Sunday, February 16, was the last event (called “Goodbye, Great Oval! – The Legend Continues!”) at the legendary Dan Paltinisanu Stadium before it is demolished for reconstruction. The event started with the “triangular” of football demonstration matches.

Politehnica Timișoara old-boys, Politehnica Timișoara, Politehnica Timișoara Femina participated. The results, obviously, are of no importance (nor was a final ranking made), but, for the sake of conformity, we recall them: Old-boys – Femina 2-1, Poli – Femina 2-2, Poli – Old-boys 2-2.

Spectators watched from the athletics track, often even entering the playing area (for safety reasons, public access was only allowed inside the stadium, on the field and on the athletics track)! Let’s also note two starting teams.

Old-boys, first match: P. Țurcaș – C. Varga, Fl. Bătrânu, Luchin, Dancia – C. Contra, Iosif Rotariu, R. Buia, Paleacu – M. Băban, Cuc.

Poli, last match: Enășescu – Amariei, D. Roșu, D. Tătaru, R. Ciurel – Al. Militaru, D. Ciurel – Prună, D. Popa, Boariu – Istratie.

Concerts followed. Dani Tobe (the famous member of the gallery), Noi din Banat (the band with polist songs) and, the “icing on the cake”, Cargo (the legendary rock band from Timișoara). Plus video projection, official speeches, workshops to make flags and pennants, a laser show and a choreographic moment by Druckeria & “Peluza Sud” (in the second stand and then, so symbolically, in the South Stand).

There was a special area inside the stadium for buying food and drink, as well as a Polish fan shop. The 10,000 spectators braved the extremely cold weather for five and a half hours.

At the end, the stadium’s night lights came on for the last time. The bulldozers needed for demolition were already symbolically on the athletics track. Some spectators went home with “souvenirs” (goal net, chairs, pieces of turf) from the stadium.

The organizer of the event was Timis County Council, and the partners – Politehnica University of Timisoara, TVR Timisoara and the Timisoara Supporters Association Druckeria.

Photo (main): Andrei Birtea / Action Cinema

Photo (bottom): Paul Sebo