Article by Alexandru Barbu, Daniel Grigore – Published Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:09 p.m. / Updated Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:09 p.m.
Experienced journalist Ovidiu Ioanițoaia (80 years old), director of Gazeta Sporturilor, commented Romanian Cup semifinal between Dinamo and Craiova University. After 1-1 in the 120 minutes of play, the Olten team decided the match on penalty kicks.
This means that the final of the Romanian Cup, the 2025/2026 edition, will be U Cluj – Craiova University. Transylvania won their semi-final also on penalty kicks, also away, also after 1-1 in the 120 minutes of play, against FC Argeș.
For this reason, Ovidiu Ioanițoaia concluded that “the semi-finals were like two drops of water. The second ended after the execution of penalties and after extra time, the away team won again, which was theoretically the favorite, and we will have a final University against University”.
“The matches were very balanced, although not of an out-of-the-ordinary technical level. The show came more from the fact that the result was in question until the last moment, evidenced by the fact that Craiova University managed to equalize only in the 118th minute. But the best football was not played.
On the one hand, it is a special stake. On the other hand, we are coming to the end of the season and the season blames it too. It was especially seen at Dinamo yesterday. After the 105th minute, they were barely standing, they looked like a tired team.
But all in all, Craiova controlled the game. I think he deserved to qualify, but we have to take into account that Dinamo not only gave a great response, but also had bad luck… To score in the 118th minute and lose two starters in the first half hour, Mărginean and Opruț”, added the experienced journalist.
Ovidiu Ioanițoaia, conclusions after Dinamo – Craiova: “Several players disappointed, especially Pușcaș”
The director of GSP believes that some players of Dinamo did not rise to the level of the coach. And he wanted to single out George Pușcaș:
“I heard you praise Kopic. I praised him all the time. And yesterday he played smart, but unfortunately there were a few players who disappointed, especially Pușcaș. Of course, we must show understanding towards Pușcaș, who has no continuity. He's been away for so long, he's not used to the Romanian championship, but his adjustment period is inexplicably getting longer.
Yesterday he didn't manage to hold on to any ball, he didn't represent any kind of danger for Craiova's box. He came for a month. Why did they bring him to play in the next championship?
2-3 times he was on the verge of escaping and was clearly overtaken by his direct opponent. If you are top, have 46 caps and 11 goals in the national team, I expect you to win at least one duel 1 vs 1. He won none! (…)
I expected more from Cîrjan, although after Pop's huge miss, the cross came from him. Otherwise, I was not particularly impressed by anyone among the Romanians. Mora played a very good game”.
All in all, I don't think Craiova's qualification can be challenged, which was a slightly better team than Dinamo, just as U Cluj was slightly better than FC Argeș. We have a final that is announced which one, balanced in general. It is clear that the trophy will remain somewhere in the province, as I believe that the championship title will also go to the province.
Let's also note that 3 of the 4 coaches in the semi-finals of the Cup are foreigners, which is not a very good mark for our coaches. Kopic is a coach who knows football, it was also seen yesterday when he played with 3 defenders.
– Ovidiu Ioanițoaia
