University of Craiova and Sparta Prague they meet from 19:45, in the 5th stage of the unique group of the Conference League. The match is liveTEXT at GSP.ro and live on Digi Sport 1 and Prima Sport 1.
The Oltenians need at least a draw to secure their qualification for the play-off for the eighth, but they are in a position from which they can even hope for a direct qualification for the eighth.
The starting teams in Craiova – Sparta Prague
University of Craiova: Isenko – Romanchuk, Rus, Badelj – Mogoș, Al. Crețu, Anzor, Teles – Cicâldău – Etim, Baiaram
Reserves: Lung Jr., L. Popescu, Fl. Ștefan, Al Hamlawi, Houri, Stevanovic, Băsceanu, Matei, Muntean, Nsimba
Coach: Filipe Coelho
Sparta Prague: Vindahl – Sevinsky, Sorensen, Vydra – Preciado, Mannsverk, Kairinen, Rynes – Mercado, Rrahmani, Haraslin
reserves: Surovcik, Suchomel, Kaderabek, Eneme, Kuchta, Birmancevic, Sailek, Panak, Milla, Zeleny, Kuol, Penxa
Coach: Brian Priske
Stadium: Ion Oblemenco
Referee: Jasper Vergoote (Belgium). ASSISTANT: Michele Seeldraeyers, Michael Geerolf (both Belgium). VAR referee: Jan Boterberg (Belgium). Assistant VAR: Bert Put (Belgium)
UPDATE 19:10. Craiova's players came out to warm up
Craiova's players came out to warm up. Thickly dressed, with hats and gloves, they try to protect themselves from the cold in Bănie. It is still foggy, but at the moment there are no signs that the match will be postponed.
UPDATE 18:27. When the match would be played in the event of a postponement
As the dense fog does not seem to lift, there is a possibility that the game will not be played today. In this case, the game would be rescheduled for Friday at 17:00. Sparta Prague would not be the first postponement, it happened before in the game with Rijeka.
UPDATE 18:25. The fans were scared by the fog
There are still not many people around the stadium, about an hour and 15 minutes before kick-off. Around 24,000 fans were expected, but many were scared off by the weather conditions and the uncertainty surrounding this match.
UPDATE 18:20. The players of the two teams arrived at the stadium
“The two teams arrived at the stadium simultaneously. The Oltenians got off the bus first, encouraged by some very vocal supporters. “Come on, lions, come on, boys, do a miracle.” Most of them greeted the nearby fans, including Lusita technician Filipe Coelho. Later, the Czechs also got off, who came with two buses.
“We hope he plays today,” say people around the team.
UPDATE 18:17. The umpiring brigade went out to inspect the turf
The Belgian referee brigade came out to inspect the pitch, before the players also entered the field.
UPDATE 18:15. The dense fog did not lift
An hour and a half before the match, it is still foggy in Craiova. Visibility remains low, conditions have not improved in the last hour.
UPDATE 17:00. Major problems in Craiova, dense fog covered the city
Major problems in Craiova! UEFA officials panicked. In five minutes the whole city was covered with an extremely dense fog. Visibility is extremely low, up to 100 meters. There are huge problems for the transmission at the moment.
UPDATE 15:45. The VAR system has been installed. The last tests are done
UEFA officials are already at the stadium in Craiova. This morning there was an operational meeting attended by the representatives of the two teams. The TV broadcast car has been installed and is operational, as is the VAR system.
Craiova University approaches the duel with Sparta Prague seriously weakened due to numerous unavailability. Specifically, coach Filipe Coelho is missing no less than 5 top players.
Vladimir Screciu is injured, Tudor Băluță underwent appendicitis surgery, Costa Rican Carlos Mora has a muscle tear, Mihnea Rădulescu is operated on, and Nicușor Bancu is suspended.
The full Europa League and Conference League schedule
Craiova University – Sparta Prague, live from 19:45
- For live and statistics, click HERE
Filipe Coelho: “We will try to give our best”
Filipe Coelho commented on the situation in the pre-match press conference: “We didn't have much time to prepare this match, it's normal, but we are ready to make a big match tomorrow. We will try to give our best, I trust the players.
Injuries are part of football, obviously we always want to have all the players available, but this is the reality now, so we will work and try to get the best result possible. We no longer have to look at what was, we have to focus on what will come, the most important thing is what we will do now. It is a new match, different dates and we will try to give our best”.
Standings in the only group in the Conference League
