CS Universitatea Craiova (football)

CS Universitatea Craiova

Full name	Clubul Sportiv Universitatea Craiova
Nickname(s)	Alb-Albastrii (White-Blues), Studentii (the Students), Campioana unei mari iubiri (Champion of a great love)
Short name	CS U Craiova
Founded	1948 (1948)
Ground	Extensiv
Ground Capacity	7,000
Owner	Mihai Rotaru
General manager	Marcel Popescu
Manager	Gheorghe Mulțescu
League	Liga I
2015–16	Liga I, 8th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Active departments of CS Universitatea Craiova
Football Men's Handball Women's Handball Rugby Men's Basketball Women's Basketball Hockey Men's Volleyball Women's Volleyball Water polo Athletics Judo Fencing Badminton Table tennis Bridge Chess Orientation

Clubul Sportiv Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian top-league professional football club from Craiova.^[1]

History

The football history in the city of Craiova began in the year 1921, when the first teams were founded: Craiovan Craiova and Rovine Griviţa Craiova.

In the year 1940, the two teams from Craiova merged, resulting in one of the most successful Romanian football teams in the Interwar period, FC Craiova, which was also the first team from the city to win the Romanian football championship, in the 1942–43 season. However the title was not officialized by the Romanian Football Federation, because of World War II.

Finally in 1948, Universitatea Craiova took life at the initiative of a group of students and professors, a team which latter would become one of the most popular and successful teams from Romania.

Craiova Maxima

In the 1982–83 season, the team recorded their most notable continental performance in its history. Under the management of Constantin Oţet and Nicolae Ivan, Universitatea Craiova reached the semifinals of the UEFA Cup, after defeating some of the best known clubs in European football, such as AC Fiorentina (runners-up in Italian Serie A), Girondins Bordeaux (France), and FC Kaiserslautern (Germany). In the first European cup semifinal ever played by a Romanian club, Universitatea encountered Benfica (Portugal), two times European champions and three times European Cup finalists. After two draws, the Portuguese side advanced to the final on aggregate away goals. That generation of players was nicknamed Craiova Maxima and included Ilie Balaci, Rodion Cămătaru, Costică Ştefănescu, Zoltan Crişan, Ion Geolgău, Aurică Beldeanu, Costică Donose, Silviu Lung etc.

Universitatea Craiova after 1991

In 1991, Universitatea Craiova won for the last time the Championship and the Romanian Cup, under Sorin Cârţu as coach.

Then in 1994 CS Universitatea Craiova was dissolved as a football section of the sport club and FC Universitatea Craiova continued the football tradition until 2011.

Football section refounded

Following the 20 June 2011 decision of Romanian Football Federation to dezaffiliate FC Universitatea Craiova,^[2] the city of Craiova lost its first football team. The decision was attacked in court,^[3] but Craiova's mayor, Lia Olguța Vasilescu considered, that Mititelu can't re-affiliate FC Universitatea Craiova.^[4] As a consequence, in the summer of 2013, local authorities of Craiova, supported by Pavel Badea, being associated with Club Sportiv U Craiova SA refounded team CS U Craiova.^[5] CS U Craiova claims that this team owns the honours until 1992,.^[6] Club Sportiv Universitatea didn't give her records to the AFC U Craiova. It was a new club.

On 14 August 2013, Universitatea Craiova was provisionally affiliated to Romanian Football Federation (FRF), due the problems with licensing file.^[7] After resolving several problems with, it was introduced in Liga II. U Craiova debuted in the competition season on 27 August, when defeated with 6-1 Pandurii II Târgu Jiu, in the fourth round of the Romanian Cup.^[8]

I believe that this team is the successor of the one established in 1948, under the auspices of the Senate of the University of Craiova.

— Corneliu Andrei Stroe, the former president of Craiova Maxima about CS Universitatea^[9]

On 9 June 2016 it was decided that CS Universitatea Craiova is the rightful owner of Craiova's record, brand and logo. CS Universitatea Craiova remains therefore with its record intact, four league titles and six cups of Romania.^[10]

Kit manufacturer

The manufacturer that makes Universitatea Craiova's shirts is Joma. The arrangement was set up for 2 seasons, starting from the 2015-2016.^[11]

Ownership and finances

Universitatea Craiova is owned by two Romanian businessmen, Mihai Rotaru and Adrian Andrici.

Grounds

Stadionul Ion Oblemenco

Ion Oblemenco Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Craiova, Romania. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground of Universitatea Craiova. The stadium used to hold up to 25,252 people before it was demolished. The stadium was opened on 29 October 1967 with national teams of Romania and Poland scoring 2 goals each and was originally named Central Stadium. It hosted many memorable matches during the Craiova Maxima era such as the 1981–82 European Cup Quarterfinal against Bayern Munich and the 1982–83 UEFA Cup Semifinal against Benfica. Following the death of Universitatea Craiova legend Ion Oblemenco in 1996, the stadium was renamed in his honour. In 2008, the stadium underwent a major renovation. The stadium was entirely demolished and will be replaced with an all-seater expected to open in the summer of 2016.

Stadionul Extensiv

Extensiv Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Craiova, Romania opened in 1949. It is used mostly for football matches and since 2015 it is the home ground of Universitatea Craiova. The stadium holds 7,000 people. The stadium was the home ground of Extensiv Craiova. In 2005 when Extensiv Craiova dissolved, the stadium was abandoned: plants and flowers grew on the pitch and the chairs were broken, but it was saved by Craiova's old boys' team.

Players

First team squad

As of 28 August 2016

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 2 DF Ștefan Vlădoiu 3 DF Stephane Acka 4 DF Kay 5 DF Bogdan Vătăjelu (Captain) 6 DF Renato Kelić 8 MF Alexandru Mateiu 9 FW Andrei Ivan 10 MF Gustavo 11 MF Nicușor Bancu 12 GK Nicolae Calancea 15 FW Nuno Rocha 17 MF Simon Măzărache 18 DF Apostol Popov 19 DF Andrei Dumitraș

No. Position Player 22 MF Alexandru Băluță 23 MF Hristo Zlatinski 24 DF Marius Briceag 28 MF Madson 29 FW Rambé 36 FW Andrei Burlacu 37 MF Robert Petre 38 MF Cosmin Ciocoteală 44 DF Raul Hreniuc 46 MF Alin Manea 49 GK Laurențiu Popescu 52 GK Andrei Vlad 54 MF Valentin Screciu 55 MF Olivian Surugiu

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player FW Sergiu Jurj (at Verona)

No. Position Player

Second team squad (CSU II Craiova)

As of 2 October 2016

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Cristian Dică 2 DF Florin Borța 4 DF Robert Bogdan 5 FW Vlad Marcu 6 DF Ionuț Lăzărescu 7 FW Alexandru Popescu 8 MF Paul Hodea 9 FW Narcis Cîrlig 10 MF Alexandru Dinu

No. Position Player 11 MF Lucian Buzan 12 GK Alin Nica 14 DF Radu Bârzan 17 DF Bogdan Țoiu 18 MF Vasile Constantin 21 DF Nicușor Ionescu 25 GK Vlad Gabor 26 MF Georgian Enache 28 MF Ionuț Cioinac

Club Officials

Board of directors Role Name Owner Mihai Rotaru President Adrian Andrici General Manager Marcel Popescu Image President Gheorghe Craioveanu Youth Center General Manager Silviu Bogdan Youth Center Technical Director Dumitru Barbu Marketing Director Mario Petrişor Security Officer Florin Cârstea Communications Department Dan Păsărin Judicial Adviser Marius Tiugan Cameraman Romeo Selişte Press Officer Cosmin Cojocăreanu Team Manager Emil Pieleanu

Current technical staff Role Name Manager Gheorghe Mulțescu Assistant Manager Daniel Timofte Goalkeeping Coach Cătălin Mulțescu Fitness Coach Ion Colonel Fitness Coach Cornel Blejan Club Doctor Claudiu Stamatescu Physiokinetotherapist Ovidiu Blendea Physiokinetotherapist Marius Minae Masseur Aurel Tufan Second Team Manager Corneliu Papură Youth Centre Manager Iosif Rotariu Storeman Dan Creţu Storeman Ion Dinu

Managers

• Erik Lincar (1 July 2013 – 30 September 2013)
• Ovidiu Stîngă (1 October 2013 – 14 March 2014)
• Gavril Balint (17 March 2014 – 10 June 2014)
• Ionel Gane (10 June 2014 – 2 September 2014)
• Emil Săndoi (3 September 2014 – 8 January 2016)
• Victor Naicu (8 January 2016 – 31 May 2016)
• Gheorghe Mulțescu (9 June 2016 – )

Honours

Domestic

Liga I

• Winners (4): 1973–74, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1990-91

Romanian Cup

• Winners (6):1976-77, 1977-78, 1980-81, 1982-83, 1990-91, 1992-93
• Runners-up (2):1997–98, 1999–00

European record

UEFA Champions League / European Cup

Season	Round	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1974–75	First round	Sweden	Åtvidaberg	2 – 1	1 – 3	3 – 4
1980–81	First round	Italy	Internazionale	1 – 1	0 – 2	1 – 3
1981–82	First round	Greece	Olympiacos	3 – 0	0 – 2	3 – 2
	Second round	Denmark	KB	4 – 1	0 – 1	4 – 2
	Quarter finals	West Germany	Bayern Munich	0 – 2	1 – 1	1 – 3
1991–92	First round	Cyprus	Apollon Limassol	2 – 0	0 – 3	2 – 3

European Cup Winners Cup / Cup Winners Cup

Season	Round	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1977–78	First round	Cyprus	Olympiakos Nicosia	2 – 0	6 – 1	8 – 1
	Second round	Soviet Union	FC Dynamo Moscow	2 – 0 (aet)	0 – 2	2 – 2 (0 – 3 p)
1978–79	First round	West Germany	Fortuna Düsseldorf	3 – 4	1 – 1	4 – 5
1985–86	First round	France	AS Monaco	3 – 0	0 – 2	3 – 2
	Second round	Soviet Union	Dynamo Kyiv	2 – 2	0 – 3	2 – 5
1993–94	First round	Faroe Islands	HB Tórshavn	4 – 0	3 – 0	7 – 0
	Second round	France	Paris Saint-Germain	0 – 2	0 – 4	0 – 6

UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup

Season	Round	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1973–74	First round	Italy	Fiorentina	1 – 0	0 – 0	1 – 0
	Second round	Belgium	Standard Liège	1 – 1	0 – 2	1 – 3
1975–76	First round	Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia	Red Star Belgrade	1 – 3	1 – 1	2 – 4
1979–80	First round	Austria	Wiener Sportclub	3 – 1	0 – 0	3 – 1
	Second round	England	Leeds United F.C.	2 – 0	2 – 0	4 – 0
	Third round	West Germany	Borussia Mönchengladbach	1 – 0	0 – 2	1 – 2
1982–83	First round	Italy	Fiorentina	3 – 1	0 – 1	3 – 2
	Second round	Republic of Ireland	Shamrock Rovers F.C.	3 – 0	2 – 0	5 – 0
	Third round	France	FC Girondins de Bordeaux	(aet) 2 – 0	0 – 1	2 – 1
	Quarter-finals	West Germany	Kaiserslautern	1 – 0	2 – 3	(a) 3 – 3
	Semi-finals	Portugal	Benfica	1 – 1	0 – 0	1 – 1 (a)
1983–84	First round	Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia	Hadjuk Split	1 – 0	0 – 1 (aet)	1 – 1 (1 – 3 p)
1984–85	First round	Spain	Real Betis	(aet) 1 – 0	0 – 1	1 – 1 (5 – 3 p)
	Second round	Greece	Olympiacos	1 – 0	1 – 0	2 – 0
	Third round	Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia	FK Željezničar	2 – 0	0 – 4	2 – 4
1986–87	First round	Turkey	Galatasaray	2 – 0	1 – 2	3 – 2
	Second round	Scotland	Dundee United F.C.	1 – 0	0 – 3	1 – 3
1987–88	First round	Portugal	Desportivo de Chaves	3 – 2	1 – 2	4 – 4 (a)
1990–91	First round	Albania	KF Partizani Tirana	1 – 0	1 – 0	2 – 0
	Second round	West Germany	Borussia Dortmund	0 – 3	0 – 1	0 – 4
1992–93	First round	Czechoslovakia	Sigma Olomouc	1 – 2	0 – 1	1 – 3
1994–95	Preliminary round	Georgia	Dinamo Tblisi	1 – 2	0 – 2	1 – 4
1995–96	Preliminary round	Belarus	Dinamo Minsk	0 – 0	0 – 0 (aet)	0 – 0 (1 – 3 p)
2000–01	Qualifying round	Republic of Macedonia	Pobeda	1 – 1	0 – 1	1 – 2

UEFA Intertoto Cup

Season	Round	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1996	Group stage (9)	Latvia	Daugava	3 – 0		2nd place
		Germany	Karlsruhe		0 – 1
		Slovakia	Spartak Trnava	2 – 1
		Serbia and Montenegro	Čukarički Stankom		2 – 1
2001	First round	Albania	KS Bylis	3 – 3	1 – 0	4 – 3
	Second round	Czech Republic	1. FC Slovácko	2 – 2	2 – 3	4 – 5

Total statistics

UEFA Champions League

• Quarter-Finals: 1981–82

UEFA Cup

• Semi-Finals: 1982–83

Friendly

Ciutat de Barcelona Trophy

• Runners-up: 1978

Rivalries

FC Universitatea Craiova's main rival is FC Dinamo București. This rivalry started in the seventies, when Dinamo denied Universitatea Craiova's first title in 1973. The rivalry was amplified in 2002 and 2005 when Dinamo transferred an important group of players from Craiova.

Other rivalry of Universitatea Craiova is also with FC Steaua București.

References

External links

• Official website