Radio România Internațional

Tag: Championship

  • The Athlete of the Week

    The Athlete of the Week

    The European Senior Weightlifting Championships, which are underway in the Georgian town of Batumi, as of this past Sunday have been an opportunity for participants to amass points enabling them to qualify for the 2020 edition of the Tokyo Olympics, so the stakes are really high for the ongoing competition in Batumi.



    A delegation made of 14 Romanian weightlifters traveled to Georgia. Ahead of the departure, the stated goal expressed by the president of the Romanian Weightlifting Federation Nucu Vlad was to win two, maybe three medals. However, the Romanian weightlifters’ excellent run went way above par, since in the debut day of the competition they won no less than five medals.



    Three of those medals were gold. They were won by Elena Andries in the 49-kilogram category. The other two medals were bronze and were won by Cosmina Pana in the 45-kilogram category, the clean and jerk style, and Cristian Marian Luca in the 55-kilogram category, the snatch style. On Monday, Sorina Hulpan won bronze, in the 59-kilogram category, the clean and jerk style.



    Thanks to her outstanding run in Batumi, Elena Andries has been designated the Athlete of the week on Radio Romania International.



    We should also note that in Batumi, Andries compelled recognition in the snatch style, lifting 87 kilograms. Following her in descending order were Russia’s Kristina Sobol, with 85 kilograms and French Anais Michel, with 79 kilograms. In the clean and jerk style, Andries also emerged as winner, with 103 kilograms, failing a second attempt, set at 105 kilograms. Italy’s Giorgia Russo came in 2nd, also with 103 kilograms, while third-placed was Manon Lorentz, also from France, with 99 kilograms. Under the circumstances, Elena Andries came at the top of the table with an overall output of 190 kilograms, followed by Sobol, with 180 and Russo, with 178 kilograms.



    Elena Ramona Andries was born in Galaţi, on September 21, 1994. At the 2012 European Championship in Turkey, Andries came in 4th. However, at the European Championships of 2013 Andries tested positive for Stanazolol and was suspended until 2015. Elena Andries then resumed participating in competitions and in 2017, at the European Championships in Split, she walked away with bronze in the snatch style and overall events. At the European Championships hosted by Romania in 2018, Andries won gold in the snatch and clean and jerk styles, as well as overall, so her excellent run in Georgia only confirms her status at European level, in the 49-kilogram category.

  • RRI Sports Club

    RRI Sports Club

    The 2019 Rugby Europe Championship is drawing to a close. Just like in the previous six editions, one round before the final, Georgia emerges as the winner, with 18 points. For Romanian rugby, however, this edition turned out to be unsuccessful, against the backdrop of a crisis that started last year.



    2018 was a fateful year for the national rugby squad, with Romania missing the opportunity to go through to the William Webb Ellis World Cup, a competition Romania had been present in since 1987 and which in September 2019 will be hosted by Japan. Also in 2018, Romanias head-coach Lynn Howells resigned his position.



    It appears that at the 2019 Rugby Europe Championship, Romania was unable to overcome the very difficulties of 2018. In spite of promised changes in the line-up, this was not the case and the national team only managed a bumpy performance. At present, Romania is 4th-placed in the standings, with 10 points from 2 wins and 2 defeats on its record sheet, and the results of other matches in the group can still push Romania one place up in the rankings.



    In its first home game Romania played in Cluj, the national team lost to Georgia, 9-18, although our national squad managed a good run in the first half of the match. The Romanians were unable to score a single try, while Georgia scored two.



    Romanias second game, also at home, brought their first victory, against Germany, 38-10, with 6 tries scored for the national team.



    Next, Romania was defeated by Spain in Madrid. The Romanians performance in the first half of the match was very good, but in the second half they seemed to have lost their nerve, conceding an 18-21 defeat to their opponents. Romania scored 2 tries, while Spain scored 3.



    In the fourth match, again on home turf, in the northern Romanian town of Botosani, Romania took on Russia, managing a nail-biting win, 22-20, after in extra time Russia failed to convert the try that would have enabled them to level the score. The teams succeeded one try each.



    In its last scheduled match counting towards the 2019 edition of Rugby Europe Championship, Romania plays Belgium in Brussels.


    (translated by: Eugen Nasta)

  • RRI Sports Club

    RRI Sports Club

    The 2019 Rugby Europe Championship is drawing to a close. Just like in the previous six editions, one round before the final, Georgia emerges as the winner, with 18 points. For Romanian rugby, however, this edition turned out to be unsuccessful, against the backdrop of a crisis that started last year.



    2018 was a fateful year for the national rugby squad, with Romania missing the opportunity to go through to the William Webb Ellis World Cup, a competition Romania had been present in since 1987 and which in September 2019 will be hosted by Japan. Also in 2018, Romanias head-coach Lynn Howells resigned his position.



    It appears that at the 2019 Rugby Europe Championship, Romania was unable to overcome the very difficulties of 2018. In spite of promised changes in the line-up, this was not the case and the national team only managed a bumpy performance. At present, Romania is 4th-placed in the standings, with 10 points from 2 wins and 2 defeats on its record sheet, and the results of other matches in the group can still push Romania one place up in the rankings.



    In its first home game Romania played in Cluj, the national team lost to Georgia, 9-18, although our national squad managed a good run in the first half of the match. The Romanians were unable to score a single try, while Georgia scored two.



    Romanias second game, also at home, brought their first victory, against Germany, 38-10, with 6 tries scored for the national team.



    Next, Romania was defeated by Spain in Madrid. The Romanians performance in the first half of the match was very good, but in the second half they seemed to have lost their nerve, conceding an 18-21 defeat to their opponents. Romania scored 2 tries, while Spain scored 3.



    In the fourth match, again on home turf, in the northern Romanian town of Botosani, Romania took on Russia, managing a nail-biting win, 22-20, after in extra time Russia failed to convert the try that would have enabled them to level the score. The teams succeeded one try each.



    In its last scheduled match counting towards the 2019 edition of Rugby Europe Championship, Romania plays Belgium in Brussels.


    (translated by: Eugen Nasta)

  • RRI Sports Club

    RRI Sports Club

    The international rugby season is in full swing. All eyes are now turned to the 6 Nations Championship, which is already in its 3rd round. England and Wales are the only teams that won both games played so far, and on Sunday they are pitted against each other in Cardiff.



    Romania is playing in the second-tier league, called Rugby Europe Championship. This season the Oaks have reported a win and a loss. The loss came in the first round, played on home turf against Georgia, the unchallenged leader of this competition. Georgia won 18-9, scoring two tries. The points for Romania were scored by Florin Vlaicu, who converted two penalty kicks.



    The second match, played against Germany last week, also on home turf, in the northern city of Botosani, brought Romania its first win this season, 38-10. Ionut Dumitru, Ionel Melinte, Johan Van Heerden, Florin Surugiu, Vladut Popa and Daniel Plai all scored tries for Romania, with Florin Vlaicu converting four of them. Also on Saturday, Russia defeated Belgium 64-7. On Sunday, Georgia defeated Spain, 24-10. Ranking first is Georgia with 8 points, followed by Russia with 6 points and Romania with 5 points.



    Romanias next fixture in the competition will be an away match against Spain, scheduled for March 3. The match will be difficult, considering Spain has put on a good display of rugby in the first two games this season. In the match against Georgia, Spain scored two tries. Whats interesting is that, in the first fixture against Russia at home, Spain scored only one try, but won the match, although the visiting side scored and converted two tries. The final score was 16-14.



    (translated by: Vlad Palcu)

  • RRI Sports Club

    RRI Sports Club

    The international rugby season is in full swing. All eyes are now turned to the 6 Nations Championship, which is already in its 3rd round. England and Wales are the only teams that won both games played so far, and on Sunday they are pitted against each other in Cardiff.



    Romania is playing in the second-tier league, called Rugby Europe Championship. This season the Oaks have reported a win and a loss. The loss came in the first round, played on home turf against Georgia, the unchallenged leader of this competition. Georgia won 18-9, scoring two tries. The points for Romania were scored by Florin Vlaicu, who converted two penalty kicks.



    The second match, played against Germany last week, also on home turf, in the northern city of Botosani, brought Romania its first win this season, 38-10. Ionut Dumitru, Ionel Melinte, Johan Van Heerden, Florin Surugiu, Vladut Popa and Daniel Plai all scored tries for Romania, with Florin Vlaicu converting four of them. Also on Saturday, Russia defeated Belgium 64-7. On Sunday, Georgia defeated Spain, 24-10. Ranking first is Georgia with 8 points, followed by Russia with 6 points and Romania with 5 points.



    Romanias next fixture in the competition will be an away match against Spain, scheduled for March 3. The match will be difficult, considering Spain has put on a good display of rugby in the first two games this season. In the match against Georgia, Spain scored two tries. Whats interesting is that, in the first fixture against Russia at home, Spain scored only one try, but won the match, although the visiting side scored and converted two tries. The final score was 16-14.



    (translated by: Vlad Palcu)

  • December 11, 2017

    December 11, 2017

    KING MICHAEL I – The Parliament of Romania convenes in a solemn session today, in the presence of President Klaus Iohannis, to pay tribute to King Michael I. Princess Margareta, Custodian of the Crown, will also give an address. The former sovereign died on December 5, at 96 years of age, in Switzerland. Ever since, Romanians have been bringing flowers and candles at the Romanian and Swiss residences of the Royal House. The Kings body will be brought to the country on December 13. The authorities have declared a national mourning on December 14, 15 and 16. King Michael I, the last of Romanias 4 sovereigns, will be buried on Saturday, December 16, in Curtea de Arges, in the south of the country, where all Romanian royalty are interred. Many Romanian and foreign personalities are expected to attend the funerals. Historians agree that by having the pro-German Marshall Ion Antonescu arrested and having the country join the Allies, Michael I helped shorten WW2 by six months. Forced by the Communists to abdicate in 1947, the ex-King was only allowed to return to Romania after the fall of communism. He was one of the strongest supporters on Romanias joining NATO and the EU.




    BUDGET – The Parliament of Romania begins the debates on the 2018 state budget bill this week. The public budget is based on a 5.5% economic growth rate and earmarks higher funds for healthcare, education, agriculture and investments. The state budget and social security budget bills were distributed on Thursday to the MPs, who had until this morning to submit amendments. The proposals will be discussed by Parliaments specialised committees starting on Tuesday and will be finalised on Saturday. Debates on the amended texts will begin next Monday in Parliament, with the final vote scheduled on December 21.




    PROTESTS – Thousands of people took to the streets once again on Sunday night in Bucharest and other major cities, to protest the changes to the justice laws promoted by the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats. The protesters say the Power is attempting to have the judiciary subordinated to political circles and to stop the fight against corruption. They were joined by the leaders of the right-wing opposition, the president of the National Liberal Party Ludovic Orban, and the president of Save Romania Union Dan Barna, and by the former PM Dacian Ciolos, who accused the ruling coalition of attacking the very foundation of the rule of law. In response, the head of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Romania and Senate Speaker Calin Popescu-Tariceanu says the revision of the laws regulating the judicial system is designed to strengthen the rule of law and the independence of magistrates.




    STATISTICS – Romanias trade deficit in the first 10 months of the year was 10.2 billion euros, nearly 2.3 billion euros more than in the corresponding period of 2016, the National Statistics Institute announced. According to the institution, in October, Romanias exports exceeded 5.7 billion euro, while imports reached 7 billion euros. As compared to October 2016, exports were 13.3% higher, and imports rose by 16.7%. The intra-EU trade accounted for 75.9% of Romanias total imports and exports in the first 10 months of the year.




    ISRAEL – While on a visit to Brussels today, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the US President Donald Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and said he expected European countries to follow suit. Ahead of a meeting with EU foreign ministers, Netanyahu pointed out that Trumps decision, condemned by Palestinians and by the European governments, would make Middle East peace possible. He called on Palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish state and Jerusalem as its capital. Netanyahu had a meeting today with the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who welcomed the first visit by an Isaraeli PM to the EU in 22 years. She emphasised that the bloc would respect the “international consensus on the status of Jerusalem and reiterated the Unions commitment to a two-state solution. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, says Trumps recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel threatens to compromise the Israel-Palestinian peace efforts. Street protests against the decision continued in Muslim countries, while the Arab League has called on the US Administration to reverse it, on grounds that it will escalate tensions in the region.




    HANDBALL – Romanias womens handball team is playing against the Czech Republic today, in the round of 16 of the World Championships in Germany. If they win, the Romanians will be facing next the winner of the match between the Netherlands and Japan. So far, France, Montenegro, Denmark and Sweden have qualified into the quarter-finals. Romania won the bronze medal in the previous championship, held in 2015, and is the only team to have taken part in all the 22 world final tournaments in the history of the competition.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • December 7, 2017

    December 7, 2017

    KING MICHAEL – Every evening until December 10 religious services will be held at King Michaels residence in Switzerland, where he spent most of his life in exile and where he also died, the Royal House announced. In the country, Romanians continue to bring flowers and candles in front of the former royal palace in Bucharest and at the Elisabeta Palace, the late Kings residence in the capital city. King Michaels body will be flown to the country on Wednesday, December 13, and placed at the Peles Castle in Sinaia, in the southern Carpathians. On the evening of the same day, the coffin will be brought to the Royal Palace in Bucharest. The funeral will take place on Saturday, December 16, in Curtea de Arges, southern Romania, where all Romanias former kings are interred. The Government declared a national mourning on December 14, 15 and 16. On Monday, December 11, the joint chambers of the Romanian Parliament will pay tribute to the former sovereign in a solemn session. The King of Romania between 1940 and 1947, Michael I passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 96.




    PROTESTS – Hundreds of people last night picketed the building of the Romanian Parliament, to protest the changes brought to the law on the status of magistrates, which were subject to a vote in the Chamber of Deputies. Traffic in the area was disrupted and incidents were reported, involving the protesters and the police. Unplanned protests were also held in the cities of Cluj Napoca, in the north-west, and Constanta in the south-east. The participants demanded that the Social Democratic leader Liviu Dragnea step down as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, given that he has already received a suspended sentence and is prosecuted in two other cases. MPs from Power and Opposition also traded insults and invectives during the meeting.




    BUDGET LAW – Leaders of the Romanian Parliament are to set today a roadmap for the endorsement of the 2018 state budget law. The bill was passed by the Government on Wednesday, and is based on a forecast economic growth rate of 5.5% and a 3.1% annual inflation rate. Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said it was the first time that the countrys GDP exceeded 200 billion euros, which would allow for salary and pension increases.




    DIPLOMACY – The US Ambassador to Bucharest, Hans Klemm, accuses Moscow of conducting misinformation campaigns aimed at generating confusion and division among NATO member states. Taking advantage of our democratic societies, Russia seeks to influence public opinion and often to influence elections as well, by disseminating fake news, the American diplomat said at a public debate organised in the north-western city of Cluj. On the other hand, he once again called on Romania to further fight corruption and defend the independence of the judiciary.




    MIDDLE EAST – US President Donald Trumps recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel triggered strong international condemnation. The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Friday, at the request of 8 members, including the UK and France. The Arab League announced an emergency meeting on Saturday. All Palestinian organisations criticized the move and called for strikes and protests, while many countries in the region warned that the decision would entail religious tensions. Turkey threatened to break ties with Israel. Another US ally, Saudi Arabia, slammed Trumps decision as “irresponsible. Traditional US allies from Europe also voiced opposition to the move, whereas Russia and China have expressed concerns that conflicts in the region will be exacerbated.





    HANDBALL – Romanias womens handball team is playing tonight against Angola, in Group A of the World Championships hosted by Germany. The Romanians have already secured their qualification in the round of 16, after having defeated Paraguay, Slovenia and Spain. On Friday they will play the last match in the group, against France. Romania won the bronze medal in the 2015 championship, and is the only team to have taken part in all the 22 world championship final tournaments so far.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Athlete of the Week on RRI

    Athlete of the Week on RRI

    Romania has returned to the top of weightlifting rankings. At the European Weightlifting Championships hosted last week by Split, Croatia, Romania grabbed 17 medals, of which six gold, four silver and seven bronze. The objective set by the Romanian Weightlifting Federation before the competition was six medals.



    Loredana Toma had by far the best performance of all Romanian athletes. Toma swept the board in the 63-kg category, winning all three events, snatch, clean and jerk and combined total respectively. For her remarkable achievement, we have designated Loredana Toma Athlete of the Week on RRI.



    In the snatch event, Toma lifted 100 kilograms. The silver medal went to Tatiana Aleeva of Russia, with 98 kilograms, while another Russian, Tima Turieva, won bronze with 97 kilograms. In the clean and jerk event, Loredana won gold after lifting 126 kilograms. Aleeva won silver with 125 kilograms, while Turieva came in third with 121 kilograms. In the combined total event, Toma lifted a total of 226 kilograms, 3 kilograms more than Tatiana Aleeva, who was runner-up, and 8 more than Tima Turieva, who won bronze.



    Loredana Toma was born on May 10, 1995 in Botosani, northern Romania. She won several gold medals in European weightlifting championships for under-18s and under-21s. In seniors competitions, she won silver in the 58-kg category in 2013 and 2014.

  • Athlete of the Week on RRI

    Athlete of the Week on RRI

    Romania has returned to the top of weightlifting rankings. At the European Weightlifting Championships hosted last week by Split, Croatia, Romania grabbed 17 medals, of which six gold, four silver and seven bronze. The objective set by the Romanian Weightlifting Federation before the competition was six medals.



    Loredana Toma had by far the best performance of all Romanian athletes. Toma swept the board in the 63-kg category, winning all three events, snatch, clean and jerk and combined total respectively. For her remarkable achievement, we have designated Loredana Toma Athlete of the Week on RRI.



    In the snatch event, Toma lifted 100 kilograms. The silver medal went to Tatiana Aleeva of Russia, with 98 kilograms, while another Russian, Tima Turieva, won bronze with 97 kilograms. In the clean and jerk event, Loredana won gold after lifting 126 kilograms. Aleeva won silver with 125 kilograms, while Turieva came in third with 121 kilograms. In the combined total event, Toma lifted a total of 226 kilograms, 3 kilograms more than Tatiana Aleeva, who was runner-up, and 8 more than Tima Turieva, who won bronze.



    Loredana Toma was born on May 10, 1995 in Botosani, northern Romania. She won several gold medals in European weightlifting championships for under-18s and under-21s. In seniors competitions, she won silver in the 58-kg category in 2013 and 2014.

  • December 13, 2016 UPDATE

    December 13, 2016 UPDATE

    CONSULTATIONS – On Wednesday President Klaus Iohannis begins talks with the political parties elected into the new parliament in Sundays legislative elections. Iohannis has said the new Parliament will most likely convene next week. He has also pointed out that the integrity criteria with respect to the nomination of the new prime minister, which he announced before the start of the election campaign, remain in place. Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, announced he declined the invitation to talks and said he was waiting for the new Parliament to be validated. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats shares this position.



    LIBERALS – Raluca Turcan is the interim president of the National Liberal Party, unanimously elected by the party leaders after president Alina Gorghiu and other prominent members resigned following the poor performance of the party in Sundays parliamentary election. Raluca Turcan will head the Liberal delegation taking part on Wednesday in the consultations with President Iohannis on the appointment of a new prime minister.



    LEGISLATION – The PM of Romania, Dacian Ciolos, takes note of the Social Democratic Partys proposal to postpone some provisions in the Fiscal Code for a year, and is considering the legal effects and the timeliness of such a decision. According to a news release issued by the Government, PM Dacian Cioloș expects the Social Democratic Party, the winner of the legislative elections, to keep its promises and the governing programme presented to citizens during the election campaign, and to take responsibility for the fiscal policy and legislation already endorsed by Parliament. Prior to this news release, some information suggested that the PM had already accepted the request of the Social Democratic leader.



    EURO – The inter-ministerial committee in charge with Romanias switch to the European single currency will be chaired by the Prime Minister, and will also include the finance minister and the governor of the National Bank of Romania as vice-presidents, under a resolution passed by the Government on Tuesday. The Government stands by its commitment to adopt the Euro, but the date will be set according to a calendar defined by the time of the forthcoming edition of the convergence programme, namely April 2017.



    HANDBALL – Romanias womens handball team Tuesday defeated the Czech Republic, 30-28, in main group 2 of the European Championships in Sweden. Romania is to play next against Denmark, in a decisive game for Romanias qualification into the next stage of the competition. Romania is coached by the Ambros Martin, from Spain, who last month replaced the Swedish Tomas Ryde, the one who was in charge of the national team when it won the bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships in Denmark.


    (translation by: Ana-Maria Popescu)