Moldova to beat the freeze

Wicked weather
Although the cold, wet weather has taken its toll over the winter break, the football authorities are keen to get things under way again, with clubs given special permission to make alternative arrangements. Moldovan Football Association president Pavel Ciobanu has therefore said that clubs can use their training facilities to stage matches - even if the surfaces are artificial - until 14 April, by when it is hoped most pitches will be playable.

Busy clubs
The eight First Division clubs have been busy during the recess, with the top three - FC Sheriff, FC Nistru Otaci and CSF Zimbru Chisinau - all either changing coach or appearing likely to do so in the near future.

Barisev departs
Despite having guided Nistru to second place going into the winter break, coach Victor Barisev surprisingly left the club to replace Alexandr Matiura at fourth-placed FC Tiraspol. Alexandr Spiridon has subsequently taken charge at Nistru, and faces the challenge of trying to overhaul leaders and reigning champions Sheriff - who are three points clear.

Rednic discussions
Third-placed Zimbru are allegedly in talks with Romanian coach Mircea Rednic with a view to reviving their fortunes, but the real action has been at Sheriff where 44-year-old Belarussian Leonid Kuchuk has stepped up from the youth team to succeed Ukrainian Ihor Nakonechny as head coach.

Sheriff signings
The new man has dipped into the transfer market, signing Georgian Under-21 international midfield player Teymuraz Burnadze from FC Lokomotiv Tbilisi, 24-year-old Ukrainian defensive midfield player Eugeni Shiman from FK Sistema-Boreks Borodyanka, and the Tiraspol duo of 33-year-old Serghey Belous and 21-year-old Alexandr Bichkov.

Departing players
Sheriff have also transfer-listed Moldovan international defender Ion Testimitanu while midfield player Vadim Boret has joined Barisev at Tiraspol, as the latter club look to close the eleven-point gap distancing them from the leaders.

Title defenders
Sheriff have successfully defended their title twice since taking it from Zimbru in the 2000/01 season. However, it seems that Nistru may yet provide them with a race for the championship as the Otaci side chase a first-ever league crown.