Capital gains in Romania

By Paul-Daniel Zaharia

The Romanian Divizia A campaign got underway at the weekend, with Bucharest's three leading clubs all enjoying winning starts.

Dica decisive
Reigning champions, and winners of the league a record 22 times, FC Steaua Bucuresti opened their season with a 1-0 win in heavy rain at FC Arges Pitesti thanks to a sensational 30-metre free-kick from Nicolae Dica. The result was ideal preparation for Oleg Protasov's side as they take on Rosenborg BK in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday, though goalscorer Dica will be absent through suspension.

Dinamo storm
Romanian cup holders FC Dinamo Bucuresti, who finished just a point adrift of Steaua in second place last season, signalled their intentions for the season with a resounding 4-1 win at CF Otelul Galati, their first win in Galati for ten years. Otelul have had a turbulent month after a lucrative investment deal fell through before former CFR Cluj coach Aurel Sunda replaced Mohai Stoichita at the helm after the latter stepped down to become head coach of the Kuwait national side.

Newcomers defeated
Fellow UEFA Cup hopefuls FC Rapid Bucuresti ensured FC Vaslui's first game in the top-flight ended in defeat, thanks to a 1-0 scoreline. Vaslui were not the only newcomers to suffer an opening-day defeat as CS Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu suffered a 2-1 reverse by FC Farul Constanta, while CS Jiul Petrosani lost 2-0 to FC Gloria 1922 Bistrita.

Steaua showdown
Outside the capital, FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara, who have high hopes of a good season after investing heavily in player's during the close season, claimed a convincing 3-0 win at home against FC CS Politehnica Iasi. Poli AEK will face a truer test of their credentials in the third round of fixtures when Steaua travel to the Dan Paltinisan stadium.

Munteanu joy
Dorinel Munteanu's first league game in charge of Cluj ended in a 1-1 draw at CF Sportul Studentesc. Cluj are expected to challenge for European places this season after their impressive feats in this year's UEFA Intertoto Cup, which has seen them reach the final. Finally, FC National Bucuresti overcame FCM Bacau with a 1-0 win.