Romania round-up: Rapid seize top spot

FC Rapid Bucuresti went top of the Romanian first division on goal difference on Sunday thanks to a 3-1 defeat of FC Universitatea Craiova.

Universitatea unstuck
Previously unbeaten, Universitatea were Divizia A leaders before the game but second-half goals from Marius Maldarasanu and two late strikes from Daniel Niculae negated Marius Sava’s opener.

National march on
Third-placed FC National Bucuresti, who defeated SC Heerenveen 3-0 in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, continued their winning form when they beat FC Brasov 1-0 away, the decisive goal coming from Gigel Coman on 14 minutes.

Overnight leaders
FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara had temporarily gone to the summit on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat of CF Gloria Bistrita 1922. Romeo Stancu, on 28 minutes, and Cristian Silvasan, on 76, hit the decisive goals with Cristian Turcu striking for the visitors.

God-given inspiration
FCM Bacau, meanwhile, could only manage a scoreless draw with FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt after last season’s top scorer, Catalin Cursaru, was denied two first-half penalties by goalkeeper Radu Lefter. "God gave me the inspiration to save these penalty kicks," the shot-stopper declared.

Dinamo and Farul win big
Elsewhere, FC Dinamo Bucuresti beat FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti 3-0 with goals from Cosmin Barcauan and Ionel Danciulescu hitting twice, while Otelul Galati edged past FC UTA Arad 2-1; Catalin Tofan and Mihai Gurita on target after the break. Ionut Badescu, Vasile Cristocea and Liviu Mihai inspired FC Farul Constanta to a 3-0 victory over CF Sportul Studentesc and, finally, Astra Ploiesti edged out FC Steaua Bucuresti 1-0 courtesy of Marian Aliuta's 57th-minute penalty.