“Let’s not forget that football is a game that is practiced for performances. If last year University Craiova helped Steaua to win the Championship, 1999 means for Rapid the year of victory, when it proved that it doesn’t need help to obtain great performances. Why shouldn’t we admit that even if the domestic Championship is very weak at present, this fact doesn’t diminish at all the merits of the team Rapid. It is something we, the railway-men are proud of, as we realize that we haven’t worked in vain. I think we have contributed quite a lot at the modernization of the sportive basis under the Grant Bridge, which is the property of CN CFR-SA. Through this performance, Rapid can prove its value also in international competitions. We have the team we deserve, because we have worked a lot to have it.”
George Buruiana – general manager of SNTFM CFR Goods – SA“I am a railway-man but not a fan of the team Rapid. I have been a supporter of Steaua for approximately 35 years. Personally, I consider that Rapid has achieved a lot by winning this Championship. As it has played in the return match, it deserved this. It also had some luck, as the battle with Dinamo didn’t last too much. Dinamo lost on the last hundred meters due to the lack of concentration. In life you also need some luck. In my view, the value of Steaua will be seen in the match for the Cup”.
Valentin Bota – general manager of SNTFC CFR Passengers – SA“Rapid deserved to win the Championship by the way it had played at each game. It had a certain constancy and it had followed permanently the objective it had to accomplish. Evidently, a special merit has also Mr. Mircea Lucescu, who managed to unit them and inspire them hope and the desire to win. In my opinion, Dinamo started in force at its very first leg. It had no chance to maintain the top position in the Championship until the final. The level of the game started to sink and Dinamo’s force in this Championship vanished in the game with Rapid. Although I am a great fan of Rapid, I have emotions for the game in the Cup of Romania. The railway-men, sure of themselves after this victory, will consider the game won beforehand and Steaua will take profit from this situation. I think they should mobilize themselves, because this is their chance. We cannot know if this opportunity of winning an event will come soon again.”
Gheorghe Degeratu – manager of the Exploitation Group of the CFR Palace“After tens of years of work, Rapid, the team which is mostly loved by the Romanian public, deserved to win this Championship. I love this team from all my heart, as it climbed in the top through its own forces.
The match from the Cup of Romania will be very difficult. Both teams wish this victory above anything. However, in my opinion, the match will end 2-1 in favor of Rapid.”
Nicolae Filipoiu – driver“I consider that 32 years of waiting were enough. Rapid deserved to win and it managed to do so. I hope it will have even more successes from now on.”