Article by Robert Vîrdol – Published on Thursday, 14 May 2026, 19:42 / Updated on Thursday, 14 May 2026 19:42
Craiova University is preparing for the duel with U Cluj, after winning the Romanian Cup in the penalty shootout, score 6-5.
On Sunday, the Oltenians need a victory to become champions mathematically. In the center will be Marcel Bîrsan, referee who is not very fond of the blue-white breath.
Pavel Badea: “I hope it will be more inspired”
In a dialogue with Gazeta Sporturilor, Pavel Badea spoke about the delegation of Marcel Bîrsan to the match Universitatea Craiova – U Cluj.
Pavel Badea, head of the Craiova University Sports Club
“I hope he will be more inspired than in the last matches. We had a reluctance towards him, I think he doesn't want to make mistakes either. If he makes mistakes, he will be a pariah for half the country. We, at the club, do not really comment on the refereeing, we just want the referees to manage to finish the matches without major mistakes.
We trust that he will arbitrate in such a way as not to harm either us or those from U Cluj. We want this championship to be won without any situations that put us under the sign of doubt. We have a good team, a sensational group, we have all the necessary conditions to win without being prejudiced by the referees.
Craiova is the favourite. I think that in yesterday's game as well, Craiova was over the opponent, at least in the first half. It was seen that we tried to play and we managed to show that we are a little more than they showed. It is important that we win on Sunday”, said Pavel Badea for Gazeta Sporturilor
