League

Ion Oblemenco
Spectators: 6952 (Terracing: 5592, Seating: 1300, VIP seats: 60) Ivan Lupoi made the kick off and thus started the match. Olimpiu Iovan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Manuel Melinescu, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. In the 9th minute, Codrin Stamatiu left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Gisteni fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. In the 12th minute the ball was on its way in behind Universitatea Craiova's goalkeeper Olimpiu Iovan, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Codrin Stamatiu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Olimpiu Iovan having to interfere. After having played for 16 minutes, Manuel Melinescu managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Gisteni's supporters crossed their fingers, but Manuel Melinescu was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The crowd rose to their feet as Universitatea Craiova's Nichifor Brătescu slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Virgil Piersic. That made the score 1-1 after 18 minutes of play. Olimpiu Iovan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Irinel Guriță in the 24th minute of the match. If Manuel Melinescu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Eliodor Nicodim hit a great freekick 27 minutes into the match. Manuel Melinescu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Olimpiu Iovan having to interfere. With his leg Virgil Piersic managed to avoid a goal in the 37thth minute, when Universitatea Craiova's Ivan Lupoi fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. A collision led to Gisteni getting a freekick after 40 minutes play. Alex Ciocâlteu hit a great ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Eliodor Nicodim during the 42nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 42nd match minute, Universitatea Craiova was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eliodor Nicodim to maneuver through the defense. If Codrin Stamatiu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 45th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Manuel Melinescu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Codrin Stamatiu could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 52nd minute of the match, but Olimpiu Iovan made a huge save. If Manuel Melinescu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Olimpiu Iovan was a little too slow when Manuel Melinescu got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 56th minute. The score was now 1-2. Manuel Brăescu charged in rather forcefully in the 60th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Manuel Brăescu the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Universitatea Craiova getting a freekick after 61 minutes play. Manuel Brăescu hit a great ball. Olimpiu Iovan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Manuel Melinescu, who was totally free with the ball in the 65th minute. Sabin Iftodi lost his temper 74 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. After 74 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Universitatea Craiova! Maxim Logofeteanu walked up to take care of the penalty kick. He was aiming for the top corner, but the ball went just outside the post. Virgil Piersic didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Ivan Lupoi went, in the 81st minute, to the upper right corner, 2-2 was the resulting score. 88 minutes into the match, Universitatea Craiova's goalkeeper Olimpiu Iovan had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Codrin Stamatiu. Manuel Melinescu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.