The U15s also won the second game of the tournament at Base 2, which counts towards the quarter-final round of the Elite League. It was Politehnica Timișoara – Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu 3-0 (1-0), a result that has already qualified our team among the first eight teams at national level (Under 15 category).

Today’s game was played in a strong wind, but Paul Codrea’s students, being at home, adapted quickly. The score was opened in the 25th minute following a corner. Alexandru Cercel was found in the middle of the box and his left-footed shot could not be stopped by the goalkeeper, who touched the ball.

Just like in Friday’s 5-0 (1-0) win over UTA (2008), the white-violets broke free after the break and showed they were on the right track. In the 43rd minute newcomer Bogdan Bratu scored from in front of the goal from the pass of captain Șteta, who in turn scored several chances. The final score was set in the 49th minute by Andrei Mircea, who shot easily from the side and Buță was beaten again.

Politehnica accumulated six points and is already qualified for the next round. In the first match of the day, Universitatea Craiova passed UTA (2008) 3-1 at the same venue and is also qualified for the semi-final round. Before the final round of the Zone 3 quarter-final group, the standings are as follows: 1. POLITEHNICA (8-0) 6 pts, 2. U Craiova (11-4) 6, 3. UTA (1-8) 0, 4. Pandurii (3-11) 0. On Tuesday, April 12, the last group games are scheduled in Timisoara (in principle still at Base 2, but there is a possibility that the games will be moved to the “Știința” arena). At 11:00 there is the dispute for the first place: Politehnica – U Craiova, and at 13:00 it’s the game of the last placed teams: Pandurii – UTA (2008).

Pandurii Tg. Jiu: I. Buță (60, Streja) – Detculescu (60, Bîrcină), Surcel, Ciortan, Lăpădat (50, Belea), Brujan, A. Filip, Rasoveanu (60, An. Trancău), Țambu, Trăistaru, Tutunaru (50, Ilinca). Coach: Alin Poenaru.

POLITEHNICA: Păsule – Fotoniu, An. Mircea (62, A. Radu), Al. Matei (53, Kulcsar), Șteta (captain; 62, D. Bogdan), Bojin, E. Adam, R. Laza, Cercel (66, R. Goia), F. Rosu (36, B. Bratu), Ardel. Coach: Paul Codrea.

“It’s great happiness, we are very happy. We were dreading today’s match, but here we are, we managed to win. We will treat the next match very seriously, against Universitatea Craiova, because it’s a very good test for us and we expect to go to the semi-finals. I don’t want to be arrogant, but I expected us to qualify, because I knew we had more strength than Pandurii Targu Jiu and UTA, but I tried not to pass that on to the kids, so they wouldn’t take it from above, because that happens at senior level as well. I congratulate the kids, they really worked well. For two years, since I’ve been here, you can see that we’ve been serious and got where I think we deserve!”, Paul Codrea, Politehnica U15 head coach