The white-violet played today at the Timisoara’s Gara Mică (Small Train Station) the last match before the start of the championship. Politehnica won 2-0 (2-0) against Ripensia, with goals scored by Denis Radu and Ioan Mera.

Radu, as in other tests, opened the scoring, but his first goal could have come in the 4th minute. That goal was however disallowed for offside after Axente’s shot was pushed wide. Eventually it was 1-0 in the 32nd minute following a counter-attack. Denis Radu sent an excellent cross low past I. Rus’ right-hand post. The score was increased in the second minute of extra time, in practically the last phase of the first half, when Ignea’s free kick from near the crossbar was headed into the net by Mera.

The half-time score was also the final one, as Octavian Ursu (ex-Rapid) joined Politehnica in the second half. Scutaru was replaced by Moțiu after only a quarter of an hour due to an injury (probably a strain) and Bocșan and Serediuc were both mentioned today for medical reasons. D. Benzar joins the white-violet squad on Monday.

Today’s game was attended by about 200 spectators.

Politehnica: Păduraru – Sofran, Mera (captain), Scutaru, Pamfile, Ignea, Radu, R. Rus, Zaluschi, Bîrnoi, Axente. The following players were also present: Devenish-Meares – Moțiu, D. Andrei, Oct. Ursu, Oanea, Jurj, Hațegan, Gologan, Costea, Ehling and Manea. Coach: Dorin Toma.

Ripensia: I. Rus – Morariu, Rogac, Lalič, Fridrich, Coulibaly, V. Macrițchii, Piftor, M. Ene, Rotea, Soković. Also entered: Taras, Țieranu, R. Stoica, Stoi, A. Macritchii, Vidrăsan, Mitrov, Golda. Coach: Cosmin Petruescu.

“It was the last friendly game before the official match against U Cluj. We looked better than in the other games, but we still have things to work out. We still have to integrate players in our squad, some arrived today (n.r. Ursu), others will arrive on Monday (D. Benzar). And slowly we have to adjust our playing relationships, our benchmarks, so that we look better at the first or first stages (…) We will try to bring the players to the same denominator. We are still waiting for a junior and a defensive central midfielder, who, if they don’t come, we try to cover with what we have and, as far as we can tell, we look pretty good at this point,” said Dorin Toma, Politehnica’s head coach.

Here are Politehnica’s other results in friendlies this summer:

Politehnica – Pobeda Star Bîșnov 4-1

Politehnica – Politehnica Academy 5-0

Politehnica – CSM Reșița 2-0

OFK Kikinda – Politehnica 2-0

Politehnica – CA Oradea 4-0

In the first round of League 2 our team will face “U” Cluj-Napoca away. The game has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 3, at 18.00 (will be broadcast live).

Photo: Sebastian Tătaru