Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published on Thursday, 21 May 2026 21:07 / Updated on Thursday, 21 May 2026 21:15
The former international Gabi Balint (63 years old) spoke about the qualifying round in the UEFA Conference League, where one of FCSB, FC Botoșani or Dinamo will represent Romania in the third European interclub competition.
In the semi-final of the pool, FCSB will be the host at the “Steaua” stadium in the duel with FC Botoșani, a match scheduled for May 24. Then, five days later, the winner will perform away, at the “Arcul de Triumf” stadium, where Dinamo Bucharest will be the host. If FCSB qualify, we could have an “Eternal Derby” with a place in the European cups at stake.
Gabi Balint, about the tie for the Conference League: “With Dinamo, FCSB starts with a second chance”
Winner of the European Champions Cup with Steaua in 1986, Gabi Balint expressed his opinion on the duels in the play-offs and indicated a clear favourite.
“FCSB is the clear favorite with Botoșani, it is the better team, even if the form is not special. I say that they will win by two goals difference with Botoșani. With Dinamo it is a different matter, I think they would start with a second chance to win“, said Balint on the show “Fotbal Club” from Digi Sport.
Botoșani, FCSB and Dinamo, a trio with European stakes
The play-off final for the UEFA Conference League, between the winner of the semi-final from the play-out (FCSB or FC Botoșani) and the last team from the play-off with the right to participate in the European cups, Dinamo, will be played on Friday, May 29, from 20:30.
Dinamo Bucharest has not played in the European preliminaries since 2017, when it was eliminated by Athletic Bilbao in the third preliminary round of the Europa League.
On the other hand, FC Botoşani has not played in European cups since 2020, when it was eliminated by Shkendija in the Europa League preliminaries.
FCSB, champion of two of the last three editions of the Super League, enters the play-off from the favorite position, while Botoșani completes the table of the semifinals.
FCSB will play the semi-final against Botoșani in the context in which UTA Arad, occupying the 1st place in the play-out, does not have the right to participate in the European cups due to the preventive agreement procedure. FCSB's most recent European match was on January 29, 2026, a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
