They Didn’t Want Corvinul Hunedoara, But The Fate Wanted Otherwise

This match was a true testament to the unwavering spirit of Corvinul Hunedoara. Despite a challenging season, they managed to secure a spot in the top tier of the competition. Their recent victories over strong opponents have been a source of inspiration, showcasing their resilience and determination.

• Corvinul Hunedoara won over Oţelul Galaţi 3-2 in a dramatic win in penalties.
• Oţelul Galaţi took the lead two times through the fantastic Anes Rušević (’27 and ’58)
• Corvinul Hunedoara equalized Oţelul Galaţi two times to take the team in overtime (2-2): Marius Cătălin Coman (’39) and Antoniu Ştefăniţă Manolache (74)

Corvinul Hunedoara has yet to achieve such a performance since the eighties.

The 2024 Romanian Cup is set to culminate in a thrilling showdown between two formidable teams. Corvinul Hunedoara and Oțelul Galați game opened the possibility of access to a second league to the EUROPA League.

A Short Brief Of Clubs History

Both teams are the pillars of two cities where the steel industry still exists, to a degree, today: Hunedoara and Galati. But the glory seems long gone from both industry and sports pillars. In sports, and in soccer in particular, Hunedoara has yet to have its last word.

Corvinul Hunedoara, once a powerhouse in the ’80s under the legendary Mircea Lucescu, has dramatically shifted fortunes. The team was as low as the fourth League (Liga IV) and climbed to the second League (Liga II).

Florin Maxim’s team struggled to access the upper leagues for years and has been denied access. The team changed from Corvinul Hunedoara to CS Corvinul Hunedoara and was saved from death by the county of Hunedoara. Precisely for this reason, it cannot access the higher Liga I.

Otelul Galati, on the other hand, has yet to achieve excellent performance since its golden age era of 1999-2012. The current coach, Dorinel Munteanu, also played as an attacker at the time. The team took the first position in Liga I. As a result, the team qualified for the UEFA Champions League groups and played against Manchester United, FC Basel, and Benfica. But it lost all the group games.

Summary of Corvinul Hunedoara vs. Oţelul Galaţi

This fantastic team, led by Florin Maxim, pushed hard, especially in the first half of the match and in the second when they fought against cramps. Also, they were prone to accidents because they were significantly more agile.

In the first half of the game, Corvinul struggled with the somewhat presence that their opponents got: simulations inconveniences adjudged as fouls. It is not clear that the first goal scored by Anes Rušević from Oţelul Galaţi was given for the right reason (’27) from a free kick just close to the square. 

But, despite that, the “Corvins” came back in the last six minutes of the first half, with a goal scored by Manolache.

In the second half, the game became more equilibrated. Oţelul Galaţi took the lead once again through a penalty kick from Anes Rušević, but in vain. Seventeen minutes later, Corvinul Hunedoara miraculously scored—Antoniu Manolache with a well-laced shot. 

After 90 minutes, the score was tied 2-2, so two more rounds, but nothing happened. The players are tired, cramping, and so forth, but the penalties kicked in. So the shots come as follows:

• 1st shot: Oţelul Galaţi – Juri Cisotti scores (penalty score 0-1)

• 2nd shot: Corvinul Hunedoara – Marius Coman misses (penalty score 0-1)

• 3rd shot: Oţelul Galaţi – Pablo Gaitan misses (penalty score: 0-1)

• 4th shot: Corvinul Hunedoara – Antoniu Manolache scores (penalty score: 1-1)

• 5th shot: Oţelul Galaţi: João Lameira misses (penalty score: 1-1)

• 6th shot: Corvinul Hunedoara Antionio Bradu scores (penalty score: 2-1)

• 7th shot: Oţelul Galaţi – Costin Ghiocel misses (penalty score: 2-1)

• 8th shot: Corvinul Hunedoara- Pîrvulescu misses (penalty score: 2-1)

• 9th shot: Oţelul Galaţi – Miguel Silva scores (penalty score 2-2)

• 10th shot: Corvinul Hunedoara – Andrei Hergheligiu scores (final penalty score 3-2)

Andrei Hergeligiu scores in a humiliating way by shooting the ball slowly just near the bar, supposedly intentionally. It was like he said: “I dominate you!”

Now considered underdogs, Corvinul Hunedoara stands on the precipice of a historic achievement: securing a place in the European leagues. This potential milestone, against all odds, will ignite a sense of admiration and support among soccer enthusiasts. 

Oțelul Galați, despite their 11th-place finish in Liga I and their play-out in the relegation area, has shown remarkable resilience in the Romanian Cup. This unwavering spirit, evident in their ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a strong performance throughout the tournament, is sure to command respect and anticipation from fans and pundits alike. 

Fate In Winning Against All Odds?

There were two odd moments in this game. One was when Oţelul Galaţi was about to shoot its third shot in penalties. Its coach left the technical bench for a few moments. The commentators speculated that Dorinel Munteanu couldn’t watch the kick of left defender Costin Ghiocel, and he missed.

But if this story needs to be more odd, prepare for the next one! At the end of the match, the winner’s coach said that somehow he had a glimpse of good energy coming from this game, which gave him confidence. Looking at Corvinul Hunedoara’s team budget, he needed that confidence. 

Corvinul Hunedoara’s victory is not just a win; it’s a monumental triumph that resonates deeply with the spirit of another second-league team’s success. This emotional connection further highlights the unpredictability of Romanian soccer, a quality that keeps us all on the edge of our seats.

I saw how the winning team strived for success despite not knowing if it would participate in the EUROPA League! 

This moment, filled with nostalgia and anticipation, adds another layer of excitement to the upcoming match.

Curiosities

Did you know that one of the veterans of a golden team of Corvinul Hunedoara and part of the staff, Ioan Andone, cursed by gesticulating along with Mircea Rednic at the box where the son of the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was sitting in 1989? At that time, Corvinul Hunedoara was crushed by Steaua (2-1), who was part of the military team (the so-called system team). 

Tonight’s performance may eclipse that game and come somehow that the “people” team won against the will of “the system.” They didn’t want Corvinul in UEFA, but the belief of the few transcended, and Corvinul Hunedoara won – what a remarkable moment for all the injustices of the game (now the supporters of Corvinul Hunedoara will not curse the Facebook profile of the “rookie” central referee – Marcel Bîrsan).

One curious thing is that Marcel Bîrsan arbitrated this game after the odd retired FIFA referee, Vladimir Urzică, who was only assisting in it. So, there could be speculations that they didn’t want Corvinul in UEFA and manipulated someting behind doors! But against all odds, fate wanted otherwise!

The Crows “stole” the ring!