On June 1, 1980, Politehnica Timișoara won its second and – for now – its last trophy. Romanian Cup.

In the final played at the 23 August stadium in Bucharest, Poli beat Steaua 2-1 after extra time.

That year, Poli would only finish 10th in the Divizia A. Some time earlier, Steaua had crushed Poli in the championship, 7-1!

The red-and-blues from Ghencea had a classy team, losing the title on goal difference to Craiova, which would become Maxima. Stars such as Sameș, Vigu, Tudorel Stoica, Liță Dumitru, Puiu Iordănescu, Marcel Răducanu played for the team coached by “Professor” Constantin. Turkish gold!

At Poli, Jackie Ionescu was in charge of the technical team, and on the field were: Suciu – Nadu – Nadu, Șerbănoiu, Păltinișanu, Vișan – Manea, Dembroschi, T. Nicolae (Nucă) – Anghel, Nedelcu II (O. Roșca), Cotec.

Steaua opened the scoring, through T. Stoica, the future captain of the team that will be one of the great European teams of the second half of the next decade. Then Adi Manea challenges Răducanu, he takes the bait and Rainea eliminates him. In 10, Steaua will lose ground. A few minutes before half-time, Vio Vișan catches a shot and equalizes. No goals in the second half, going into extra time.

Corner taken by Imi Dembroschi, Dan Paltinisanu header, 2-1 and the Cup is in Timisoara…

Politehnica Timișoara – Steaua București 2-1 (1-1, 1-1)
Romanian Cup 1979/80 (final), 1.06.1980, 16:30, Bucharest, 23 August stadium, 40.000 spectators.
Scored: V. Vișan (43), Păltinișanu (96) – T. Stoica (25).
Referee: N. Rainea (Bârlad).
Sent off: M. Răducanu (28).
Politehnica: R. Suciu – Nadu, Șerbănoiu, Păltinișanu, V. Vișan – Ad. Manea, Dembroschi, Titi Nicolae (61, Nucă) – St. Anghel, Nedelcu II (91, O. Roșca), Cotec. Coach: Ion V. Ionescu.
Steaua: V. Iordache – Anghelini, Sameș, Fl. Marin, Vigu – T. Stoica (75, I. Nițu), I. Dumitru, A. Iordănescu (65, Zahiu I) – M. Răducanu, Ad. Ionescu, Aelenei. Coach: Gheorghe Constantin.