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

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

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

And then came the Revolution. Timisoara signaled to the whole country that the time of communism and Ceausescu was over.

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

Introduction photo: Free Timisoara, December 1989, Opera Square. Photo of the famous Constantin Duma