Cristina Dima
Bucharest, known as “Little Paris” in the 1900s, is striving to once again live up to its reputation. Romania’s capital has developed a great deal since the 1989 Revolution and is now one of the busiest European capitals: a place where entertainment, history, culture and football meet.
Getting to Bucharest is easy. Regular flights with Romanian airlines and foreign airlines with offices in Bucharest, connect the capital and the world’s major airports. OtopeniInternationalAirport at Bucharest is located 16 km from the city centre. Transfers can be taken easily by airport coach or by cab. The low cost Romanian air carrier Blue Air launched flights from London’s Stansted airport to Bucharest this autumn. The prices can be as low as 48 Euro/Person one way (flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays departing London). Depending on when the reservations are made, one way can cost 1 euro/person (i.e. if you make a reservation now for mid-November you’ll pay 1 euro for the flight from Bucharest back to London). If you don’t fancy flying, you can always take the train. International express trains connect the main central European capitals with Bucharest.
Romania is truly a country of all seasons. When to come depends on what you want to do. If you plan to visit Bucharest, the capital is at her best from spring to autumn, although she’s got her charm in winter too. Winter is the perfect time to spend a relaxing afternoon in one of the traditional restaurants enjoying the sour soup –“ciorba” –or the meat-filled-cabbage-rolls –“sarmale”.
If you are looking for some entertainment, then watching the local football derbies is probably the best idea. The eternal rivals, Steaua, Dinamo and Rapid are waiting for you to watch their matches: Steaua will play against Rapid on Sunday, September 16 at 8:30 PM, local time. The 15th stage (no date decided upon yet) will mark the derby between Dinamo and Rapid while the next stage will be all about Steaua vs. Dinamo.
Also, on October 2, Steaua will play against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League Groups; November 7 marks the day when Steaua has to face FC Sevilla, while on November 27 it’s time to play against Slavia Praga.
The end of summer marks the beginning of the football season in Romania. And Bucharest is home to the most important Romanian teams fighting for the title in the First League: Dinamo Bucuresti, Steaua Bucuresti and Rapid Bucuresti. Other smaller teams play in the Second League and Third League, such as: Dinamo II, Sportul Studentesc, Inter-Gaz Bucuresti or FC Progresul Bucuresti.
Dinamo Bucuresti is the Romanian champion team “en titre”. Holding 18 titles to date, Dinamo has a long history in the Romanian championship as well as in Europe. The club was formed in 1948 when Unirea Tricolor MAI merged with Ciocanul Bucuresti, giving birth to the Internal Affairs Ministry’s team. Dinamo first competed in the Romanian championship in 1947/1948 season and its first international match was on July 14, 1948 against Zidnice (Czechoslovakia). Dinamo won 4-1. In 1951, Dinamo had its own stadium. The first match played there was against Locomotiva Timisoara and Dinamo won 1 to 0.
The first Romanian champion title was won in 1955. The next year marks Dinamo’s debut in the European Champions Cup. Dinamo played against Galatasaray in front of 80000 spectators on August 26, 1956 and won 3-1. Over the years Dinamo had a lot of success both in the domestic championship and in the European competitions. The year 1983 marks Dinamo’s presence in the European Champions Cup semifinals after defeating one that era’s legends: Dinamo Minsk. Unfortunately, Dinamo didn’t stand a chance against Liverpool and the dream of the “grand final” was shattered.
The 2000/2001 season was the saddest in the team’s history. Dinamo’s captain, Catalin Haldan died during a friendly match against Oltenita on October 5, 2000. Another blow came in the same season with the news star player Florentin Petre was carrying the Hepatitis C virus. In 2004 Dinamo won everything in Romania: the championship and the cup. A great attack –Danciulescu and Niculescu, a well prepared defence and extremely lucky goal keeper, all brought Dinamo a great year the team will be proud of for ever.
During the current season, Dinamo struggled with failing to qualify in the Champions League Group Stage which led to coach Rednic leaving the team. The team is now coached by Walter Zenga. Things aren’t looking too bright in the Romanian championship, after 6 matches, Dinamo are in 9th position, trailing their Bucharest rivals Rapid Bucuresti (2nd) and Steaua Bucuresti (7th).
There is still a chance for Dinamo not to miss the European spring. The team will play against IF Elfsborg (Sweden) on September 20 and October 4 in order to qualify for the UEFA Cup Group Stage. Altogether, Dinamo Bucuresti holds 18 domestic titles and 12 National Cups.
Dinamo’s stadium, named just like the team (or known “Groapa” among the fans), can house up to 15300 fans and is located on Soseaua Stefan cel Mare no. 7-9. There are three entrances to the stadium (from Soseaua Stefan cel Mare, Calea Barbu Vacarescu and Calea Floreasca 18-20). The tickets can be bought from the stadium during the week before the matches.
Dinamo’s all time rival, Steaua Bucuresti is the best well known Romanian soccer club team. Winner of UEFA Cup in 1986, holding 17 champion titles up to date and playing in the Champions League Group Stage this season, Steaua is a team feared in Europe. The club was founded in 1947 by by Mihail Lascar on behalf of the National Ministry of Defence of Romania. It’s said that great players make great teams, and vice-versa. During the years, Steaua –the most loved soccer club in Romania- had in its team legendary players who brought fame both for Steaua and for Romanian football. Names such as Marius Lacatus, Emeric Ienei, Victor Piturca, Gheorghe Hagi, Sabin Ilie, Ilie Dumitrescu, Helmuth Duckadam all are known by fans all over the world.
May 7, 1986 is the most important day in Steaua’s history. The team led by Emeric Ienei and Anghel Iordanescu made history: won the European Cup (Champions League) after defeating Barcelona in Seville. That legendary team was: Duckadam, Iovan, Bumbescu, Belodedici, Barbulescu, T. Stoica, Boloni, Balint, Majearu, Lacatus, Piturca, Stangaciu, Weissenbacher, Balan, Pistol, M. Radu. Winning the European Cup made Steaua the only team from Eastern Europe to have achieved such a feat until Red Star Belgrade in 1991. But Steaua will always be remembered as the first.
Steaua started the season with the legendary Romanian player Gheorghe Hagi (a Steaua legend himself) as coach. After Steaua’s defeat in the first game of the UEFA Champions League group stage. Now the red/blue team is coached by Massimo Pedrazzini. Altogether, Steaua’s trophy cabinet is the richest in the country as the team has team won 23 domestic titles, 20 National Cups and 5 Romanian Supercups.
Steaua’s stadium is called “Ghencea” and is located in the south-west part of Bucharest, in “Ghencea” neighbourhood. The stadium can house up to 28000 fans and is the most modern stadium in Romania.
The oldest team located in Bucharest is Rapid. The club was founded in 1923 by Teofil Covaci, Grigore Grigoriu and Geza Ginzer. In 1939 the stadium was ready, bearing a striking resemblance to Arsenal’s stadium.
Altogether, Rapid holds 3 domestic titles, 14 National Cups and 4 Romania’s Supercups.
Rapid’s stadium is called “Giulesti” among fans but its official name is “Stadionul Giulesti-Valentin Stanescu” and can house up to 19100 fans. It’s located in Calea Giulesti no.18. Tickets cost from 10 lei (about £2) to 100 lei (about £20), depending on the location of the seat and on how important the match is.
