Tag: Sports Flash

The
Romanian Football Federation is examining the possibility of bringing in a new
headcoach starting this autumn. Edward Iordănescu
could be dismissed following the disappointing results reported in Nations
League, with two defeats to Montenegro and one to Bosnia Herzegovina. The
chairman of the Federation, Răzvan Burleanu,
told a press conference on Wednesday that a meeting of Technical Committee of
the Federation will be scheduled for the end of September. The members will
decide whether to keep Edward Iordănescu
on the bench or to sack him. Romania will play Finland away from home on
September 23, as well as Bosnia Herzegovina on the 26 at home. The results of
these two matches will most likely decide if Iordănescu
stays on.

Marius
Șumudică will be coaching Al-Raed of Saudi Arabia staring next season. Upon
arriving on Otopeni airport on Wednesday, Marius Șumudică admitted to have
signed a six figure contract for two years. In the last three months, Marius
Șumudică trained Al-Shabab, the team finishing the championship in 4th
position, which guarantees qualification to the round of 16 in the Asian
Champions League.

The
Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest on Wednesday passed a law declaring May 4
National Rugby Day. On this day in 1924, Romania’s national team played its
first match at the Paris Olympics. Romania lost to France 61-3, the host team
scoring 13 tries, converting 8 and an additional two penalty kicks. Teodor
Florian scored the points for Romania from penalty kick. Romania then played
the USA, losing 37-0. Romania thus finished 3rd, winning bronze, the
first Olympic medal ever won by Romania. (VP)

The
Romanian Football Federation is examining the possibility of bringing in a new
headcoach starting this autumn. Edward Iordănescu
could be dismissed following the disappointing results reported in Nations
League, with two defeats to Montenegro and one to Bosnia Herzegovina. The
chairman of the Federation, Răzvan Burleanu,
told a press conference on Wednesday that a meeting of Technical Committee of
the Federation will be scheduled for the end of September. The members will
decide whether to keep Edward Iordănescu
on the bench or to sack him. Romania will play Finland away from home on
September 23, as well as Bosnia Herzegovina on the 26 at home. The results of
these two matches will most likely decide if Iordănescu
stays on.

Marius
Șumudică will be coaching Al-Raed of Saudi Arabia staring next season. Upon
arriving on Otopeni airport on Wednesday, Marius Șumudică admitted to have
signed a six figure contract for two years. In the last three months, Marius
Șumudică trained Al-Shabab, the team finishing the championship in 4th
position, which guarantees qualification to the round of 16 in the Asian
Champions League.

The
Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest on Wednesday passed a law declaring May 4
National Rugby Day. On this day in 1924, Romania’s national team played its
first match at the Paris Olympics. Romania lost to France 61-3, the host team
scoring 13 tries, converting 8 and an additional two penalty kicks. Teodor
Florian scored the points for Romania from penalty kick. Romania then played
the USA, losing 37-0. Romania thus finished 3rd, winning bronze, the
first Olympic medal ever won by Romania. (VP)

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep was ousted by Danielle Collins of the US, 7-6, 6-3 in the second round at the WTA tournament in Rome, totaling some 2.5 million USD in total prizes.

In the first round of the tennis tournament in Karlsruhe, Germany, which offers some 92 thousand Euro in prizes, Mihaela Buzărnescu won 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Tatjana Maria of Germany. In the womens doubles, Buzărnescu and Mai Hotama of Japan lost to Iana Sizikova of Russia and Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium, 7-6, 7-6.

In womens boxing, at the World Championships in Istanbul, Claudia Nechita advanced to the second round in the 57-kg category after defeating Szabina Szuc of Hungary, 4-1. In another match in the opening round, Steluța Duță lost to Nitu Nitu of India, 5-0 in the 48-kg category.

In a match counting towards the 25th round of the domestic mens handball championship, Dinamo won the highlight match against Bucharest rivals Steaua, 30-24. At the end of the match, Dinamo was awarded the national trophy and the medals. This is the 18th title Dinamo won in mens handball. The club celebrated 74 years of existence in an event held on its home stadium in Bucharest, attended by officials, former and current athletes. Since it was founded, Dinamo athletes have won 130 Olympic medals, 1,200 medals in World events and 1,700 medals in European competitions.

In news from football, FC Voluntari has qualified to the Romanian Cup final after defeating FC Argeș 1-0 in the return leg of the semi-finals. FC Voluntari had won the first leg 2-0. In the other semi-final, Universitatea Craiova will take on Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe. Sepsi won the first leg 2-1.

Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs has been delegated to the final of Europa Conference League, pitting AS Rome against Feynoord Rotterdam on May 25 in Tirana, Albania. This is the first European final for 37-year-old Kovacs. (VP)

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep was ousted by Danielle Collins of the US, 7-6, 6-3 in the second round at the WTA tournament in Rome, totaling some 2.5 million USD in total prizes.

In the first round of the tennis tournament in Karlsruhe, Germany, which offers some 92 thousand Euro in prizes, Mihaela Buzărnescu won 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Tatjana Maria of Germany. In the womens doubles, Buzărnescu and Mai Hotama of Japan lost to Iana Sizikova of Russia and Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium, 7-6, 7-6.

In womens boxing, at the World Championships in Istanbul, Claudia Nechita advanced to the second round in the 57-kg category after defeating Szabina Szuc of Hungary, 4-1. In another match in the opening round, Steluța Duță lost to Nitu Nitu of India, 5-0 in the 48-kg category.

In a match counting towards the 25th round of the domestic mens handball championship, Dinamo won the highlight match against Bucharest rivals Steaua, 30-24. At the end of the match, Dinamo was awarded the national trophy and the medals. This is the 18th title Dinamo won in mens handball. The club celebrated 74 years of existence in an event held on its home stadium in Bucharest, attended by officials, former and current athletes. Since it was founded, Dinamo athletes have won 130 Olympic medals, 1,200 medals in World events and 1,700 medals in European competitions.

In news from football, FC Voluntari has qualified to the Romanian Cup final after defeating FC Argeș 1-0 in the return leg of the semi-finals. FC Voluntari had won the first leg 2-0. In the other semi-final, Universitatea Craiova will take on Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe. Sepsi won the first leg 2-1.

Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs has been delegated to the final of Europa Conference League, pitting AS Rome against Feynoord Rotterdam on May 25 in Tirana, Albania. This is the first European final for 37-year-old Kovacs. (VP)

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep was ousted from the Mutua Madrid
Open, after losing to Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. For
reaching this stage, the Romanian was awarded a 170 thousand-euro check and 215
WTA points. This was the first tournament for Simona Halep since the start of
the WTA season with her new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, sitting in her box. A
champion in Madrid in 2016 and 2017, as well as a finalist in 2014 and 2019,
Halep has so far won 30 matches in the Madrid Open main draw, being outranked
only be Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in this respect, the Czech player
having won the Madrid Open three times as well as a total of 32 matches.

At the World Women’s Boxing Championships, set to kick off on
Monday, Romania will be represented by five athletes. 40-year-old Steluța Duță
will compete in the 48-kg category. Eugenia Anghel will represent Romania in
the 50-kg category, Lăcrămioara Perijoc in the 54-kg category, Claudia Nechita
in the 57-kg category and finally Alexandra Petcu in the 81-kg category. 398
athletes from 84 countries will take part in a total of 12 categories at the
World Boxing Championships.

May 4 marked 98 years since Romania won its first Olympic medal. At
the 1924 Paris Olympics, Romania’s rugby team scooped bronze. This was the
seventh edition of the Olympic Games, and Romania was represented in four
Olympic events: football, tennis, shooting sport and rugby. A total of three
teams competed in the rugby event: France, the United States and Romania. Our
Romanian players lost to the host team 59-3, and then to the USA 39-0, but
still they went down in history for their achievement.

In news from football, on May 4 Anghel Iordănescu turned 72. As a
player, Iordănescu played for Steaua
Bucharest. In 1986, he won the European Champions’ Cup, both as a player and as
an assistant coach. Three years later, Steaua reached the final again, with Iordănescu this time as
its headcoach. In 1994, while training Romania’s national team, Iordănescu reached the
quarterfinals of the World Cup in the USA. (VP)

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep was ousted from the Mutua Madrid
Open, after losing to Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. For
reaching this stage, the Romanian was awarded a 170 thousand-euro check and 215
WTA points. This was the first tournament for Simona Halep since the start of
the WTA season with her new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, sitting in her box. A
champion in Madrid in 2016 and 2017, as well as a finalist in 2014 and 2019,
Halep has so far won 30 matches in the Madrid Open main draw, being outranked
only be Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in this respect, the Czech player
having won the Madrid Open three times as well as a total of 32 matches.

At the World Women’s Boxing Championships, set to kick off on
Monday, Romania will be represented by five athletes. 40-year-old Steluța Duță
will compete in the 48-kg category. Eugenia Anghel will represent Romania in
the 50-kg category, Lăcrămioara Perijoc in the 54-kg category, Claudia Nechita
in the 57-kg category and finally Alexandra Petcu in the 81-kg category. 398
athletes from 84 countries will take part in a total of 12 categories at the
World Boxing Championships.

May 4 marked 98 years since Romania won its first Olympic medal. At
the 1924 Paris Olympics, Romania’s rugby team scooped bronze. This was the
seventh edition of the Olympic Games, and Romania was represented in four
Olympic events: football, tennis, shooting sport and rugby. A total of three
teams competed in the rugby event: France, the United States and Romania. Our
Romanian players lost to the host team 59-3, and then to the USA 39-0, but
still they went down in history for their achievement.

In news from football, on May 4 Anghel Iordănescu turned 72. As a
player, Iordănescu played for Steaua
Bucharest. In 1986, he won the European Champions’ Cup, both as a player and as
an assistant coach. Three years later, Steaua reached the final again, with Iordănescu this time as
its headcoach. In 1994, while training Romania’s national team, Iordănescu reached the
quarterfinals of the World Cup in the USA. (VP)

Thursday saw the draw for the
Australian Open main draw. Simona Halep, seeded 14th in the
competition, will take on Magdalena Frech of Poland (WTA no. 105) in the first
round. A finalist in 2018 and quarterfinalist last year, Halep, currently
ranked 15th in the world, has only once won against Frech in 2020 in
Prague, 6-2, 6-0. Sorana Cîrstea, world no. 38, will play Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, ranked 21st
in the world. Kvitova leads 5-3 in head-to-head encounters. The two were pitted
against each other in last year’s edition of the Australian Open as well, in
the second round, when Sorana won in three sets. The Romanian has won the last
three matches against Kvitova played on hard court. Irina Begu will play Oceane
Dodin of France (96 WTA) in the first round. Dodin won the previous duel in
2019 in the second round at Wimbledon, at the end of three sets. At her debut
in the Australian Open, Jaqueline Cristian, world no. 73, will play Greet
Minnen of Belgium (84 WTA). Gabriela Ruse, world no. 82, will take on Jasmine
Paolini (WTA no. 52) of Italy. Ruse leads 2-1 in head-to-head with Paolini.
Irina Bara could also reach the main draw should she win the match against
Viktoria Tomova of Bulgaria in the last preliminary phase.

The crowd capacity at the Australian
Open has been limited to 50%, due to the increase in the number of COVID-19
infections and hospitalizations in the region of Melbourne, the government of
Victoria has announced. Face masks will be compulsory for spectators. Last year
saw similar measures, while a five-day lockdown was introduced due to an
alarming increase in the number of cases, which prompted organizers to ban
crowd attendance. On Thursday, 953 patients were hospitalized, a record high,
while over 220 thousand new cases of infection were reported in the state of
Victoria. (VP)

Thursday saw the draw for the
Australian Open main draw. Simona Halep, seeded 14th in the
competition, will take on Magdalena Frech of Poland (WTA no. 105) in the first
round. A finalist in 2018 and quarterfinalist last year, Halep, currently
ranked 15th in the world, has only once won against Frech in 2020 in
Prague, 6-2, 6-0. Sorana Cîrstea, world no. 38, will play Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, ranked 21st
in the world. Kvitova leads 5-3 in head-to-head encounters. The two were pitted
against each other in last year’s edition of the Australian Open as well, in
the second round, when Sorana won in three sets. The Romanian has won the last
three matches against Kvitova played on hard court. Irina Begu will play Oceane
Dodin of France (96 WTA) in the first round. Dodin won the previous duel in
2019 in the second round at Wimbledon, at the end of three sets. At her debut
in the Australian Open, Jaqueline Cristian, world no. 73, will play Greet
Minnen of Belgium (84 WTA). Gabriela Ruse, world no. 82, will take on Jasmine
Paolini (WTA no. 52) of Italy. Ruse leads 2-1 in head-to-head with Paolini.
Irina Bara could also reach the main draw should she win the match against
Viktoria Tomova of Bulgaria in the last preliminary phase.

The crowd capacity at the Australian
Open has been limited to 50%, due to the increase in the number of COVID-19
infections and hospitalizations in the region of Melbourne, the government of
Victoria has announced. Face masks will be compulsory for spectators. Last year
saw similar measures, while a five-day lockdown was introduced due to an
alarming increase in the number of cases, which prompted organizers to ban
crowd attendance. On Thursday, 953 patients were hospitalized, a record high,
while over 220 thousand new cases of infection were reported in the state of
Victoria. (VP)

Wednesday saw
the last highlight match of 2021 in the Romanian First Football League. In round
20, FCSB played Bucharest rivals Rapid. FCSB won 3-1 after an even match.

30,000 fans
attended the match on National Arena Stadium, within the limits set by the
authorities to observe health safety regulations. Tension ran high throughout
the entire game. After the first few minutes of the game, the referee had to
stop the match due to the numerous smoke grenades and other firecrackers thrown
on the pitch by fans of the both sides. Once the spirits calmed down, the game
was resumed. FCSB dominated the first half and opened the score, Florin Tănase with the goal. Rapid evened the odds quickly and was awarded a penalty kick in
extra time, after Risto Radunovic made an illegal tackle against Cristian Săpunaru.
In the second half, on minute 76, Junior Morais was shown a second yellow
booking and was thus sent off. FCSB attacked the 10-men Rapid wave after wave,
and in the third minute of extra time was awarded a penalty kick after a foul
by Săpunaru against Ianis Stoica. Florin Tănase scored, making it 2-1. Once the game resumed, Rapid went all-in on
the offensive, but FCSB capitalized on that and scored on the counter-attack,
Ianis Stoica setting the final score, 3-1.

Let us further
note that, part of round 20, FC Botoșani won 2-1 at home against Gaz Metan
Mediaș, while in Pitșeti, FC Argeș and Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe drew 1-1. Both matches
played on Tuesday, Academica Clinceni versus FC Voluntari and Universitatea Craiova
versus UTA Arad ended in blank draws. On Thursday, Chindia Târgoviște is
playing FCU Craiova, CS Mioveni will take on Dinamo Bucharest while Farul
Constanța will go up against CFR Cluj. CFR continues to top the league tables
with 51 points, followed by FCSB with 46 points. (VP).

Wednesday saw
the last highlight match of 2021 in the Romanian First Football League. In round
20, FCSB played Bucharest rivals Rapid. FCSB won 3-1 after an even match.

30,000 fans
attended the match on National Arena Stadium, within the limits set by the
authorities to observe health safety regulations. Tension ran high throughout
the entire game. After the first few minutes of the game, the referee had to
stop the match due to the numerous smoke grenades and other firecrackers thrown
on the pitch by fans of the both sides. Once the spirits calmed down, the game
was resumed. FCSB dominated the first half and opened the score, Florin Tănase with the goal. Rapid evened the odds quickly and was awarded a penalty kick in
extra time, after Risto Radunovic made an illegal tackle against Cristian Săpunaru.
In the second half, on minute 76, Junior Morais was shown a second yellow
booking and was thus sent off. FCSB attacked the 10-men Rapid wave after wave,
and in the third minute of extra time was awarded a penalty kick after a foul
by Săpunaru against Ianis Stoica. Florin Tănase scored, making it 2-1. Once the game resumed, Rapid went all-in on
the offensive, but FCSB capitalized on that and scored on the counter-attack,
Ianis Stoica setting the final score, 3-1.

Let us further
note that, part of round 20, FC Botoșani won 2-1 at home against Gaz Metan
Mediaș, while in Pitșeti, FC Argeș and Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe drew 1-1. Both matches
played on Tuesday, Academica Clinceni versus FC Voluntari and Universitatea Craiova
versus UTA Arad ended in blank draws. On Thursday, Chindia Târgoviște is
playing FCU Craiova, CS Mioveni will take on Dinamo Bucharest while Farul
Constanța will go up against CFR Cluj. CFR continues to top the league tables
with 51 points, followed by FCSB with 46 points. (VP).

Romanian volley club Arcada
Galaţi has qualified to the CEV Cup round of 16. Although losing on Wednesday 3-2
to Chaumont of France away from home, in the return leg, the Romanian champions
have advanced to the next phase considering they won in the first leg 3-0.
Arcada will next take on United Volleys Frankfurt of Germany, who ousted Dinamo
Bucharest in two legs, both won 3-2. Also in men’s volleyball, let us note
Steaua Bucharest has secured qualification to the Challenge Cup round of 16,
after defeating Lorentzweiler of Luxemburg 3-0 on Wednesday in Bucharest in the
second leg of the round of 32. Steaua had won in the first leg as well, 3-0.

In women’s volleyball, Alba Blaj
on Wednesday defeated PAOK Thessaloniki of Greece away from home, score 3-1, in
the first leg. The Romanian vice-champions won at the end of a two-hour game.
The return leg is scheduled for December 14, in Târgu Mureş,

In the Challenge Cup, CSM Lugoj
took an important step towards qualifying to the quarterfinals. On Wednesday,
they defeated Niederoesterreich Sokol Post of Austria away from home, score 3-0.
The return leg will be played on December 15 in Lugoj. Also close to securing
qualification to the next phase are the volleyballers from CS Medgidia. The
Romanian club defeated Hapoel Kfar Saba of Israel in the first leg, 3-0. The
return leg will be played in Medgidia on December 15.

In news from basketball, the
Romanian club CSM CSU Oradea grabbed its first win in the second phase of the
FIBA Europe Cup group phase, after defeating Benfica Lisbon of Portugal on home
turf, 68-56. In the next fixture, Oradea will travel to Portugal on December 15
to play Sporting Lisbon. (VP)

Romanian volley club Arcada
Galaţi has qualified to the CEV Cup round of 16. Although losing on Wednesday 3-2
to Chaumont of France away from home, in the return leg, the Romanian champions
have advanced to the next phase considering they won in the first leg 3-0.
Arcada will next take on United Volleys Frankfurt of Germany, who ousted Dinamo
Bucharest in two legs, both won 3-2. Also in men’s volleyball, let us note
Steaua Bucharest has secured qualification to the Challenge Cup round of 16,
after defeating Lorentzweiler of Luxemburg 3-0 on Wednesday in Bucharest in the
second leg of the round of 32. Steaua had won in the first leg as well, 3-0.

In women’s volleyball, Alba Blaj
on Wednesday defeated PAOK Thessaloniki of Greece away from home, score 3-1, in
the first leg. The Romanian vice-champions won at the end of a two-hour game.
The return leg is scheduled for December 14, in Târgu Mureş,

In the Challenge Cup, CSM Lugoj
took an important step towards qualifying to the quarterfinals. On Wednesday,
they defeated Niederoesterreich Sokol Post of Austria away from home, score 3-0.
The return leg will be played on December 15 in Lugoj. Also close to securing
qualification to the next phase are the volleyballers from CS Medgidia. The
Romanian club defeated Hapoel Kfar Saba of Israel in the first leg, 3-0. The
return leg will be played in Medgidia on December 15.

In news from basketball, the
Romanian club CSM CSU Oradea grabbed its first win in the second phase of the
FIBA Europe Cup group phase, after defeating Benfica Lisbon of Portugal on home
turf, 68-56. In the next fixture, Oradea will travel to Portugal on December 15
to play Sporting Lisbon. (VP)

As part of the
tennis tournament hosted by Linz, Austria and totaling some 190 thousand Euro
in total prizes, the Romanian-born British player Emma Răducanu lost to Xinyu Wang of China, 6-1,
6-7, 7-5. In the women’s doubles, the pair made up of Mihaela Buzărnescu of Romania
and Katarzyna Piter of Poland lost to the all-Russian pair Natela Dzalamidze/Kamila
Rakhimova, 3-6, 7-5, 10-6 in the quarterfinals.

Romanian athlete
Andreea Beatrice Ana won gold in the 55-kg category at the World Under-23 Wrestling
Championships held in Belgrade. In the final, Ana defeated Viktoria Vaulina of
Russia. In this year’s edition Romania also grabbed a bronze medal, Ştefania
Claudia Priceputu ranking third in the 50-kg category. Maria Larisa Nițu also competed in the 72-kg
category.

SC Miercurea
Ciuc defeated CSM Galați 6-3
in a match in the domestic ice-hockey championship. In a match counting towards
both the national championship and Erste League, Corona Brașov lost to ACSH
Gheorgheni, 7-6. ACSH Gheorgheni tops the league tables with 17 points,
followed by SC Miercurea Ciuc also with 17 points. SC Miercurea Ciuc is the leader
of Erste League with 37 points, followed by ACSH Gheorgheni with 36 points.

Ciprian
Tătăruşanu was dubbed the hero of AC Milan, the Italian media writes after
the Romanian goalkeeper saved a penalty kick taken by Lautaro Martinez in the
1-1 highlight match pitting Milan rivals Inter and AC. Ciprian Tătăruşanu had
very good performances in recent matches for AC Milan, considering the first-team
regular, Mike Maignan, is currently injured. AC Milan is second in the league
tables with 32 points, the same as the leader Napoli.

Former gymnastics
legend Ecaterina Szabo was named honorary citizen of the city of Deva. This
title is like an Olympic medal, the former four-time medalist of the Los
Angeles 1984 Olympics said. (VP)

As part of the
tennis tournament hosted by Linz, Austria and totaling some 190 thousand Euro
in total prizes, the Romanian-born British player Emma Răducanu lost to Xinyu Wang of China, 6-1,
6-7, 7-5. In the women’s doubles, the pair made up of Mihaela Buzărnescu of Romania
and Katarzyna Piter of Poland lost to the all-Russian pair Natela Dzalamidze/Kamila
Rakhimova, 3-6, 7-5, 10-6 in the quarterfinals.

Romanian athlete
Andreea Beatrice Ana won gold in the 55-kg category at the World Under-23 Wrestling
Championships held in Belgrade. In the final, Ana defeated Viktoria Vaulina of
Russia. In this year’s edition Romania also grabbed a bronze medal, Ştefania
Claudia Priceputu ranking third in the 50-kg category. Maria Larisa Nițu also competed in the 72-kg
category.

SC Miercurea
Ciuc defeated CSM Galați 6-3
in a match in the domestic ice-hockey championship. In a match counting towards
both the national championship and Erste League, Corona Brașov lost to ACSH
Gheorgheni, 7-6. ACSH Gheorgheni tops the league tables with 17 points,
followed by SC Miercurea Ciuc also with 17 points. SC Miercurea Ciuc is the leader
of Erste League with 37 points, followed by ACSH Gheorgheni with 36 points.

Ciprian
Tătăruşanu was dubbed the hero of AC Milan, the Italian media writes after
the Romanian goalkeeper saved a penalty kick taken by Lautaro Martinez in the
1-1 highlight match pitting Milan rivals Inter and AC. Ciprian Tătăruşanu had
very good performances in recent matches for AC Milan, considering the first-team
regular, Mike Maignan, is currently injured. AC Milan is second in the league
tables with 32 points, the same as the leader Napoli.

Former gymnastics
legend Ecaterina Szabo was named honorary citizen of the city of Deva. This
title is like an Olympic medal, the former four-time medalist of the Los
Angeles 1984 Olympics said. (VP)