Article by Romeo Ene, Carmen Dumitru – Published Saturday, February 14, 2026, 08:22 / Updated Saturday, February 14, 2026 08:25
Union Slobozia is preparing to host the first ever match at night, in the Superliga. On January 22, the team coached by Claudiu Niculescu (49 years old) will receive the visit of the University of Craiova, starting at 20:00, and the game will mark a first in the history of the club.
At the beginning of 2026, Slobozia returned to the “1 Mai” stadium, but played the matches against UTA Arad, Hermannstadt and Farul at lunchtime, so there was no need for the night installation.
This aspect will change in the match against Olten, which is why the Ialomi team prepared in advance and staged their night.
PHOTO. The “1 Mai” stadium in Slobozia, ready to organize the first match in history at night
Initially, Slobozia had to return to Clinceni for the match with Craiova, in the context in which the night installation was not installed. The situation was resolved in the end, and the duel will be played on the “1 Mai” arena.
This necessity cost Slobozia around 400,000 euros. The images of the moments leading up to the one in which the nocturnal installation was installed are relevant in this respect.
The first match played at the “1 Mai” stadium took place on January 17, when Unirea lost the home match against UTA Arad, score 1-2.
Andrei Prepelita & Jean Vlădoiu were replaced after the failure in Ploiesti with Petrolul (0-1). and Niculescu debuted with a win last season, 2-1 at home against Farul. Until the match with Craiova, Slobozia travels to Dinamo's field on Monday.
The Ialomiites are currently in 14th place in the Superliga, second from the playoffs, with 24 points after 26 stages, 7 more than Hermannstadt, the first relegable place holder.
There were three very important points with Farul, we have an extremely difficult program ahead of us, but I am confident. And Dinamo's morale is good, they are the same, we must be organized from all points of view and make as few mistakes as possible.
I have confidence and I have the conviction that we can return with a good result from Bucharest.
– Claudiu Niculescubefore Dinamo – Unirea Slobozia
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