Cup joy for Rapid

FC Rapid Bucuresti have deservedly won the Romanian FA Cup final with a 2-1 victory over league champions FC Dinamo Bucuresti.

Double blow
Rapid's success was their first in the competition for four years, and meant Dinamo had lost the chance to claim the cup for the third year in the row as well as missing out on a famous double.

Two men off
The game itself was a physical affair, with both teams ending up with ten men after a 36th minute fracas involving virtually all the players on the pitch. Rapid captain Adrian Iencsi and Dinamo's top scorer Claudiu Niculescu were sent off, the former for a late foul, the latter for retaliating.

Limited options
The dismissals appeared to disrupt Dinamo more than Rapid, with their attacking options severely limited by the loss of their star striker. Their goalkeeper Bogdon Lobont was in fine form but Rapid always looked likely to score at some point.

Terrific save
They had to wait until the 73rd minute before they broke the deadlock. Razvan Rat crossed from the left and Robert Ilyes sent a great header towards the goal. Lobont made a terrific save but Marius Maldarasanu followed up to give Rapid the lead. Daniel Pancu made the game safe for Rapid with a superb solo goal five minutes from time. Ionel Danciulescu earned his side a last-gasp consolation with a header from a free-kick.

European action
Dinamo as champions will play in the second qualifying round of next season's UEFA Champions League, while Rapid and FC National Bucuresti will compete in the UEFA Cup.