“Eternal” Nicușor Bancu “Fabulous European statistics for Craiova in Rotaru era

Ashley Davis24/07/2025

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Article by Liviu Manolache, Daniel Grigore – published on Thursday, July 24, 2025, 22:56 / Updated Thursday, July 24, 2025 23:00

Tonight's match with FK Sarajevo It was the 22nd of Craiova in the European cups in the era Mihai Rotaru. The common element of all these parties? Nicușor Bancu!

This evening, in Sarajevo, Craiova University started its European adventure in the new season.

From the first “11” made up by Mirel Rădoi could not miss the team captain, Nicușor Bancu.

The “eternal” Nicușor Bancu: He played in all 22 European matches of Craiova in Rotaru era

In fact, Bancu is the common element for all 22 European matches played by white-blue in “Era Mihai Rotaru”. The left defender played in all, without exception!

The only one who is approaching the left -hand international is Alexandru Mateiu, with 19 European appearances for the University. Ștefan Baiaram, and he on the field today, closes the podium, with 11 presence, as many as Elvir Koljic.

The following in this ranking are Andrei Ivan, Renato Kelic, Mirko Pigliacelli and Bogdan Vătăjelu, all with 10 European matches for the current U Craiova.

The first European match played by Bancu for the University took place on July 27, 2017, a 0-1 with AC Milan in the Europa League preliminaries. In the previous 21 European matches, Bancu scored twice, at 3-2 with FK Sabail (July 2019) and 3-0 with Zorya Lugansk (August 2022), and offered 4 decisive passes.