Romania round-up: Joy for Oradea
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Article summary
FC Oradea have been promoted at FC Otelul Galati's expense after the conclusion of the Romanian play-offs.
Article body
Top-flight return
In the second-leg of their tie, Oradea were 3-1 winners thanks to a golden goal from Bogdan Vrajitorarea 25 seconds into extra time. Otelul had won 2-1 in the first leg but today's defeat means they are relegated to the second division for the first time in 12 years, exactly the length of time that Oradea have been out of the top flight.
Hat-trick hero
In front of 20,000 fans, Oradea went behind after just 26 minutes, when Viorel Tanase scored with a 25-metre free-kick. Otelul then had two more chances to score but were made to pay for their profligacy in the 71st minute when Vrajitoarea equalised with a low shot. He then added his second with a header nine minutes later to send the match into extra time, where he would complete a memorable hat-trick.
No problem
In the day's other match, FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara, who finished one place below Otelul in the regular season, had no such worries. They preserved their top-flight status by winning 3-1 at Gloria Buzau to seal an 8-4 aggregate success. Captain Florin Constantinovici, opened the scoring with a header, before second-half goals from Romulus Buia and Calin Zanc made certain of victory. Gloria, who had Silviu Dobozi sent off in the 34th minute, did manage a late consolation through Dumitru Gheorghe but it was to no avail.
