Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published on Wednesday, 13 May 2026 23:47 / Updated on Thursday, 14 May 2026 00:01
Gică Craioveanu, a legend in Bănie, commented on the victory of those from University of Craiova in the final of the Romanian Cup with U Clujscore 0-0 in the first 120 minutes, 6-5 in penalty kicks.
Although his team won the trophy and can even do the double, Gică Craioveanu was not satisfied with the game of the favorite team.
Gică Craioveanu: “In this system you need the top. I want the University of Craiova to play like Barcelona”
“They made me suffer tonight, but that's not new lately. I don't like to prolong the match and live on the edge all the time. I was lucky with Dinamo and you can't always be on the edge. If Popică wasn't inspired at Cristea, he continued, continued and stopped someone's heart. I don't think victory is more beautiful. It's nice when you play well, when you play offensively, when you dominate, when you win deservedly.
The first half was a plus for Craiova. In the second half, U Cluj pushed better. In overtime, no one took any chances. U Cluj had a great opportunity, at Mendy, the match was played there. If Mendy scored, he attacked the ball first… A pragmatic game, I don't know if it was the result, but he played not to lose.
Mister thought we don't score and score on inspiration, fixed phase. But nobody was inspired in the attack. We lost the middle, we had no more strength.
I don't like Etim. I prefer him in the lane, to come face down. It's not the beast! He is not a player to hold onto the ball, to come up with something else. He attacks the spaces, but there you have Baiaram or Băsceanu who do the same thing. In this system you need a peak. Craiova played well with the tip.
I know that Nsimba has a little physical problem and he was taken care of because Sunday's game is the most important in history. I have not the slightest doubt”, said Gică Craioveanu on the Digi Sport Special show.
I'm very happy, but I was expecting a different game. If we win the title, the end justifies the means. How you play also matters to some. I would like Craiova to play like Barcelona, to dominate the opponent, to create opportunities, to reach the opposing goal. To put on a show. I am happy, very happy, but I want more.
–Gica Craioveanu
PHOTO GALLERY. While Craiova was celebrating the Cup triumph, the GSP photojournalist captured a colossal image with Nistor and Chipciu
