Article by Costi Prună – Published on Monday, 09 March 2026, 13:36 / Updated on Monday, 09 March 2026 13:45
Cristina Vărzaru (46 years old) has been team manager at Rapid Bucharest for about a month, after last November she resigned from CSM Bucharest as a sign of solidarity with coach Adrian Vasile.
Four-time winner of the Champions League, Cristina Vărzaru explained in an interview for GSP why she accepted Rapid's offer, what she found at the Giulești club and what plans she has for the white and cherry team.
Cristina Vărzaru: “Essentially, I haven't changed compared to the season in which I won the title with Rapid!”
– Hello, Cristina! Were you surprised by the offer from the Rapid club?
– I can't say that I was so surprised by the offer from Rapid, but especially by how quickly Vlad convinced me (no. Vlad Andronescu, president of CS Rapid) that this is the natural step for me at this point in my handball career. Our relationship from the position of opponents, keeping the sporting rivalry, was a fair and professional one. I think this approach has helped alleviate a lot of unnecessary tension between CSM and Rapid. Today I am no longer surprised by his power of persuasion – proof that he made me answer these questions as well.
– Why do you think you were offered?
– Probably Vlad Andronescu could best answer this question. I trust that by what I am and what I do I will confirm the expectations.
– Was it difficult for you to accept, because it is like a transfer from Steaua/Dinamo to Rapid?
– I wouldn't make that comparison. Rapid was my first club in Bucharest, and this already provides the necessary context.
– How do you think the fans will receive you, even if you played for 3 years in Giulesti, many are young and identify you with CSM Bucharest?
– The supporters have already received me well. I hope she identifies with the girl who always wanted to win where she was, including in 2003 when she won the title with Rapid, and who basically hasn't changed.
Cristina Vărzaru and Adi Vasile on the bench of CSM Bucharest, photo: Imago
Cristina Vărzaru: “I don't usually do evaluations without a clear unit of measure!”
– How did you find the Rapid team? How would you characterize the band?
– Any comment from me would be a subjective perspective, and I don't usually make assessments without a clear unit of measure. I am at the beginning of the journey and I treat this stage with maximum enthusiasm, focusing exclusively on the present and what I have to do here.
– Why do you think that at this moment, the path in the championship is far from expectations and contrary to the path of success in the European League?
– I came at a good time for the team, which qualified for the European League quarters from first place, and this can only make me happy. It is the merit of the work done so far by the players, staff and management, supported by all Rapidu supporters, and for me it represents a favorable context to build further, with confidence and ambition.
Cristina Vărzaru: “I respect the past and I am grateful for all the experiences I have lived!”
– What feelings tried you at the direct match CSM – Rapid?
– I respect the past and I am grateful for all the experiences I have lived. Wherever I was active, I was 100% involved. All this has shaped me professionally and as a person and gives me today, among other things, including the ability to build bridges between the past and the future. I'm at Rapid now and that's what matters.
– Why did the project (F4 Champions League) fail at CSM? Why did you resign? How do you explain that now CSM has 8 consecutive victories in the Champions League? Did the change of coach matter?
– Answers and reasons have been reported extensively from multiple perspectives and points of view, less so from my perspective. I believe in fairness, and I believe in work, and now, 4 months away, I focus all my energy here.
Cristina Vărzaru: “At Rapid, we work to achieve our goals!”
For the next season, Rapid transferred many players. On paper the team looks stronger. Do you think he can get involved in the title fight? What do you want as a team manager at Rapid?
– The Romanian championship is an extremely strong, competitive one, with numerous teams that aspire to perform both domestically and in Europe. It's a tough competition, across the board, and Rapid are working to be one of those teams that are constantly involved in the fight for important goals.
– For the next season, most of the teams in the Flower League have strengthened. How do you explain these transfers in the Romanian championship? Why do many valuable female players choose to play in the Flower League?
– As I said above, our championship has become a very strong competition at the European level. There are many teams with big budgets, with ambitious goals, and bringing in top players has helped raise the level of competition. Naturally, the best players choose strong championships, with teams constantly aspiring to national and European trophies.
Cristina Vărzaru: “I don't answer questions that can fuel controversy!”
– In April there will be elections at the FRH, and you were the general secretary of the federation. How would you characterize handball in Romania? Has the current management done anything good in the last 4 years? Would you give him another mandate for the next 4 years?
– I don't usually answer questions that can fuel controversies, I don't think they help Romanian handball or serve a constructive purpose.
After 16 stages, in the championship, Rapid is in 6th place, with 15 points, obtained from 7 wins and a draw. The team is also qualified for the quarter-finals of the Romanian Cup, where they will play against SCM Craiova.
In European cups, Rapid won Group C of the EHF European League and will play for a place in the Final Four tournament with Danish side Viborg.
