Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Friday, December 12, 2025, 9:35 p.m. / Updated Friday, December 12, 2025, 9:44 p.m.
Former striker Ionel Ganea (52 years old) organized the first edition of the “Ioan Alexandru Ganea” Memorial, an event organized in memory of his son, who died 6 months ago at the age of only two.
The football event took place on Friday, in the Sports Hall of the “Radu Negru” National College in Făgăraș, and it was an archipelago. 4 old-boys teams took part: Nitramonia Făgăraș, Chimia Victoria, FC Brașov and a team composed of former internationals.
Dănuț Lupu, Iosif Rotariu, Eugen Trică, Marian Aliuță, Dumitru Stângaciu, Ciprian Marica or Miodrag Belodedici were among the important names that took part.
Dănuț Lupu: “I was coming to the event organized by Ionel Ganea even if he didn't invite me”
“We're here because Ionel made this tour in memory of his son. I'm glad he invited me. Even if he didn't invite me and I knew about this tour, I still came. It's normal to be with our colleagues when they have problems, not only when they're fine.
I don't think we can say it's better, but we're glad we made him smile at least. I don't think you can be happy if what happened to him happens to you.
These matches are only demonstrative. We are glad that there were so many children in the hall. I was surprised that, in Bucharest, the children don't really know who we are anymore. I am very serious! Here, even if they were told, I'm glad that people came and said: 'Nenea Lupu, give me an autograph,'” said Dănuț Lupu, according to sport.ro.
Iosif Rotariu also spoke about the tragedy the Ganea family went through:
“It's hard for me to find words. I know what Ionel is going through. I'm with him and I always will be. I've been through hard times too, but Ionel's are very hard, not hard. I'm very happy that I was able to come from Timișoara for Ionel and that I saw a hall full of smiling children who have sincere joy. It's a feeling I can't describe in words. I haven't seen this emulation from Făgăraș for a very long time.
I can't put myself in Ionel's situation. It is very difficult for anyone to give him advice at such times. It's tough. It will be very difficult. I know how I'm going, and I'm already an age, my wife was an age, but it's very difficult for him.
I will always be with Ionel. As long as he will be involved in sports activities and exercise, probably in time he will be able to break away from the reality that is and try to go easy, easy. I give him a piece of advice: to do as much sport as possible, to be engaged in such charity competitions”.
