Steaua success stops the rot

By Paul-Daniel Zaharia

FC Steaua Bucuresti are finally relaxing after securing their 22nd Romanian championship on the last day of the Divizia A season.

One-point advantage
Steaua had not won the league for four years and finished with 63 points, one more than closest rivals FC Dinamo Bucuresti, who were double winners last season. Dinamo at least were able to reclaim the Romanian Cup and will therefore meet Steaua in the 2005/06 Super Cup on 31 July.

European ambitions
Under the guidance of Walter Zenga, Steaua had led the way since the tenth round on 30 October, and their success in progressing to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup suggests they can look forward to trying to reach the UEFA Champions League from the second qualifying round this year.

Zenga sacked
Dinamo won more league games than Steaua, and three sides scored more goals than the champions, but the title-winners based their success on a solid defence, conceding just 18 goals in 30 matches. However, a run which saw eleven points dropped in six league games led to Zenga's dismissal as coach and the task of steering the team home for the last three matches fell to Dumitru Dumitriu.

Capital strength
The title has not been out of the capital since 1991 and Bucharest sides dominated the domestic scene once again, the UEFA Cup qualifying slots going to Dinamo and third-placed AFC Rapid Bucuresti, who knocked FC National Bucuresti into fourth. Even top-flight newcomers FC Sportul Studentesc managed a top-half finish.

Rapid results
Given the strength of the capital clubs, Rapid's undefeated record in derbies was some feat. The boost of home wins against Steaua, Dinamo, National and Sportul Studentesc and draws in each of the return games was only hampered by a disappointing away record elsewhere.

Surprise package
Petre Grigoras's FC Farul Constanta came within a whisker of qualifying for Europe as they finished fifth to cement their status as the season's surprise package. Had Dinamo won the league, they would have qualified for the UEFA Cup as Romanian Cup runners-up.

41-year stay
FC Universitatea Craiova's 41-year stay in the top flight came to an end along with those of FC Apulum Alba Iulia and FC Brasov. The relegated trio will be replaced by FC Vaslui, Pandurii Targu Jiu and CS Jiul Petrosani when the new campaign begins on 6 August.