Article by Ionuţ Coman – Published Saturday, January 10, 2026, 5:44 p.m. / Updated Saturday, January 10, 2026, 5:52 p.m.
Farul Constanța, the team coached by Ianis Zicu (42 years old), lost the first friendly of the winter, against Cerno More Varna, score 1-2.
After a first week of training at their own sports base, from the Hagi Academy in Ovidiu, Farul Constanța played the first friendly match of the winter on Saturday. The Constantinians received a visit from their traditional opponent, Cherno More Varna, a Bulgarian team ranked 4th in the neighboring country's first league.
The game, held on one of the training grounds, took place over four 30-minute halves.
Farul, defeat in the first friendly of the winter
The white and blue opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, through captain Ionuț Larie, who converted a penalty kick, awarded after a foul on Jakub Vojtus.
The Bulgarians restored parity in the 56th minute through Assen Chandarov and took the lead in the 72nd minute after goalkeeper Alexandru Buzbuchi saved Emanuil Nygolov's shot.
Despite numerous chances at both goals, the score remained unchanged until the end, with the visitors winning 2-1.
The first two halves: Buzbuchi – Maftei, Tîru, Larie, Furtado – Dican, Vînă, Ramalho – Grigoryan, Vojtus, Tănasă.
The third half: Buzbuchi – Sîrbu, Larie, Duțu, Furtado – Banu, Vână, Radaslavescu – Ișfan, Iancu, Marincean. Along the way D. Barbu entered.
The fourth half: D. Barbu – D. Sîrbu, Gustavo, Pellegrini – Bani, Radaslavescu, Goncear – Doicaru, Iancu, Ișfan. Along the way, Telehoi also entered.
Ganea, Cojocaru, Constantinescu, all recovering from injuries, Munteanu, Sima, Nikolov, Markovic and Seruca, caught cold, could not be used due to medical problems.
On Sunday, from 12:00, Farul will play the second and last test match before the resumption of the championship, with FC Botoșani, at the National Football Center in Buftea.
Ianis Zicu's team finished 2025 in 10th place, with 27 points, 6 behind Oțelul Galati, the last place in the play-off. In the first match of 2026, they will receive a visit from Hermannstadt, on January 17.
