CSM Oradea – U-BT Cluj-Napoca, the final of the National Men's Basketball League for the 5th time in the last 6 years

Ashley Davis21/05/2026

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Article by David Istrate – Published on Thursday, 21 May 2026, 19:41 / Updated on Thursday, 21 May 2026 19:42

For the 4th consecutive season and for the 5th time in 6 years, the final of the National Men's Basketball League is CSM CSU Oradea – U-BT Cluj-Napoca. The series will be played according to the “best of 5 matches” format and will start on May 26, with the Bihors having the home field advantage.

At the end of an unprecedented season, without U-BT Cluj-Napoca in the regular season of the National League, the final is the one expected by most basketball fans in Romania. As in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025, CSM CSU Oradea, the triple champion of Romania, will meet U-BT Cluj-Napoca, the seven-time winner of the title, in the LNBM final.

In the semifinals, CSM Oradea overcame Dinamo Bucharest, and U-BT Cluj-Napoca overcame SCM U Craiova

In the semi-finals, Cristian Achim's team beat CS Dinamo Bucharest 3-1having many complicated moments that displeased the coach who was on the bench of the “Red Lions” for the last season.

However, CSM Oradea demonstrated its experience and, after losing a game at home, won both games in Bucharest and closed the series, passing one of the revelations of this championship edition.

On the other side, U-BT Cluj-Napoca won all 3 duels with SCM U Craiova by at least 10 points. Mihai Silvășan's team avenged the football team of the University of Cluj and controlled the series with the blue and whites.

After two victories in Craiova, the Transylvanians returned to BTarena and won 103-83 on Wednesday, May 20, at the end of a dominant performance. So, U-BT qualified for the 6th time in a row in the final of the National League.

The two finalists are the teams that have dominated Romanian basketball in the last 10 years. CSM Oradea has 3 titles, in 2016, 2018 and 2019, while U-BT Cluj-Napoca has won the last 5 editions of the championship.

A real rivalry was formed between the two groups, and 4 of the last 5 finals were contested between Cluj and Oradea, all of which were won by Silvășan's students.

The history of the championship finals played between U-BT Cluj-Napoca and CSM CSU Oradea

2020-2021: 3-2 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca
2022-2023: 4-2 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca
2023-2024: 4-1 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca
2024-2025: 3-2 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca

This season, considering that U-BT entered the play-off directly, the two finalists met only once, in the final of the Romanian Cup. The match was played in Oradea Arena and was won by the “students” by one point: 85-84.

The leaders of the winner were Dusan Miletic (18 points, 9 rebounds) and Daron Russell (21 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds).

On the other side, Jaizec Lottie had an exceptional performance: 25 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds. The American defender has been injured for much of this season, but is expected to be on the field in the National League final.