitatea Craiova, match, national champion
Craiova's triumphant return to the top is a testament to their resilience and the power of a passionate fanbase. Can Cluj bounce back from this crushing defeat, or will Craiova's dominance continue? Let's see what the next season brings!