University of Craiova and Rapid they will face each other tonight, from 20:30, in stage #15 of the Superliga. The match can be watched in liveTEXT format on GSP.ro and will be televised by Prima Sport 1 and Digi Sport 1.
After a 0-0 draw with Metaloglobus, Craiova University raised their spirits in the Romanian Cup, clearly defeating Sănătatea Cluj, score 4-1. Mirel Rădoi's team is trying to regain its rhythm after a tense period in the club.
Rapidly comes to Craiova in great shape. Giulești have four wins in a row and a 4-0 in the Romanian Cup, with CSC Dumbrăviţa. Under the command of Constantin Gâlcă, Rapid aims to continue the good streak and confuse the University of Craiova.
The full schedule and Superliga results HERE!
University of Craiova – Rapid, LIVE at 20:30
University of Craiova – Rapid, the starting teams
University of Craiova (3-5-2): Isenko – Romanchuk, A. Rus, Screciu – Mora, D. Matei, T. Băluță, Cicâldău, Bancu – Al Hamlawi, Baiaram.
Reserves: L. Popescu, Badelj, Stefanovic, Fl. Ștefan, Mogoș, Anzor, Houri, Teles, Crețu, Basceanu, Nsimba, Etim
Coach: Mirel Radoi
Quick (4-2-3-1): Aioani – Manea, Pașcanu, Kramer, Onea (capt.) – Keita, Vulturar – Dobre, Christensen, Petrila – Koljic
Reserves: Stolz – Bolgado, Ciobotariu, Braun, Badescu, Hromada, Grameni, Gojkovic, R. Pop, Micovschi, Baroan, Jambor
Coach: Costel Gâlcă
Stadium: “Ion Oblemenco”
Referee: Bîrsan Marcel
Assistants: Avram Valentin, Bucsi Imre-Laszlo
VAR Referee: Andrei Florin
Assistant VAR: Dove Valentine
UPDATE at 20:10 » The last details to be put in place in Banie before the match
UPDATE at 20:00 » VIDEO. Mihai Mironică and guests analyze at GSP Live Special Craiova – Rapid
The special edition of GSP Live is back tonight with the match between Craiova University and Rapid scheduled for 20:30. Mihai Mironică prefaces the match in Bănie alongside Cornel Frăsineanu, former footballer both at Craiova University and at Rapid, and journalist Alin Buzărin.
UPDATE 20:00 » The atmosphere in the stadium is livening up
Around 10,000 spectators are now inside the stadium, 30 minutes before the starting whistle of the game Craiova – Rapid, the headliner of round number 15 in the Superliga
UPDATE at 19:50 » The players of the two teams came out to warm up
A massive chorus of boos was heard on “Oblemenco” when Gâlcă's players came out to warm up. The football players from Giulești went directly to the fans to greet them. Just like earlier, all the “M**e Steaua” message. And Mirel Rădoi's goalkeepers came out on the field for warm-up.
UPDATE at 19:40 » The first rapidist fans have arrived in Craiova. Gâlcă's goalkeepers came out to warm up
The first supporters of Rapid have also arrived in the arena and are starting to occupy the sector dedicated to the guests. There will be around 2,000 supporters from Giulești on “Oblemenco”.
When the goalkeepers of Rapid came out to warm up, the ultras from Giulești applauded them. They came to greet the gallery and cursed the red-blue rival, “M**e Steaua” heard from the stands.
More and more supporters start to arrive, taking their seats. At this moment, around 3,000 fans are in the stands.
UPDATE at 19:35 » The latest information from Bănie, from GSP reporter Sergiu Alexandru
UPDATE 19:30 » 20,000 supporters are expected at the match
An hour before kick-off, around 300 people are in the stands, while most supporters are still around the arena or on the road. The organizers expect 20,000 fans at the start of the derby. The footballers of the two teams are having friendly talks in the middle of the field, in the foreground being Elvir Koljic, the former player of Olten, in dialogue with Ștefan Baiaram.
UPDATE 19:10 » Fog in Banie before the match
About an hour and 20 minutes before the start of the game on “Ion Oblemenco” it is foggy in Craiova. The first supporters of the University have already entered the stadium, while the footballers of the two teams came out to inspect the playing surface.
UPDATE at 17:40 » The people of Giulești also posted the first images from Bănie
UPDATE at 17:30 » Olteni have published the first images from the locker room
UPDATE at 17:15 » Rapid announced the squad for the trip from Craiova
Approximately three hours before the match, the team from Giulești announced the team that Costel Gâlcă will be based on for the match in Craiova. Andrei Borza, Gabriel Gheorghe, Drilon Hazrollaj, Cristian Ignat, Borisav Burmaz and Diogo Mendes are unavailable.
Rapid announced the squad for the trip from Craiova
UPDATE 17:00 » Schedule of the day before Craiova – Rapid
Craiova University officials have posted Sunday's schedule.
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“17:00 – The mobile store will be present on the esplanade of the arena
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18:30 – The gates of the “Ion Oblemenco” Stadium open
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19:00 – University of Craiova arrives in “Vulcan”
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19:55 – The lions come out for warm-up
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20:25 – “We stick with our team…”
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20:28 – The voices are ready, the team presentation begins
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20:30 – Flags, scarves and scarves up! The battle with FC Rapid begins!”, the people of Olten said on the Facebook page
UPDATE 16:30 » Celebration at Rapid on the day of the match
“Celebration in the Rapidului Family! On derby day, we have the pleasure of celebrating Diana Șucu. Happy birthday to the cherry!”, Giulești officials announced before the match on the Facebook page.
Diana and Dan Șucu / photo: Facebook Rapid
Mirel Rădoi's statements before the University of Craiova – Rapid
It will be a contested match, an intense derby with a great desire on both sides to win. I hope that the home advantage we have had since I have been here, with only one defeat, even against Rapid, will make the game a very good one for us. I also have a very good attack and a very good defense.
Rapid is a very strong opponent, but not the most formidable. We respect him, but until the game starts. Then we will have to look like a team that is home, that is pushed by the fans and that wants to win”
Mirel Radoi, the coach of Craiova
Other information before the University of Craiova – Rapid
- May 2, 2025, Universitatea Craiova-Rapid 1-2 was the only defeat suffered by Olteni in 2025 in the championship at home, the rest 12 wins and four draws.
- Giulești have not lost in the Superleague since March 8, 2025, FC Hermannstadt-Rapid 1-0. Six wins and six draws followed.
- The Bucharest group has the best defense in the championship, 10 goals conceded, of which only two away.
- 13 of the 24 goals scored by Olteni were scored in the second half. On the other side, Rapid is the team with the most goals scored in the first 30 minutes – 10.
- Olteni scored seven goals from set pieces, four of which came from corners.
- Alexandru Dobre scored 13 goals on the first stage in the calendar year 2025, eight of which in the current season. All his successes were from action.
- 13,994 spectators / match was the average of the University of Craiova on its own ground at the end of the 14th stage, the 2nd place in this chapter.
- 31 players used Craiova in the current championship, 14 of whom scored at least one goal and/or an assist.
- Rapid relied on 28 footballers, Kader Keita being the only one to tick all 1260 minutes.
- Since Rapid's return to the main domestic competition in 2021, the two have met in the main domestic competition 14 times, the Craiova team prevailed seven times, the Bucharest team won four games, and three games ended in a draw.
- It should be remembered that the technician Constantin Gâlcă coached the group from Bănie in 2023/24 and 2024/25, his track record on the white-blue bench including 35 games in all competitions – 16 wins – 11 draws – 8 defeats.
The up-to-date ranking from the Superliga
