Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Monday, 04 May 2026, 08:17 / Updated on Monday, 04 May 2026 08:17
Universitatea Craiova can mathematically become champion of the Superleague at the end of the next stage, but the Oltenians depend both on their own result, from the match with CFR Cluj, and on a wrong step by their direct rival, Universitatea Cluj, who will play at home, with Rapid.
With three stages left to play and 45 points at the top of the standings, after the success with Dinamo, on Sunday night, from “Ion Oblemenco”, score 2-1, the team from Bănie has the chance to close the fight for the title before the last two rounds. Olteni start with the first chance and can get their hands on the trophy next Saturday, but everything depends on two results: victory of Craiova away from CFR Cluj and Rapid victory in the match against U Cluj.
The result of the game Rapid – CFR Cluj in the 7th stage, scheduled tonight, at the end of the stage, does not influence this scenario. Even if CFR were to win and score 40 points, if they were defeated at home by Craiova, they would no longer be included in the calculations for the title fight.
Craiova can mathematically become champions next weekend
For this to happen, Craiova must first win the direct duel with CFR Cluj from the 8th stage, scheduled in Gruia on Friday evening, May 8, from 21:00.
24 hours later, Cluj University has to lose the home match against Rapid, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, also from 21:00. In this scenario, Craiova would reach 48 points, while U Cluj would remain at 42.
As after the 8th stage there will be only two matches to play, so a maximum of six points at stake, Filipe Coelho's team could no longer be surpassed in the standings. Even if Cluj University would win the last two matches and Craiova would lose both, Bergodi's Cluj would equal on points, but the advantage of the tiebreaker criteria belongs to Craiova, who finished the regular season first.
If these scenarios do not materialize in the next stage, the duel in the 9th round of the play-off, Universitatea Craiova – U Cluj, which will come a few days away from the Romanian Cup final, where the same two teams meet, could be a title match, in Bănie.
The ranking from the Superliga play-off
