Rapid Bucharest proved again that it is a strong team, but at the same time it needs a little bit of luck. Maybe in the next edition of the Romanian Cup, the railway-men will be glad and not the fans of Steaua or Dinamo.

One fact if sure: during the 90 minutes, Rapid played much better than Steaua and not worse in the extensions. It knew how to take every opportunity and realistically the triumph of the team from Giulesti would have been a deserved one.

Let’s not criticize them, let’s not be angry with them, because it’s them who offered the first show on 16 JUNE 1999. They were rigorous in defense, flexible in the middle field and good in attack. Most of the time the players of Rapid pushed their opponents into the 11 m square, near the goalkeeper of Steaua, Ritli. Thus, they showed everybody how football is played in the true sense of the word. If we look at the film of the game, we an observe that the opportunities of the white-cherry red team started in the very first minute of the match by Barbu kicking strongly the ball. Up to minute 45 when Ganea starts alone an action and dribbles two “military” backs, but the ball does not hit the space of the gate, nobody thought that this game could be under a bad omen. I say this because the dramatic final convinced us that Rapid has had more chances, but couldn’t capitalize them and Steaua lived dangerously until minute 105 when Pancu had the opportunity to reverse the situation, but sent the ball in the crossbars of Ritli’s gate.

Thus, that ounce of luck, which the white-cherry red team needed, turned with the second penalty into red-blue, proving that it is so simple to win the ROMANIAN CUP from 11 m.

But head up, boys! Next year you will succeed in taking the event!