Football Flash
The fifth round of the domestic League One championship was scheduled mid-week. Two games were played on Tuesday. On home turf, FC Botosani defeated Poli Timisoara, 1-nil, and maintain their top position in the as-it-stands table. Titleholders Viitorul Constanta were held to a blank draw in the home fixture they played against FC Voluntari. Viitorul played their fourth match with not a single goal scored.
Florin Orban, 10.08.2017, 12:31
Three other matches were played on Wednesday. In the southern Romanian town of Giurgiu the local side Astra grabbed a 1-nil win against Concordia Chiajna. In Ploiesti, Juventus Bucharest sustained a nil-1 home defeat by CSU Craiova, while in Bucharest, FCSB were held by Poli Iasi to a 1-all draw.
The fifth rounds two last games were scheduled for Thursday. Gaz Metan Medias versus Sepsi Sfintu Gheorghe, and CFR Cluj vs Dinamo Bucharest.
FCSB, the only Romanian team standing real chances to play in this years edition of the Champions League, has strengthened their pool of regulars. On Wednesday, FCSB completed the transfer of right-back Romario Benzar and of central midfielder Dragos Nedelcu from Viitorul Constanta, for the sum of 2.7 million Euro. In the event of a transfer of either footballer, Viitorul will receive 20 percent from the transfer sum. The Romanian vice-champion teams pool of regulars also has other footballers who played for Viitorul, such as defender Mihai Balasa, midfielders Florin Tănase, Vlad Achim and Robert Grecu, as well as striker Denis Alibec.
On August 15 and 23rd, FCSB will play their playoff tie for a position in the Champions League. The Romanians are pitted against Portuguese team Sporting from Lisbon and their first leg is scheduled away from home.
(translated by: Eugen Nasta)
