Photo: Leczki Jozsi

The evening of 26 March will remain special for the Poles, even if not as much as it means for the Rapidi, who inaugurated their new “jewel” – a modern stadium with about 14,000 seats, but with a special personality, in the unique spirit of Giulesti. Politehnica had the honour of being present on several levels, as a guest, at this splendid event!

It was an evening that started for us with the match of our juniors under 16. Cristi Gălan’s boys came straight from Friday’s 2-0 win in Bistrița against Transylvania in the Elite League, but still had the wind knocked out of them by Rapid’s kids on Saturday. Lucas Draghia scored the first goal at the new Giulesti, but his strike was cancelled out by Denis Boariu’s perfect execution from a free-kick. Two action-packed 25-minute halves were played and the final score was 1-1!

Politehnica U16 started with: Matei – Vela, Tătaru, A. Vlaicu, Imbroane, Leczki, Boariu, Roșca, Hus, Antal and Erceanu. The following also came on: Balica, Avramescu, Vladu, Semenciuc, Chelariu, Leoveanu and R. Gheju. Coach: Cristi Gălan.

 

Old boys show

A little later the evening was one that also belonged to the legends of the two clubs. Rapid brought the heavy names of a rich history, but the white-violet were no less. From the start Gigel Bucur threatened the opponent’s goal, even from the “scissors”. Then he also scored in the last phase of the first half, after dribbling past all the defenders and the goalkeeper. The hosts started strongly then the second half and Rati equalised with a bit of luck. And, this time in the last moments of the game, Rapid scored again – through Daniel Pancu. 2-1 final!

Note that all our “heavyweights” had the number 12 on the back of their shirts, as a token of appreciation for the Viola supporters.

Politehnica “old-boys”: Petru Țurcaș – Călin Bota, Octavian Popescu, Srgian Luchin, Gabriel Cânu, Cristi Dancia, Paul Codrea, Dan Alexa (captain), Alin Paleacu, Mircea Axente, Gigel Bucur. They also played: Andrian Bogdan – Cristi Gălan, Florin Bătrânu, Sorin Brîndescu, Ilie Poenaru, Cristi Utfineanț, Ilie Stoican, Ianis Zicu, Alin Crișanov, Leonard Naidin, Răzvan Ionilă, Alex Bourceanu, Romulus Buia. Coach: Emeric Dembroschi.

The show created by the organisers deserves to be highlighted. Time flew by in an evening that seemed to wish it would never end. The Romanian anthem, sung by Felicia Filip, or the Rapid anthem, often sung by the whole stadium, plus the laser and light show, were part of the magic of this 26th of March.

After 20:30 the main event of the evening started. The senior match started of course with a fairytale atmosphere. The hosts were awarded a penalty kick in the 33rd minute, which Săpunaru missed, however, sending it wide of Păduraru’s left post. Rapid pressed more in the second half and finally scored in the end through Marzouk (83rd minute). The senior game thus ended 1-0 to the hosts, but there was no room for complacency at this gala event.

After this special evening our team returns to the championship matches, playing in a week’s time in Miercurea Ciuc (2nd round of the League 2 play-out).

POLITEHNICA: Păduraru (41, Devenish-Meares; 66, Murariu) – Sofran (66, Plumbuitu), Scutaru (captain; 79, Huminic), Bocșan (41, Mera), Pamfile (66, Oanea) – D. Radu (79, D. Olariu), Lazăr (79, Bakoș), Ignea (66, Iamandache), Vukoje (66, Bîrnoi) – Gerbi (41, Rogosic), Ursu (66, Sîntean). Coach: Nicolae Croitoru.

Rapid: Drăghia – Demici, Săpunaru, Dandea, Goge – Albu, Drăgan – Sefer, Ioniță II, Hlistei, Ad. Bălan. Also played: Mărgărit, Ungureanu – Stahl, An. Ionita, Marzouk, Morais, Carnat, Alami, D. Grigore, Al. Gheorghe. Coach: Adrian Mutu.

“We are glad that we were invited in the first place, we had the opportunity to participate in such an event. It was a game between two teams with a great history and who have a lot in common. First of all some extraordinary supporters and I am not wrong when I say that they are two teams, which in difficult moments have stayed alive thanks to their supporters. On the other hand I think it was also a positive test for the upcoming games”, said Nicolae Croitoru, Politehnica’s head coach.

“Even if we lost, I think it’s important, they are young players, it was a game played in some special conditions and I think these things can only help them grow”, the coach said about the use of all the young players on the bench.

Doru Andrei – who managed to qualify with the U19 national team for the European Championship – and Adrian Zaluschi (injured) were absent from the team.