Nicolae Tilihoi

Birth Date: December 9th 1956, Brãila
1974-1975: played at Progresul Braila
1975-1976: played at FC Braila
1976-1987: played at Universitatea Craiova
1976: first game in "Divizia A"
1977: Cup Of Romania winner
1978: Cup Of Romania winner
1980: Champion Of Romania
1981: Champion Of Romania, Cup Of Romania winner
1983: Cup Of Romania winner
1987/1988: played at Metalul Bocsa
Games played in "Divizia A": 296, 7 goals scored
Games played in European cups: 36
Games played in Romania's National Team: 11
1990/1991: trainer at Jiul IEELIF Craiova (3rd League), winner of 3rd League
1991/1992: assistent coach at Electroputere Craiova
1996: trainer of Universitatea Craiova (U21 team)
1997: assistent coach of Universitatea Craiova
1998-2002: vicepresident at Universitatea Craiova
2003: vicepresident at Electroputere Craiova
2003: trainer at Senaco Novaci
Citizen of Honour of Craiova City

In the football books, the born date of Nicolae Tilihoi is August 9th 1956. He said: "Many people send me congratulations on August 9th, but this is an error. I was born on December 9th 1956. Anyhow, I thank all who congrats me even they do this in August or in December".

Unforgetable European Games

In 1981-1982 Universitatea Craiova played in European Champions Cup, the old name of Champions League of today. After two double games against Olimpyakos Pireu and BK Copenhagen, Craiova had as a guest the great German football team which was Bayern Munich a team in which were players like Breitner, Rummenigge an so on.It was a dramatical game with a stadium of 45.000 places full of Universitatea Craiova's fans. Our team lost this game with 1-2 but this was just a preview for the next year. The year of the most important European performances for this great Romanian fooball team.

In 1982-1983 Universitatea Craiova played in UEFA Cup. The first game was against AC Fiorentina. A team of the well known World Champion Antobelli. Universitatea was the winner (3-1 and 0-1) and in the second tour we encountered Shamrock Rovers. 2-0 and 3-0 were the results and for the 3rd tour the well known France team was meant to came in Craiova.

Girondins de Bordeaux lost this double game against this legendary Romanian team (0-1 and 2-0). In the 4th tour 1FC Kaiserslautern came in Craiova. After 2-3 in Germany we did a 1-0 in the minute 82 and Universitatea Craiova was preparing for UEFA Cup semifinals.

Benfica Lisboa was the team who put an end to this beautiful dream. We managed a full of hope 0-0 in Portugal. But in Romania we missed only 45 minutes for the great final. Ilie Balaci scored in the 15th minute of the game by a great execution from a free kick. In the second time of the game Benfica succeded a draw and this team went in the final. This performance was never done by a future team from Craiova.

Silviu Lung

Birth date: September 9th 1956, Sânmiclăus - Satu Mare
1971-1974: goalkeeper of Victoria Carei
1974-1988: goalkeeper of Universitatea Craiova
September 9th 1974: his first game in "Divizia A"
1977: winner of Cup Of Romania
1978: winner of Cup Of Romania
1980: Champion Of Romania

1981: Champion Of Romania, winner of Cup Of Romania
1984: played at Euro'84 France
1984: the most valuable Romanian football player
1984: Marketing and Management Faculty of University Of Craiova graduated
1988-1990: goalkeeper of Steaua Bucharest
1988: Champion Of Romania, winner of Cup Of Romania
1989: Champion Of Romania
1989: Champions League finalist
1990: played at World Cup Italia'90
1990-1991: goalkeeper of Logrones (Spain)
1991-1993: goalkeeper of Electroputere Craiova
1993-1994: goalkeeper of Universitatea Craiova
1993: winner of Cup Of Romania
Games in Romanian National Football Team: 77
Games in European Cups: 53
1994: assistent coach at Universitatea Craiova
1995: assistent coach at FC National Bucharest
1996-1997: trainer of Minerul Motru (second league)
1997: assistent coach at Universitatea Craiova
1998: trainer of Universitatea Craiova
1998-2000: assistent coach at Universitatea Craiova
2000-2002: goalkeeper trainer at Nagoya Grampus Eight (Japan)
2003-2005: goalkeeper trainer at Universitatea Craiova
2005-2006: trainer at Minerul Motru (second league)

Adrian Paunescu

He is one of the greatest Romanian writers alive. Has tens or event hundreds published books. He had a full life and was a very active person. Nourdays is senator in the Romanian Parlament. Adrian Paunescu is one of the most popular supporters of Universitatea Craiova. On his web site http://www.adrianpaunescu.ro is a large story dedicated to this legendary football team.

"The Truth About Craiova Maxima And About Ilie Balaci

I'd like to commit an autodenunce. In 1951 when I was working in the international section of "Scânteia Tineretului" I liked a young writer who made smart and interesting columns. Later he was employed at this jurnal and he became the main carrier of the current "the entire truth in literature". His name Radu Cosasu. One of the last days, this man wrote in "Gazeta Sporturilor" about glorious days of Universitatea Craiova, about the time when Balaci, Stefanescu, Beldeanu and the others made a team who was admired in Oltenia and even in the entire Romania. Nourdays there are more fans of Universitatea Craiova who are hopping this team to come back at its former dimenssion. There are other times now. Universitatea Craiova is only a brand of the team in the past. Its players are not students anymore and the club is in the property of a boss or another. Few years ago another boss left this team carring with him 14 football players, some of them being here before that ex-boss bought this team. Even he founded this team in the first league that man wanted to have even the place of this team in the first Romanian football league. To found another football team with a different name and a different place to play its games. Last year the same person bought the most important 5 players from Universitatea Craiova. This time the boss of Universitatea Craiova was somebody else who dissolved this team few days before the end of "Divizia A". After 41 years of continous presence on the first league, this team arrived in "Divizia B". If was not a passionate and romantic fan who buy another players, this team had not football players to participate even in the second league. I'd like to remaind I have the main guilt for changing of the structure of "Divizia A" from 16 to 18 football teams.

I was one who appreciated and even loved Ilie Balaci. A fighter with very much talent and an impresive technique. He was as good as Nicoale Dobrin but he did both phases of the game, offensive and defensive, being in the same time a master of tackle and having a goor resistance in the body to body duels. There exists a theory who says that not only Steaua Bucharest and Dinamo Bucharest were helped by Nicolae Ceausescu and The Communist Party but also Universitatea Craiova was helped by Adrian Paunescu and Stefan Andrei. Well, there are two different components which can not be equal. Those two teams from Bucharest gathered the most important Romanian football players using political reasons of high level, they made presions on the refferes, they made up some games, they had satellite teams in the same league, they received easy penalty kicks and/or unjustified expulsion of the players from opponent teams. Either I or Stefan Andrei did not such things. It is a truth the fact that I was the man who said to Constantin Teasca to use Costica Stefanescu as libero. It is also true the fact that I wanted to bring Helmut Duckadam (from Steaua Bucharest) to defend the goal of Universitatea Craiova in exchange with Rodion Camataru. Because Silviu Lung was a goalkeper who made some mistakes and Camataru wanted to go from this team. In the end, Camataru arrived at Dinamo Bucharest, in his transfer were involved Cataneanu(ex president of the club), Nicolae(ex president of the football team) and Mircea Radulescu(ex trainer of the team). In mean time, Silviu Lung made an excelent game against Girondins in Bordeaux, France and we kept him.

Ilie Balaci said that I had not the power to help Universitatea Craiova because I did not obtained his passport to go in West Germany to be surgically cured for his medical problem with the knee. I personally spoken with Wolfgang Mischnick, the chef of Deomocrate-Liberal Party form West German Bundestag to obtain this permission for free. It was established even the data of partence and Mischnick made all the arrangements there. In mean time I was gone abroad and when I came back I found out that "Securitatea" did not allowed Ilie Balaci to leave Romania. Maybe on the time when Ilie Balaci played for Dinamo nobody told him why they did not allow him to be cured in West Germany.

At a dinner given in 1983 by the West German president Weiszacker, in the honour of Nicolae Ceausescu, who was there in official business trip, Mischnick asked me what is the situation of Universitatea Craiova and if that player was cured. Elena Ceausescu said then: "Look Nicolae, even in Germany they know that Andrei Serban is Universitatea Craiova's fan!". At this event were also Vasile Pungan and Ion Rambu,Romanian consul in Germany at that time."

International Games 1980-1985

1979/1980: UEFA Cup

Wienner SC - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 0-0

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Wienner SC 3-1

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Leeds United 2-0

Leeds United - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 0-2

Borusia Monchenglandbach - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 2-0

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Borusia Monchenglandbach 1-0

1980/1981: Champions League

Internazionale Milano - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 2-0

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Internazionale Milano 1-1

1981/1982: Champions League

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Olympiakos Pireu 3-0

Olympiakos Pireu - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 2-0

BK Copenhaga - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 1-0

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - BK Copenhaga 4-1

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Bayern Munchen 0-2

Bayern Munchen - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 1-1

1982/1983: UEFA Cup

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - AC Fiorentina 3-1

AC Fiorentina - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 1-0

Shamrock Rovers - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 0-2

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Shamrock Rovers 3-0

Girondins de Bordeaux - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 1-0

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Girondins de Bordeaux 2-0

1FC Kaiserslaurtern - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 3-2

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - 1FC Kaiserslaurtern 1-0

Benfica Lisboa - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 0-0

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Benfica Lisboa 1-1

1983/1984: UEFA Cup
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Hajduk Split: 1-0
Hajduk Split - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 1-0(4-1 After 11m kicks)

1984/1985: UEFA Cup

Betis Sevilla - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 1-0

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Betis Sevilla 1-0(6-3 After 11m kicks)

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Olympiakos Pireu 1-0

Olympiakos Pireu - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 0-1

UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Zelezniciar Sarajevo 2-0

Zelezniciar Sarajevo - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova 4-0

15 Players From Craiova In Romania's National Team

In 1979-1980 Universitatea Craiova wonn his second Champion Of Romania title. Next year this performance is repeated. And even more Cup Of Romania goes to Craiova again.

In Europe this team became one of the first 8 teams of the continent qualifying in the 1/4 phase of European Champions Cup, this was a record for Romanian football. The trainers of this team were Ion Oblemenco and Constantin Otet and Universitatea Craiova has already been a mith.

In 1981-1982 Universitatea Craiova ended the Romanian Chapionship on the second place and was blocked to win another Cup Of Romania by Romanian Football Federation (FRF) in game against Minerul Certej. This game was decided acording to the federation's decision with 0-3 because the entire team refused to play a game in which the reffere was on the side of Minerul Certej. In The Cup Of European Champions, Olympiakos Pireu lost in Craiova with 3-0, goals scored by Cartu ('7), Irimescu ('67) and Ticleanu ('89). The next opponent is BK Copenhagen. Craiova lost in Danemark with 0-1 but in the next match this team wonn with 4-1, goals scored by Crisan ('8), Balaci ('24), Beldeanu ('54) and Camataru ('72). The next opponent was Bayern Munchen. Universitatea Craiova lost in Romania with 1-2 but make a good 1-1 in Germany thanks to a goal scored by Ion Geolgau ('31).

The European campain in 1982-1983 will be the most important European performance for "The Champions Of A Great Love" - UEFA Cup semifinals. Teams like AC Fiorentina, Shamrock Rovers, Girondins Bordeaux or 1FC Kaiserslautern were defeted by Universitatea Craiova which played in the UEFA Cup semifinals against Benfica Lisboa. The results were 0-0 in Lisboa and 1-1 in Craiova. In the same year Universitatea Craiova wonn the Cup Of Romania.

In 1983-1984 Universitatea Craiova finished the Championship on the 3rd position and were stoped in Cup Of Romania by Rapid Bucharest. In UEFA Cup Universitatea Craiova lost against Hajduk Split.

1984-1985 is the last year of "Craiova Maxima". This nickname who will remain forever in the Romanian footbal history. In this year Universitatea Craiova arrives in the final of Cup Of Romania and plays in UEFA Cup against football teams like Betis Sevilla, Olympiakos Pireu being stoped by Zeleznicear Sarajevo.

In all this time 15 footbal players from Universitatea Craiova were part of Romanian national footbal team. This performance was never equalized by another Romanian football team.

Champion Of Romania - again and again

Between 1980 and 1985 Universitatea Craiova had the best football team in its history. That generation was simply called Craiova Maxima. And their performances were never touched by other players who weared the white-blue shirts. In that team were Boldici, Lung, Negrila, Tilihoi, Stefanescu, Ungureanu, Balaci, Ticleanu, Beldeanu, Crisan, Donose, Camataru, Geolgau, Cartu, Irimescu, Purima and Ciupitu.

Divizia A - Final table positions for Universitatea Craiova

1984/1985: 4th place, trainers Mircea Rãdulescu, Silviu Stãnescu
1983/1984: 3rd place, trainers Mircea Rãdulescu, Silviu Stãnescu
1982/1983: 2nd place, trainers Constantin Otet, Nicolae Ivan
1981/1982: 2nd place, trainers Constantin Otet, Nicolae Ivan
1980/1981: Champion of Romania, trainers Ion Oblemenco, Constantin Otet
1979/1980: Champion Of Romania, trainers Valentin Stãnescu, Ion Oblemenco
Cup Of Romania results

1984/1985:
1/16: SC Târgoviste - Universitatea Craiova 0-3
1/8: Universitatea Craiova - FCM Brasov 1-0
1/4: Universitatea Craiova - ASA Mizil 3-1
semifinals: Universitatea Craiova - Politehnica Iasi 2-0
the final: Steaua - Universitatea Craiova 2-1
1983/1984:
1/16: Universitatea Craiova - FC Bihor 2-1
1/8: Rapid Bucharest - Universitatea Craiova 2-1
1982/1983:
1/16: Universitatea Craiova - ASA Tg. Mures 3-2
1/8: Universitatea Craiova - Auto Timisoara 3-1
1/4: Universitatea Craiova - Sportul Studentesc 2-0
semifinals: Universitatea Craiova - Dinamo Bucharest 1-1 (4-2 After 11m kicks)
the final: UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA - Poli Timisoara 2-1
1981/1982:
1/16: Înfrãtirea Oradea - Universitatea Craiova 0-1
1/8: Minerul Certej - Universitatea Craiova 3-0 (FRF decision)
1980/1981:
1/16: Caraimanul Busteni - Universitatea Craiova 0-1
1/8: Universitatea Craiova - Gloria Bistrita 2-1
1/4: Universitatea Craiova - FC Arges 2-1
semifinals: Universitatea Craiova - SC Bacãu 4-0
the final: UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA - Poli Timisoara 6-0
1979/1980:
1/16: Universitatea Craiova - Olimpia Satu Mare 1-0
1/8: Universitatea Craiova - SC Bacãu 2-0
1/4: Universitateae Craiova - Sportul Studentesc 1-0
semifinals: Steaua - Universitatea Craiova 2-1

The Minister Of Defense

A great Romanian journalist, Ioan Chirila, wrote about Costica Stefanescu: "When you look at him he leave the image he forgot his diplomatica bag on a conference table at Geneva or Stockholm. He speaks few and this in the years since he is the captain of Universitatea Craiova or Romanian National Team. His words are very well thought. In front of him all the jokes are getting more sober. Even Sorin Cartu obbeys to these rulles. Sometimes he is leaving the impresion he is the chef of shock brigade which fights for assuring the protection in a flood affected zone".

Costica Stefanescu was for a decade the captain of Craiova Maxima, he debuted in Romanian National Team at 26 years old, but he was the captain of it in 44 games.

His ellegance, the anticipation sense, his technique and his very good long pass made him to be a great defensor. I the football dictionaries, at the word libero, it should be put his name: Stefanescu.

He confesed sometimes the fact that he took the place of libero because of a sugestion given by Adrian Paunescu, a Romanian lyric writer, to the trainer of Universitatea Craiova named Constantin Teasca. "At a friendly game played at the end of a summer camp, ojn Fagaras Mountains, Adrian Paunescu was the person who gave the idea, to Titi Teasca, for using me as a libero. It was probably a poetical inspiration."

Costica Stefanescu

Birth Date: March 26th 1951
Place of birth: Bucharest
Qualification: Economist, studied the economic University from Craiova 1973-1978;
Physical and sport education university Bucharest 1981-1985
Profession: Football-coach since 1981
Footbal-coach class "A" first category 1993
The "NUMBER ONE" of international coach curse Lilleshall England /August 6-26th 1994
Playing carrier:
1968 - 1973: Steaua Bucharest
1973 - 1986: University of Craiova
1986 - 1988: F.C. Brasov
National performance:
1970,1971,1972, winner of the Cup Of Romania with Steaua Bucharest
1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, winner of Cup Of Romania with Universitatea Craiova
1974, 1980, 1981, Champion of Romania with Universitatea Craiova
Games played in "Divizia A": 490 - absolut record for Romania
1978: 3rd place Best Romanian Footbal Player Of The Year
1980: 3rd place Best Romanian Footbal Player Of The Year
1981: 2nd place Best Romanian Footbal Player Of The Year
1982: 2nd place Best Romanian Footbal Player Of The Year
1983: 3rd place Best Romanian Footbal Player Of The Year
1984: 3rd place Best Romanian Footbal Player Of The Year
1985: 2nd place Best Romanian Footbal Player Of The Year

International activity as a fooball player:
- National junior team - 24 caps
- National youth team - 7 caps
- National "olimpic team" - 5 caps
- National "A" team - 66 caps - capitain of the National Team in 44 games
International Performances:
1969: the best player of the international turnament Cannes ( France )
1983: semifinalist - UEFA Cup with Universitatea Craiova
1984: European final tournament - France'84 with Romania National Team

Coach carrier:
1985: Universitatea Craiova - assistent coach
1986 - 1990: F.C. Brasov - head-coach
1990 - 1991: Steaua Bucharest - head-coach
1991 - 1992: Al Wakrah Quatar - head-coach
1992 - 1993: Selena Bacau - head-coach
1993 - 1994: Poli Timisoara - head-coach
1994 - 1998: Romanian National Team - assistent-coach
1999 - 2000: Astra Ploiesti - head-coach
2000 - 2001: F.C. Resita - head-coach
2001-2002: Technical Director at Universitatea Craiova
2002 - 2003: - Al Shoulla / Kingdom Saudi Arabia
2004: Al Jaysh / Syria

Coach performances:
1992: Al Wakrah - Quatar Cup winner
2004: Al Jaysh - Syria Cup winner
2004: Al Jaysh - Asia Cup winner

International Games 1976-1980

1979/1980: UEFA Cup
Wienner SC - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 0-0
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Wienner SC: 3-1
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Leeds United: 2-0
Leeds United - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 0-2
Borusia Monchenglandbach - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 2-0
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Borusia Monchenglandbach: 1-0

1978/1979: Cup Winners Cup
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Fortuna Duseldorf: 3-4
Fortuna Duseldorf - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova:1-1
1977/1978: Cup Winners Cup
Olympiakos Nicosia - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 1-6
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Olympiakos Nicosia: 2-0
Dinamo Moscova - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 2-0
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Dinamo Moscova: 2-0(2-4 After 11m kicks)

1975/1976: UEFA Cup
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Steaua Rosie Belgrad: 1-3
Steaua Rosie Belgrad - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 1-1

Petre Deselnicu

Birth date: September 23rd 1946, Mofleni-Dolj
1962: First time he played for Universitatea Craiova
1964: played for Tractorul Brasov
1965: played for Metrom Brasov
1965-1976: played for Universitatea Craiova as a central defender
1972: European Universitary Football Champion
1974: Champion Of Romania
1975: Cup Of Romania finalist
1976: played for Electroputere Craiova
1977-1978: played for FCM Galati
Games played in "Divizia A": 246
Goals scored in "Divizia A": 12
Games played in European Cups: 9
Colege: graduate of Electrothechnical University from Craiova
1990-1991: vice-president of Universitatea Craiova - Champion Of Romania, Cup Of Romania winner
Honour citizen of Craiova city.

Hundreds of people were at the Petre Deselnicu funerals. Betweem them where Mihail Marian (FRF), Gheorghe Nedelescu, Adrian Ionescu (both LPF), Paul Cazan (Rapid Bucharest), V. Ilinca (FC Arges), Florin Halagian (trainer), George Ilinca (ex Universitatea Craiova president), Jean Nitulescu (ex Universitatea Craiova vice president), Nicolae Zamfir ("Gheorghe Popescu" Football School), Emil Sandoi (Pandurii Tg Jiu trainer), Deliu, Buldur, Papuc, Iulica Popa (ex Stiinta Craiova football players), Oprea, Niculescu, Badin, Velea, Negrila, N. Ivan, Balaci, I. Constantinescu, C. Stefanescu, Balan, Taralunga, Marcu (Romania Champions in 1973/1974 with Universitatea Craiova), Tilihoi, Ungureanu, Beldeanu, Geolgau, Donose, Crisan, Camataru, Ad. Popescu, Ciupitu, Fl. Cioroianu (Romania Champions with Universitatea Craiova in 1979/1980 and 1980/1981), Badea, Cristescu, Neagoe (Romania Champions with Universitatea Craiova in 1990/1991), Lutu, Banica (ex Universitatea Craiova football players).

Ilie Balaci: "A last word about Petre Deselnicu? It is hard to find my words, I don't know if I can say the last word for breaking up with... Petre Deselnicu. He was one of the men who touched my life. When I was 16 years old I was called to play at Universitatea Craiova, Petre Deselnicu was one of the few who received me with open arms in this football team."

And The Story Goes On

In the following years, Universitatea Craiova, did many beautiful games. This team arrived 3 times in the Cup Of Romania final. And Universitatea wonn 2 times this Cup. You can see right below the results of the games:

1978/1979:

1/16: Laminorul Nãdlac - Universitatea Craiova 0-5

1/8: Chimia Brazi - Universitatea Craiova 1-4

1/4: Steagul Rosu Brasov - Universitatea Craiova 0-0 (4-3 After 11m kicks)

1977/1978:

1/16: Avântul Mâneciu - Universitatea Craiova 2-5

1/8: Universitatea Craiova - Ind. Sîrmei C. Turzii 2-1

1/4: Dinamo - Universitatea Craiova 2-3 (extra time)

semifinals: Universitatea Craiova - Poli Iasi 2-0

the final: UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Olimpia Satu Mare 3-1

1976/1977:

1/16: Universitatea Craiova - Corvinul Hunedoara 1-0

1/8: Universitatea Craiova - Jiul Petrosani 3-0

1/4: Universitatea Craiova - UTA 5-0

semifinals: Universitatea Craiova - Rapid 1-0

the final: UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Steaua 2-1

1975/1976:

1/16: Soimii Sibiu - Universitatea Craiova 1-3

1/8: Universitatea Craiova - UTA 3-2

1/4: Universitatea Craiova - Sportul Studentesc 2-1

semifinals: CSU Galati - Universitatea Craiova 1-0

1974/1975:

1/16: Energia Onesti - Universitatea Craiova 1-3

1/8: Universitatea Craiova - UTA 1-0

1/4: Universitatea Craiova - Univ. Cluj 1-0

semifinals: Universitatea Craiova - ASA Tîrgu Mures 1-1 (4-2 after 11m kicks)

the final: Rapid - Universitatea Craiova 2-1

In this period, Univeristatea Craiova wonn 2 times Cup Of Romania (in 1977 and 1978). This was our team: Boldici, Berneanu, Tilihoi, Stefãnescu, Purima, Donose, Balaci, Beldeanu, Crisan, Negrilã, Cîrtu, Marcu, Cãmãtaru, trainer Constantin Deliu (1977)

and Boldici, Lung, Ungureanu, Tilihoi, Stefãnescu, Purima, Donose, Balaci, Ticleanu, Beldeanu, Cîrtu, Cãmãtaru, Marcu, trainers Ilie Oanã and C. Deliu (1978).

Sebastian Domozina

Birth date: July 15th 1938, Ianca-Olt
Highschool: "Fratii Buzesti" Highschool, Craiova
Colege: Faculty Of Jurnalism, Bucharest
1964: his first radio broadcasting - Stiinta Craiova - "U" Cluj 1-0
1964-1989: Romanian Television (TVR) - reporter for Oltenia
1990: Radio Oltenia Craiova - manager
Over 1000 football games of Universitatea Craiova broadcasted
1995: his last radio broadcast
Died on: October 10th 1997
Citizen Of Honour - post mortem - of Craiova city

He was called "The Soul Of Universitatea Craiova", "The Spirit Of Champion Of A Great Love", "The Senior Of Oltenia's Press". The friends called him Sabi. 33 years as a sport jurnalist and commentator. An entire life dedicated for his love for Universitatea Craiova. He broadcasted from Leeds, Bordeaux, Florence, Kaiserslautern or Lisboa. He died when our team lost a game and cameback to life when Universitatea Craiova wonn against most powerfull teams in Europe for that time. He loved this team more than he loved his family. He will remain for us "The Voice Of Oltenia".

Zoltan Crisan

When somebody says this name you can not think elsewhere than Universitatea Craiova which arrived in 1982-1983 in the U.E.F.A. Cup semifinals. This was a premiere for Romanian football. This performance is very important because this team wonn games against European elite football teams like A.C. Fiorentina, Girondins Bordeaux, 1.F.C. Kaiserslautern and it was at 45 minutes distance by the final (0-0 and 1-1 with Benfica Lisboa).

Regarding the activity of Zoltan Crisan as a football player we can mention some important notes.
Birth date: May 3rd 1955
1969: first time official incorporated in a football team, F.C. Baia Mare (Dvizia B)
August 1st 1974: his debut in "Divizia A" at Universitatea Craiova in a game "U" Cluj - Universitatea Craiova 1-1
1977: Cup Of Romania winner
1978: Cup Of Romania winner
1980: Champion Of Romania
1981: Champion Of Romania, Cup Of Romania winner
1984: plays for F.C. Bihor Oradea
1985-1986: plays for FC Olt
1987: plays for Chimia Râmnicu-Valcea
Games played in Divizia A: 304
Goals scored in Divizia A: 50
Games played in European Cups: 30 (his debut game: Universitatea Craiova - Atvidaberg 2-1 in September 18th 1974)
Games played in Romanian National Football Team: 46 (his debut game: Israel Romania 0-1 in December 4th 1974)

There are 2 books written about him called "Irezistibila extrema" by Ilie Dobre - "Unresistable striker" and "Patimile lui Crisan" by Ion Jianu - "Crisan's sufferings".

He died when he was 48 years old, October 14th 2003, after a life full of passionand intense living. He was a bohemian kind of man, a good coleague and very generous person.

International Games 1966-1974

1974/1975: Champions League
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Atvidaberg: 2-1
Atvidaberg - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 3-1 

1973/1974: UEFA Cup
Fiorentina - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 0-0
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Fiorentina: 1-0
Standard Liege - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 2-0
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Standard Liege: 1-1

1971/1972: UEFA Cup
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Pecs Dosza: 2-1
Pecs Dosza - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 3-0

1970: CUP OF BALCANS
Partizan Tirana - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 1-0
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Sloboda Tuzla: 2-2
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Partizan Tirana: 0-1
Sloboda Tuzla - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 1-1

1969: CUP OF BALCANS
FC Bor - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 2-0
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - FC Bor: 5-0
Dinamo Tirana - UNIVERSITATEA Craiova: 2-0
UNIVERSITATEA Craiova - Dinamo Tirana: 3-1

Ion Oblemenco

Birth date: May 13th 1945, Corabia-Olt

1958-1960: played for Dunarea Corabia

1960-1962: played for CFR Electroputere Craiova

1962-1964: played for CS Craiova

1964-1966: played for Rapid Bucuresti

1966-1977: played for Universitatea Craiova

1974: Champion Of Romania

1977: Cup Of Romania winner

1977-1978: played for FCM Galati

1978-1979: vice-president of Universitatea Craiova

1979-1980: assistant coach of Universitatea Craiova

1980: Champion Of Romania

1980-1982: trainer of Universitatea Craiova

1981: Champion Of Romania, Cup Of Romania winner

1982-1985: trainer of Chimia Ramnicu-Valcea

1985: trainer of FC Olt

1992-1993: trainer of Universitatea Craiova

1996: trainer of Hassania Agadîr

Death date: September the 1st 1996

Games played in "Divizia A": 285 / 170 scored goals

4 times most valuable scorer of Romania: 1966/67, 1969/70, 1971/72, 1972/73

Honour citizen - post mortem - of Craiova City

Ion Oblemenco was a legend. He was also called "The Gunner" because he scored many times for Universitatea Craiova. His colegue Petre Deselnicu said: "I've kissed Oblemenco more than my wife, because he scored so much goals for our team".

October 28th 1972. The Nr.1 Hospital from Craiova. A man between life and death. A young man, 26 years old. Four days ago he suffered first surgical intervention. Yesterday he suffered another one. Doudenal ulcer with perforation. Today this man between life and death speaks all alone. He is delirious. He cries. He asks for water: "Water, water, water!" The nurse stand up and go hurry to find someone. His wife is right near Oblemenco's bed. She doesn't know what to do. What's happen with his husband? He's speaking again: "Water, water! Let's go fellows! We must score right now!" He doesn't know if he will rise again. But he speaks a familiar language. a language of passion, of a hobby of an entire life: Football. Even when he is delirious he things about goals, about scoring. A man like him can not die so easy. "Please, God, let him alive!", "Please, God, don't let him die!", "Do you hear me, Ion?" And Ion was alive. He recovered very fast. He played again, and he scored again. Some people need a story to write a book. Ion Oblemenco lived such a story. And there is a book written about him: "Ion Oblemenco si Campioana unei mari iubiri" - Ion Oblemenco and The Champion Of A Great Love. This was the name of the team in which Ion Oblemenco played. Universitatea Craiova - The Champion Of A Great Love. He fought with the death and he wonn against it. He was really a winner.

He was twice on the surgery table, and this happened in only 60 hours. He was twice half dead, half alive but he survived. And he came back on the football field despiting the death.

He came back scoring goals. He scored after this intervention 15 goals on 4 months and he was again the most valuable striker of Romania. He wonn this tile 4 times in his carrier. That is a record which resited until nowadays.

Ion Oblemenco had a great popularity in Craiova and in Oltenia (district of Craiova). When he was in that hospital, people went there as at a curch, when the people goes to see the saints. The fans of Universitatea Craiova come everyday there and they never turn back home until they know if ion Oblemenco is better or not. And their number was bigger and bigger again. Because all the people wanted to make sure this man, saw as a rescuer of our team, was OK. After this episode, nobody can not say if Oblemenco will play again. He was the only one who wanted to come back on the football field and fight again for our team. Universitatea Craiova was the second on the final table in that year and finaly wonn his firs title in history next year. Ion Oblemenco was his captain and he was the most valuable striker in Romania for the seasons 1966-1967, 1969-1970, 1971-1972, 1972-1973.

Ion Oblemenco was born in Corabia-Olt, on May 13th 1945. He played for Universitatea Craiova from 1966 until 1978 and he was the trainer of this team in 1980-1982. He died on September the 1st 1996 in Agadir, Maroq. May God rest him in peace.

The Beginig

The first football team from Craiova was founded in 1921. It was called Craiovan Craiova and it reminded about the beginings of this city. The legend says that this city was founded by a ancient ruller called Iovan was actually was a prince. In the old Romanian language "crai" stands for the English "prince". So that "Prince Iovan" means "Crai Iovan".

In 1948 a group of students from University Of Craiova and their teatchers are putting the bases for the club wich will become the most beloved footbal team from Romania: Universitatea Craiova.

In 195o the name of this club is changed in Stiinta Craiova. Its first paticipation in the second football League from Romania (Divizia B) was 1955.

In the season 1963-1964 Stiinta winn Divizia B and came in Romanian First League (Divizia A). The old stadium of this team was called "Tineretului" Stadium, which in Eglish means "Stadium Of The Youth". The names of the football players who did this historycal performace were: Dumitrescu, Vasilescu, Geleriu, Lungan, Deliu, Tetea, Ganga, Anton, Lovin, Onea, Visan, Stanciu, Papuc, C.Stanescu, A.Stanescu thier trainers were: Nicolae Oteleanu and Aurel Preda.

In 1966 the team comeback at its origianl name Universitatea Craiova and this name remains the same for good. In the same year, a new football player statrs to play for this team: Ion Oblemenco. He will be one of the greatest players who played for Craiova ever.

In Octomber 29th 1967 in Craiova is founded a new stadium. This will be called "Central".

In 1972-1973 Universitatea Craiova came second on the final table of Romanian Championship. The first place of it was taken by Dinamo Bucharest, the team of Romanian communist political police known as "Securitatea". In that season Universitatea Craiova wonn in Bucharest with 6-4 the game against Rapid Bucharest and with 6-2 the game against Steaua Bucharest. This year was also the 4th year in which ion Oblemenco wonn the title of the best Romanian scorer of the year. He wonn this title in 1966-1967, 1969-1970, 1971-1972, 1972-1973.

Next year, in 1973-1974, Universitatea Craiova winns its first Football Champion Of Romania title. This was the first student team from Europe which take a title of champion. The team of that time was: Oprea, Manta, Niculescu, Badin, Deselnicu, Velea, Strambeanu, Ivan, Nita, Balaci, Berneanu, Taralunga, Oblemenco, Balan, Pana, Boc, Stefanescu, Marcu, Stancescu, Kiss, Chivu, Negrila, Constantinescu and the trainers were Constantin Cernaianu and Constantin Otet. A new name appeared in the team of Universitatea Craiova: Ilie Balaci, one of the most beloved football players from Romania. In the same year Universitatea Craiova wonn the duble match against AC Fiorentina (Italy) in U.E.F.A. Cup. The results were 0-0 in Florence, Italy and 1-0 in Craiova, Romania. The scorer was Ion Oblemenco, in the 89th minute of the second match.

Ilie Balaci

He was the most valuable player from Universitatea Craiova. A true legend. A player whose performaces were never equalized.
Birth date: September 13th 1956, Bistret-Dolj
1973-1984: player of Universitatea Craiova as a midfield
August 12th 1973: he debuted in "Divizia A"
1973-1974: Champion Of Romania
1974: he debuted in Romanian national Team (17 years, 6 months and 10 days)
1978: 3rd place in The "Bravo" Top allowed by the newspaper "Guerin Sportivo" from Bologna. this award is given to the youngest football player whom are playing in European Cups
1978: winner of Cup Of Romania
1979: winner of Cup Of Romania
1980: Champion Of Romania
1981: Champion Of Romania, winner of Cup Of Romania
1981: the most valuable player from Romania
1982: the most valuable player from Romania
1983: U.E.F.A. Cup semifinals player for Universitatea Craiova
1991/1992 coach of Club Africain Tunis (Tunis) - winner of Cup Of Africa Champions, Cup Of Tunis, Champion Of Tunis
1992-1993: coach of Olimpique Casablanca (Maroq) - winner of Cups Winner Cup Of Arabian Countries, Cup Of Maroq
1993-1994: coach of Olimpique Casablanca (Maroq) - winner of Cups Winner Cup Of Arabian Countries, Cup Of Maroq, Champion Of Maroq
1994-1995: coach of Al Shabab (EAU) - Champion Of EAU
1995-1996: coach of Al Shabab (EAU) - Super Cup Of EAU
1996-1997: coach of Al Nassr Riad (Saudi Arabia) - winner of Gulf Champions Cup
1997-1998: coach of Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) - winner of Gulf Champions Cup, Saudi Arabia Champion, Asia Champions Cup finalist
1998: coach of Universitatea Craiova
1999: coach of Al Ain (EAU) - winner of EAU Cup
1999-2000: coach of Al Ain (EAU) - Cup Of Arabian Countries Winner Cup, Asia Super Cup, EAU Champion
2001: coach of Universitatea Craiova
2002: coach of Al Sadd (Qatar) - Champions Of Arabian Countries Cup
2002-2003: coach of Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
2004: coach of Al-Ahli Dubai (EAU) - President's Cup winner

A Legend That Never Dies

The suporters from Craiova were allways fantastic. I will show you some proofs in the lines below.

Craiova: a cry, a tear, a hapiness smile. This is written on this message from the game against Steaua Bucharest in the year 2002-2003. Universitatea Craiova fans are well known in the whole Europe for their passion and for their love for this team.

"In your stadium is like Neaples" said Gianfranco Menegalli , the refere of the game Universitatea Craiova-Leeds United (1979). This note was allways true. And it didn't change until nowadays.

"The atmosphere (in Craiova) is fantastic. I saw a game from inner championship, the stadium was overfilled, and the supporters from Craiova make an South-American scenary." These words belongs to Aime Jacquet. He was the trainer of Girondins Bordeaux in 1982. In that year Universitatea Craiova wonn the game against this team in UEFA cup.

The Champion Of A Great Love

Universitatea Craiova. This is my football team. for those of you who are non British, I am talking about a soccer team.
In the picture above is one of our players. He is the goalkeeper of our team, Mircea Bornescu. In this season he took only 5 goals in 20 games which he played. This is a very good performance. There are not so many goalkeepers who can tell they did a similar performace.

In this season, Universitatea Craiova is for the first time after 41 years in Divizia B (the second football league from Romania). We wonn 4 Romanian Championships and 6 times Romanian Cup. This team was founded in 1948. In 1964 we went to the first league and in 2005 we came back in the second league. This year, we are preparing for a new adventure in Divizia A. Let's Hope we will never come back in Divizia B.

Fans Of Our Team

Our team had always a great number of fans. Although this football team is one of the most beloved football teams from Romania. As an example of what Romanian love means when we are speaking about footbal is this picture made in 1978-1979. This is very precioous for me because it represents a great legend of Craiova football: Ion Oblemenco. As a matter of fact, the stadium where Universitatea Craiova plays its games is also called about him: ION OBLEMENCO.

Nowadays this football team has also a big number of fans. But we are still trying to realise the past performances in sport and as a audience for a football game. The mos numberous audience was in 2002-2003 when at a game against steaua Bucharest were 40,000 people on our stadium and 20,000 were left outside trying to get a place into it.