Romanian giants to renew cup rivalry

FC Dinamo Bucureşti and FC Steaua Bucureşti will be looking to end barren spells when they meet in the Romanian Cup final for the first time since 1990 on 25 May.

Romania's two most successful clubs have been starved of silverware in recent years, but one will add to an impressive list of honours by winning the 73rd edition of the Romanian Cup in Brasov. Dinamo have clinched 18 domestic titles yet they last tasted glory in the league in 2006/07 and picked up the most recent of their 12 Romanian Cups in 2005. 

Meanwhile, Steaua, who are targeting a record 20th cup crown in their first final appearance since 1999, won the last of their 23 league championships in 2005/06 – it is an almost unprecedented drought for both sides.

This will be the 11th time the capital sides have competed in the Romanian season's showpiece, with Steaua winning five of the previous meetings to Dinamo's four (the 1988 trophy was not awarded). The games have often been high-scoring affairs: Dinamo clinched their first final against Steaua 5-3 in 1964 and also won the most recent encounter 6-4 some 21 years ago. 

Dinamo will be slight favourites having won the last four league meetings between the sides. Indeed, Steaua's last success over Dinamo dates back to November 2007. Dinamo have also been more convincing en route to the final, defeating CF Gloria 1922 Bistrița 7-1 in their two-legged semi-final, while Steaua edged past FC Brașov on away goals. However, Steaua can count on one positive omen: the last time the final took place in Brasov, in 1989, they defeated Dinamo 1-0.