Three decades ago, in December 1989, Romanian football was living a moment of grace. The national team, with Emerich Jenei at the helm, had just qualified for the Italian World Cup after a 3-1 win over Denmark.

Politehnica Timișoara was in Division A and had had a good tour. 0-0 against Flacăra Moreni (home), 0-1 against Dinamo (home), 0-3 against Steaua (away), 0-0 against Victoria (home), 1-0 against Universitatea Craiova (home) were the results obtained that autumn against the strong teams of the championship.

Costică Rădulescu had set up a team that was to remain a landmark in the history of the white-violet team. Almășan – Varga, Ionuț, Andreaș, Stoicov – China, Oloșutean, Vlaicu, Timofte II – D. Mănăilă, Cașuba. (A team that, with Jipa, Crăciun, Ad. Bungău, O. Popescu, Rosenblum, in a year’s time will eliminate Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Cup!!!).

And then came the Revolution. Timișoara gave the signal to the whole country that the time of communism and Ceaușescu was over.

Here’s an extensive summary of the match Politehnica Timișoara – Dinamo 0-1 (20 September 1989, Division A):