Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 11:19 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 11:28 p.m.
Ovidiu Ioanițoiaia, director of Gazeta Sporturilor, was live on the GSP Live Special show, immediately after U Cluj – University of Craiova0-0 in regular time, 5-6 in penalty kicks.
Ovidiu Ioanițoaia believes that the match in Sibiu was a very balanced one. He came up with a proposal: that the final of the Romanian Cup be replayed if the tie persists.
He didn't understand why Filipe Coelho changed Cicâldău immediately after the break, he being the best man of Olten in the first half.
Ovidiu Ioanițoaia, after U Cluj – Craiova: “I didn't understand Cicâldău's change”
“I'd say it was a decent game. I didn't expect more when it was basically a dress rehearsal for the match that will decide the champion.
If I sit to judge coldly, the victory seems deserved, in the sense that the University of Craiova dominated the first half. The second, however, was balanced. U Cluj had very good moments. If it were up to me, I'd give both teams the trophy. I saw an almost perfect balance.
On the other hand, it is unfair that, after a race like this, such as the Romanian Cup, with so many matches and with the group stage, the winner should be decided in the sixth shootout. The regulation must be respected.
I, however, would designate the winner of the Romanian Cup after a second match. I mean, if it ended 0-0, I wouldn't call for penalties, but I would replay the match, so that someone wins on the field.
It seems to me that the discrepancy is too great. One of the teams, Craiova, disregarding the championship match, goes to the Europa League, and the loser, if they were not on the podium in the championship, would not go anywhere. It seems to me that it is an exaggerated differentiation, in the conditions in which the two teams were head to head. I don't think it's fair, it's not fair that a team wins such an important competition, after such a long race, following a penalty.
Congratulations to Craiova, congratulations to Laurentiu Popescu! This is the rule and must be followed. Normally, Craiova will have an ascendant in the championship game, no doubt. Cluj will have to give a reply and hope that it will fix what it broke today. It will be a big advantage that the match will be played at Oblemenco, where the crowd is so enthusiastic. And today there was a beautiful audience.
Coelho is an honorable coach, although I did not understand Cicâldău's change in the 55th minute. In my opinion, he was Craiova's best man in the first half. They took him and Baluta out. After that, U Cluj balanced the game, even had a few moments of superiority and forced more”, said Ovidiu Ioanițoaia, on GSP Live Special.
