[Edgar]

I see there is no thread concerning the Romanian League so I decided to start one

Romanian League

After 15 match days these are the standings:

 1. Steaua Bucharest      15 10 3 2 33 - 13 33
 2. Dinamo Bucharest      15  9 0 6 29 - 20 27
 3. National Bucharest    15  8 3 4 26 - 17 27
 4. Farul Constanta       15  8 3 4 22 - 13 27
 5. Rapid Bucharest       15  8 3 4 24 - 16 27
 6. C.F.R. Ecomax Cluj    15  6 6 3 23 - 19 24
 7. Gloria Bistrita       15  6 2 7 27 - 24 20
 8. Otelul Galati         15  6 2 7 11 - 12 20
 9. FCM Bacau             15  5 5 5 11 - 13 20
10. Sportul Studentesc    15  5 4 6 17 - 18 19
11. Poli Iasi             15  4 4 7 16 - 25 16
12. FC Arges Pitesti      15  3 6 6 18 - 25 15
13. Poli Timisoara        15  4 3 8 17 - 26 15
14. Apulum Alba Iulia     15  4 3 8 17 - 34 15
15. FC Brasov             15  4 2 9 18 - 26 14
16. Universitatea Craiova 15  3 5 7 14 - 22 14

Next matches will be played in spring - March 5th

Top scorers:

13 - Niculae (Rapid Bucharest)
11 - Danciulescu (Dinamo Bucharest)
10 - Bucur (Sportul Studentesc Bucharest)

Romanian Cup

Semi finals

First leg - 09/03/05
Second leg - 13/04/05

National Bucharest - Dinamo Bucharest
Universitatea Craiova - Farul Constanta

The champion will go into Champions League 1st Qualifying Round.
The second placed team will go into UEFA CUP 1st Qualifying Round.
The cup winner will go into UEFA CUP 1st Qualifying Round.

Talking about European competitions, Romania has a team in the "European spring" for the first time in 12 years! Steaua Bucharest will play Valencia on 16/17 February 2005 in Spain. The second leg will be played in Romania on 24 February 2005.
Romania is the lowest placed country (26) in the UEFA Coefficients ranking to still have a team in an European competition. See here.

That's all - for now. Sorry for the long post. I wish you all the best for the year 2005!

[albionroad]

Excellent stuff, Edgar.

Which Romanian club is more popular - Steaua or Dinamo? How popular are Rapid or National? What is the stadium just north of the Gara Nord train station in Bucharest? I couldn't figure it out from the train when I visited.

Any players in Romania who might be moving to a bigger league in the January transfer window?

[Canadian_Supporter]

Thanks for the update and welcome to bigsoccer. I look forward to hearing more about the Romanian league.

Rosters for the 2004/05 season in Romania (probably out of date, but work a look).

http://www.eufo.de/football/rom/2004/index.htm

[Vic#10]

Originally Posted by albionroad

Excellent stuff, Edgar.

Which Romanian club is more popular - Steaua or Dinamo? How popular are Rapid or National? What is the stadium just north of the Gara Nord train station in Bucharest? I couldn't figure it out from the train when I visited.

Any players in Romania who might be moving to a bigger league in the January transfer window?

Steaua is the most famous Romanian club. It is the only Romanian team to ever win the champions league (85-86 season). They also won the Super Cup. Steaua was especially big during the communist times due to the fact that they represent the military. I can’t say for sure anymore because I live in America but I believe that Rapid is second in fame and Dinamo in third out of the Bucharest clubs. Rapid is Home to the Train company workers.
As for transfers, someone with more up to date knowledge will have to enlighten us.

[Edgar]

About team's following and popularity, see here.
Yes, Steaua is the most popular club in Romania. National has a very small fan base. There are rumours of them merging with Universitatea Craiova - a very popular team. Universitatea is the last team (outside of the capital Bucharest) to win the championship in 1990/1991. Unfortunately, they're now at the bottom of the table. Disastrous management...
Transfers to big leagues. Well, almost any league from Europe is bigger than "Divizia A", so I guess a move to Ukraine is to be considered a move to a big league. So, there you go: Cristi Irimia (right back from Dinamo Bucharest) moved to Dinamo Kiev.
Other rumours: Mihaita Plesan (central midfielder from Universitatea Craiova) is wanted by Steaua Bucharest, Galatasaray Istanbul, Besiktas Istanbul, Ajax Amsterdam and Deportivo La Coruna. Also, many players from Dinamo Bucharest have offers from Ukraine and Russia. Oh, and the top scorer - Daniel Niculae (Rapid) is wanted by Shakhtar Donetk.
About that stadium. I guess it's "Giulesti" - Rapid's stadium. But as I don't live in Bucharest, I can't be sure.

[Edgar]

Mihaita Plesan will move to Galatasaray Istanbul. He will sign a 6-months contract and if he plays well, it will be extended.

[Vic#10]

Does anyone know about any talks of Nicolae Mitea of Ajax transferring to a different club? I heard that West Brom was interested and I wanted to know if this is correct.

[Edgar]

Wow! Steaua are through, beating Valencia on penalties. AMAZING! Go Steaua!

[spanac]

Originally Posted by Edgar

Wow! Steaua are through, beating Valencia on penalties. AMAZING! Go Steaua!

Steaua forever!!! Let's kick all the spanish buts!!!! Villareal is next!!! A big time victory!!!

[ZiZu5]

"multumim baieti, multumim" Those were the words coming out of the Romanian comentators, meaning thanks boys/guys. Wow this is insane, I think Cristea is a future star. Nice to see Romanian soccer on the up and up. I miss cheering for my country in the world cup and euro cup.