Radio România Internațional

Tag: semi-finals

  • Sports flash

    Sports flash




    We begin
    with news from women’s handball. As part
    of the ongoing European Women’s Handball Championship, Romania has advanced to
    the competition’s main group stage. On Wednesday in Skopje, Romania outclassed
    the host country team, North Macedonia, 31 -23. With 10 goals, our national squad’s
    top scorer was Cristina Neagu. Romanian keeper Daciana Hosu was the best
    player of the match, with a buoyant 43.5% mean save percentage. Romanian has thus come
    in 3rd in Group C. In main group II, head-coach Florentin Pera’s trainees
    will join France and Montenegro, each with 4 points, the Netherlands
    and Spain, with 2 points each, and Germany, which gained access to the main group
    stage with zero points, the same as Romania. On Friday, Romania goes against
    Spain. The first two teams in each main group will advance to the Championship’s
    semifinals.


    Matches counting towards the second round
    as part of Romanian Cup in Football’s group stage are scheduled this week. On Tuesday,
    in Group A, in Ploiesti, the local side Petrolul were held to a blank draw by
    Unirea Slobozia. In Bucharest, Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe won the game against Dinamo,
    3 – 2. In Group B, CS Mioveni grabbed a 1-nil home win against FC Botoşani. On Wednesday, UTA Arad defeated Gloria Buzău, 3-1, away from home. Also on Wednesday, in Group C, in Bucharest, Farul
    Constanţa defeated Rapid, 2-nil. In Group D, FC Hermannstadt
    defeated Minaur Baia Mare 3-2 also away from home. In Ploiesti, Chindia Târgovişte
    and FC Argeş drew, 1-all. In Zlatna,
    Ocna Mureş and Universitatea Craiova drew, also 1-all. On Thursday, in Group A,
    FC U Craiova go against Voluntari, and in Group B, Oţelul
    Galaţi play FCSB. In Group C, Alexandria play Universitatea Cluj, while Dumbrăviţa
    are pitted against CFR Cluj.


    The Romania-Hungary confrontation, counting
    towards the play-off stage as part of the Billie Jean King Cup in women’s tennis
    is scheduled in Oradea this coming Friday and Saturday. Part of Romania’s team
    are Ana Bogdan, Jaqueline Cristian, Gabriela Ruse, Monica Niculescu and
    first-timer Anca-Alexia Todoni. The head of the Romanian delegation is
    non-playing captain Horia Tecău. In the women’s singles, best-placed is Ana
    Bogdan, WTA 48th, while in the women’s doubles, WTA 47th Monica
    Niculescu is the best-placed among the Romanian tennis players. (EN)

  • Sports flash

    Sports flash




    We begin
    with news from women’s handball. As part
    of the ongoing European Women’s Handball Championship, Romania has advanced to
    the competition’s main group stage. On Wednesday in Skopje, Romania outclassed
    the host country team, North Macedonia, 31 -23. With 10 goals, our national squad’s
    top scorer was Cristina Neagu. Romanian keeper Daciana Hosu was the best
    player of the match, with a buoyant 43.5% mean save percentage. Romanian has thus come
    in 3rd in Group C. In main group II, head-coach Florentin Pera’s trainees
    will join France and Montenegro, each with 4 points, the Netherlands
    and Spain, with 2 points each, and Germany, which gained access to the main group
    stage with zero points, the same as Romania. On Friday, Romania goes against
    Spain. The first two teams in each main group will advance to the Championship’s
    semifinals.


    Matches counting towards the second round
    as part of Romanian Cup in Football’s group stage are scheduled this week. On Tuesday,
    in Group A, in Ploiesti, the local side Petrolul were held to a blank draw by
    Unirea Slobozia. In Bucharest, Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe won the game against Dinamo,
    3 – 2. In Group B, CS Mioveni grabbed a 1-nil home win against FC Botoşani. On Wednesday, UTA Arad defeated Gloria Buzău, 3-1, away from home. Also on Wednesday, in Group C, in Bucharest, Farul
    Constanţa defeated Rapid, 2-nil. In Group D, FC Hermannstadt
    defeated Minaur Baia Mare 3-2 also away from home. In Ploiesti, Chindia Târgovişte
    and FC Argeş drew, 1-all. In Zlatna,
    Ocna Mureş and Universitatea Craiova drew, also 1-all. On Thursday, in Group A,
    FC U Craiova go against Voluntari, and in Group B, Oţelul
    Galaţi play FCSB. In Group C, Alexandria play Universitatea Cluj, while Dumbrăviţa
    are pitted against CFR Cluj.


    The Romania-Hungary confrontation, counting
    towards the play-off stage as part of the Billie Jean King Cup in women’s tennis
    is scheduled in Oradea this coming Friday and Saturday. Part of Romania’s team
    are Ana Bogdan, Jaqueline Cristian, Gabriela Ruse, Monica Niculescu and
    first-timer Anca-Alexia Todoni. The head of the Romanian delegation is
    non-playing captain Horia Tecău. In the women’s singles, best-placed is Ana
    Bogdan, WTA 48th, while in the women’s doubles, WTA 47th Monica
    Niculescu is the best-placed among the Romanian tennis players. (EN)

  • Athlete of the week

    Athlete of the week

    The Grand Slam tournament in Roland Garros, France,
    drew to a close this past Sunday. In the men’s singles final, Novak Djokovic
    emerged as winner. However,
    attention-grabbing for Romanian tennis fans was the women’s version of the
    tournament, despite the fact that the best Romanian tennis player of the
    moment, WTA 3rd-placed Simona Halep, did not participate in Roland
    Garros, since she is still recovering from an injury she sustained fairly
    recently. So center-stage was placed another Romanian tennis player, Sorana
    Cirstea, who reached as far as the round of 16, where she was overpowered by
    Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek. However, in the tournament’s women’s doubles, another Romanian, Irina Begu, was only a
    whisker away from playing the final. Pairing up with Argentinean Nadia
    Podoroska, Irina advanced to the semifinals, repeating her career-best in a
    Grand Slam tournament. We recall that in 2018, Begu and Monica Niculescu played
    the semifinals at the Australian Open.


    Begu and Podoroska’s trail at Roland Garros this year
    included a straight-set win in the first round against the all-French pair made up of Estelle Cascino and Jessika Ponchet, 6-3, 6-1 as well as a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win
    against Ens Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama of Japan. Begu and Podoroska then
    outclassed another all-French pair made up of Clara Burel and Chloe Paquet, 6-3,
    6-1. In the quarterfinals, Irina Begu and Nadia Podoroska secured a 6-3, 4-6,
    6-2 win against the Croatian-US pair made up of Petra Martic and Shelby Rogers.
    However, in the semifinals, Begu and Podoroska were defeated by the US-Polish
    pair made up of Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Iga Swiatek, 6-3, 6-4.


    Irina Begu was born in Bucharest, on August 26, 1990.
    In 2006, Irina produced her first notable performance as she walked away with
    the European title in the under-16 category. In April 2011, Irina Begu played
    the first WTA final of her career in Marbella. Irina’s run in Marbella saw the
    Romanian successfully fighting her way to the final, where she was defeated by Viktoria Azarenka of Belarus. Irina Begu’s record includes 4 WTA
    women’s singles titles. The Romanian won the tournament in Tashkent in 2012 and
    in Seoul, in 2015. Also, Begu won the Florianopolis tournament in 2016 and the
    tournament held in Bucharest, in 2017. As a professional tennis player, Irina Begu won nine women’s
    doubles titles. Irina won the Hobart tournament in 2012, pairing up with another
    Romanian, Monica Niculescu, then went on to win the ‘s-Hertogenbosch tournament
    in 2013, when she paired up with Anabel Medina Garrigues as well as the
    tournament in Rio, in 2014, when she paired up with cu Maria Irigoyen. Also in 2014,
    Irina Begu won the tournament in Seoul, jointly with Lara Arruabarrena. In
    2017, Irina Begu won the tournament in Bucharest, when she paired up with Raluca
    Olaru. Irina and Sara Errani won the tournament in Tianjin, also in 2017. Two
    other WTA titles went to Irina Begu in 2018, in China’s Shenzhen, when Irina
    paired up with Simona Halep, and in Bucharest, when Begu paired up with Andreea
    Mitu. In 2019, Irina Begu won the Thailand Open, jointly with Monica Niculescu.
    Irina Begu is world no. 78 in the WTA singles ranking and 63rd in the doubles
    rankings.

    (Translation by Eugen Nasta)


  • Athlete of the week

    Athlete of the week

    The Grand Slam tournament in Roland Garros, France,
    drew to a close this past Sunday. In the men’s singles final, Novak Djokovic
    emerged as winner. However,
    attention-grabbing for Romanian tennis fans was the women’s version of the
    tournament, despite the fact that the best Romanian tennis player of the
    moment, WTA 3rd-placed Simona Halep, did not participate in Roland
    Garros, since she is still recovering from an injury she sustained fairly
    recently. So center-stage was placed another Romanian tennis player, Sorana
    Cirstea, who reached as far as the round of 16, where she was overpowered by
    Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek. However, in the tournament’s women’s doubles, another Romanian, Irina Begu, was only a
    whisker away from playing the final. Pairing up with Argentinean Nadia
    Podoroska, Irina advanced to the semifinals, repeating her career-best in a
    Grand Slam tournament. We recall that in 2018, Begu and Monica Niculescu played
    the semifinals at the Australian Open.


    Begu and Podoroska’s trail at Roland Garros this year
    included a straight-set win in the first round against the all-French pair made up of Estelle Cascino and Jessika Ponchet, 6-3, 6-1 as well as a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win
    against Ens Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama of Japan. Begu and Podoroska then
    outclassed another all-French pair made up of Clara Burel and Chloe Paquet, 6-3,
    6-1. In the quarterfinals, Irina Begu and Nadia Podoroska secured a 6-3, 4-6,
    6-2 win against the Croatian-US pair made up of Petra Martic and Shelby Rogers.
    However, in the semifinals, Begu and Podoroska were defeated by the US-Polish
    pair made up of Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Iga Swiatek, 6-3, 6-4.


    Irina Begu was born in Bucharest, on August 26, 1990.
    In 2006, Irina produced her first notable performance as she walked away with
    the European title in the under-16 category. In April 2011, Irina Begu played
    the first WTA final of her career in Marbella. Irina’s run in Marbella saw the
    Romanian successfully fighting her way to the final, where she was defeated by Viktoria Azarenka of Belarus. Irina Begu’s record includes 4 WTA
    women’s singles titles. The Romanian won the tournament in Tashkent in 2012 and
    in Seoul, in 2015. Also, Begu won the Florianopolis tournament in 2016 and the
    tournament held in Bucharest, in 2017. As a professional tennis player, Irina Begu won nine women’s
    doubles titles. Irina won the Hobart tournament in 2012, pairing up with another
    Romanian, Monica Niculescu, then went on to win the ‘s-Hertogenbosch tournament
    in 2013, when she paired up with Anabel Medina Garrigues as well as the
    tournament in Rio, in 2014, when she paired up with cu Maria Irigoyen. Also in 2014,
    Irina Begu won the tournament in Seoul, jointly with Lara Arruabarrena. In
    2017, Irina Begu won the tournament in Bucharest, when she paired up with Raluca
    Olaru. Irina and Sara Errani won the tournament in Tianjin, also in 2017. Two
    other WTA titles went to Irina Begu in 2018, in China’s Shenzhen, when Irina
    paired up with Simona Halep, and in Bucharest, when Begu paired up with Andreea
    Mitu. In 2019, Irina Begu won the Thailand Open, jointly with Monica Niculescu.
    Irina Begu is world no. 78 in the WTA singles ranking and 63rd in the doubles
    rankings.

    (Translation by Eugen Nasta)


  • RRI Sports Club

    RRI Sports Club

    The Erste Liga international ice hockey league has reached the semi-finals phase. Two teams are representing Romania, and they are actually pitted against each other: SC Miercurea Ciuc and ACSH Gheorgheni. On its way to the semis Miercurea Ciuc defeated DEAC Debrecen of Hungary, with 4 wins in 5 games. In turn the team from Gheorgheni ousted Corona Brasov, the defending Romanian champions, aggregate score 4-3. The tiebreaking game was played in Brasov.



    After its win in the quarterfinals, the team from Gheorgheni had a bad start in the semis, losing the first two games to SC Miercurea Ciuc, both played away from home. On Sunday, Miercurea Ciuc won 4-3 in a match played before an empty stand. On Monday, the team from Miercurea Ciuc won again 3-1. The only spectators allowed in the stands were the regular 900 subscribers, considering the Government has decided to limit to a 1,000 the maximum number of fans that can attend public events, as a measure to limit the spread of COVID-19.



    In the other Erste Liga semi-final, two Hungarian teams are playing: Ferencvaros and Ujpest Budapest. The score is 2-nil for Ferencvaros after the first two games played on Sunday and Monday. Ferencvaros won 6-3 and 3-1, respectively. The next games are slated for Thursday and Friday. The semi-finals are played in the best-out-of-seven-matches system.



    Let us further note that CSM Galati is the leader of the domestic ice hockey championship, with 73 points in 26 games. Miercurea Ciuc is in second position with 72 points in 30 games. Finally, ACSH Gheorgheni is in third place with 62 points in 31 games.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • RRI Sports Club

    RRI Sports Club

    The Erste Liga international ice hockey league has reached the semi-finals phase. Two teams are representing Romania, and they are actually pitted against each other: SC Miercurea Ciuc and ACSH Gheorgheni. On its way to the semis Miercurea Ciuc defeated DEAC Debrecen of Hungary, with 4 wins in 5 games. In turn the team from Gheorgheni ousted Corona Brasov, the defending Romanian champions, aggregate score 4-3. The tiebreaking game was played in Brasov.



    After its win in the quarterfinals, the team from Gheorgheni had a bad start in the semis, losing the first two games to SC Miercurea Ciuc, both played away from home. On Sunday, Miercurea Ciuc won 4-3 in a match played before an empty stand. On Monday, the team from Miercurea Ciuc won again 3-1. The only spectators allowed in the stands were the regular 900 subscribers, considering the Government has decided to limit to a 1,000 the maximum number of fans that can attend public events, as a measure to limit the spread of COVID-19.



    In the other Erste Liga semi-final, two Hungarian teams are playing: Ferencvaros and Ujpest Budapest. The score is 2-nil for Ferencvaros after the first two games played on Sunday and Monday. Ferencvaros won 6-3 and 3-1, respectively. The next games are slated for Thursday and Friday. The semi-finals are played in the best-out-of-seven-matches system.



    Let us further note that CSM Galati is the leader of the domestic ice hockey championship, with 73 points in 26 games. Miercurea Ciuc is in second position with 72 points in 30 games. Finally, ACSH Gheorgheni is in third place with 62 points in 31 games.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • April 20, 2019

    April 20, 2019

    EASTER Catholic and Protestant Christians are preparing today for the Easter holiday, while Orthodox and Greek-Catholics are getting ready for Palm Sunday. Tonight Roman-Catholic churches are holding the Easter Vigil, the religious service that celebrates the Resurrection of Christ. Also today, on the eve of Palm Sunday, Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers in many parts of Romania organise religious processions to commemorate Christs arrival in Jerusalem prior to the Crucifixion.




    HOLIDAYS In Romania, over 10,000 police and 8,000 gendarmes will be deployed on the Orthodox Palm Sunday and Catholic Easter Sunday, to ensure the safety of the citizens taking part in the events related to these holidays. Traffic police and over 300 radar units will also be on duty, to prevent accidents and to ensure smooth road traffic. Meanwhile, many Romanians working abroad are beginning their Easter visits home, and checkpoints are getting increasingly crowded. Over 4,000 border police will work every day to ensure efficient border controls during this period. The Romanian Border Police has also called on the authorities of Bulgaria, Hungary and the Republic of Moldova to increase the number of staff available in checkpoints, if necessary.




    RESHUFFLING President Klaus Iohannis will announce early next week his decision on the new nominations in the Dancila Cabinet. The Social Democratic Party, the main party in the ruling coalition, has nominated the deputy speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Eugen Nicolicea to replace Tudorel Toader as justice minister. The Social Democrats withdrew their political support for Toader after he refused to pass new controversial changes in the criminal codes, and consequently Tudorel Toader stepped down. The Prime Minister also forwarded to the Presidency the resignations of Rovana Plumb as Minister for European Funds and of Natalia Intotero as Minister for Romanians Abroad. The 2 are running for the European Parliament in the upcoming elections. Nominated to replace them are Deputy Oana Florea, for the Ministry for European Funds, and Senator Liviu Brăiloiu for the ministry in charge of the diaspora. The President has hinted that he disapproves of these proposals. In his opinion, this government reshuffling strengthens what he called “the Social Democrats siege of the judiciary.




    DIPLOMACY Regional and international security and the contribution to the fulfilment of NATOs goals were the main topics approached by the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleşcanu in a meeting with his counterparts from Poland and Turkey in Ankara. The ministers reconfirmed the need for constant efforts in order to efficiently respond to all challenges, wherever they may come from, and to implement the measures regarding the Black Sea region. The participants also agreed to hold meetings with the main representatives of the 3 countries military industries. Teodor Meleşcanu also mentioned the support provided by Romania to its eastern partners—Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine—and to the Western Balkans states. He also said that Romania aims to support these countries in advancing their relations with NATO and the EU.




    CULTURE As part of the 2019 Romania-France Cultural Season, the French Film Festival kicks off today in 10 cities in Romania. Launched in November 2018, in France, the cultural dialogue between the 2 countries continues in Romania with scores of theatre shows, dance performances, concerts, film screenings, literature-related events, exhibitions and debates held in over 30 towns and cities. The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, pointed out that this was an important landmark in the arts and cultural life in Romania and France. The event strengthens the economic, scientific, cultural and social ties between the 2 states. The official closing of the 2019 Romania-France Cultural Season, which overlaps the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will be on July 14, Frances National Day.




    TENNIS Romanias Simona Halep (2 WTA) is playing today in Rouen against Kristina Mladenovic (66 WTA) in the first round of the Fed Cup semi-finals between Romania and France. In the second match of the day, Mihaela Buzărnescu (30 WTA) will take on Caroline Garcia (21 WTA). Three other matches are scheduled on Sunday: Caroline Garcia vs. Simona Halep, Kristina Mladenovic vs. Mihaela Buzărnescu and Caroline Garcia / Kristina Mladenovic vs. Irina Begu / Monica Niculescu. For the second time in history, 46 years apart, Romania is playing a Fed Cup semi-final. Frances performance in this competition is much better: the French tennis players were twice champions, in 1997 and 2003, finalists in 2004, 2005 and 2016, and semi-finalists several times, including last year. Should Romania get past France this weekend, it will play the final in November against the winner of the match pitting Australia against Belarus.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • December 27, 2018 UPDATE

    December 27, 2018 UPDATE

    DEFENCE The Supreme Defence Council convenes in Bucharest on Friday to review the request made by the Defence Minister, Gabriel Leş, regarding the filling of high-level vacancies in the Romanian Army, the Presidency announced. The Defence Minister had previously announced he would not extend Gen. Nicolae Ciucăs term in office as Chief of Staff, due to conclude on December 31st. The latest Supreme Defence Council meeting was held on December 19th, when the Armys procurement plan for 2019 – 2028 was approved, along with the forces and equipment that Romania will deploy next year for missions and operations abroad. 1902 Romanian troops will take part in international operations, which is 127 more than this year, while the Interior Ministry will contribute 759 troops and police to EU, OSCE, NATO and UN missions. Romania will continue to take part in NATOs Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan and will maintain its contribution to Allied operations in the Western Balkans. Also, for the first time, a transport and evacuation helicopter unit will participate in the UN mission in Mali.



    JUDICIARY The Prosecutor General of Romania, Augustin Lazar, says his dismissal as requested by the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader disregards the law and the EU recommendations, and is of a strictly political nature. Lazar argues that Minister Toaders statements and measures are liable to undermine the public confidence in the ability of the judicial system to perform its constitutional role. The Justice Minister had announced he would send President Klaus Iohannis the documents to complete Lazars removal from office, initiated in October. The head of state described the measure as a mistake, and the prosecutor section of the Higher Council of Magistracy did not agree with the dismissal. Lazar, accused by the Justice Minister of professional and managerial underperformance, filed a lawsuit against the decision, which is to be tried by the Supreme Court. The Opposition in Bucharest says that the attempt to dismiss Lazar, after this summer the National Anti-Corruption Directorate chief Laura Codruta Kovesi was also sacked, is a form of political retaliation and a move designed to hinder the fight against corruption.



    BORDER Border police from Romania and the Republic of Moldova will set up joint teams to monitor the common state line. The joint patrols will help improve cooperation in view of combating cross-border crime, the authorities of the 2 states explain. A protocol in this respect was signed on November 22nd in Bucharest, during a joint meeting of the 2 national governments. The Republic of Moldova has a similar agreement signed with its other neighbour, Ukraine.



    HANDBALL Romanias mens handball team is playing against the Czech Republic on Friday, in the semi-finals of the “4 Nations Cup held in Poland. In the other semi-final, the host country is facing Japan. On Saturday the 2 winners will play against each other, and so will the other 2 semi-finalists. After New Years the national team, coached by Spains Manuel Montoya and the Romanian Eliodor Voica will be on a training session in Slovakia, followed by a tournament with Croatia and Netherlands also taking part. The Romanians failed to qualify to the World Championship due in Germany and Denmark next month. The Romanian womens team however has already booked its ticket to next years World Championship in Japan, after finishing 4th in the European Championship in France this month.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • December 14, 2018 UPDATE

    December 14, 2018 UPDATE

    EU SUMMIT – The EU long-term budget, the single market, migration and foreign relations, the Eurozone and Brexit were the key topics discussed in the winter European Council in Brussels, which ended on Friday. In the summit conclusions, the European Council says more needs to be done to ensure that the Single Market provides a solid underpinning for an outward-looking, confident and more autonomous European Union in a challenging global environment. With respect to migration, the EU leaders plead for vigilance on all existing and emerging routes, in particular in view of recent increases on the Western and Eastern Mediterranean routes. President Klaus Iohannis, who represented Romania in the summit, emphasised the importance of the cohesion policy and of the common agricultural policy in the new multi-annual budget framework. On the sidelines of the meeting, the President of Romania held talks with the British PM, Theresa May, to discuss the Brexit deal and the situation of the Romanian community in the UK. Klaus Iohannis mentioned that the withdrawal agreement would be a major element in guaranteeing the rights of those who live, work or study in that country. In turn, Theresa May appreciated the dialogue with President Klaus Iohannis, considering Britains prospective withdrawal from the EU during Romanias presidency of the EU Council, in the first half of 2019.




    SWINE FEVER – African swine fever cases are currently reported in over 300 villages in 18 counties in Romania. The over 1,000 outbreaks affect 18 pig farms, and 500 other cases involve wild pigs. According to the National Veterinary Authority, 12 outbreaks have been closed so far in Satu-Mare County in the north-west, where the virus was first reported in Romania, last July. Veterinary authorities remind citizens that in order to prevent the virus from spreading, all susceptible animals must be culled, and owners will be compensated for their losses in keeping with the relevant legislation. African swine fever is not transmitted to humans, but it has major economic consequences.




    ATTACK – A 4th victim of the shooting in Strasbourg, who had been in a critical state since Tuesday night, died on Friday, Paris prosecutors announced. The perpetrator of the Strasbourg Christmas market attack was shot dead by the police on Thursday night. More than 700 police took part in the extensive manhunt operation.




    SPORTS – Romania Friday night lost the semi-finals of the European Womens Handball Championship to defending Olympic champions Russia, 22-28. The teams star player and leader Cristina Neagu, who is the highest scoring player in the history of the European championships, did not play on Friday, because of an injury in the match against Hungary on Wednesday, which Romania lost. The match for the European bronze is scheduled for Sunday. The national womens handball team has nonetheless ensured their ticket to the World Championship in Japan next year.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Eurovision Romania semi-finals

    Eurovision Romania semi-finals

    The Humans, Teodora Dinu and Dora Gaitanovici on Sunday qualified to the final round of Romania’s national tryouts for the 2018 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was hosted by Sighisoara, a medieval city steeped in history. The previous semi-final was held last week in the salt mine in Turda, one of Romania’s most spectacular tourist objectives. The show was held on the very stage where, 90 years ago, the famous composer, violinist, pianist and conductor George Enescu, performed live. “Thank you! We really want to go to Lisbon and we hope the people will vote for us”, the members of the band The Humans announced after the jury made public their decision to include their song, Goodbye, in the final, adding the audience is in for a surprise for the final to be hosted by Bucharest.



    In turn, Teodora Dinu was happy the jury liked her song, Fly, and said she was very nervous. “I hope to impress the jury in the Grand Final”, she went on to say. Finally, Dora Gaitanovici, who performed a song called “Without You”, was also very excited about making it to the final round and plans to live up to everyone’s expectations. “It will be an even better show than tonight”, the artist said. The band Directia 5 performed on Sunday as an interval act. Each of the six members of the band The Humans specialize in funk-pop-rock. In turn, Teodora Dinu made her debut as a vocalist at the age of five and has so far taken part in over 60 national and international music contests and festivals, winning prizes every time.



    Dora Gaitanovici is studying piano, saxophone and bel canto and is still a high-school student with the “Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu” National College in Buzau. She plans on enrolling with the Music University in Bucharest. Joining Sunday’s winners in the Grand Final, scheduled to take place on February 25 in Bucharest, will be Feli, Alexia & Matei, Jukebox featuring Bella Santiago, Echoes, Eduard Santha, MIHAI, RAFAEL & Friends, Erminio Sinni & Tiziana Camelin, Xandra, Vyros, Claudia Andas and TIRI. This year the national tryouts for the Eurovision Song Contest were held under the slogan “Eurovision unites Romania!” For the first time 60 songs were included in the competition, 12 for each of the five semi-finals.



    Eurovision is being held every year by the European Broadcasting Union, the largest network of public television broadcasters in Europe. Held uninterruptedly for 60 years, the show has become one of the longest-standing and most popular TV shows in the world. Romania’s best performance at Eurovision along the years was achieved in 2005 by Luminita Anghel and the band Sistem, who ranked third, just like Paula Seling and Ovidiu Cernauteanu in 2010. Mihai Traistariu came in fourth at the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest.

  • New format of Romanian tryouts for the Eurovision Song Contest

    New format of Romanian tryouts for the Eurovision Song Contest

    The process of designating Romanias representative in the Eurovision song contest is reaching the finishing stretch. Whereas some countries simply nominate their candidates, Romania has organised, for many years now, national tryouts, signing up local music stars and budding musicians who want to make a good impression on the international music scene.



    This year, the Romanian public television corporation is determined to break all records: in perfect contradiction to the very definition of the word “semifinal (each of the 2 rounds preceding the final stage of a competition), the national television corporation, TVR, has scheduled not two but five shows, in five different locations, in order to select the best finalists. Of a total of 60 pieces in the competition, namely 12 in each semifinal, performed by artists from various generations who have chosen different musical genres, only 15 will qualify into the final to be held in Bucharest on February 25, and only one will represent Romania in Portugal, the host of this years edition of the European song contest.



    Doina Gradea, the President Director General of the public television company, is confident that the competition organised by the institution she runs will be a success:


    Doina Gradea: “TVR wants to give back to Romanians what they want, namely an event in their own cities and towns. This means good music and Romanian talents which go beyond the national stage and perform in international competitions. It also means a lot of hard work, a real, united team, months-long efforts, decisions and joy at the end of each semifinal and of the final. Im sure we will manage to organize the biggest music show.



    Four of the five semi-finals preceding the final have already been held, in Focşani, eastern Romania, Timişoara, in the west, Craiova, in the south and Turda, in the center. Organized on Sunday evening, this last but one semifinal was broadcast live by TVR from the famous Turda salt mine, at a depth of 90m, which is an absolute first in the Eurovision history. The singers stepped onto a stage mounted in a hall room with special acoustics, the Rudolf Mine, which is 42m high, 50m wide and 80m long.



    And while this semifinal was held in a place dating back to the Middle Ages, the Turda salt mine, the last semi-final will be held next Sunday in Sighişoara, also in the center, the only mediaeval citadel in south-eastern Europe that is still inhabited today. Since 1994, when it made its debut at the Eurovision song contest, Romanias best performance was to get third-placed twice. And, just as every year, Romanias representative at the Eurovision will try to do better. It remains to be seen if this is possible in 2018.


    (translated by: Diana Vijeu)