Romania - Greece 3-1

Romanian national football team played in Altach (Austria) against Greece. Not so much audience (700 viewers) but a nice game. The final score was 3-1.

Let's say that Greece came with a lot of young players trying to make a team for their future. This was the last game of Romania national football team in 2011. More than 60 players used Victor Piturca in 2011. Even so Romania has not a clear national team. They are still searching for eligible players. Anyhow, Romania played 14 matches in 2011 and only won 5 of them.

The goals of Romania were scored by Torje '17, Tănase '61, Chipciu '80 for Greece scored Karagounis '34.

The teams:
Romania: Balgradean - Papp, Gaman (63' Chiriches), Goian, St. Radu - Toje, Neagu, (86' Grigore), Pintilii (46' Lazar), Tanase (66' Chipciu) - B.Stancu (78' Cocis), Mazilu (46' M. Niculae)
Greece: Kapino - Manlatis, Papastathopoulos (46' Papadopoulos), Malezas, Gianoulis - Makos (46' Fotakis), Tziolis, (77' Salpigidis), Karagounis, P. Kone (55' Theodoridis) - Liberopoulos (46' Mitroglou), Charisteas (46' Samaras)

Romanian Football's Mafia In Court

The head of Professional Football League (LPF), Dumitru Dragomir, was heard again by DNA's prosecutors concerning FC Universitatea Craiova expulsion case.

Unlike two weeks ago, when Dragomir created a circus in front of the DNA institution, today, LPF's boss was confined to declare that "It is my business what I said to the prosecutors". He will soon get in prison.

Mircea Sandu, president of Romanian Football Federation (FRF), is accused of bribery and Dragomir of complicity. Dragomir transferred 400.000 €, representing TV broadcasting rights of Gloria Bistrita, into an account of Mircea Sandu's wife, Elisabeta. Dragomir's official motivation was that Sandu's wife had loaned the football club Gloria Bistrita the same amount. In respect with this loan an affidavit was prepared, but there is no bank transaction showing that the loan was indeed granted.

That is why, investigators suspect that, in fact, Elisabeta Sandu did not ever gave Gloria Bistrita money and the transfer was, as a matter of fact, bribes for FRF's President.

Juventus Claim 400 Million €

Italian giants Juventus have lodged a claim for more than 400-million euros with a local court against the Italian Football Federation (Figc) over the 2006 calciopoli scandal, Italian press reported Tuesday.

Juventus accuse Figc of unequal treatment and lack of action regarding the 2006 match-fixing scandal that saw the Old Lady of Turin stripped of two league titles and relegated to Serie B. AC Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and Reggiana were also punished but Inter Milan escaped unscathed and were even awarded the 2006 scudetto crown. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport Juve are claiming 444-million euros with the court in Latium, in the central and western part of Italy.

Juve were stripped of their 2005 and 2006 league titles but have been exhausting every possible avenue to try to get that decision revoked, including taking a case to the Italian Court of Arbitration for Sport as well as European football governing body UEFA. This is the original link. As you may know, Universitatea Craiova was subject of an abuse made by Romanian Football Federation this summer. The court is still working at this case, but this could be a good precedent to follow.

Universitatea Craiova 1986

In 1986 Universitatea Craiova qualified for UEFA Cup games. It was the same year, another Romanian football team, Steaua Bucharest, won European Champions Cup. Craiova met Galatasaray Istanbul in the first double leg and qualified after 2-0 at home and 1-2 away.

In the second leg, our team had to play against Dundee United, a team who will arrive in the final of this competition. Universitatea Craiova was the only one who won against Dundee United in that season. It was 1-0 for our team in "Central" stadium from Craiova.

Belgium - Romania 2-1

Romania played a friendly game against Belgium on 11.11.2011 in Liège. Actually this day was reserved for play-offs for European Championship 2012. Romania came on the 3rd place in its group and their fans had to see only a friendly game in this day. Almost the same situation with Belgium.

The final score was 2-1, but Belgium could win at a more comfortable difference. They had 2-0 after first time, Romania scored in the 65th minute of the game by Daniel Niculae and missed a penalty kick by Razvan Rat in the 88th minute of the game.
The teams:
Belgium: Gillet - Vanden Bore, Kompany, Van Buyten, Vertonghen - Derfour (82' Nainggoian), Witsel, Fellaini - Chadll (66' Vossen), Mertens (82' De Bruyne), Mirallas (66' Dembele)
Romania: Tatarusanu - Luchin (80' Pleasca, 86' Gaman), Chiriches ('70 Papp), D. Goian, Rat - Cocis, Lazar (46' Tanase), Pintilii - Varga, B. Stancu (46' Mazilu), D. Niculae
Victor Piturca was strongly contested by Romanian fans in the stadium. He is Romania's coach and the latest results of our national football team are worst than ever.

Universitatea Craiova has a trial in civil court against Victor Piturca. Romanian Football Federation and Romanian Football Leage are also in a dispute with the team from Craiova. As a consequence Universitatea's fans protested during this match asking to FRF's boss to leave his chair. The protests will not finish here.

Universitatea Craiova - Official Facebook Page

Even we don't have a football team anymore, our team has an official Facebook page. All our fans can follow easily the news about Universitatea Craiova using this link. All the needed documents concerning the trial between FC Universitatea Craiova and the Romanian Football's Mafia are available on it.

All the details about the progress in court can be followed on Facebook starting with this week. The only problem is: no more football for 2 million people who stand up for this legendary team. Do you think this is right?

New Zealand - World Champions

New Zealand won in Auckland against France with 8-7, becoming after 24 years, along with Australia and South Africa, the World's third team to win the "Web Ellis" trophy twice. This final was the tightest in the history of World Cup. The winner was established for the first time by only one point.

1987 and 2011 are two years which remain in New Zealand history. Two world titles and a dream come true. Four million people celebrated this win and went out to the streets, in a move unprecedented in the country in the Southern hemisphere.

Always favorite to win the world title, but stopped on the way to the trophy, in the semifinals or quarterfinals, New Zealand has succeeded this time a perfect journey. Even if the final shake up in the last minute with the French back in the game at 0-8, "All Blacks" have kept lucidity, defended well and were blocked at the table 8-7.

The final whistle sparked party, 300,000 people went out on the streets of Auckland to celebrate the victory. Fireworks, confetti, singing and clapping, dancing and joy. The streets of the country's economic capital were blocked by a crowd dressed in black shirt embroidered with fern's leaf, which is poured over all and sing the famous encouragement "Go All Blacks, Go." Faces painted in black and white, obsessive cries name players miniature Cup and children gathered in each frame.

Spending the night extended, while the players were lost in the crowd giving autographs, hand tighten, thanks fall, and over all presenting the shining "Webb Ellis" trophy. Residents of the two islands have emerged in public places in an unprecedented mass movement by now.

New Zealand celebrated its heroes and the fulfillment of a dream. Country where rugby is a religion was rewarded for waiting so long. Graham Henry's team presented the trophy in all major cities: Auckland followed by Christchurch and Wellington.

UEFA Invites FC Sion To Match Schedule Consultation

FC Sion had a civil trial against UEFA. They were excluded from Europa League. This case is somehow similar with Universitatea Craiova's case. Universitatea Craiova was more than excluded. Practically this team was dissolved by Romanian Football Federation.

After a fight in court FC Sion obtained the right to play their games in Europa League. This is the link Let's see what FRF will do now...

Rugby World Cup 2011

The most spectacular competition started this week. Rugby World Cup 2011 is happening in New Zealand this year. This is a great opportunity to find out more about this wonderful sport and not only.

For instance, there are 20 national teams in this World Cup. New Zealand was the first national rugby team which introduced a short dance in the opening of every game. This dance is called Haka and comes out from an ancient Maori ritual. Another teams like Tonga or Samoa followed this example and now you may see a tribal show at the start of each rugby game.

The specialists are saying that Haka must be not longer than 2 minutes else this ritual can open the gates to hell. Anyhow, let see some about sport.

On 9th of September was the opening ceremony in Auckland. The show was great and the former New Zealand captain, Jonah Lomu, was the most important figure. He earned the first World title for his country at the first Rugby World Cup, 24 years ago. There is a bookmaker quota of 1,55 for New Zealand to repeat such a great performance.

Another facts: the first rugby game played in New Zealand was in 1870 at Nelson ( Whakatu in Maori language). On May 12th 1870 was founded New Zealand’s first Rugby Football Club (continuing today). In the same year, Scotland national rugby team plyed their first international game.

Romania - France 0-0

Romania met France in a game for Euro 2012 - Poland & Ukraine qualifications. This is all. :) No, not really. Because there were no goals scored in this game but, at least, Romania has gossip. A lot of rumors showed up thanks of this event.

First of all let's see the game. It was not spectacular. Nothing extraordinary happened. Just a boring football game without goals and without anything else. France had 74,5% ball possession , Romania had the ball 13 minutes from 90. There were 51 minutes of effective game, actually.

This was the first game played on a new Romanian stadium. The name of it: National Arena. It was played in front of an audience of 55.000 people. The well known Romanian pop singer INNA, had a mini concert at the begining.

After this, Marcel Pavel, a great voice of Bucharest, sang Romanian National Anthem. Actually he did it bad and he get a fine of 1.500 Euro because of missing the song. This may happen... but FRF - Romanian Football Federation get the same fine for hiring the wrong person to sing the anthem.

A great stadium, which costed 250 million Euro, but a very bad football field. The grass carpet was totally damaged after 90 minutes of using it. It must be recovered until September the 14th when Steaua Bucharest wants to play a game in Europa League on the same stadium. The cost of reparation is 360.000 Euro.

The teams:
Romania: Tatarusanu - Luchin, Goian, Chiriches, Rat - Nicoita, Cocis, Bourceanu, C. Lazar ('43 B. Stancu), Tanase - Marica ('88 G.Bucur)
France: Lloris - Evra, Abidal, Rami, Sagna - Martin, Cabaye ('75 Nasri), M'Villa - Ribery, Benzema, Valbuena ('71 Remy)

Universitatea Craiova - One Year Off

Universitatea Craiova is the most unfortunate football team. Practically, this club will wait one year without being implied in any activity. Romanian Football Federation decided two months ago to exclude this team from any competition.

This is a strange situation and the fans of Universitatea Craiova are angry because of it. They organized a protest in Craiova asking for football to be played. This protest had no echo. Nobody can fight against Mafia. Because the Romanian football is now in Mafia's hands.

Copa America

Copa America is a Spanish and Portuguese expression used for America Cup. There are 12 American football teams which are playing for this title every two years.

Between these teams we can always see Brasil, Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay. Paraguay is the country of the famous Larissa Riquelme.

She became very popular last year at the World Cup 2010. As a mater of fact every South American country has a representative girl in 2011.

For instance, Argentina has Doris Mar, a girl who tried to live in USA but she was deported 2 years ago. Brasil has more than a girl. They have a Rio and samba. And so on...

Even if you don't like soccer, I think you will be very interested concerning Copa America. I don't think someone wants to know the final winner of the tournament. Everyone wants to see the people in the stadium.

Universitatea Craiova - Gaz Metan Medias 1-2

Before this game, Universitatea Craiova was already relegated for the second football league.

Even so, Craiova scored first for 1-0 in the 23'rd minute of the game by Mihai Costea. The team from Medias scored for 1-1 in the 35th minute after a penalty kick rejected by Silviu Lung. In the second time it was a big storm in Craiova. The game had to be stopped for two hours. After the rain Gaz Metan Medias scored once more and they got all the points in this match.

Our team: 21.S. Lung - 2.Busu, 7.Gugu, 5.D. Stoica, 18.Dananae - 28.Gangioveanu, 8.Ologu, 88.J. Nicolae, 25.Firtulescu('77 77.Surugiu) - 9.M. Costea ('70 92.M. Roman), 20.Subotic

Gloria Bistrita - Universitatea Craiova 1-1

This was a very important game. Craiova needed a victory to remain in Romanian first football league. Unfortunately the result was a draw. Bistrita scored in 35th minute of the game and Craiova tried hard to comeback in the game. All that Stiinta did was a goal in the 68th minute scored by Dorel Stoica. This means, Craiova will play in the second division next season. What a disappointment!

Our team: 21.S. Lung - 18.Dananae, 4.Zoro, 7.Gugu ('84 92.M. Roman), 2.Busu - 30.Prepelita, 5.D. Stoica, 8.Ologu ('76 88.J. Nicolae) - 9.M. Costea, 19.Stoianof ('32 86.Buleica), 20.Subotic

Universitatea Craiova - Dinamo Bucharest 0-2

Not too much to say about this game. Dinamo Bucharest is our traditional rival team. This time we were not so happy after the end of the game. Craiova lost this game and made a serious step toward second football league. For the rest of remaining games in this season the trainers of our team are G. Bita and S. Lung, the same persons who stayed on the bench in 2004, when Universitatea Craiova went in the second division, too.

Our team: 21.S. Lung - 2.Busu, 5.D. Stoica, 7.Gugu, 18.Dananae - 9.M. Costea ('67 86.Buleica), 8.Ologu, 3.D. Lopes ('45 28.Gangioveanu), 30.Prepelita - 20.Subotic, 19.Stoianof ('78 Dina).

Otelul Galati - Universitatea Craiova 2-1

Otelul Galati is the next champion of Romania. They played this game for keeping their first place in the table. Universitatea Craiova had 3 more points to get in the way they could overcome Gloria Bistrita, the team right above Stiinta in the classification. That is why we had a great match in this day.

Otelul Galati had already 2-0 after first half. But Craiova tried hard to get back in the game and scored in the 54th minute of the game by Danijel Subotic. Nothing happend until the end of the game and Craiova lost another match in this season, and Aurica Ticleanu resigned after it.

Our team: 21.S. Lung - 18.Dananae, 7.Gugu, 4.Zoro, 2.Busu - 5.D. Stoica, 30.Prepelita, 8.Ologu ('76 10.F.Costea) - Dina ('50 9.M.Costea), 19.Stoianof ('48 Buleica), 20.Subotic

Universitatea Craiova - Unirea Urziceni 3-0

Universitatea Craiova won a new game this season. It was the 30th day of Romanian Football Championship. Last victory for Craiova was 4 matches ago against FCM Targu Mures. Our team has a new trainer since this game. His name: Aurica Ticleanu. Laurentiu Reghenkampf was sacked in the week before.

Our goals were scored by Subotic ('31), D.Stoica('42) and Fitulescu('51) in a match with only one direction: toward Unirea's goal. Three more points in the table and Craiova has a little hope to remain in Romanian First League. There are 4 more games to play until the end.

Our team: 21.S. Lung - 18.Dananae, 7.Gugu, 4.Zoro, 2.Busu - 5.D. Stoica ('62 13.Wendel), 88.J. Nicolae, 25.Firtulescu ('81 Dina), 28.Gangioveanu - 19.Stoianof ('69 10.F. Costea), 20.Subotic

FC Vaslui - Universitatea Craiova 2-1

One of the latest chances for Universitatea Craiova to remain in Romanian First League was lost in this match. FC Vaslui had 1-0 in the start of the game thanks to an own goal of Dorel Stoica. Subotic ('40) scored for 1-1 just before half time. Craiova tried to resist to the end but in 2 minutes before the final FC Vaslui scored for 2-1 and let Craiova go home without any point in this game.

Our team: 21.S. Lung - 18.Dananae, 4.Zoro, 3.D.Lopes, 2.Busu - 86.Buleica, 30.Prepelita ('83 8.Ologu), 5.D. Stoica, 88.J.Nicolae - 20.Subotic ('71 25.Firtulescu), 19.Stoianof ('46 28.Gangioveanu)

Calusari tradition

"Calusari", also known as "Calusul" is an ancient ritual dance with the origins in a village called Piria / Argetoaia situated at 46 km in North West of Craiova. The dancers goes visiting all the houses they can and they promise health and prosperity to the people who's watching them dancing. They pretend they can cure sick people if those are standing in the inner circle formed by the dancers.

This dance is played every year on Feast of Pentecost and it is supposed to be more than 2000 years old. It is also assumed to be one of the fastest folk dances in the world and is considered by UNESCO as a World heritage.

Universitatea Craiova - FC Brasov 1-2

This game was a last chance for Universitatea Craiova to remain in Romanian first football league: Liga I. After first half the problem was solved. Stoianof scored for 1-0 in the 27th minute of the game. After 60 minutes of playing this problem became more than a serious issue. Brasov scored twice in 2 minutes ('65 and '67). Craiova lost this game in the end, and there are 6 more matches to play for salvation.

Our team: 21. Lung - 2.Busu, 7.Gugu (45' 3.D.Lopez), 4.Zoro, 18.Dananae - 28.Gangioveanu (59' 25.Firtulescu), 99.Buleica, 5.D.Stoica (71' 27.V.Bujor), 30.Prepelita - 20.Subotic, 19.Stoianof