The Corvinul Hunedoara vs. Oțelul Galați match illustrated Corvinul Hunedoara’s determination. Their earlier Cup victories over Rapid Bucharest, FCSB, and Universitatea Craiova set them up with confidence for this final—and they delivered!
Building on that fighting spirit, Corvinul Hunedoara went on to defeat Oțelul Galați in a dramatic penalty shootout, 3-2.
- Corvinul Hunedoara defeated Oțelul Galați after a dramatic penalty shootout, scoring 3-2.
- Oțelul Galați took the lead twice through the excellent Anes Rušević (’27 and ’58).
- Corvinul equalized both times to force extra time (2-2): Marius Cătălin Coman (’39) and Antoniu Ştefăniţă Manolache (’74).
- Corvinul Hunedoara hadn’t achieved such success since the 1980s.
This hard-fought win in the Romanian Cup final also gave the second league team an unexpected reward: access to the UEFA Europa League.
The winner of the Romanian Cup final, Corvinul Hunedoara vs. Oțelul Galați, opened the possibility of access from a second league to the UEFA EUROPA League.
A Short Brief Of Clubs History
Both teams represent steel industry cities: Hunedoara and Galați. Though industrial glory has faded, Hunedoara hasn’t given up on football.
Corvinul Hunedoara, a club with historic prominence in the 1980s under legendary coach Mircea Lucescu, experienced a long decline, dropping to the fourth division due to financial trouble.
Through consistent effort, Corvinul gradually rose again, reaching the second division following the 2022-2023 season.
Due to financial restructuring and name changes to CS Corvinul Hunedoara, the club currently cannot be promoted to the first division.
Oțelul Galați peaked between 1999-2012. Oțelul Galați, on the other hand, has a dramatic past: Oțelul Galați, under current coach Dorinel Munteanu, previously won the Romanian championship and reached the Champions League group stage, playing clubs like Manchester United, FC Basel, and Benfica. However, after financial difficulties, Oțelul was relegated to the fourth division and has since been working toward regaining its former status.
Summary of Corvinul Hunedoara vs Oţelul Galaţi match
Shifting back to the match, Corvinul controlled the first half but struggled in the second despite their physical effort.
They faced a difficult opponent prone to simulation and controversial referee decisions. The first goal from Anes Rušević’s free kick (’27) may have been questionable.
Corvinul responded through Manolache just before halftime. The second half was more balanced. Oțelul retook the lead via Rušević’s penalty, but Corvinul equalized 17 minutes later through another precise Manolache strike.
With the score tied 2-2 after 90 minutes and extra time producing no goals, the match went to penalties.
Penalty Shootout:
- Oțelul Galați – Juri Cisotti scores (0-1)
- Corvinul Hunedoara – Marius Coman misses (0-1)
- Oțelul Galați – Pablo Gaitan misses (0-1)
- Corvinul Hunedoara – Antoniu Manolache scores (1-1)
- Oțelul Galați – João Lameira misses (1-1)
- Corvinul Hunedoara – Antonio Bradu scores (2-1)
- Oțelul Galați – Costin Ghiocel misses (2-1)
- Corvinul Hunedoara – Daniel Pîrvulescu misses (2-1)
- Oțelul Galați – Miguel Silva scores (2-2)
- Corvinul Hunedoara – Andrei Hergheligiu scores the winner (3-2) 🎊
Hergheligiu’s precise shot secured Corvinul’s historic European qualification.
Despite Oțelul Galați’s relegation battle in Liga I, they showed admirable fighting spirit throughout the competition.
Decisive Moments or Odds Facts?
Two strange incidents marked this match. First, coach Dorinel Munteanu’s unexplained departure from the technical area before his team’s penalty kick raised eyebrows.
Second, Corvinul coach Florin Maxim claimed he felt positive energy before the match, giving him confidence in victory.
Corvinul Hunedoara’s victory represents both sporting success and perseverance—the rebirth of a historic club that will be remembered by Romanian football fans.
Curiosities
Ioan Andone, now on Corvinul's staff, was a club legend who had a notable confrontation with Mircea Rednic in 1989.
The two argued publicly in the box where Nicu Ceaușescu, son of the country’s former leader, was present. Corvinul lost to Steaua București (1-2), the military’s favored team.
This performance may surpass that significant moment. Corvinul, known as the “people’s team,” overcame obstacles to reach European competition, despite those who opposed this outcome.
Another controversy emerged: center-back Marcel Bîrsan received a last-minute appointment after retired FIFA referee Vladimir Urzică appeared at the match without official involvement.
Whether coincidence or attempted influence, speculation continues. The result, however, stands—Corvinul Hunedoara defied predictions as the ending took an unexpected turn.
Corvinul Hunedoara supporters box during the Corvinul Hunedoara vs. Oţelul Galaţi match on Romanian Cup Final on the Sibiu Municipal Stadium, along with the banner translated “The raven with the ring brings the cup to the castle“
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