The coffin of Mircea Lucescu, also placed today at the National Arena » Ilie Bolojan paid tribute to “Il Luce”

Mircea Lucescu died on April 7, at the age of 80. He will be buried on Friday, at the Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest, with military honors. On Wednesday, April 8, the coffin with the body of “Il Luce” was laid in the National Arena at around 16:00, and by 20:00 thousands of people were at the stadium to pay their respects to the football legend.

UPDATE at 10:15. The first members of Craiova Maxima have arrived

As they announced, the former great players of Craiova University made their appearance at Mircea Lucescu's coffin. Rodion Cămătaru, Aurel Țicleanu and Silviu Lung Sr. were the first representatives of Craiova Maxima to arrive at the Arena, around 10:15.

UPDATE at 10:05. Ilie Bolojan, tribute to Mircea Lucescu

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also arrived at the stadium to say goodbye to Mircea Lucescu. He greeted Răzvan Lucescu and exchanged a few words with PAOK's coach.

“I am here as a sign of respect for the work of a man with an impressive career. May God rest him,” Bolojan said as he left.

UPDATE at 10:03. The first people started to enter the Arena

The first people started to enter the stadium. Those who came to pay tribute to Mircea Lucescu are greeted by Răzvan Lucescu and Matei, his son.

UPDATE at 10:00. Ilie Bolojan, also waiting at the stadium

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan will also arrive at the stadium around 10 o'clock. A wreath from the Government is already placed next to the coffin. The Prime Minister will arrive, stay with the family for a few minutes, and then leave.

UPDATE at 9:57. Răzvan Lucescu arrived at the Arena

Shortly before the opening of the access gates for the general public, Răzvan Lucescu also arrived at the National Arena, a few minutes after his son, Matei.

PAOK's coach will stand next to Mircea Lucescu's coffin again, as he did on the first day of the vigil.

The second day of vigil at the National Arena for Mircea Lucescu

Today, Thursday, public access to the Arena is open for 10 hours. Among those who will be present at the stadium, to say goodbye to “Il Luce”, are Bogdan Stelea, Florin Răducioiu, Șețe Moraru, Costel Orac, Lică Movilă, the members of Craiova Maxima, the delegations of the teams Rapid, Dinamo, FCSB, Shakhtior, Dinamo Kiev, but also the ultras from Peluza Cătălin Hîldan.

On Friday, the funeral cortege will move to the place of worship, where the funeral service will begin at 10:00. Participation in the church is strictly limited to family and close guests, FRF announces. The last stage of the ceremony will take place starting at 12:20.

The moment of burial will be preceded by military honors, thus recognizing the special merits of the late coach. At 13:10 the actual burial will take place. According to the wishes of the family, the access of the general public will be restricted within the cemetery, the area being delimited exclusively for the restricted circle of relatives.

Images from the first day of vigil for Mircea Lucescu

Mircea Lucescu, a legendary career in football

• Mircea Lucescu took his first steps in football at Dinamo Bucharest, the team with which he has spent most of his career. He also performed at Știința Bucharest and Corvinul Hunedoara.

• As a player, he won 7 championship titles and a Romanian Cup, all with Dinamo.

• Throughout his coaching career, he trained Corvinul, the Romanian national team, Dinamo, Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana, Rapid, Inter, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Shakhtior, Zenit, the Turkish national team and Dinamo Kiev.

• He won 36 trophies in his career as a technician: 9 times the championship of Ukraine, 8 times the Ukrainian Cup, 7 times the Ukrainian Supercup, 3 times the Romanian Cup, 2 times the Romanian championship, 2 times the Turkish championship, as well as the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup, the Russian Super Cup and the Anglo-Italian Cup.