FC Universitatea Craiova
Encyclopedia
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova (universiˈtate̯a kraˈjova) is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova
. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup
in 1982–83. The club was temporarily excluded by the Romanian Football Federation
on 20 July 2011, after it was not allowed to address civil justice in a labor dispute with coach Victor Piţurcă
.
began in the year 1921, when the first teams were founded; "Craiovan Craiova" and "Rovine Grivita 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 of Craiova
winning the Romanian championship
in the season 1942–1943. However the title was not officialised 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.
, 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 played against Benfica Lisbon (Portugal), two times European Champions and three times European Champions finalists. After two draws the Portuguese side advanced to the final on aggregate away goals. The generation of players who reached the UEFA Cup semifinals in 1983 was nicknamed Craiova Maxima and included Ilie Balaci
and Rodion Camataru
, but also Stefanescu
, Zoltan Crişan
, Geolgau, Beldeanu, Donose, Lung
etc.
, under Sorin Cârţu
as coach. In the last years Craiova became a middle-table team, with rather poor performances. At the end of the 2004–2005 season they had been relegated to the second football division
for the first time in the club's history, returning to the first league after the following season.
On 20 July 2011, the club was temporary excluded by the Romanian Football Federation
, after they have not withdrawn their sports dispute with former coach Victor Piţurcă
from a civil court, according to article 57 of the FRF statute, which states that the Football Federation solves all the sports lawsuits. However, the article allows running into civil courts disputes regarding employment contract
s. The exclusion decision is still subject to approval at the next FRF meeting. All of the squad players have become free agents
and left to other clubs. An investigation was started by the National Anticorruption Directorate
on 22 October 2011, against the heads of the Romanian Professional Football League
and of the Football Federation, as well as against the Executive Committee members of the FRF, on charges of official misconduct in the case of Universitatea Craiova's exclusion.
Romanian Cup
Liga II
Liga III
Norcia Winter Cup Italy
Ilie Balaci
Marian Bondrea
Sorin Cârţu
Constantin Cernăianu
Florin Halagian
Emerich Jenei
Ion Oblemenco
Constantin Oţet
Victor Piţurcă
Mircea Rădulescu
Mircea Rednic
Emil Sandoi
Valentin Stănescu
Constantin Teaşcă
Dumitru Teodorescu José Ramón Alexanko
Craiova
Craiova , Romania's 6th largest city and capital of Dolj County, is situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia. It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians and the River Danube . Craiova is the chief...
. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
in 1982–83. The club was temporarily excluded by the Romanian Football Federation
Romanian Football Federation
The Romanian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Romania. It organizes the Romania national football team and most of the Romanian football competitions. It is based in the Romanian capital city of Bucharest...
on 20 July 2011, after it was not allowed to address civil justice in a labor dispute with coach Victor Piţurcă
Victor Piturca
Victor Piţurcă is a Romanian football manager and former player.-Club career:Piţurcă was one of the prolific strikers of Steaua Bucureşti, being one of the team's top scorers – he scored 137 goals in 174 league games...
.
History
The football history in the city of CraiovaCraiova
Craiova , Romania's 6th largest city and capital of Dolj County, is situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia. It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians and the River Danube . Craiova is the chief...
began in the year 1921, when the first teams were founded; "Craiovan Craiova" and "Rovine Grivita Craiova".
In the year 1940, the two teams from Craiova
Craiova
Craiova , Romania's 6th largest city and capital of Dolj County, is situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia. It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians and the River Danube . Craiova is the chief...
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 of Craiova
Craiova
Craiova , Romania's 6th largest city and capital of Dolj County, is situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia. It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians and the River Danube . Craiova is the chief...
winning the Romanian championship
Liga I
Liga I, or in full, due to sponsorship reasons, Liga I Bergenbier, is the top division of the Romanian football league system. Before the 2006/2007 season, it was called Divizia A, but the name had to be changed following the discovery that someone else had registered the trademark "Divizia A"...
in the season 1942–1943. However the title was not officialised 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 1982/1983 season, the team has had the best performance of the club's history. Under the management of Constantin Oţet and Nicolae Ivan, Universitatea Craiova reached the semifinals of UEFA CupUEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, after defeating some of the best known clubs in European football, such as AC Fiorentina (runners-up in Italian Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
), Girondins Bordeaux (France), and FC Kaiserslautern (Germany). In the first European Cup semifinal ever played by a Romanian club, Universitatea played against Benfica Lisbon (Portugal), two times European Champions and three times European Champions finalists. After two draws the Portuguese side advanced to the final on aggregate away goals. The generation of players who reached the UEFA Cup semifinals in 1983 was nicknamed Craiova Maxima and included Ilie Balaci
Ilie Balaci
Ilie Balaci is a retired Romanian football midfielder.He was born in Bistreţ, Dolj County and debuted in Divizia A with FC Universitatea Craiova in 1973. He played 12 seasons for Universitatea, winning the league titles in 1980 and 1981. The team also won the Romanian Cup in 1977, 1978, 1981 and...
and Rodion Camataru
Rodion Camataru
Rodion Gorun Cămătaru is a retired Romanian footballer, who played as a striker.-Club career:He was born in Strehaia and debuted in Divizia A with Universitatea Craiova in 1974. He spent twelve seasons with Universitatea, winning the league titles in 1980 and 1981...
, but also Stefanescu
Costica Stefanescu
Costică Ştefănescu is a retired Romanian football player and coach. He spent the majority of his career at Universitatea Craiova, where he made a club record 378 appearances...
, Zoltan Crişan
Zoltan Crisan
Zoltan Crişan was a Romanian international footballer who played for FC Baia Mare, Universitatea Craiova, FC Bihor Oradea, FC Olt and Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea....
, Geolgau, Beldeanu, Donose, Lung
Silviu Lung
Silviu Lung is a retired Romanian football goalkeeper. He was born in Sânmiclăuş, Satu Mare and debuted in Divizia A with Universitatea Craiova in 1974. He played fourteen seasons with Universitatea, winning two league titles. In 1988 he joined Steaua Bucureşti and won another league title the...
etc.
Universitatea Craiova after 1991
In 1991 Universitatea Craiova won for the last time the Championship and the Romanian CupRomanian Cup
The Cupa României is a football competition which was held annually since 1933-34, except during the World War II. It is the country's main cup competition, and it is open to all clubs affiliated with FRF and the county football associations regardless of the league they belong to...
, under Sorin Cârţu
Sorin Cârtu
Sorin Cârţu is a former football striker and current manager. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager Steaua Bucureşti in May 2011. Cârţu won 2 Romanian Championships and 4 Romanian Cups with Universitatea Craiova...
as coach. In the last years Craiova became a middle-table team, with rather poor performances. At the end of the 2004–2005 season they had been relegated to the second football division
Liga II
Liga II is the second tier league of the Romanian football league system. The league acquired this name in the 2006-07, being previously called Divizia B....
for the first time in the club's history, returning to the first league after the following season.
On 20 July 2011, the club was temporary excluded by the Romanian Football Federation
Romanian Football Federation
The Romanian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Romania. It organizes the Romania national football team and most of the Romanian football competitions. It is based in the Romanian capital city of Bucharest...
, after they have not withdrawn their sports dispute with former coach Victor Piţurcă
Victor Piturca
Victor Piţurcă is a Romanian football manager and former player.-Club career:Piţurcă was one of the prolific strikers of Steaua Bucureşti, being one of the team's top scorers – he scored 137 goals in 174 league games...
from a civil court, according to article 57 of the FRF statute, which states that the Football Federation solves all the sports lawsuits. However, the article allows running into civil courts disputes regarding employment contract
Employment contract
A contract of employment is a category of contract used in labour law to attribute right and responsibilities between parties to a bargain.On the one end stands an "employee" who is "employed" by an "employer". It has arisen out of the old master-servant law, used before the 20th century...
s. The exclusion decision is still subject to approval at the next FRF meeting. All of the squad players have become free agents
Free Agents
Free Agents is a romantic black comedy starring Stephen Mangan, Sharon Horgan and Anthony Head. Originally a pilot for Channel 4 in November 2007, the series began on 13 February 2009. It spawned a short lived US remake, which was cancelled after just 4 episodes aired.-Plot:Alex works for CMA, a...
and left to other clubs. An investigation was started by the National Anticorruption Directorate
National Anticorruption Directorate
National Anticorruption Directorate , formerly National Anticorruption Prosecution Office , is the Romanian agency tasked with preventing, investigating and prosecuting corruption-related offenses that caused a material damage higher than €200,000 or whose value of the involved amounts or goods is...
on 22 October 2011, against the heads of the Romanian Professional Football League
Romanian Professional Football League
The Romanian Professional Football League manages Liga I - the top professional division of the Romanian football league system. Its current chairman is Dumitru Dragomir and its general secretary is Valentin Alexandru...
and of the Football Federation, as well as against the Executive Committee members of the FRF, on charges of official misconduct in the case of Universitatea Craiova's exclusion.
Domestic
Liga ILiga I
Liga I, or in full, due to sponsorship reasons, Liga I Bergenbier, is the top division of the Romanian football league system. Before the 2006/2007 season, it was called Divizia A, but the name had to be changed following the discovery that someone else had registered the trademark "Divizia A"...
- Winners (4): 1973–74, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1990–91
- Runners-up (5): 1972–73, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1993–94, 1994–95
Romanian Cup
Romanian Cup
The Cupa României is a football competition which was held annually since 1933-34, except during the World War II. It is the country's main cup competition, and it is open to all clubs affiliated with FRF and the county football associations regardless of the league they belong to...
- Winners (6): 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–811981 Cupa României FinalThe 1981 Cupa României Final was the 43rd final of Romania's most prestigious cup competition. The final was played at the Stadionul Republicii in Bucharest on 24 June 1981 and was contested between Divizia A sides Universitatea Craiova and Politehnica Timişoara. The cup was won by Craiova.-Match...
, 1982–831983 Cupa României FinalThe 1981 Cupa României Final was the 45th final of Romania's most prestigious cup competition. The final was played at the Stadionul 23 August in Bucharest on 6 July 1983 and was contested between Divizia A sides Universitatea Craiova and Politehnica Timişoara. The cup was won by Craiova.-Match...
, 1990–911991 Cupa României FinalThe 1991 Cupa României Final was the 53rd final of Romania's most prestigious cup competition. The final was played at the Stadionul Naţional in Bucharest on 26 June 1991 and was contested between Divizia A winner Universitatea Craiova and FC Bacău. The cup was won by Universitatea Craiova.-Match...
, 1992–931993 Cupa României FinalThe 1993 Cupa României Final was the 55th final of Romania's most prestigious cup competition. The final was played at the Stadionul Naţional in Bucharest on 26 June 1993 and was contested between Divizia A sides Universitatea Craiova and Dacia Unirea Brăila. The cup was won by Universitatea... - Runners-up (5): 1974–75, 1984–85, 1993–941994 Cupa României FinalThe 1994 Cupa României Final was the 56th final of Romania's most prestigious cup competition. The final was played at the Stadionul Regie in Bucharest on 30 April 1994 and was contested between Divizia A sides Gloria Bistriţa and Universitatea Craiova. The cup was won by Gloria Bistriţa.-Match...
, 1997–981998 Cupa României FinalThe 1998 Cupa României Final was the 60th final of Romania's most prestigious cup competition. The final was played at the Stadionul Naţional in Bucharest on 6 May 1998 and was contested between Divizia A sides Rapid Bucureşti and Universitatea Craiova. The cup was won by Rapid.-Match details...
, 1999–002000 Cupa României FinalThe 2000 Cupa României Final was the 62nd final of Romania's most prestigious cup competition. The final was played at the Stadionul Naţional in Bucharest on 13 May 2000 and was contested between Divizia A sides Dinamo Bucureşti and Universitatea Craiova. The cup was won by Dinamo.-Match details...
Liga II
Liga II
Liga II is the second tier league of the Romanian football league system. The league acquired this name in the 2006-07, being previously called Divizia B....
- Winners (2): 1963–64, 2005–06
- Runners-up (1): 1960–61
Liga III
Liga III
Liga III is the third level of the Romanian football league system. Its name was changed from Divizia C into Liga III before the start of the 2006-07 season.-Relegation:...
- Winners (1): 1957–58
European
UEFA CupUEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
- Semi-finalists (1): 1982–83
- participated in 4 editions of the European Champions' CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
- participated in 14 editions of the UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
Friendly
Ciutat de Barcelona TrophyCiutat de Barcelona Trophy
Ciutat de Barcelona Trophy is a summer tournament organized by RCD Espanyol in Barcelona. In the beginning there used to be four participating teams, but in the last years it has been a two-team tournament...
- Runners-up: 1978
Norcia Winter Cup Italy
- Winners: 2003
European record
| Competition | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It... / European Cup UEFA Champions League The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It... |
4 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 17 | –3 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but... / European Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but... |
4 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 26 | 21 | |
| UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup | 13 | 48 | 20 | 9 | 19 | 45 | 45 | 0 |
| UEFA Intertoto Cup UEFA Intertoto Cup The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued... |
2 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 11 | |
| Total | 23 | 82 | 34 | 15 | 33 | 100 | 94 | +6 |
Famous coaches
Nicolò NapoliNicolò Napoli
Nicolò Napoli is an Italian former football player turned manager.A former professional player with several Serie A teams, including Juventus F.C., he moved to Romania in 2007 to work as a manager with Liga I outfit Universitatea Craiova...
Ilie Balaci
Ilie Balaci
Ilie Balaci is a retired Romanian football midfielder.He was born in Bistreţ, Dolj County and debuted in Divizia A with FC Universitatea Craiova in 1973. He played 12 seasons for Universitatea, winning the league titles in 1980 and 1981. The team also won the Romanian Cup in 1977, 1978, 1981 and...
Marian Bondrea
Marian Bondrea
Marian Bondrea is a Romanian football manager and former footballer.-Playing career:Marian Bondrea started his career at Electroputere , in the second division, he went on to play for Universitatea Craiova in , but has only played there three official matches, was sent back at Electroputere in ,...
Sorin Cârţu
Sorin Cârtu
Sorin Cârţu is a former football striker and current manager. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager Steaua Bucureşti in May 2011. Cârţu won 2 Romanian Championships and 4 Romanian Cups with Universitatea Craiova...
Constantin Cernăianu
Constantin Cernaianu
Constantin Cernăianu is a former Romanian football player and coach, now retired.He also coached in Bangladesh, and also worked with the Egypt football federation.-External links:*...
Florin Halagian
Florin Halagian
Florin Halagian is a former Romanian football player and manager of Armenian descent.On 25 March 2008 he was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu for all activity and quality of football coach, for forming young generation on future champions with Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" — ...
Emerich Jenei
Emerich Jenei
Emerich Jenei or Imre Jenei is a Romanian former football player and coach...
Ion Oblemenco
Ion Oblemenco
Ion Oblemenco was a Romanian football striker who spent the majority of his career playing for Universitatea Craiova. He is the club's all-time top goalscorer with a total of 167 goals, and the club's stadium is named in his honour.-Early years:Oblemenco was born in Corabia, Olt County...
Constantin Oţet
Victor Piţurcă
Victor Piturca
Victor Piţurcă is a Romanian football manager and former player.-Club career:Piţurcă was one of the prolific strikers of Steaua Bucureşti, being one of the team's top scorers – he scored 137 goals in 174 league games...
Mircea Rădulescu
Mircea Rădulescu
Mircea Rădulescu is a former Romanian football player and one of the most well trained and qualified Romanian football managers. He is currently the president of FRF's Technical Commission and director of Football Federation's Coaching School.-Life and career:Rădulescu was born in Bucharest and...
Mircea Rednic
Mircea Rednic
Mircea Rednic is a Romanian football manager and former defender. As of July 2010, he manages Khazar Lankaran in Azerbaijan....
Emil Sandoi
Emil Sandoi
Emil Săndoi is a retired Romanian football defender, currently manager of the Romanian Under-21 national team.He was born in Craiova and debuted in Divizia A with Universitatea Craiova in 1983....
Valentin Stănescu
Valentin Stanescu
Valentin Stănescu Was the manager of the football team Rapid Bucureşti.-Manager career:*1959-1963: Metalul Târgovişte *1963-1968: CFR Bucureşti...
Constantin Teaşcă
Constantin Teasca
Constantin Teaşcă also known as Titi Teaşcă was a Romanian football player and manager.Teasca was the manager of the Romania national football team in 1962 and 1967.He was the manager of Steaua Bucureşti from 1974 to 1975....
Dumitru Teodorescu José Ramón Alexanko
José Ramón Alexanko
José Ramón Alexanko Ventosa , also referred to as Alesanco or Alexanco, is a retired Spanish footballer and manager....