Article by Andrei Crăiţoiu – Published on Thursday, 02 April 2026 22:35 / Updated on Thursday, 02 April 2026 22:35
Former Craiova University player, Pavel Badea recalls, with humor and nostalgia, the intense episodes of his career: from the famous “Serial Criminal” title that appeared after a heated derby with FCSB, to the match of his life, when he scored twice in an archipelago stadium.
The former midfielder spoke on “Prietenii lui Ovidiu”, a show moderated by Ovidiu Ioanițoaia, about the special bond between Craiova and the supporters, explaining why the passion of the stands in Bănie remains a landmark of Romanian football.
– You were, at one point, a “serial killer”.
– Yes, I was a coach and player at Craiova and I committed a foul in the match against FCSB, as if against Falemi, the coach was Victor Pițurcă. It was Steaua at the time, in 2004. Your newspaper, Gazeta Sporturilor, in the Bucharest edition, gave a headline “Serial Criminal”. I was generally the cashier, not the hitter. It was probably thought to attract this name at the time. I called you and told you that Passaris was jealous of me, that at the time it was “Passaris's Murder”. He wasn't on the front page, I got to be on the front page!
– Of all the matches you have played, which do you think is the match of your life?
– During the Craiova period, I can say that the match in Craiova when we played with Steaua and beat 2-0 and scored two goals. I had the tape and I converted it to CD and have it as a keepsake. There were over 35,000 people at the match. That is probably my most important match.
Pavel Badea
– In Craiova, people used to come to the match earlier than they do now.
– I remember the moment when Gigi Nețoiu left with the team in 2002 from Craiova to Dinamo. We rebuilt the team from scratch. In the fall of 2002 we played with Steaua, later FCSB, and we had 35,000 people in the stadium and another 15,000 outside. We stated at the time that we had to play on Saturday and Sunday, to play two games.
– Don't they come less now?
– Because in recent years, other weekend options have appeared. However, the average number of supporters is the highest in the country in Craiova. Craiova University sends messages and they are perceived by the community because of the love they have for the football team.
