Sports weekend
The latest from football and women's handball
Eugen Nasta, 04.10.2024, 13:45
Romanian football team FCSB have succeeded their second consecutive win in Europa League’s ongoing season. On Thursday, FCSB grabbed a 1-nil away win against Greek challengers PAOK Thessalonica. The only goal of the match was scored by Daniel Bîrligea, in the first half’s added time.
FCSB had a hard time on the pitch as on 55 minutes captain Darius Olaru was eliminated, having been twice yellow-booked. Greek champions PAOK, head-coached by the Romanian Razvan Lucescu, never ceased to attack until the end, yet FSCB put on a heroic defensive game and managed to maintain their advantage. So after two rounds in the Europa league, FCSB are among the very few team that have so far won all the points at stake, rubbing shoulders with Lazio, Lyon, Tottenham and Anderlecht.
On Sunday, play FCSB in the Romanian Super league’s 12th round, facing Gloria Buzău at home. On Friday, UTA Arad are pitted against Petrolul Ploieşti, while Farul Constanţa play Dinamo Bucharest. On Saturday top-of-the-table team Universitatea Cluj play an away match against Unirea Slobozia, while CFR Cluj play a home game against Poli Iasi. Also on Saturday, Oţelul Galaţi take on Universitatea Craiova at home. In Sibiu on Sunday, Hermannstadt play Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe, while FC Botoşani face Rapid Bucharest, at home.
Three Romanian women’s handball teams this coming weekend will play their fixtures in the Champions League’s fourth round. In Group A on Saturday, Gloria Bistriţa-Năsăud play an away fixture against Hungary’s Ferencváros. On Sunday, CSM Bucharest play a home game against Danish side Nykøbing Falster. In the National Handball League’s derby on Wednesday, CSM Bucharest succeeded a 33-30 home win against Gloria Bistrita. Romanian title holders CSM Bucharest took their revenge, having sustained a 26-30 away defeat by Gloria Bistrita on September 7, in the Champions League’s first round.
According to the Champions League’s Group A rankings, after three rounds, CSM Bucharest are 4th-placed, with 4 points. Gloria have two points and are 5th-placed. In Group B on Sunday, Rapid Bucharest ply an away game against Danish opponents Team Esbjerg. Romania’s vice-champions so far have three points on their record sheet and are 4th-placed in the group’s as-it-stands table.
