Today, at Base 2, Politehnica met Universitatea Craiova, the other team already qualified before the last day of the U15 Elite League quarter-finals group (zone 3). The team from Bania won after a balanced duel, in which the difference was in the finishing. The final score – 3-0 (0-0) – was a bit harsh for the white-violets.

The first half started with a slight Timisoara domination, but also chances for Poli U15, but they were not taken. At the restart, in the 40th minute, Fazekas wasted an opportunity alone with the opponent’s goalkeeper, then the Craiovians opened the scoring five minutes later. Mario Ilie scored from the penalty area after speculating a defensive error. In the 52nd minute the score became 2-0 for the University through Bușa’s goal and ten minutes later Stana set the final score with a shot to Enășescu’s right. Despite the pressure at the end, the white-violets failed to score. Moreover, at the end, our defender Ardel saw a red card for an intervention from the position of last defender.

In the other game of day 3 of the group in Timisoara, Pandurii Tg. Jiu ended in a 2-2 draw with UTA 2008. “U” Craiova thus won the group, with 9 points from three games, while Politehnica U15 is ranked 2nd with six points, both qualified for the semi-final stage. The third-placed team from Arad, thanks to a better record than the Gorjeni, finished the group with one point each.

Craiova University: Cazacu – M. Pancu, Bușe, E. Popescu, Mitriță (45, G. Popescu), Găină, Niculae (36, M. Ilie), Cîrstea (36, Băloi), Stana, Bușa (63, Antonie), T. Luță (36, Pițiche). Coach: Bogdan Vrăjitoarea.

POLITEHNICA: Enășescu – Fotoniu (62, Chiș), Ardel, Goia, Kulcsar (41, B. Bratu), An. Mircea (62, Diaconu), E. Adam, Șteta (captain), Bojin, D. Bogdan (50, A. Dan), Fazekaș (41, Al. Matei). Coach: Paul Codrea.

“It was tougher, but honestly, as a game, I don’t think the opponent was over us. It was really even and at 0-0 we had the better chances. Even two alone with the goalkeeper. We didn’t score, they scored at a phase that didn’t announce anything and from there the game changed. It’s a known fact with children, when they concede a goal they fall down mentally, that shouldn’t happen, but as a game I’m very satisfied and I think we were able to match our opponent’s level”, said Paul Codrea, coach of Politehnica U15.

In the next phase of the competition, in which eight teams will take part, clubs such as Farul Constanta, Atletico Arad and FCSB, among others, have qualified. “That’s what we want, to play with the best, that’s how we learn. After all they are beginners, it’s their first year on the big pitch. Let’s not forget that! We ask a lot, but they’re actually playing for the first time in 11, because there was the pandemic and we didn’t have the championship. Now we’re happy where we are and of course we have to progress!”, concluded the former international.

The draw for the two semi-final groups will take place on 18 April. The semi-final round of the U15 Elite League will be played from 6-10 May, with the venues not yet decided.

Here is the activity of the other Polytechnic teams involved in the Elite League last weekend:

U19, play-out (West Series), stage 8: Sorin Brîndescu’s team won the Timisoara duel with Ripensia 6-1. Carlos Butar scored four goals and Fabian Marincu scored the other two. The white-violet remain in second position (33 points), four points behind leader UTA. In the penultimate round, the Albiceleste juniors play “next door”, at LPS Banatul, on Saturday at 12:00.

U17, play-out (West Series), stage 8: Poli U17 narrowly lost 1-0 at home to CFR Cluj. The game saw Alin Paleacu’s youngsters swap places with the Ardeleni, being 4th on goal difference. On Saturday, at 14:00, the white-violet play in the stronghold of Gaz Metan Mediaș.

U16, play-off (Series 4), stage 8: Cristi Gălan’s boys won 1-0 at the leader “U” Cluj, thanks to a “Van Basten” goal scored by Sebastian Avramescu. Poli U16 climbed to 2nd place with 40 points, but can no longer reach the only qualifying spot. On Saturday, 16 April, from 10:00, the white-violet team host the third-placed CFR Cluj, a team with one point less, at Base 2.