Poli Timisoara - Universitatea Craiova 4-0

"Universitatea Craiova made a perfect game in the first 30 minutes..." That was the statement of the coach Nicolo Napoli.

Our team went in the West of Romania trying to make a good result. After a bad show, we have lost with 0-4. And the score could easily be bigger but Silviu Lung saved Craiova from humiliation. This was a game we all want to forget as soon as possible. Let's see if we can do that.

Our team: 21.S. Lung - 51.Buşu, 3.D. Lopes, 4.Zoro, 18.Dănănae - 11.W. Lopez ('46 28.Gangioveanu), 8.Ologu ('61 20.Subotici), 5.D. Stoica, 30.Prepeliţă - 10.Fl. Costea ('71 19.Stoianof), 9.M. Costea

Universitatea Craiova - Victoria Branesti 1-1

Universitatea Craiova played another game at home. It was not such a bad game but, unfortunately, Victoria Branesti had the only one chance to score when Alin Buleica tried to pass a ball in defense. The striker from Branesti intercepeted and scored in Silviu Lung's goal. That was in the 30th minute of the game.

All the rest of the game Craiova tried hard to get back in the game and finally, in the 77th minute of the match, scored by Mihai Costea after an assist of Andrei Prepelita. That was the game and the final result: 1-1, a draw which doesn't help anyone.

Our team: 21.Silviu Lung-jr - 86.Buleica, 4.Zoro, 5.D.Stoica, 11.W.Lopez - 30.Prepelita, 13.Wendel, 8.Ologu ('65 28.Gangioveanu) - 9.M.Costea, 20.Subotic ('65 19.Stoianof), 10.F.Costea

Universitatea Craiova - Steaua Bucharest 0-1

After a cold cold winter there was not bigger pleasure than stating of a new football season. For us, Universitatea Craiova's fans, this started with a match played in front of 10,000 viewers at -8 Celsius degrees. That was an extreme temperature, even for Romania, in this period of the year.

What to say about the football game? Nothing interesting. Two lazy teams waiting to finish this job. I think is really hard to try running in such a bad weather. The only phase of the game consumed in the first half when Steaua scored and went in Bucharest with 3 necessary points in their pockets. Craiova still waits for victory.

Our team: 21.Lung - 18.Dananae, 4.Zoro, 3.D. Lopes, 11.W. Lopez - 30.Prepelita, 5.Stoica, 8.Ologu ('68 28.Gangioveanu) - 9.M.Costea, 20.Subotic, 10.Fl.Costea

Baba Novac / Starina Novak

Baba Novac was one of the most important historical personalities form Romania and Serbia in the same time.

Novac was born in Poreci,a small village on an island of Danube. This village was close of Serbian fortress called Semedria. There are no documents regarding his born date, but the historical community generally agrees with the year 1520.

He had a normal childhood and he got his education in the Orthodox Christian monasteries of Serbia. When he become a grown-up he used to be a worker for building of Semedria fortress. After 3 years of hard working in this field, Turkish administration refused to pay him any money. This was the reason he got angry and revolted against them. 10 soldiers were sent to punish him, but Novac defeated and killed them with only his bare hands. He became an outlaw since then.

He run away on Timoc Valley and organised his own band there. After gathering around 1000 men under his command, Baba Novac sieged and defeated Turkish army in Cladova, Florentin fortress and Vidin. He retired in Bosnia after this and used to live on Romanija mountain. Turkish army captured him there and he was sent in Istanbul to be punished for his facts.

Because he was a very strong man, Turkish administration made him a proposition: to became chef of Istanbul's police. Being a proud person he refused this proposition and spent 2 and a half years in prison. He escaped after this period of time and went back in Bosnia. He had a son called Gruia. In the Balkans,Baba Novac met Deli Marcu, another outlaw, who had an army of 1500 men and they became friends and allies.

After a life of guerilla fights against Turkish administration in South of Danube, Baba Novac met Michael The Brave, one of the most important Romanian Princes, in Varset (Serbia). Michael took the decision to fight against Turkish Empire in 1593. That means, Baba Novac was around 75 years old when he decided to join Michael's army as one of his generals. The other generals of Michael the Brave were John Smith (from Scotland), Aga Lecca (Albania), Valentin Walawski (Poland), Moise Szekely and Albert Kiraly (both from Hungary).

Baba Novac fought in South of Danube first, he defeated Turkish army in Pleven, and Stara Planina ( spring of 1595) and he moved in the North of the river after. On 23rd of August he took part in Calugareni battle (close to Bucharest). That was a great fight where 30,000 men of Michael The Brave defeated 120,000 Turkish sodiers. After this fight, Baba Novac participated in battles in Naieni (close to Ploiesti) against Polish army, Sarata and Bucov. In 1599 Baba Novac started the battle in Selimbar (close to Sibiu) and this was a great victory for Michael The Brave's army. After this fight he follows Moldavian army and conquers Iasi city. He also fought in Hotin and Camenita.

After such a glorious campaign Baba Novac retires in Lipov (close to the Serbian frontier). There he was defeated by a Hungarian army who took him in prison of Cluj. In 5th of February 1601, Baba Novac and his friend, Sasca the priest, were sentenced to death. They were tortured for 1 and and a half hour, fried and impaled in the public square. In all this time, Michael The Brave was in Vienna trying to sign an alliance with Western European States against Turkey. When he came back he defeted Hungarian army in Guraslau and he went in Cluj asking to revenge Baba Novac's death. Michael officiated a solemn commemoration, followed by a charity in memory of the Serbian hero. On the bastion of Cluj, Michael The Brave put all flags won in the battles by Baba Novac. On the land given to his sons by Michael The Brave, rises "Brazda lui Novac", district of Craiova, the most important Southern city in Romania today.

Marco Zoro signed for Craiova

Marco André Zoro Kpolo, born 27th of December 1983 in Abidjan (Cote D'Ivore) signed for Universitatea Craiova. He used to play for Benfica Lisabona, but now he is part of our team.

In his career, Marco Zoro played 55 games for Salernitana (Italy) and scored once, 116 games for Messina (Italy) and scored 5 times, 2 games for Benfica Lisabona and scored once and 30 games for Vitória Setúbal. That means, Universitatea Craiova loaned for this season an experienced defender.

The other transfers for this season are: Wendel Raul Goncalves Gomes - midfielder (26 years old from Brazil) who used to play for Lask Linz, Austria, Daniel Subotic - striker (22 years old from Swiss) ex-Porthsmouth and ex-Grosseto (Italian second League), Andrea Cossu (26 years old, from Italy born in Nigeria) who used to play for Triestina, Paganese and Virtus Lanciano (all in Italy) and Vlad Bujor.

2011 preparations for a new start

The winter between 2010 and 2011 was very strange for Universitatea Craiova. First of all, Victor Piturca was sacked. The new trainer of Universitatea Craiova is Nicolo Napoli now.

After this action, 10 football players left Universitatea Craiova: Razvan Stanca, Spase Dilevski, Jullius Wobay, Mihai Dina, Emil Gargorov, Valentin Iliev, Alex Piturca, Valerica Gaman, Stefan Barboianu and David Junior Lopes. In the last 5 years, this was the biggest amount of footbal players who leave our team once. Practically it is almost an entire team who went off from Craiova.

Universitatea had a training session in Antalya, Turkey and played some friendly games there. These are the results:

CSM RÂMNICU VÂLCEA - UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA 1-1

for Craiova scored Mihai Roman ('59)

SHINNIK YAROSLAVL - UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA 3-4

goals scored by Fl. Costea ('20), Gangioveanu ('22), Prepelita ('44), Mihai Roman('66)

UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA - MLADA BOLESLAV 1-1

for Craiova scored Mihai Costea ('29)

BORAC BANJA LUKA - UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA 1-0

UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA - MINIOR PERNIK 0-0

LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW - UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA 3-1

for Craiova scored Mihai Costea ('28)

CFR Cluj - Universitatea Craiova 2-1

Universitatea Craiova hoped to bring 3 points from Cluj. And there were chances for this. After an white first half, Dorel Stoica scored after a shot from 40 meters of Cluj's goal. Everything seemed to be OK after this, but CFR Cluj scored twice and the game was lost by Universitatea Craiova.

Madalin Ciuca get a red card in the end of the match. That is why he will miss next 2 games.

Our team: 1.Stanca – 6.Ciucă, 7.V. Găman, 5.Stoica, 2.Bărboianu - 30.Prepeliţă, 13.Dilevski, 23.Gargorov ('62 8.Ologu) - 77.Wobay ('82 9.M.Costea), 20.Dina, 27.Al.Piţurcă

Gaz Metan Medias - Universitatea Craiova 1-0

Universitatea Craiova lost another game. This time was an away match played against a team from Sibiu county: Gaz Metan Medias. Craiova tried so hard to get points from this play but we were not lucky enough.

After a 0-0 first half, everybody had the felling this game will be a draw. In the 67th minute of the game Litu scored for Gaz Metan. Craiova worked hard to score, and in the end of the we had the best opportunity a football team can have: penalty kick. After a fault against Julius Wobay in the penalty area, Gangioveanu took the ball trying to score. He missed and the game ended with 3 points for Medias. Universitatea Craiova still waits for a victory.

Our team: 1.Stanca - 18.Dananae, 5.Stoica, 3.Lopes, 6.M.Ciuca - 8.Ologu ('75 28.Gangioveanu), 13.Dilevski, 77.Wobay - 20.Dina ('84 19.Stoianof), 9.M. Costea ('65 10.Fl. Costea), 27.Al. Piturca

Universitatea Craiova - Gloria Bistrita 1-2

A game played in a Saturday. Universitatea Craiova lost the 16th round of Liga I, against Gloria Bistrita this time.

Junior Moraes scored two times for Gloria Bistrita (10th and 42nd minutes of the game) from almost indentical phases: counter attacks on wide spaces left by Universitatea's defenders and no reactions of Stanca.

Universitatea Craiova scored in the 27th minute of the game after a phase worked by Wobay and Mihai Costea. Madalin Ciuca scored for 1-1 but this result could not be maintained by our team until the end of the game.

Our team: 1.Stanca - 6.Ciuca, 7.Gaman, 5.Stoica, 2.Barboianu - 8.Ologu, 13.Dilevski - 77.Wobay (28.Gângioveanu '62), 20.Dina (19.Stoianof '80), 9.M.Costea (10.Fl. Costea '59) - 27.Al. Piturca

Dinamo Bucharest - Universitatea Craiova 2-2

After 3 days, the same game another stake. This time, 3 points for Romanian Championship table. Unfortunately no team got them. Each team went home with only one point in the bag.

First team who scored was Universitatea Craiova in the 14th minute of the game. Alex Piturca put the ball in Dinamo's net after an assist from Mihai Costea. After 9 minutes, Dinamo had the chance of a penalty kick and A. Cristea scored for 1-1.

In the second half, Torje scored for 2-1. But right before the end of the game, Alex Piturca scored again in the 83rd minute and the game finished as a draw, 2-2.

Our team: 1.Stanca - 18.Dananae, 7.Gaman, 5.Stoica, 2.Barboaianu, 77.Wobay ('66 28.Gangioveanu), 30.Prepelita 8.Ologu,  9.M. Costea ('70 10.Fl. Costea), 20.Dina, 27.Al. Piturca

Dinamo Bucharest - Universitatea Craiova 1-1 (3-1 after penalty kicks)

Universitatea Craiova had a really crazy game against Dinamo Bucharest. It was one game only for Romanian Cup semifinals. The begining of the match was very good for Universitatea Craiova's fans. In the 31st minute of the game, Dina scored after an assist from Mihai Costea. 

Unfortunately Dinamo scored also, in the second half, after a head kick of Catalin Munteanu.

In the 71st minute of the game Spase Dilevski was redcarded for a fault he did not commit. Nothing changed until the 120th minute of the game and we had 11 meters kicks. Ologu scored for Craiova, but Barboianu, Gaman and Mihai Costea missed and Dinamo qualified in the semifinals. Another season without any performance for Universitatea Craiova.

Our team: 1.Stanca - 18.Dănănae, 7.Găman, 5.D. Stoica, 2.Bărboianu - 13.Dilevski - 77.Wobay ('90 25.Firtulescu), 30.Prepeliţă ('90 8.Ologu), 23.Gargorov ('104 3.D. Lopes), 9.M. Costea - 20.Dina

Universitatea Craiova - Otelul Galati 0-1

Universitatea Craiova lost another game at home. It is really a shame the points gathered away are naturaly spread on Ion Oblemenco stadium.

Before starting of this game it was a moment for the memory of Adrian Paunescu, the legendary poet who passed away on 5th of November 2010. Universitatea's players had T-shirts with the message "Adrian Paunescu an immortal symbol." 24.000 viewers were in the stadium for this game. They had messages like: "Starting with today, it will be played Oltenia Eterna Terra Nova in the Heaven" and "Maestro, Oltenia cryies after you".

Universitatea Craiova played a good game but, unfortunately Otelul Galati scored in the 22nd minute and Stiinta could not score for draw all the rest of the game.

Our team: 1.Stanca - 18.Dănănae, 7.Găman, 6.Ciucă, 2.Bărboianu - 5.D. Stoica - 77.Wobay ('74 25.Firtulescu), 30.Prepeliţă, 23.Gargorov ('58 9.M. Costea), 20.Dina - 27.Piţurcă ('72 28.Gangioveanu)

R.I.P. Adrian Paunescu

Adrian Paunescu, the greatest modern Romanian poet passed away on 5th of November. He was also a well known journalist and politician. He was the promoter of literary circle "The Flame".

Paunescu was one of the most prolific contemporary Romanian poets. His books have sold over 1 million copies, holding a record in this regard. Among his best known poems are:

Repeatable burden

Pray for parents

Illiterates

Make love on guns

Still the love

The shadow

Exit from stove

He wrote the text of Universitatea Craiova's anthem, "Song for Oltenia" known also as "Oltenia eterna Terra Nova", and he was a big fan of our football team. Rest in peace Adrian Paunescu.

Unirea Urziceni - Universitatea Craiova 1-2

Universitatea Craiova beautiful dream, "Champion of a great love" - one of the glorious verses of Oltenians must be restored by Victor Piturca. The sentimental part of this slogan was solved by the fans who returned to the team.

Unirea Urziceni scored six goals in 12 games before this match. Despite of this they won against Steaua and Dinamo Bucharest.

In the 10th minute of the game, it was a counterattack for Urziceni 2 against 2. Muzac passed perfect for Semedo but Stanca defended well our goal. In the 34th minute Todoran scored for 1-0. In the second half, Universitatea Craiova had a penalty kick and Gargorov scored for 1-1. He dedicated his goal to Valentin Iliev who is injured until next year.

In the 81st minute of the game Dananae had a perfect assist for Mihai Dina. The striker of Univeresitatea Craiova scored with a perfect head strike and our team had a beautiful victory against one the most defensive team in Liga I.

Our team: 1. Stanca - 18. Dananae, 7. Gaman, 6. Ciuca, 2. Barboianu - 5. Stoica, 77. Wobay ('90 25.Firtulescu), 13.Dilevski ('90 8.Ologu), 23. Gargorov - 20. Dina, 27. Al. Piturca ('68 9.M.Costea)

Pandurii Tg Jiu - Universitatea Craiova 0-2

Universitatea Craiova won another game, this time against Pandurii Tg Jiu and passed to the next phase of Cup of Romania. It was really a great game played on a really hard field. Anyhow, Stiinta had 1000 fans present at this game and they did a great ambiance for it.

Our team played well and the result was the one which we all expected to be. There were a lot of beautiful goal situations, and the goalkeeper of Pandurii, Mingote, saved his team many times. Our goals were scored by Jullius Wobay ('33) and Andrei Prepelita ('54).

Our team: 21.Lung Jr. - 18.Dananae, 7.Gaman, 6.Ciuca, 2.Barboianu - 30.Prepelita, 5.D. Stoica, 33.Gargorov ('79 13.Dilevski), 77.Wobay ('84 28.Gangioveanu) - 27.Al. Piturca, 20.Dina ('56 9.M. Costea)

Lions Arena

Universitatea Craiova planed to build a new stadium for our team. The name of it will be "Arena Leilor", in English: Lions Arena. This stadium is like a dream for us because the actual stadium is old and is very hard to preserve.

The new stadium will be have all the modern facilities of a good football arena. Will have restaurants and a conference center. There is only one problem with it: there are no money for build such a nice and modern arena. Until we will find these money, we will continue to dream on.

Universitatea Craiova - FC Vaslui 0-1

Universitatea Craiova lost their 4th game in this season. Unfortunately this was a game played in Craiova, on Ion Oblemenco Stadium. It was a really nice match, played in front of 25.000 viewers, but the result was not not the one we wanted for our team.

In the first part of the game, both teams played waiting for the mistake of the opponent. This came in the 42nd minute of the match when Ciuca lost his man and Yero Bello scored the only goal of the game.

In the second half, Craiova attacked with all the lines and had at least 10 goal opportunities. Unfortunately the goal did not came. In the last minute of the game Universitatea Craiova had a penalty kick as a last chance to score. Andrei Prepelita took the ball and tried to score, but Kuciak saved his team and FC Vaslui get back home with 3 more points in the table. Next game will be played on Thursday against Pandurii Tg Jiu as 1/8 of Romanian Football Cup.

Our team: 1. Stanca - 18. Dananae, 7. Gaman, 6. Ciuca, 2. Barboianu - 5. Stoica - 77. Wobay (25. Firtulescu '82), 30. Prepelita, 23. Gargorov, 20. Dina - 27. Piturca (9. M. Costea '78).

FC Brasov - Universitatea Craiova 0-3

Universitatea Craiova get a new victory, last Monday, in front of 3000 viewers, and now is on the 8th place in the table of Liga I. The next game will be played against FC Vaslui. There is a difference of only 2 points between Craiova in Vaslui in the table. Universitatea Craiova has to be very careful because  this can be a very good starting point for the future performances of this team.

Our goals were scored by Oros '43 (owngoal), Mihai Dina '65 and Dorel Stoica '90+3.

Our team: 1. Stanca - 18. Dananae, 7. Gaman, 6. Ciuca, 2. Barboianu - 5. D. Stoica - 77. Wobay, 23. Gargorov (13. Dilevski '67), 30. Prepelita, 20. Dina - 27. Piturca (19. Stoianof '78, 28. Gângioveanu '84)

France - Romania 2-0

After a gamed played in Paris, on Stade de France, Romanian national football team lost with 2-0 against Gallic Rooster's team.

The trainer of Romanian national football team is Razvan Lucescu, the only son of Mircea Lucescu, coach of Shaktar Donetzk, ex-trainer of Galatasaray, Beshiktas or Inter Milano. Mircea Lucescu used to play in the same team with Romanian Football Federation presidet, Mircea Sandu. They are good friends and this may be one of the reasons Lucescu's son is now the most important trainer in Romania. Just notice the fact that Lucescu jr never had a performance as a football player or as a trainer. He gets only bad results since he is coach of Romania. Despite all of these facts, Lucescu jr is maintained in this function. Why? Nobody knows, nobody cares.

This network of relations between people involved in Romanian football destroyed all the performances of this well known football team in the past.

Napoli-Craiova Brotherhood

After a game played by SSC Napoli against Steaua Bucharest, in Romania, the Italian team find out they have a sister team in this country. Universitatea Craiova has the same colors as Napoli. Craiova is also in south of Romania and their fans are also really crazy.

Universitatea Craiova used to play a lot of games in Europa in the 80's. In 1979, after a match played in Craiova, Universitatea Craiova - Leeds United 2-0, the Italian referee of the game, Gianluca Menegalli, declared: "Here is like in Naples". He was talking about the fans and the atmosphere in the stadium. Cristiano Bergodi and Wlater Zenga, both Italian coaches who used to train Romanian football teams, confirmed this resemblance.

At the game played 2 weeks ago, Steaua Bucharest - SSC Napoli 3-3, there were many Universitatea Craiova's fans who supported the Italian team. This gesture was granted by thanks in Napoli's fans forum. After 3 days, Universitatea Craiova played against Cluj and the ultras of Craiova used to sing and applause Napoli's result against Steaua. That's real friendship!

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