Politehnica Timișoara football team won 3-1 against Phoenix Buziaș in the 9th round, the last round of the 3rd League play-off.

The white-violets opened the scoring early, in the 9th minute, through Emanuel Sfichi’s header from another youngster’s cross, Istratie. Six minutes later Alex Adamcsik made it 2-0 with a shot to Flonta’s right. The guests reduced the deficit in the 19th minute through Remus Bobocea. The final score was established in the first half, after Iosif Liviu Rotariu (26th minute), with a shot from outside the box, slightly deflected by the goalkeeper. Fabian Marincu captained the team today and twice put the ball on the bar from free kicks.

Politehnica fielded a very young team, in which Andres Bologa (b. 2008), from their own nursery, started directly. And in the second half, another junior debutant was used – Ștefan Miclăuș (2006).

For Politehnica the promotion play-off semi-final against CSC Ghiroda and Giarmata Vii is next. The first leg is scheduled for Wednesday 22 May at the “Electrica” arena, from 18.00.

Politehnica: Mikloș – Sfichi (63, R. Ciurel), Vlaicu, D. Roșu, Bologa (46, Miclăuș) – Marincu (captain), I. L. Rotariu (46, E. Adam), M. Oprea, Adamcsik (63, Bărbuț) – Avrămescu, Istratie (63, D. Ciurel). Coach: Paul Codrea.

“That’s what I wanted to see, enthusiasm, confidence, because the boys were really young, a lot of them. We also had Andres Bologa’s debut, I have to remember him because he’s a 2008 player and he was a starter. I would have left him on the pitch, but he had a problem at half-time. I’m satisfied, it was the game I sat quietly, I didn’t get very nervous because today the boys played very well. Of course, the last game without stakes, but we were serious and it was important to see the players who played less. Marincu looked very good, Adamcsik, Istratie, Oprea, Rotariu, I don’t even know players who played poorly today. This was one of our goals again, to give minutes to Cristi Barbuț, I’m glad he came off the pitch healthy… The preparation for the play-off started when we got together in the summer, it was one of our goals. We all wanted to get here, we got here. We’ve achieved a goal, the hardest part is next, really the hardest part is at the end. We know, we are aware of the value of the opponent, what this play-off means for us. But we’re confident, we’re going calmly and we’re trying to move on”, Paul Codrea, coach of Politehnica Timișoara.

“Somehow a first objective is achieved, I’m glad that more young players have made their place in the first team’s gear. This was also one of our goals, to bring as many players as possible from the academy to the big team. Everyone is trying to find their place. It’s very important that they understand, they are given confidence, they have to work very hard. Today they played a very good game and we are very happy with how they handled the game. There was a risk that at the end of the so-called season they wouldn’t approach the game at the highest level, I’m glad they showed professionalism. I’m glad they did it, it’s very important, because we’re pushing very hard on these topics and the first goal is achieved, a very important week is coming up. Everybody is aware, from me to the last person in the club, is very aware of what this week means. It’s important to come out well and continue what we have started. I mean a road to promotion, we’ve taken it step by step, but everyone knows that the demands of the club are these. We try to do our best because a club like ours has to be at the highest level. In general, the city is like this, the sports world in Timisoara is monopolized by Politehnica club, there will always be all kinds of comments, all kinds of opinions, for me the important thing is that during this season, now and from now on, that the next match is expected to have a very large number of spectators, supporters, I am glad that the people behind, those who have always set the tone and are the soul of this club, are with the players. They have understood from the beginning the project, they have understood that we must be supported, they have understood that we all have, and the players especially, we need their support. They have always been able to create a good atmosphere and to raise their level of responsibility, which is what we have done. I’m glad we’re starting to be a united whole, to have a common denominator. I think that, in the end, everyone wants the best for the club. At least those of us who are directly involved, together with our supporters, with the people who love the club, I believe that the community of Timisoara and beyond is all involved in what the future of this club means.

Looking at the sheet I would say they are favourites. But I will never say that, somehow history is on our side, tradition, people who work in the club, everything this club means to the city. We can say that we have to prove all these assets that we have and all this gear of responsibilities, we have to put it on the field and make the most of this double-header. Clearly, if you look on the sheet you say they come in with a bit of a plus, but that’s not the case in my view. At the end of the day it all falls on the shoulders of the technical staff, the players and somehow on ours, to support them from the back and to be there for them and to create the best conditions for them to perform, which we have managed to do this season and to provide the support we need to come out of this season well. They have some players who have some experience, but again, everyone is going to demand that we come out on top. In football it’s not always like that, it’s not just the name, the shirt you wear, you have to prove. We are the people who have put in the work, we are aware of the opponent we are facing, we don’t treat them superficially in any way, we are aware that we will have two very tough matches. After all, if you want to get promoted you have to get through all these stages… I think we are expecting the biggest number of spectators this season, I expect them to come and encourage and support our players, because it’s clear, at the moment they are the future of this club. They need support, they need to play at the highest level and we must come to their support to help them reach the final point as soon as possible”, Costel Pantilimon, executive director of Politehnica Timisoara.