CS Universitatea Craiova

Association football club in Craiova

This article is about the club regarded by LPF, a Romanian football governing body, to be the successor of the original Universitatea Craiova. For the other team which claims the Universitatea Craiova record, see FC U Craiova. For other uses, see Universitatea Craiova.

Football club

Universitatea Craiova

Full name| U Craiova 1948 Club Sportiv SA[note 1]
Nickname(s)|

* Alb-albaștrii (The White-Blues)
* Juveții (The Oltenia People)[3]
* Știința (The Science)
* Campioana unei mari iubiri
(The Champion of a Great Love)
* Leii din Bănie
(The Lions from Bănie)

Short name| U Craiova
Founded|

* 5 September 1948; 75 years ago (5 September 1948) (as UNSR Craiova)
* 2013; 11 years ago (2013) (refounding)

Ground| Ion Oblemenco
Capacity| 30,983
Owners| Mihai Rotaru (95%)
Adrian Andrici (5%)
Chairman| Mihai Rotaru
Head coach| Constantin Gâlcă
League| Liga I
2023–24| Liga I, 3rd of 16
Website| Club website

Home colours

Away colours

Third colours

|
|

Current season

U Craiova 1948 Club Sportiv, commonly known as Universitatea Craiova (Romanian pronunciation: [universiˈtate̯a kraˈjova]), CS U Craiova, or simply U Craiova, is a Romanian professional football team based in Craiova, Dolj County. It competes in the Liga I, the top tier of the Romanian league system.

Initially founded in 1948 as the football section of the CSU Craiova sports club, it was part of the club until 1991, when its berth in the league championship was taken by FC U Craiova following privatisation. Between 1948 and 1991, Universitatea had won four national titles and five national cups.[4] In the next two decades, FC U was reorganised several times and disaffiliated, which led to it being retroactively deemed an unofficial successor to the old entity. In 2013, the sports club reinstated its football department,[5] which asserts the history and trophies of the original Universitatea Craiova. They have since been backed up by several court orders and the Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal, but the record remains subject of legal dispute with another reestablished FC U team.[6][note 2] In 2018 "the White and Blues" won the Cupa României, representing their first trophy following refoundation, and in 2021 won their first Supercupa României.

On the European stage, Universitatea Craiova's best performances are reaching the semi-finals of the 1982–83 UEFA Cup and the quarter-finals of the 1981–82 European Cup. They were the first Romanian team to reach the semi-finals of a UEFA tournament and remain the only one to have knocked out at least one club from each of five strongest countries in European football—England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. "The Students" play their home matches at the Stadionul Ion Oblemenco, which has a capacity of 30,929. They hold several rivalries, the most notable being the one with Dinamo București.

## History[edit]

Main article: History of Universitatea Craiova (football) § Before privatisation

Active departments of CS Universitatea Craiova

|  |  |

|
|

Football|  Football B|  Men's
Basketball
|  |
Women's
Handball|  Men's
Volleyball|  Women's
Volleyball
|  |
Boxing|  Athletics|  Badminton
|  |
Bridge|  Chess|  Fencing
|  |
Judo|  Karate|  Table tennis
| |
Wrestling| |

### Early years of football in Craiova (1921–1958)[edit]

UNSR Craiova in 1948

Football in the city of Craiova began in 1921 when the first two teams were founded: Craiovan Craiova and Rovine Grivița Craiova. In 1940, the two sides merged in what resulted to be one of the most successful Romanian clubs of the Interwar period, FC Craiova, who were the first team of the city that won the Romanian football championship. However, the 1942–43 title is not recognized officially by FRF and LPF.

Immediately after the foundation of the first university education institution – the Institute of Machines and Electric Devices – a group of teachers and students founded CSU Craiova in 1948, a sports club with athletics, volleyball, handball, table tennis, chess, and football sections.[11]

Under the coordination of the Ministry of Public Education and the National Union of Students in Romania, the football team UNSR Craiova (Uniunea Națională a Studenților din România) was formed and enrolled in the county championship. The first official match was held at Filiași on 5 September 1948, with "the Students" being defeated 6–3. These football players dressed the white-blue shirt: Dumitrescu – Rădulescu, Mihăilă I, Carli – Ozon, Mihăilă II – Sabin, Ilie, Bădescu, Tudor, and Serghi; all under the command of head coach N. Polojinski.[11]

In 1950, the football section changed its name from UNSR Craiova to CSU Craiova, the same name as its parent club. In 1951, CSU Craiova defeated with 6–0 Constructorul Craiova, a local rival, in what was going to be the first official match played in Cupa României. In 1953, the club was renamed to Știința Craiova; one year later at the promotion play-off hosted in Arad, Știința, coached by Nicolae Oțeleanu, promoted for the first time in its history at the level of the second echelon. The club relegated back to Divizia C after only one season and remained at that level until 1958.[11]

### Universitatea, a rising team (1958–1970)[edit]

Ion Oblemenco, one of the club symbols Name  | Period

|

UNSR Craiova | 1948–1950
CSU Craiova | 1950–1953
Știința Craiova | 1953–1966
Universitatea Craiova | 1966–1991
Universitatea Craiova | 2013–present

In 1958, Știința was promoted for the second time in the second league after a fight on the knife edge in the third series of Divizia C against Unirea Râmnicu Vâlcea. At the end of the season, both teams finished with 34 points, but with the advantage of direct matches for the white and blue team.[12] In the first season after promotion, Craiova placed 13th out of 14. Several wins have been made in the next seasons: 1959–60 (10th), 1960–61 (2nd), 1961–62 (4th), 1962–63 (4th).[13] The 1963–64 Divizia B season had a four-way fight for promotion in the first series of the second league. At the end, the Students won the promotion, but tied for second place with Metalul Târgoviște (one point ahead, third place). Poiana Câmpina had two points over fourth place, Dinamo Bacău. This historical act was signed by head coach Nicolae Oțeleanu and the following players: Dumitrescu, Vasilescu, Geleriu, Lungan, Deliu, Bărbulescu, Tetea, Ganga, Anton, Lovin, Onea, Vişan, Stanciu, Papuc, C.Stesnescu, A.Stenescu.[11]

The first Divizia A season was challenging for who were saved from relegation in the last rounds with just one point more than the first relegated team, Minerul Baia Mare. The end of the next season found Știința ranked eighth, the middle of the standing, and they were already putting the first bases of a team able to issue claims to the title.

In the summer of 1966, the club was renamed from Știința Craiova to Universitatea Craiova. Nevertheless, supporters continued to include in their chants and their encouragements the name Știința. Universitatea supporters tend to chant Hei, hei, hai Știința! at times of loss.[citation needed]

As Universitatea followed seasons of contrasting results, in some of them, the team delighted the audience in others less, but has remained in the first division, regardless of the situation: 1966–67 (third), 1967–68 (11th), 1968–69 (seventh), 1969–70 (4th).[14]

### "The Champion of a Great Love" (1970–1979)[edit]

Constantin Cernăianu led the club to its first league title. Universitatea Craiova squad (1973–74)

Craiova started the 1970s with a team built around Ion Oblemenco, Petre Deselnicu, Teodor Țarălungă, Lucian Strâmbeanu and Dumitru Marcu, among others. The start of the decade had the club in sixth place at the end of the 1970–71 season and eighth place at the end of the 1971–72. In the 1972–73 season, they finished at the same number of points with Dinamo București, but lost the championship on goal difference. The season coined a new nickname, "the Champion of a Great Love", a nickname created by the poet Adrian Păunescu, a big fan of the team from Bănie, named Dinamo only as the champion of the country, indicating that Craiova lost the title.[15]

In the 1973–74 season, the title fight was again between Universitatea and Dinamo. Craiova won the title by a point from Dinamo, with Craiova becoming the first university team to win a national title in Europe. Dinamo was considered to be the pet team of the communist regime, which often influenced the results as well and after the last season's incidents, Universitatea was increasingly seen as a representative of the people and simple man in the struggle with the communist regime, of pure football and football played on the pitch against the one dominated by arrangements and influences, so the nickname had gained a reputation.[16] The squad that won the first title was coached by Constantin Cernăianu and Constantin Oțet and had the following players included: Oprea, Manta – Niculescu, Bădin, Deselnicu, Velea, Strâmbeanu, Ivan, Niță, Balaci, Berneanu, Țarălungă, Oblemenco, Bălan, Pană, Boc, Ștefănescu, Marcu, Stăncescu, Kiss, Chivu, Negrilă and Constantinescu.[11]

The 1974–75 season brought a first UEFA European Cup presence against Swedish team Åtvidaberg, who lost 3–4 on aggregate but ranked third place at the end of the championship. The 1975–76 season had the team rank sixth place and announcing a generational change. For the last season of Ion Oblemenco, the team from Craiova won the Romanian Cup for the first time in its history in a final against Steaua București. In the Divizia A, the team finished in third place.

With the generational exchange made, Universitatea continued to impress in 1978 by defending its Romanian Cup trophy, won a year before against Olimpia Satu Mare and a sixth place in the league. The 1978–79 season ended with fourth place and in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Fortuna Düsseldorf eliminated the team in the first round.

### Craiova Maxima (1979–1991)[edit]

Universitatea Craiova (1980–81)

Craiova Maxima (The Maximum Craiova) was the second generation of Universitatea. It was a squad composed of many players who grew up close to the first golden team and formed the basis of the Romania national football team including: Ilie Balaci, Rodion Cămătaru, Costică Ștefănescu, Zoltan Crișan, Ion Geolgău, Aurel Beldeanu, Costică Donose and Silviu Lung, among others.

At the end of the 1979–80 season, it was crowned the champion of Romania for the second time. The squad consisted of Boldici, Lung – Negrilă, Tilihoi, Ștefănescu, Ungureanu, Balaci, Beldeanu, Crişan, Donose, Cămătaru, Geolgău, Cârțu, Irimescu, Purima and Ciupitu – with coaches Valentin Stănescu and Ion Oblemenco.[11] Universitatea's UEFA Cup campaign eliminated Wiener SC and Leeds United until it was beaten in the third round by German football club Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1–2 on aggregate.

Ilie Balaci, a member of both Universitatea golden teams, was named Romanian Footballer of the Year in 1981 and 1982.

In the 1980–81 season, the team was managing the historical double, the cup, and the championship. As a result of this performance, the students qualified for the 1981–82 European Cup, where Craiova Maxima became more and more visible by eliminating Olympiacos and KB, being stopped in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, 1–3 in aggregate, a historical performance for the Romanian football at that time.

The long-standing presence in the European Cups affected the team, which finished only on second place. They later qualified in the UEFA Cup throughout the 1982–83 season, being the first team in the history of Romania that qualified in a European Cup semi-finals. Under the management of Constantin Oțet and Nicolae Ivan, the team took out Fiorentina (Serie A runners-up), Bordeaux, and Kaiserslautern. In the semi-final, Universitatea encountered Benfica, two times European champions and three times European Cup finalists at that time. After two draws, the Portuguese side advanced to the final on aggregate away goals. In the Divizia A, the team finished again in second place.

Throughout the rest of the 1980s, Universitatea Craiova ranked in the following places: 1983–84 (3rd), 1984–85 (4th), 1985–86 (3rd), 1986–87 (5th), 1987–88 (5th), 1988–89 (5th), and 1988–89 (3rd). The team had a constant presence in the European Cups eliminating teams such as Real Betis, Olympiacos, AS Monaco and Galatasaray, but they never got past the third round. The Students also lost a Romanian Cup final in 1985, 1–2 against Steaua București.

In 1991, CS Universitatea Craiova had its last Romanian cup. Prunea, Mănăilă, Săndoi, Ad. Popescu, Mogoşanu, Ciurea, Olaru, Cristescu, Zamfir, Badea, Pigulea, Agalliu, Craioveanu and Neagoe were the last players that have kissed the championship trophy, along with coaches Sorin Cârţu and Ștefan Cioacă.[11]

### FC Universitatea Craiova (1991–2011)[edit]

Main article: FC U Craiova 1948

Chart of CS Universitatea Craiova's league performance 1955–2018

In 1991, Universitatea Craiova conquered its last national title and Romanian Cup, under the management of Sorin Cârțu.

However, in the same year, the CS Universitatea Craiova sports club dissolved its football section,[17] and Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova continued its tradition until the early 2010s—until 1994, the club was still controlled by the Ministry of National Education. FC U won a Romanian Cup in 1993 and reached three finals, in 1994, 1998, and 2000. There was faulty management during the 1990s and early 2000s, which led to the 2005 relegation, when 41 consecutive years of Divizia A were celebrated.

On 20 July 2011, the club was temporarily excluded by the Romanian Football Federation[18] for failing to withdraw their dispute with former coach Victor Pițurcă from a civil court, as per article 57 of the FRF statute which states that the Football Federation solves all the sports lawsuits.[19] However, the article allows disputes regarding employment contracts to be adjudicated in civil court.[20] The exclusion decision was approved by the FRF General Assembly on 14 May 2012.[21] All of the squad players were declared free agents and later signed with other clubs.

### Rebranding (2013–present)[edit]

> I believe that this team [CS U Craiova] is the successor of the one established in 1948, under the auspices of the Senate of the University of Craiova.

– Corneliu Andrei Stroe, club president during the Craiova Maxima era, on 26 August 2013[22]

The striped crest was used on the home shirt between 2013 and 2015, and on the away shirt until 2017.

On 20 July 2011, the Romanian Football Federation decided to disaffiliate with FC Universitatea Craiova,[23] but the decision was found controversial in court.[24] Consequently, in the summer of 2013, local authorities of Craiova, supported by Pavel Badea and associated with Club Sportiv U Craiova SA (CS U), reestablished the football section of CS U Craiova.[25] CS U claimed that it owns all of the Universitatea honours,[26] and that the sports club did not offer its records to FC U Craiova, which was considered a new club; this was confirmed in justice in June 2016[27] and reaffirmed by LPF in November 2017.[7] CS Universitatea Craiova is the rightful owner of the brand and records – accepting the 1992–93 Cupa României, claimed[9] but not officially part of CS U's honours.[28]

On 14 August 2013, CS Universitatea Craiova was provisionally affiliated to the Romanian Football Federation, following complications with a licensing file.[29] After resolving the issues, the club was introduced in Liga II, the second tier of the Romanian league system. Universitatea made its season debut on 27 August, with a 6–1 success over Pandurii II Târgu Jiu in the fourth round of the Romanian Cup.[30] In the 2013–14 Liga II season, CS Universitatea Craiova and FC U Craiova met in two direct matches, which hid the true identities of the clubs. CS Universitatea Craiova promoted back to Liga I in 2014 after 23 years of absence, while FC U Craiova was permanently excluded, but later reappeared under the name of FC U Craiova 1948 in 2017.

After the promotion, Universitatea ended the 2014–15 campaign in fifth place.[31] This result was followed by eighth place in the 2015–16 season and a fourth place at the end of the 2016–17 season, the latter ensuring return to European competitions. The comeback in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League was Italian side A.C. Milan, with Craiova leaving the competition after 0–3 on aggregate.[32][33] On 27 May 2018, Universitatea won its first trophy since its reinstatement after beating second-tier club Hermannstadt in the Cupa României final. The game ended 2–0 and was hosted by the Arena Națională in Bucharest.[34] One month later, the Romanian Football Federation approved an application to rename the society from Club Sportiv U Craiova SA to U Craiova 1948 Club Sportiv SA.[1] As the winner of Cupa României, Craiova subsequently took part in the 2018 Supercupa României, which they lost 0–1 to CFR Cluj on home ground.[35]

Two years later on 3 August 2020, in a home ground game against CFR Cluj, Universitatea Craiova came close to winning its first national league since the 1990–91 season. Dan Nistor opened the scoring for Craiova in the 11th minute, but their title contenders won the final fixture of the season 3–1, thus becoming champions for the third consecutive year.[36]

## Grounds[edit]

Main articles: Stadionul Ion Oblemenco (1967), Stadionul Extensiv, and Stadionul Ion Oblemenco

### Stadionul Ion Oblemenco (1967)[edit]

The new Stadionul Ion Oblemenco

Stadionul Ion Oblemenco (Ion Oblemenco Stadium) was a multi-purpose stadium in Craiova, and it was originally named Central Stadium. It was used mostly for football matches and would hold up to 25,252 people before it was demolished in 2015. The stadium was opened on 29 October 1967, with the national teams of Romania and Poland tying after scoring two goals each.

It hosted many matches during the Craiova Maxima era, such as the 1981–82 European Cup quarterfinal against Bayern Munich and the 1982–83 UEFA Cup semi-final against Benfica. Following the death of Universitatea Craiova legend Ion Oblemenco in 1996, the stadium was renamed in his honour. In 2008, the stadium underwent a major renovation, and in 2015 was entirely demolished.

#### Renovated Stadionul Ion Oblemenco[edit]

The new Ion Oblemenco Stadium, with a capacity of 30,929 seats, was inaugurated on 10 November 2017 with a friendly match between Universitatea Craiova and Czech club Slavia Prague.[37]

## Support[edit]

Craiova fans choreography

Universitatea Craiova has many fans in Craiova, especially in the region of Oltenia; in Romania, they are third-most supported team in the country after FCSB and Dinamo București, as shown in a 2016 survey.[38]

Many ultras groups exist, but in 2013, a strong division among the fans occurred due to the uncertainty regarding the true identities of the two clubs which claim the record of Universitatea. Sezione Ultra' 2000 and Utopia from Peluza Nord chose to support CS Universitatea Craiova,[39] while Praetoria and Ultras 2004 from Peluza Sud 97 chose FC U Craiova. Later in 2017, Ultras Craiova 2004 left FC U and decided to remain neutral.[40]

After some time, given the fact that CS Universitatea Craiova acquired most of the records, many new groups were founded: Peluza Nord Craiova: North Lions,[41] Vechiul Spirit Ultras, Nord Oltenia, Gruppo Sibiu, Gruppo Capitala, Ponsiona and UNU MAI UNIT.

In March 2018, FC U Craiova supporters attending a friendly game between Romania and Sweden at the Stadionul Ion Oblemenco booed CS U player Alexandru Mitriță upon being substituted out.[42] They also broke chairs, and as a response, CS U fans symbolically used insecticide to "get rid of the stench" left over by Peluza Sud 97 ultras.[43]

### Rivalries[edit]

Supporters at a match between Universitatea Craiova and Dinamo București in 1973.

Universitatea Craiova is rivals with Dinamo București. It first developed at the end of the 1972–73 season; the two finished with an equal number of points in the national championship, but Dinamo was awarded the title due to having a slightly superior goal difference.[44][45]

Știința also has less intense rivalries with three other clubs from the capital: Steaua București, FCSB, and Rapid București. Throughout time, the club had local competition with sides such as Extensiv Craiova and, from 2013, FC U Craiova, the aforementioned entity that claims the Universitatea record. The 2010s also saw the start of a minor rivalry against Pandurii Târgu Jiu, another team from Oltenia.[46]

## Honours[edit]

Note: As of November 2017, LPF attributes all Universitatea Craiova trophies won between 1948 and 1991 to this entity.[7][8] The ownership of these honours is disputed with FC U Craiova 1948, which acted as the continuation of Universitatea Craiova after the sports club dissolved its football section in 1991.[17] Another court order from 2018 suggested that neither of the current clubs actually hold the original honours.[10] On 10 July 2023, the Timișoara Court of Appeal established that the historical record achieved until the end of 1990–91 season belongs to CS U Craiova.[47]

### Domestic[edit]

#### Leagues[edit]

* Liga I
* Winners (4): 1973–74, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1990–91
* Runners-up (4): 1972–73, 1981–82, 1982–83, 2019–20
* Liga II
* Winners (2): 1963–64, 2013–14
* Runners-up (1): 1960–61
* Liga III
* Winners (1): 1957–58

#### Cups[edit]

* Cupa României
* Winners (7): 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1990–91, 2017–18, 2020–21
* Runners-up (2): 1974–75, 1984–85
* Supercupa României
* Winners (1): 2021
* Runners-up (1): 2018

## Players[edit]

### First team squad[edit]

As of 18 February 2024[48][49]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  ROU | David Lazar
2  | DF |  ROU | Ștefan Vlădoiu
3  | DF |  HON | Denil Maldonado (on loan from Motagua)
4  | MF |  ROU | Alexandru Crețu (4th captain)
5  | MF |  GEO | Anzor Mekvabishvili
6  | MF |  ROU | Vladimir Screciu (3rd captain)
7  | MF |  BIH | Zvonimir Kožulj
8  | MF |  ROU | Alexandru Mateiu
9  | FW |  ROU | Andrei Ivan
10  | MF |  ROU | Ștefan Baiaram
11  | DF |  ROU | Nicușor Bancu (Captain)
12  | DF |  EQG | Basilio Ndong
14  | MF |  FRA | Lyes Houri
15  | DF |  CRO | Juraj Badelj
18  | DF |  FIN | Pyry Soiri
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

19  | FW |  BIH | Elvir Koljić
20  | FW |  ROU | Jovan Marković
21  | GK |  ROU | Laurențiu Popescu
22  | MF |  ROU | Alexandru Cîmpanu
23  | MF |  ROU | Mihai Căpățînă
24  | FW |  ESP | Jalen Blesa
25  | DF |  CRO | Karlo Tomašec
26  | DF |  MKD | Gjoko Zajkov
28  | FW |  ROU | Alexandru Mitriță (Vice-captain)
31  | FW |  ROU | Ștefan Bană
33  | MF |  ROU | Robert Lăpădătescu
34  | DF |  BRA | Raúl Silva
36  | DF |  ROU | Florin Gașpăr
37  | MF |  ROU | Marian Danciu
38  | GK |  ROU | Matei Goga

### Out on loan[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

32  | MF |  ROU | Denis Benga (to Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț)
35  | MF |  ROU | David Sala (to CSM Alexandria)
39  | DF |  ROU | Ionuț Mitran (to CSM Slatina)
88  | FW |  ROU | Atanas Trică (to Tunari)
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | MF |  CRO | Ante Roguljić (to Universitatea Cluj)
-- | MF |  ROU | Alexandru Ișfan (to Petrolul Ploiești)
-- | MF |  ROU | Alexandru Melniciuc (to Tunari)
-- | MF |  ROU | Alberto Călin (to CSM Alexandria)

## Club officials[edit]

### Board of directors[edit]

| Role  | Name

|

Owners[50] |  Mihai Rotaru (95%)
Adrian Andrici (5%)
Board President  |  Adrian Andrici
Executive President  |  Mihai Rotaru
General Director  |  Ovidiu Costeșin
Marketing & Sales Director  |  Sabin Hera
Judicial Department  |  Aurel Fleancu
Youth Center Manager  |  Lucian Pretorian
Youth Center Coordinator  |  Dragoș Bon
Team Manager  |  Emil Pieleanu
Ticketing Department  |  Chimigeru Alin
Responsibles for Order and Safety  |  Florin Cîrstea
Communications Department  |  Răzvan Iova
Press Officer  |  Andrei Coadă-Nicolaescu
Store Manager  |  Claudia Trancă
Scouting Manager  |  Silviu Bogdan

* Last updated: 17 November 2023
* Source:[51]

### Current technical staff[edit]

| Role  | Name

|

Head coach  |  Constantin Gâlcă
Assistant coaches  |  Ionuț Stancu
Dumitru Uzunea
Iulian Matei
Goalkeeping coach  |  Daniel Tudor
Fitness coaches  |  Daniel Ene
Cătălin Tudor
Ciprian Prună
Video Analyst  |  Marius Francisc
Club Doctor  |  Claudiu Stamatescu
Physiokinetotherapists  |  Ovidiu Blendea
Marius Minae
Bogdan Geanimu
Radu Rinderu
Ion Vasilachi
Masseur  |  Aurel Tufan
Storemen  |  Ion Dinu

* Last updated: 17 April 2024
* Source:[52]

## Records and statistics[edit]

### European cups all-time statistics[edit]

Main article: CS Universitatea Craiova in European football

As of August 2022.
Competition  |  S  |  P  |  W  |  D  |  L  |  GF  |  GA  |  GD

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

UEFA Champions League / European Cup | 3 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 14 | −2
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup / European Cup Winners' Cup | 3 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 15 | +4
UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup | 14 | 53 | 22 | 10 | 21 | 36 | 53 | −17
UEFA Europa Conference League | 2 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 5 | +4
Total | 22 | 81 | 31 | 18 | 32 | 76 | 87 | −11

### League history[edit]

| Season  | Tier  | Division  | Place  | National Cup

|
|
|
|

2023–24 | 1 | Liga I | 3rd | Quarter-finals
2022–23 | 1 | Liga I | 4th | Group Stage
2021–22 | 1 | Liga I | 3rd | Semi-finals
2020–21 | 1 | Liga I | 3rd | Winners
2019–20 | 1 | Liga I | 2nd | Quarter Finals
2018–19 | 1 | Liga I | 4th | Semi-finals
2017–18 | 1 | Liga I | 3rd | Winners
| Season  | Tier  | Division  | Place  | National Cup

|
|
|
|

2016–17 | 1 | Liga I | 5th | Semi-finals
2015–16 | 1 | Liga I | 8th | Round of 32
2014–15 | 1 | Liga I | 5th | Quarter-finals
2013–14 | 2 | Liga II (Seria II) | 1st (C, P) | Fourth Round
1990–91 | 1 | Divizia A | 1st (C) | Winners
1989–90 | 1 | Divizia A | 3rd | Semi-finals

## Notable former players[edit]

Romania

* Sebastian Achim
* Mihai Bălașa
* Alexandru Băluță
* Cristian Bălgrădean
* Cristian Bărbuț
* Ovidiu Bic
* Marius Briceag
* Alexandru Cicâldău
* Marius Constantin
* Costin Curelea
* Andrei Dumitraș
* Viorel Ferfelea
* Cristian Ganea
* Florin Gardoș
* Valerică Găman
* Andrei Hergheligiu
* Simon Măzărache
* Valentin Mihăilă
* Dan Nistor
* Paul Papp
* Mihăiță Pleșan
* Mihai Roman II
* Dacian Varga
* Bogdan Vătăjelu

Albania

* Kamer Qaka

Argentina

* Pablo Brandán

Brazil

* Gustavo Vagenin
* Madson

Bulgaria

* Radoslav Dimitrov
* Valentin Iliev
* Apostol Popov
* Hristo Zlatinski

Cape Verde

* Kay
* Nuno Rocha

Côte d'Ivoire

* Stephane Acka

Croatia

* Renato Kelić

Germany

* Reagy Ofosu

Ghana

* Isaac Donkor

Italy

* Mirko Pigliacelli
* Fausto Rossi

Jordan

* Tha'er Bawab

Lithuania

* Giedrius Arlauskis

Moldova

* Nicolae Calancea

Portugal

* Tiago Ferreira

Serbia

* Uroš Ćosić

Slovenia

* Jasmin Kurtić

Spain

* Juan Cámara

Switzerland

* Matteo Fedele
* Ivan Martić

|
|

### Universitatea Craiova players at final tournaments[edit]

#### 2015 Africa Cup of Nations[edit]

* Cape Verde – Kay
* Cape Verde – Nuno Rocha

#### 2024 Africa Cup of Nations[edit]

* Equatorial Guinea – Basilio Ndong

## Notable former managers[edit]

### Romania[edit]

* Gavril Balint
* Gheorghe Mulțescu
* Eugen Neagoe
* Victor Pițurcă
* Laurențiu Reghecampf
* Emil Săndoi

### Bulgaria[edit]

* Ivaylo Petev

### Greece[edit]

* Marinos Ouzounidis

### Italy[edit]

* Cristiano Bergodi
* Devis Mangia

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ The club adopted its current name in 2018,[1] however the following year it formally requested to instead use the "Universitatea Craiova" trademark in all competitions it participates in.[2]
2. ^ As of November 2017, LPF attributes all Universitatea Craiova trophies won between 1948 and 1991 to the CS U entity.[7][8] FC U's only major trophy would be the 1992–93 Cupa României, although it is also claimed by the former.[9] Another court order from 2018 suggested that neither of the current clubs actually hold the original honours.[10]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Hotărârea Comitetului de Urgență al FRF din 21 iunie 2018" [FRF's Committee decision on 21 June 2018] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 22 June 2018. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
2. ^ "Deciziile Comitetului Executiv din 3 iulie 2019" [The Executive Committee's decisions on 3 July 2019] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. However, this only means they can use this name and NOT that they are Universitatea Craiova. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
3. ^ "Definitia juveții definitie DEX Online, dictionar roman". Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
4. ^ "Istoric" [History] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
5. ^ "Primarul Craiovei prezintă noua echipă de fotbal CS Universitatea" [Craiova's mayor presents the new CS Universitatea football team]. Adevărul. 4 July 2013. Archived from the original on 19 July 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
6. ^ Buzărin, Alin (14 May 2020). "Ce înseamnă promovarea lui FC U Craiova în Liga a 2-a?" [What does FC U Craiova's promotion to the League 2 mean?]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020. "This step forward of FC U will ignite the identity flame in Bănie. It always burned, and CS Universitatea, the League 1 team, always felt its flicker, even when Mititelu's side was struggling in the Fourth League."
7. ^ a b c "Informare cu privire la palmaresul CS U Craiova" [Information about the records of CS U Craiova] (in Romanian). LPF.ro. 10 November 2017. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
8. ^ a b "Profile: Clubul Sportiv U Craiova". UEFA. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
9. ^ a b "Marcel Popescu vrea Cupa la Craiova după 25 de ani: "În faza asta nu mai există bun şi rău"" [Marcel Popescu wants the Cup in Craiova after 25 years: "At this point there is no good or bad"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 14 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
10. ^ a b "S-a întors circul în Bănie! Șefii lui CS U Craiova râd de rivala FC U și de Peluza Sud înaintea duelului de vineri din Liga a 3-a " A venit și replica lui Mititelu" [The show returns to Bănie! CS U Craiova's officials make fun of rival FC U and Peluza Sud before the Liga 3 match on Friday " Mititelu also replied]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 1 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
11. ^ a b c d e f g "Istoric". ucv1948.ro. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
12. ^ Divizia C Season 1957–58 Archived 7 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine. romaniansoocer.ro (in Romanian)
13. ^ "Divizia B tables". romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
14. ^ "Divizia A tables". romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
15. ^ Craiova, campioana unei mari iubiri » O idee care a intrat în legendă Archived 7 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine. gsp.ro (in Romanian)
16. ^ Campioana unei mari iubiri! Prima echipă de legendă a Universităţii Craiova s-a 'născut' în anii 70! Archived 7 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine. ProSport (in Romanian)
17. ^ a b "Șah la rege" (in Romanian). Craiova-Maxima.ro. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
18. ^ "Hotărâri ale Comitetului Executiv al FRF". FRF. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
19. ^ "Somaţie trimisă Fotbal Club U Craiova". FRF. 13 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 September 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
20. ^ "Statutul Federatiei Romane de Fotbal" (PDF). FRF. 26 February 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
21. ^ "Universitatea a MURIT, trăiască Ştiinţa! Maşinăria de vot a lui Sandu a mers perfect". ProSport. 15 May 2012. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
22. ^ "Preşedintele Craiovei Maxima este alături de CS Universitatea: "Prevăd un viitor luminos acestui proiect"" (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 26 August 2013. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
23. ^ "HOTĂRÂRI ALE COMITETULUI EXECUTIV AL FRF" (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.
24. ^ "Craiova lui Mititelu contestă din nou dezafilierea". Libertatea (in Romanian). 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
25. ^ "Olguţa Vasilescu: CS U Craiova are deja antrenor, 22 de jucători şi buget de 1,5 milioane de euro". Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
26. ^ "Palmares" (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
27. ^ "Lovitură grea pentru Mititelu. Decizia luată joi de Justiţie" (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 9 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
28. ^ "CS U ia palmaresul Universităţii! Anunţul patronului Rotaru" (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
29. ^ "CSU Craiova e încă în aer. Nu a fost afiliată de FRF!" (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
30. ^ "CSU Craiova a "măturat" cu Pandurii II". Gazeta de Sud (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
31. ^ "CSU Craiova a promovat în Liga 1" [CSU Craiova promoted to Liga 1] (in Romanian). Digi24. 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
32. ^ "U Craiova 0–1 Milan". UEFA. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
33. ^ "PSV out as third qualifying round concludes". UEFA. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
34. ^ "Toată lumea știe, Cupa-i în Bănie!" [Everyone knows, the Cup is in Bănie!] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. 27 May 2018. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
35. ^ "CFR Cluj a câștigat Supercupa României 2018" [CFR Cluj won the 2018 Romanian Supercup] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
36. ^ "Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinicius. Ardelenii revin spectaculos, câștigă al treilea titlu consecutiv și se pregătesc de preliminariile Champions League" [Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinícius. Ardelenii turn the game around in a spectacular manner, win their third consecutive title and prepare for the Champions League qualifiers] (in Romanian). ProSport. 3 August 2020. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
37. ^ "Inaugurare SF pentru OZN-ul Craiovei" [Incredible opening for Craiova's UFO] (in Romanian). ProSport. 10 November 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
38. ^ "Steaua rămâne echipa cu cei mai mulţi fani în România. Rezultatele celui mai recent sondaj" [Steaua remains the team with the most fans in Romania. The results of the latest survey] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 10 February 2016. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
39. ^ "Trădare în Oltenia " Grupurile de ultraşi ai Universităţii Craiova se alătură echipei susţinute de Municipalitate!" [Betrayal in Oltenia "Universitatea Craiova ultras groups join the team sustained by the Municipality]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 4 September 2013. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
40. ^ "Al treilea tip de ultrași în Bănie " Comunicat oficial: "Nici cu echipa lui Mititelu, nici cu CS U. Ambele sunt clone!" » Scandal cu emblemele după apariția noului echipament al FC U". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
41. ^ "North Lions" (in Romanian). Craiova-Maxima.ro. 30 November 2015. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
42. ^ "ROMÂNIA – SUEDIA 1–0 // Mitriță, afectat de reacția fanilor: "Nu e firesc!" + E în dubiu pentru derby-ul cu CFR Cluj" [ROMANIA – SWEDEN 1–0 // Mitriță, affected by fans' reaction: "It's not normal!" + His presence is in doubt for the derby with CFR Cluj]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 28 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
43. ^ "Au folosit insecticid! Fanii Craiovei din Liga 1 au dezinfectat peluza ocupată la meciul cu Suedia de suporterii echipei lui Mititelu" [They used insecticide! Liga 1 fans of Craiova have disinfected the place where the supporters of Mititelu's team stayed at the match against Sweden] (in Romanian). ProSport. 30 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
44. ^ "CRAIOVA-DINAMO. Titlul pierdut dubios în '73 a generat ura oltenilor" [CRAIOVA-DINAMO. The title lost in a strange way in '73 generated the hate of "the People of Oltenia"] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 22 April 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
45. ^ "CS U Craiova – Dinamo, orgoliul a rămas, obiectivele s-au schimbat" [CS U Craiova – Dinamo, the pride remains, the objectives have changed] (in Romanian). Telekom Sport. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
46. ^ "Fotbal – Derbiul Olteniei din Liga I, pe 23 februarie" [Football – Liga I's Derby of Oltenia, on 23 February] (in Romanian). Gazeta de Sud. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
47. ^ https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/verdict-imens-curtea-de-apel-timisoara-a-decis-ca-cs-universitatea-craiova-detine-palmaresul-stiintei-hotararea-mai-poate-fi-atacata-cu-recurs-703903.html (in Romanian)
48. ^ "Echipa" [Squad] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
49. ^ "UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA" (in Romanian). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
50. ^ "O femeie este noul acționar de la Universitatea Craiova! Are 95% împreună cu Mihai Rotaru: ce s-a întâmplat cu partenerii ceilalți" (in Romanian). Prosport. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
51. ^ "Board of directors". Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
52. ^ "Technical staff". Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.

## External links[edit]

* Official website
* Club profile on UEFA's official website
* Club profile on LPF's official website. (Archived 11 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine).
* CS Universitatea Craiova on Facebook

* v
* t
* e

U Craiova 1948 Club Sportiv

* Players
* Managers
* History
* Honours
* Records and statistics
* Seasons
* Current season

Teams|

* Universitatea Craiova
* Universitatea II Craiova

General information|

* Players
* Managers
* Europe
* Seasons

History|

* History of Universitatea Craiova
* League record by opponent
* Rivalry with Dinamo Bucureşti

Stadium|

* Ion Oblemenco
* Ion Oblemenco (1967)
* Extensiv
* Municipal
* Tineretului

Other sports|

* Basketball
* Handball
* Volleyball
* Boxing
* Athletics
* Badminton
* Bridge
* Chess
* Fencing
* Judo
* Karate
* Table tennis
* Wrestling

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Liga I

Clubs|

| 2023–24|

* Botoșani
* CFR Cluj
* Dinamo București
* Farul Constanța
* FCSB
* FC U Craiova
* Hermannstadt
* Oțelul Galați
* Petrolul Ploiești
* Politehnica Iași
* Rapid București
* Sepsi OSK
* Universitatea Cluj
* Universitatea Craiova
* UTA Arad
* Voluntari

|

Former|

* Academica Clinceni
* ACS Poli Timișoara
* Argeș Pitești
* ASA Târgu Mureș
* Astra Giurgiu
* Aurul Brad
* Avântul Reghin
* Banatul Timișoara
* Brașovia Brașov
* Bukarester
* CA Oradea
* CAM Timișoara
* Carmen București
* Câmpulung Moldovenesc
* Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț
* Cercul Atletic București
* CFR Brașov
* CFR Timișoara
* Chindia Târgoviște
* Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea
* Chinezul Timișoara
* Ciocanul București
* Colentina București
* Colțea București
* Colțea Brașov
* Concordia Chiajna
* Concordia Iași
* Corona Brașov
* Corvinul Hunedoara
* FC Craiova
* Craiovan Craiova
* Crișana Oradea
* CS Târgu Mureș
* CSM Reșița
* Dacia Unirea Brăila
* Dacia Vasile Alecsandri Galați
* Dermata Cluj
* Dragoș Vodă Cernăuți
* Dunărea Călărași
* Dunărea Galați
* Educația Fizică București
* Excelsior București
* Extensiv Craiova
* FC Bihor
* FC Brașov (1936)
* FCM Bacău
* FCM Târgoviște
* Ferar Cluj
* Foresta Fălticeni
* Fulgerul Chișinău
* Gaz Metan Mediaș
* Generala Craiova
* Gloria Arad
* Gloria Bistrița
* Gloria Buzău
* Gloria CFR Galați
* Hakoah Cernăuți [ro]
* Hermannstadt
* Inter Sibiu
* Internațional Curtea de Argeș
* Înțelegerea Oradea
* Jahn Cernăuți
* Jiul Petroșani
* Juventus București
* Maccabi Cernăuți
* Metalochimic București
* Metalul Câmpia Turzii
* Mihai Viteazul Chișinău
* Minaur Baia Mare
* Minerul Lupeni
* Mioveni
* Mureșul Târgu Mureș
* Olimpia Satu Mare
* Oltenia Craiova [ro]
* Olt Scornicești
* Oltul Slatina
* Olympia București
* Onești
* Otopeni
* Pandurii Târgu Jiu
* Phoenix Baia Mare
* Ploiești
* Politehnica Iași (1945)
* Politehnica Timișoara
* Prahova Ploiești
* Polonia Cernăuți
* Progresul București
* Ripensia Timișoara
* Rocar București
* Româno-Americană București
* Săgeata Năvodari
* Siderurgistul Galați
* Societatea de Gimnastică Arad [ro]
* Societatea Gimnastică Sibiu
* Societatea Sportivă Sibiu
* Sportul Studențesc
* Stăruința Oradea
* Suceava
* Șoimii Sibiu
* Târgu Mureș
* Turnu Severin
* UM Timișoara
* Unirea Alba Iulia
* Unirea Tricolor București
* Unirea Urziceni
* Uniunea Sportivă București
* Universitatea Cluj
* Vagonul Arad
* Vaslui
* Venus București
* Victoria Brănești
* Victoria București
* Victoria Cluj
* Victoria Iași
* Viitorul București
* Viitorul Constanța
* Voința Sibiu
* Vulturii Textila Lugoj

Competition|

* Winners
* Foreign players
* Romanian expatriate footballers
* Stadia
* Founding
* Broadcasters
* System

Statistics and awards|

* Record
* All-time table
* Clubs by major honors won
* Golden Boot

Associated competitions|

* Cupa României
* Supercupa României
* Cupa Ligii
* UEFA Champions League
* UEFA Europa League
* UEFA Europa Conference League
* UEFA Super Cup
* FIFA Club World Cup

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Liga I seasons

* 1909–10
* 1910–11
* 1911–12
* 1912–13
* 1913–14
* 1914–15
* 1915–16
* 1916–19
* 1919–20
* 1920–21
* 1921–22
* 1922–23
* 1923–24
* 1924–25
* 1925–26
* 1926–27
* 1927–28
* 1928–29
* 1929–30
* 1930–31
* 1931–32
* 1932–33
* 1933–34
* 1934–35
* 1935–36
* 1936–37
* 1937–38
* 1938–39
* 1939–40
* 1940–41
* 1941–46
* 1946–47
* 1947–48
* 1948–49
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957–58
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template