Radio România Internațional

Tag: basketball

Sports Flash

At the 16th FINA World Swimming
Championships (25 m) in Melbourne, the Romanian swimmer David Popovici came out
4th in the 100m freestyle final with 45.64, a new world junior record.
First came the Australian athlete Kyle Chalmers. David Popovici is the
defending 100m freestyle world champion and holder of the world record in this
event.

In men’s basketball, on Wednesday in Riga, Latvia, the
Romanian side U-BT Cluj-Napoca was defeated by the Ukrainian team Prometey
Slobozhanske 105-82, in the EuroCup Group A. After 8 games, the Romanian
champions are ranking 8th, with 6 points. In the FIBA Europe Cup,
CSM Oradea beat the German side Bamberg on home turf, 82 – 80, in the first
match in Group L. In Group I of the same competition, SCM Craiova was defeated
at home by FC Porto, 83-73. Also worth noting is that the women’s team Baschet
Club Arad ended its participation in the EuroCup with a defeat. The Romanian
team was defeated in Poland by Arka Gdynia 87-53 and ranked last in the group D
of the competition.

Arcada Galaţi qualified in the play-offs of the CEV Cup
in men’s volleyball, after beating the Finnish side Savo Volley Kuopio 3-1, on
Wednesday at home, in the second leg of the round of 16. The Romanian champions
had already won in Finland, 3-1. In the play-off, Arcada will be facing the
Italian side Piacenza, which in the round of 16 defeated Fenerbahce Istanbul, 3-1
in both legs.

In women’s volleyball, on Wednesday, in the first leg
of the round of 32 of the CEV Cup, CSO Voluntari lost in Poland to Budowlani
Lodz, 3-0. In the Challenge Cup, also in the round of 32, the first leg, CSM Lugoj lost a dramatic match away from
home to PTT Ankara, 3-2.

On Wednesday, in a game counting towards round 20 of
the Romanian football SuperLeague, Rapid București beat Petrolul Ploiești on
the National Arena in Bucharest, 3-1. Two of Rapid’s goals were scored by the
Croatian player Marko Duganzic, and one by Ștefan Pănoiu, in overtime. Gheorghe
Grozav scored for the Ploiesti side. Top of the ranking at present is Farul
Constanța, with 44 points, followed by CFR, with 41 points. (AMP)

15 December 2022
Sports Flash

At the 16th FINA World Swimming
Championships (25 m) in Melbourne, the Romanian swimmer David Popovici came out
4th in the 100m freestyle final with 45.64, a new world junior record.
First came the Australian athlete Kyle Chalmers. David Popovici is the
defending 100m freestyle world champion and holder of the world record in this
event.

In men’s basketball, on Wednesday in Riga, Latvia, the
Romanian side U-BT Cluj-Napoca was defeated by the Ukrainian team Prometey
Slobozhanske 105-82, in the EuroCup Group A. After 8 games, the Romanian
champions are ranking 8th, with 6 points. In the FIBA Europe Cup,
CSM Oradea beat the German side Bamberg on home turf, 82 – 80, in the first
match in Group L. In Group I of the same competition, SCM Craiova was defeated
at home by FC Porto, 83-73. Also worth noting is that the women’s team Baschet
Club Arad ended its participation in the EuroCup with a defeat. The Romanian
team was defeated in Poland by Arka Gdynia 87-53 and ranked last in the group D
of the competition.

Arcada Galaţi qualified in the play-offs of the CEV Cup
in men’s volleyball, after beating the Finnish side Savo Volley Kuopio 3-1, on
Wednesday at home, in the second leg of the round of 16. The Romanian champions
had already won in Finland, 3-1. In the play-off, Arcada will be facing the
Italian side Piacenza, which in the round of 16 defeated Fenerbahce Istanbul, 3-1
in both legs.

In women’s volleyball, on Wednesday, in the first leg
of the round of 32 of the CEV Cup, CSO Voluntari lost in Poland to Budowlani
Lodz, 3-0. In the Challenge Cup, also in the round of 32, the first leg, CSM Lugoj lost a dramatic match away from
home to PTT Ankara, 3-2.

On Wednesday, in a game counting towards round 20 of
the Romanian football SuperLeague, Rapid București beat Petrolul Ploiești on
the National Arena in Bucharest, 3-1. Two of Rapid’s goals were scored by the
Croatian player Marko Duganzic, and one by Ștefan Pănoiu, in overtime. Gheorghe
Grozav scored for the Ploiesti side. Top of the ranking at present is Farul
Constanța, with 44 points, followed by CFR, with 41 points. (AMP)

15 December 2022
Sport Flash

At the World Weightlifting Championships hosted by Bogota, Colombia, the Romanian athlete Mihaela-Valentina Cambei won the silver medal in the snatch event, in the 49 kilogram category. She lifted 90 kilograms, setting a new European record. In the clean and jerk, Cambei had only one successful attempt, in the 104 kilograms category, finishing on 8th place. Overall, the Romanian athlete ranked fourth. Six athletes from Romania are participating in the World Championships in Bogota: four girls and two boys.

Lets now pass on to basketball. U-BT Cluj-Napoca obtained a prestigious victory against the Spanish team Joventut Badalona, score 98-82, on Wednesday, at home, in EuroCup, Group A. The Romanian champions, who climbed to 6th position in the group, will play, in a week’s time, against the Ukrainian team Prometei Slobojanske, a team ranking on the 7th place. The game is scheduled in Riga, Latvia.

Also in the EuroCup, but in the womens category, Basketball Arad obtained its first victory of this season: 87 to 50 against the Polish team Bydgoszcz, on Wednesday, at home. However, this success is rather belated, coming after four consecutive defeats that removed the Romanian vice-champions from the race to the next phase. In Group D, Basketball Arad is ranked on the last place, 4th. The team from Transylvania will play its last game in the group next Wednesday, against Arka Gdynia, in Poland.

Now we pass on to football. In the Romanian Football Cup, this week, the last games of the group stage are played. On Tuesday, Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe, the trophy holder and FC U Craiova, from group A, qualified for the quarter-finals. Sepsi defeated FC Voluntari 4-0, and Craiova defeated Petrolul Ploieşti, away from home, score 1 -0. In the third game of the group, in Buzău, Unirea Slobozia and Dinamo Bucharest ended in a tie, 3 all. On Wednesday, CFR Cluj and Universitatea Cluj from Group C obtained qualification. CFR Cluj ended in a tie, 0 all with Farul Constanţa in Ovidiu. The game in Cluj, between Universitatea and Rapid Bucharest, ended with the same result. Also in Group C, Dumbrăviţa defeated Alexandria away from home, score 4-0. FC Argeş and Hermannstadt have advanced from Group D. FC Argeş defeated Universitatea Craiova 2-1 at home, and Hermannstadt defeated Chindia Târgovişte, in Mediaş, 4-1. In the other game in the group, Minaur Baia Mare defeated Ocna Mureş 6-0, away from home. Thursday sees games in Group B: Botoşani with FCSB, Mioveni with UTA Arad and Oţelul Galati with Gloria Buzău. (LS)

8 December 2022
Sport Flash

At the World Weightlifting Championships hosted by Bogota, Colombia, the Romanian athlete Mihaela-Valentina Cambei won the silver medal in the snatch event, in the 49 kilogram category. She lifted 90 kilograms, setting a new European record. In the clean and jerk, Cambei had only one successful attempt, in the 104 kilograms category, finishing on 8th place. Overall, the Romanian athlete ranked fourth. Six athletes from Romania are participating in the World Championships in Bogota: four girls and two boys.

Lets now pass on to basketball. U-BT Cluj-Napoca obtained a prestigious victory against the Spanish team Joventut Badalona, score 98-82, on Wednesday, at home, in EuroCup, Group A. The Romanian champions, who climbed to 6th position in the group, will play, in a week’s time, against the Ukrainian team Prometei Slobojanske, a team ranking on the 7th place. The game is scheduled in Riga, Latvia.

Also in the EuroCup, but in the womens category, Basketball Arad obtained its first victory of this season: 87 to 50 against the Polish team Bydgoszcz, on Wednesday, at home. However, this success is rather belated, coming after four consecutive defeats that removed the Romanian vice-champions from the race to the next phase. In Group D, Basketball Arad is ranked on the last place, 4th. The team from Transylvania will play its last game in the group next Wednesday, against Arka Gdynia, in Poland.

Now we pass on to football. In the Romanian Football Cup, this week, the last games of the group stage are played. On Tuesday, Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe, the trophy holder and FC U Craiova, from group A, qualified for the quarter-finals. Sepsi defeated FC Voluntari 4-0, and Craiova defeated Petrolul Ploieşti, away from home, score 1 -0. In the third game of the group, in Buzău, Unirea Slobozia and Dinamo Bucharest ended in a tie, 3 all. On Wednesday, CFR Cluj and Universitatea Cluj from Group C obtained qualification. CFR Cluj ended in a tie, 0 all with Farul Constanţa in Ovidiu. The game in Cluj, between Universitatea and Rapid Bucharest, ended with the same result. Also in Group C, Dumbrăviţa defeated Alexandria away from home, score 4-0. FC Argeş and Hermannstadt have advanced from Group D. FC Argeş defeated Universitatea Craiova 2-1 at home, and Hermannstadt defeated Chindia Târgovişte, in Mediaş, 4-1. In the other game in the group, Minaur Baia Mare defeated Ocna Mureş 6-0, away from home. Thursday sees games in Group B: Botoşani with FCSB, Mioveni with UTA Arad and Oţelul Galati with Gloria Buzău. (LS)

8 December 2022
Sports weekend

Romanian mens handball team Dinamo Bucharest on Thursday grabbed a 32-27 home win against Polish opponents Wisla Plock. The fixture counted towards Champions Leagues group A. Wisla Plock drew first blood, but Dinamo came from behind and secured the lead all throughout the game. Dinamo have thus succeeded their third group win and the second consecutive win in the competition. Dinamos top scorer were the Serbian Lazar Kukic, with 7 goals and Nicuşor Negru, with 6. Dinamos two goalies were also in top shape, the Algerian Khalifa Ghedbane and the naturalized Iranian Saeid Heidarirad, with five saves each. Also in Leagues Group A, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Danish opponents Gudme, 41-36. On Thursday, Hungarys vice-champion, Veszprém, defeated Croatian opponents PPD Zagreb, 32-28, while German side Magdeburg defeated FC Porto, 41 – 36. Veszprém are at the top of the table, with 13 points. Second-placed are Paris Saint-Germain with 12. Dinamo are 5th-placed, with 7 points. On December 1st, Xavi Pascuals trainees take once again take on Wisla Plock, this time away from home.

In news from womens basketball, in a match counting towards Group C as part of FIBA EuroBasket 2023 preliminaries, in Timisoara, in the west, Romanias national team on Thursday was defeated by Hungary, 99-40. According to Agerpres, Romanian national team, with fix first-time players in the line-up, did not measure up to the standards imposed by the much better Hungarian team, which was all the more visible in the first quarter of the game, when Romania scored 4 points, whereas Hungary, 32. In Group Cs other match, in Huelva, Spain secured a 120-54 home win against Iceland. Spain are at the top of the table in the group, with 6 points, followed by Hungary, with 5 points. Romania are 3rd-placed, with 4 points, while Iceland are 4th-placed, with 3. On Sunday, Romanias national team take on Iceland, in Reykjavik.

This coming weekend will see matches being played, counting towards the Erste Liga ice hockey regional competition. On Sunday, Corona Brasov face Ujpest Budapesta, SC Miercurea Ciuc play Jégkorong Akadémia, also from Budapest, while HC Gheorgheni take on Ferencváros. (EN)

25 November 2022
Sports weekend

Romanian mens handball team Dinamo Bucharest on Thursday grabbed a 32-27 home win against Polish opponents Wisla Plock. The fixture counted towards Champions Leagues group A. Wisla Plock drew first blood, but Dinamo came from behind and secured the lead all throughout the game. Dinamo have thus succeeded their third group win and the second consecutive win in the competition. Dinamos top scorer were the Serbian Lazar Kukic, with 7 goals and Nicuşor Negru, with 6. Dinamos two goalies were also in top shape, the Algerian Khalifa Ghedbane and the naturalized Iranian Saeid Heidarirad, with five saves each. Also in Leagues Group A, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Danish opponents Gudme, 41-36. On Thursday, Hungarys vice-champion, Veszprém, defeated Croatian opponents PPD Zagreb, 32-28, while German side Magdeburg defeated FC Porto, 41 – 36. Veszprém are at the top of the table, with 13 points. Second-placed are Paris Saint-Germain with 12. Dinamo are 5th-placed, with 7 points. On December 1st, Xavi Pascuals trainees take once again take on Wisla Plock, this time away from home.

In news from womens basketball, in a match counting towards Group C as part of FIBA EuroBasket 2023 preliminaries, in Timisoara, in the west, Romanias national team on Thursday was defeated by Hungary, 99-40. According to Agerpres, Romanian national team, with fix first-time players in the line-up, did not measure up to the standards imposed by the much better Hungarian team, which was all the more visible in the first quarter of the game, when Romania scored 4 points, whereas Hungary, 32. In Group Cs other match, in Huelva, Spain secured a 120-54 home win against Iceland. Spain are at the top of the table in the group, with 6 points, followed by Hungary, with 5 points. Romania are 3rd-placed, with 4 points, while Iceland are 4th-placed, with 3. On Sunday, Romanias national team take on Iceland, in Reykjavik.

This coming weekend will see matches being played, counting towards the Erste Liga ice hockey regional competition. On Sunday, Corona Brasov face Ujpest Budapesta, SC Miercurea Ciuc play Jégkorong Akadémia, also from Budapest, while HC Gheorgheni take on Ferencváros. (EN)

25 November 2022
Sports flash

The Romanian U-BT Cluj-Napoca basketball
team has grabbed its second consecutive win in Group A as part of Eurocup. On Wednesday,
Romanian title holders secured a 91 to 86 home win against Italian opponents
Germani Brescia. U-BT’s most recent run included two consecutive defeats.
U-BTare 7th-placed in the group, wit two wins and three defeats. In
the next round, U-BT will play an away fixture against Turkish team Frutti
Extra Bursaspor, on November 30.

Also in news from men’s basketball, in Group
H as part of FIBA Europe Cup, CSO Voluntari grabbed a 77-70 away win against Swedish
team Norrköping Dolphins. With two wins, CSO Voluntari can still retain their
chances to advance to the competition’s next stage. The other Romanian team
competing in Group H, SCM U Craiova, has already secured its qualification. On
Wednesday, SCM U Craiova lost to Germany’s Merlins Crailsheim, 81 – 102. It was SCN U Craiova’s first defeat in a group
confrontation, where they are still at the top of the table. Second-placed are Merlins
Cralsheim, third-placed are CSO Voluntari, while fourth-placed are Swedish team Norrköping Dolphins.

In the last round, crucial for the final rankings,
Norrköping are pitted against Craiova, while Voluntari play Crailsheim, on
November 30.

In Group E, CSM CSU Oradea has made a giant
leap forward, I their bid to qualify to FIBA Europe Cup’s second round. On Wednesday,
the team from Oradea has grabbed its fourth consecutive win, defeating
Bulgarian team Rilski Sportist in Samokov away from home, 90-62. Ahead of the
last round, CSM CSU Oradea are at the top of the table in the group, with one point
more than the teams coming second and third-placed, respectively, Cholet basket
of France and Belgian squad Kangoeroes of Mechelen. The last group fixtures are
scheduled in a week’s time. On November 29th, Cholet Basket take on Rilski
Sportist. On November 30th, Oradea
travel to Mechelen for their fixture against Kangoeroes. CSM CSU Oradea’s
options, if they want to secure their qualification, include a win or a defeat
with no more than 25 points.

In news form women’s
volleyball, Rapid Bucharest grabbed a 3-nil away win against Serbian opponents Tent
Obrenovac, in a fixture counting towards the Challenge Cup. Rapid has returned
to the European Cup after a two-year gap. Their win against Tent Obrenovac
means a great step forward towards the competition’s round of 32. The return
leg is scheduled this coming Wednesday in Bucharest.

In the National Ice-Hockey Championship, on
Wednesday, Steaua Bucharest grabbed a 3-2 win against ACSH Gheorgheni, away from home. Steaua
Bucharest had already won this past Tuesday’s match, 7-4 also in Gheorgheni. However,
ACSH Gheorgheni are at the top of the table, with 30 points in 14 games played.
2-nd-placed are CSM Galaţi, with 23 de points in 12 games. With 20 points in 11
fixtures, Sport Club Miercurea Ciuc are 3rd-placed. Steaua Bucharest
are 4th-placed, with 18 points in 9 matches.(EN)

24 November 2022
Sports flash

The Romanian U-BT Cluj-Napoca basketball
team has grabbed its second consecutive win in Group A as part of Eurocup. On Wednesday,
Romanian title holders secured a 91 to 86 home win against Italian opponents
Germani Brescia. U-BT’s most recent run included two consecutive defeats.
U-BTare 7th-placed in the group, wit two wins and three defeats. In
the next round, U-BT will play an away fixture against Turkish team Frutti
Extra Bursaspor, on November 30.

Also in news from men’s basketball, in Group
H as part of FIBA Europe Cup, CSO Voluntari grabbed a 77-70 away win against Swedish
team Norrköping Dolphins. With two wins, CSO Voluntari can still retain their
chances to advance to the competition’s next stage. The other Romanian team
competing in Group H, SCM U Craiova, has already secured its qualification. On
Wednesday, SCM U Craiova lost to Germany’s Merlins Crailsheim, 81 – 102. It was SCN U Craiova’s first defeat in a group
confrontation, where they are still at the top of the table. Second-placed are Merlins
Cralsheim, third-placed are CSO Voluntari, while fourth-placed are Swedish team Norrköping Dolphins.

In the last round, crucial for the final rankings,
Norrköping are pitted against Craiova, while Voluntari play Crailsheim, on
November 30.

In Group E, CSM CSU Oradea has made a giant
leap forward, I their bid to qualify to FIBA Europe Cup’s second round. On Wednesday,
the team from Oradea has grabbed its fourth consecutive win, defeating
Bulgarian team Rilski Sportist in Samokov away from home, 90-62. Ahead of the
last round, CSM CSU Oradea are at the top of the table in the group, with one point
more than the teams coming second and third-placed, respectively, Cholet basket
of France and Belgian squad Kangoeroes of Mechelen. The last group fixtures are
scheduled in a week’s time. On November 29th, Cholet Basket take on Rilski
Sportist. On November 30th, Oradea
travel to Mechelen for their fixture against Kangoeroes. CSM CSU Oradea’s
options, if they want to secure their qualification, include a win or a defeat
with no more than 25 points.

In news form women’s
volleyball, Rapid Bucharest grabbed a 3-nil away win against Serbian opponents Tent
Obrenovac, in a fixture counting towards the Challenge Cup. Rapid has returned
to the European Cup after a two-year gap. Their win against Tent Obrenovac
means a great step forward towards the competition’s round of 32. The return
leg is scheduled this coming Wednesday in Bucharest.

In the National Ice-Hockey Championship, on
Wednesday, Steaua Bucharest grabbed a 3-2 win against ACSH Gheorgheni, away from home. Steaua
Bucharest had already won this past Tuesday’s match, 7-4 also in Gheorgheni. However,
ACSH Gheorgheni are at the top of the table, with 30 points in 14 games played.
2-nd-placed are CSM Galaţi, with 23 de points in 12 games. With 20 points in 11
fixtures, Sport Club Miercurea Ciuc are 3rd-placed. Steaua Bucharest
are 4th-placed, with 18 points in 9 matches.(EN)

24 November 2022
Sports weekend

Men’s basketball team U-BT Cluj-Napoca on Thursday won
their 4th consecutive domestic title. In the National League final, U-BT Cluj-Napoca
grabbed an 85-74 away win against CSO Voluntari, in the fourth fixture pitting
U-BT against the Ilfov-based squad. U-BT won on aggregate, 3-1.
In the debut game they played at home, U-BT won, 87-65. CSO Voluntari won the
second fixture, 74-69. Then U-BT Cluj-Napoca won both games they played in Voluntari,
92-84 and 85-74, respectively. We recall U-BT Cluj-Napoca were also title
holders in 2011, 2017 and 2021.

Romania’s men’s national volleyball team this coming Saturday
plays an away game against Bosnia Herzegovina, in Tuzla. It is the fourth
fixture as part of the Silver League European Competition’s Group B. The Romanians
had previously outclassed Albania in Tirana, 3-1. In Galati, in the east, the Romanian
national team defeated North Macedonia, 3-2. Romania grabbed yet another win
against Bosnia-Herzegovina, 3-nil. In Group B, Romania is at the top of the
table, with 8 points.

The Romanian men’s national football team this coming
Sunday makes its debut in a new edition of the Nations League. In Podgorica, Romania
takes on Montenegro. The fixture counts towards the 3rd Group as
part of the Nations League’s second-tier League B. It is head-coach Edward
Iordănescu’s debut game on the job. A 30-strong pool of regulars has been
summoned, of which 5 footballers are first-timers in a national-level match. Defender
Vlad Chiriches, currently signed up by the Italian team Sassuolo, boasts most caps
for the national squad, 71. The Romanian international footballer Alexandru
Maxim, currently playing for Gaziantep, in Turkey, follows suit, with 52 caps.
This coming Tuesday Romania plays Bosnia-Herzegovina, also away from home, in
Zenica. The Romanian national squad’s next scheduled fixtures are the games
against Finland, on June 11 and against Montenegro, on June 14. Both matches are
to be played at home.

Romanian runner Claudia Bobocea on Sunday will compete
in the 1,500m race, in an athletics competition as part of the Diamond League
circuit, to be hosted by the Moroccan capital Rabat.

(EN)

3 June 2022
Sports weekend

Men’s basketball team U-BT Cluj-Napoca on Thursday won
their 4th consecutive domestic title. In the National League final, U-BT Cluj-Napoca
grabbed an 85-74 away win against CSO Voluntari, in the fourth fixture pitting
U-BT against the Ilfov-based squad. U-BT won on aggregate, 3-1.
In the debut game they played at home, U-BT won, 87-65. CSO Voluntari won the
second fixture, 74-69. Then U-BT Cluj-Napoca won both games they played in Voluntari,
92-84 and 85-74, respectively. We recall U-BT Cluj-Napoca were also title
holders in 2011, 2017 and 2021.

Romania’s men’s national volleyball team this coming Saturday
plays an away game against Bosnia Herzegovina, in Tuzla. It is the fourth
fixture as part of the Silver League European Competition’s Group B. The Romanians
had previously outclassed Albania in Tirana, 3-1. In Galati, in the east, the Romanian
national team defeated North Macedonia, 3-2. Romania grabbed yet another win
against Bosnia-Herzegovina, 3-nil. In Group B, Romania is at the top of the
table, with 8 points.

The Romanian men’s national football team this coming
Sunday makes its debut in a new edition of the Nations League. In Podgorica, Romania
takes on Montenegro. The fixture counts towards the 3rd Group as
part of the Nations League’s second-tier League B. It is head-coach Edward
Iordănescu’s debut game on the job. A 30-strong pool of regulars has been
summoned, of which 5 footballers are first-timers in a national-level match. Defender
Vlad Chiriches, currently signed up by the Italian team Sassuolo, boasts most caps
for the national squad, 71. The Romanian international footballer Alexandru
Maxim, currently playing for Gaziantep, in Turkey, follows suit, with 52 caps.
This coming Tuesday Romania plays Bosnia-Herzegovina, also away from home, in
Zenica. The Romanian national squad’s next scheduled fixtures are the games
against Finland, on June 11 and against Montenegro, on June 14. Both matches are
to be played at home.

Romanian runner Claudia Bobocea on Sunday will compete
in the 1,500m race, in an athletics competition as part of the Diamond League
circuit, to be hosted by the Moroccan capital Rabat.

(EN)

3 June 2022
Sports Flash

Men’s basketball team U-BT Cluj-Napoca was defeated on Wednesday, away from home, 92-75 by the German side Riesen Ludwigsburg, in the second match of the Champions League’s quarterfinals. Romania’s champions, that won the previous match in Cluj last Wednesday, 76-73, will play the decisive game for the qualification to the semifinals next week on home turf. The quarterfinals are held in keeping with the system “best of three matches”.

Romania’s women handball team, Rapid Bucharest defeated the champion Minaur Baia Mare on Wednesday, 34-31 and became 1st place again in the National League. Eliza Buceschi scored most goals – 9, just like Cristina Laslo for the guest team. Also on Wednesday, SCM Ramnicu Valcea beat HC Zalau at home, 38-28 while Magura Cisnadie defeated SCM Craiova 25-24 in an away match. Rapid is first in the rankings, one point ahead of CSM Bucharest.

The Romanian women’s tennis team on Friday and Saturday are playing away from home against Poland in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. The Romanian team cannot count on all its top players. On Tuesday, Monica Niculescu became the third unavailable player due to a Covid infection, after Raluca Olaru and Gabriela Ruse. Simona Halep and Jaqueline Cristian are not part of the team either, due to injuries. Horia Tecau, who leads the Romania team, will have to count on Irina Begu, Mihaela Buzărnescu, Andreea Prisăcariu and Andreea Mitu. Of them, Begu is the only one in top 100, ranking 63rd in the singles and 48th in the doubles. Poland’s team is made up of Iga Świątek, Magda Linette, Magdalena Fręch, Maja Chwalińska and Alicja Rosolska. Świątek is world no. 1, Linette ranks 58th in the singles and 26th in the doubles while Fręch, is 87th in the singles and 179 in the doubles.

14 April 2022
Sports Flash

Men’s basketball team U-BT Cluj-Napoca was defeated on Wednesday, away from home, 92-75 by the German side Riesen Ludwigsburg, in the second match of the Champions League’s quarterfinals. Romania’s champions, that won the previous match in Cluj last Wednesday, 76-73, will play the decisive game for the qualification to the semifinals next week on home turf. The quarterfinals are held in keeping with the system “best of three matches”.

Romania’s women handball team, Rapid Bucharest defeated the champion Minaur Baia Mare on Wednesday, 34-31 and became 1st place again in the National League. Eliza Buceschi scored most goals – 9, just like Cristina Laslo for the guest team. Also on Wednesday, SCM Ramnicu Valcea beat HC Zalau at home, 38-28 while Magura Cisnadie defeated SCM Craiova 25-24 in an away match. Rapid is first in the rankings, one point ahead of CSM Bucharest.

The Romanian women’s tennis team on Friday and Saturday are playing away from home against Poland in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. The Romanian team cannot count on all its top players. On Tuesday, Monica Niculescu became the third unavailable player due to a Covid infection, after Raluca Olaru and Gabriela Ruse. Simona Halep and Jaqueline Cristian are not part of the team either, due to injuries. Horia Tecau, who leads the Romania team, will have to count on Irina Begu, Mihaela Buzărnescu, Andreea Prisăcariu and Andreea Mitu. Of them, Begu is the only one in top 100, ranking 63rd in the singles and 48th in the doubles. Poland’s team is made up of Iga Świątek, Magda Linette, Magdalena Fręch, Maja Chwalińska and Alicja Rosolska. Świątek is world no. 1, Linette ranks 58th in the singles and 26th in the doubles while Fręch, is 87th in the singles and 179 in the doubles.

14 April 2022
Sports flash

This past Tuesdays Champions League mens basketball match pitting U BT Cluj against Germanys Ludwigsburg drew almost 10,000 fans in the Polivalenta Hall stands. Since the 20th centurys 1960s, this has been a record-high figure for a basketball event held in Romania, when, back in the day, Harlem Globe Trotters were showing their magic on the Republica stadium in Bucharest. On Tuesday, holders U BT succeeded a hard-fought 76-73 win against Ludwigsburg. The fixture counted towards the first leg of the Leagues quarterfinals. The decisive match is scheduled in Germany on April 13, when the ties second-leg winner will take part in the final tournament held in Spains Bilbao in May this year.

In news from womens tennis, the Romanian Irina Begu has advanced to the round of 16 as part of the WTA 500 tournament in Charleston, an event with a total of 900 thousand USD up for grabs. On Wednesday, Begu defeated Ajla Tomljanovic, 6-2, 6-3, after one hour and 18 minutes of play. Head-to-heads now point to a 3-1 advantage for the Romanian. We recall that in Budapest in 2011, and in Acapulco, in 2013, Begu also outclassed Tomljanovic. However, in Cincinnati, in 2018, Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Irina Begu. The Romanians advancing to the round of 16 in Charleston has earned Irina Begu 9,900 USD and 55 WTA points. Begu will next face the winner of the match pitting 4th-seeded Ons Jabeur against Emma Navarro of the USA. The match was interrupted because of the darkness, when Jabeur had a 6-3, 5-2 advantage.

In news from domestic football, Petrolul from Ploiesti are at the top of the Second League table, even though their record so far has been a no-win one after the first three matches they played in Group 1. On Wednesday, Petrolul were held to a blank draw by FC Hermannstadt, at home. Petrolul have 51 points, while the runner-up team, FC Hermannstadt, 48. The third rounds last fixture is scheduled on Thursday, when 3rd-placed team Universitatea Cluj take on 4th-placed Steaua Bucharest. Of the Second Leagues six Group 1 teams, the first two teams will be promoted straight into League One. 3rd and 4th-placed teams will play a playoff fixture against League Ones 7th and 8th-placed teams in Group 2. Steaua Bucharest are not officially entitled to being promoted since they belong to the National Defence Ministry. According to the Sports Law, a public law club is not officially allowed to play in League One, which is a professional competition.

(EN)

7 April 2022
Sports flash

This past Tuesdays Champions League mens basketball match pitting U BT Cluj against Germanys Ludwigsburg drew almost 10,000 fans in the Polivalenta Hall stands. Since the 20th centurys 1960s, this has been a record-high figure for a basketball event held in Romania, when, back in the day, Harlem Globe Trotters were showing their magic on the Republica stadium in Bucharest. On Tuesday, holders U BT succeeded a hard-fought 76-73 win against Ludwigsburg. The fixture counted towards the first leg of the Leagues quarterfinals. The decisive match is scheduled in Germany on April 13, when the ties second-leg winner will take part in the final tournament held in Spains Bilbao in May this year.

In news from womens tennis, the Romanian Irina Begu has advanced to the round of 16 as part of the WTA 500 tournament in Charleston, an event with a total of 900 thousand USD up for grabs. On Wednesday, Begu defeated Ajla Tomljanovic, 6-2, 6-3, after one hour and 18 minutes of play. Head-to-heads now point to a 3-1 advantage for the Romanian. We recall that in Budapest in 2011, and in Acapulco, in 2013, Begu also outclassed Tomljanovic. However, in Cincinnati, in 2018, Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Irina Begu. The Romanians advancing to the round of 16 in Charleston has earned Irina Begu 9,900 USD and 55 WTA points. Begu will next face the winner of the match pitting 4th-seeded Ons Jabeur against Emma Navarro of the USA. The match was interrupted because of the darkness, when Jabeur had a 6-3, 5-2 advantage.

In news from domestic football, Petrolul from Ploiesti are at the top of the Second League table, even though their record so far has been a no-win one after the first three matches they played in Group 1. On Wednesday, Petrolul were held to a blank draw by FC Hermannstadt, at home. Petrolul have 51 points, while the runner-up team, FC Hermannstadt, 48. The third rounds last fixture is scheduled on Thursday, when 3rd-placed team Universitatea Cluj take on 4th-placed Steaua Bucharest. Of the Second Leagues six Group 1 teams, the first two teams will be promoted straight into League One. 3rd and 4th-placed teams will play a playoff fixture against League Ones 7th and 8th-placed teams in Group 2. Steaua Bucharest are not officially entitled to being promoted since they belong to the National Defence Ministry. According to the Sports Law, a public law club is not officially allowed to play in League One, which is a professional competition.

(EN)

7 April 2022
Sports flash

Romanian men’s basketball team U-BT Cluj Napoca as an
absolute first has advanced to the Champions league’s quarterfinals. Also a
first-timer in the League, U-BT Cluj Napoca came in first at the top Group K,
with 7 points. Following in descending order were Spain’s Unicaja Malaga, with
6 points and Belgian team Filou Oostende, with 5 points. In their most recent fixture-BT
secured an 85-74 win in Oostende. The quarterfinal draw will
be held on March 25th.

Also in news from basketball, The International University
Sports Federation has extended an invitation to Romania’s women’s and men’s
national teams for their participation this summer to the World University
Games in Chengdu. 1981 was the year when the Romanian women’s and men’s national
basketball teams last competed in the University Games, back then hosted by the
Romanian capital city Bucharest. We recall that in 1981 the women’s basketball team
stepped onto the third step of the podium, while the gold medal went to then the
USSR; the USA won silver. At the 1983 edition of the World University
Games in Edmonton, Canada, Romania’s women’s national squad succeeded a career-best
win, walking away with the silver medal they won after a 61-83 defeat by the
USA. In the group stage, Romanian had defeated the USA, 85-71. In the men’s
version of the World University Games, after 1990, Romanian national squad’s
best result occurred in Kazan, in 2013, when Romania came in 6th. The
Universiade in Chengdu will be held over June 26 and July 7. Initially scheduled for 2021, the competition saw a one-year delay
because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In news from football, Romania national team on Friday
plays a friendly game against the similar team of Greece in Bucharest. It will
be the national team’s debut training game ahead of the new competition season,
where attention-grabbing is the 2022 edition of the Nations League. Then on Tuesday, Romania takes on Israel in Natanya. Romania’s national
team head-coach Edward Iordanescu has summoned 25 footballers for the two friendly
games. Of them, three footballers are national squad first-timers. One of them
is Farul Constanta goalie Marian Aioani. The other
one is center-back Radu Drăguşin, signed up by Juventus from Turin but currently
on loan to Salernitana, while the third one is midfielder Octavian Popescu of FCSB.

(EN)

24 March 2022