Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Saturday, April 18, 2026, 6:47 p.m. / Updated Saturday, April 18, 2026, 6:52 p.m.
On Saturday there was a surprise result in the “League of Flowers”. Rapid and HC Zalău drew, score 29-29, in the 20th stage.
Zalău, Gheorghe Tadici's team, penultimate in the ranking, produced the shock in Bucharest, managing to get the most important result of this modest season, a point on the field of Rapid, a European Cup team, which, however, did not have a domestic season below expectations.
Zalău, without a victory since September 2025 and after 6 consecutive failures, obtained a point that does not help it much in the economy of the ranking, in a season in which no one is relegated directly to the second echelon.
HC Zalău, draw with Rapid in the “Florir League”
The match in Bucharest started under the sign of balance, but slowly the hosts broke away with two goals. Zalău took the lead at 6-5, but the Giulestenses did not let the guest take the reins of the match and went ahead again on the table.
15-11 was the score at the break, 4 goals ahead for Rapid, a difference that did not prove to be enough for the hosts, who, although they dominated the start of the second half, were tied until the end.
Immediately after returning from the cabins, Rapid scored three goals in a row and broke away at 18-11, but HC Zalău came back.
Ardelence recovered goal after goal and got closer to 23-22 in the 47th minute. Three minutes later, HC Zalău equalized at 24, and the last 10 minutes were dramatic, going head to head.
Rapid led with two goals at one point, 27-25, and in the end HC Zalău had a goal in front, 29-28, after Bălan scored from 7 meters.
Zalău could even leave Bucharest with all the points, but Hesselberg equalized at the last second.
Other matches played on Saturday in the “League of Flowers”:
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CSM Slatina – Minaur Baia Mare
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Brăila Danube – CSM Târgu Jiu
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SCM Craiova – Corona Brasov
Ranking of the “League of Flowers”
Photo: Flashscore.ro
