retired_Andrea

2011/2012 Final League Table

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Rapid| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | ECC | Rapid | | 34 | 24 | 7 | 3 | 68 | 28 | +40 | 79 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | ECC | Dinamo Buc. | | 34 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 51 | 25 | +26 | 66 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | EC | Steaua | | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 55 | 33 | +22 | 63 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | EV | U Craiova | | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 54 | 34 | +20 | 61 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | U Cluj | | 34 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 52 | 38 | +14 | 55 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | CS Otopeni | | 34 | 16 | 5 | 13 | 46 | 45 | +1 | 53 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | FCU Poli | | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 50 | 40 | +10 | 51 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Farul | | 34 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 45 | 41 | +4 | 49 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Gloria | | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 46 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | SC Vaslui | | 34 | 9 | 16 | 9 | 37 | 42 | -5 | 43 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | EC | Otelul | | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 42 | 50 | -8 | 41 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_Andrea

Table Part II

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| 12th | | Unirea Urziceni | | 34 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 34 | 39 | -5 | 40 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Forex Bv. | | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 32 | 58 | -26 | 39 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Caracal | | 34 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 36 | 49 | -13 | 36 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | R | Sportul | | 34 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 37 | 55 | -18 | 34 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | R | FC National | | 34 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 33 | 47 | -14 | 33 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | R | FC Botosani | | 34 | 4 | 14 | 16 | 37 | 49 | -12 | 26 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | R | Gaz Metan | | 34 | 3 | 9 | 22 | 27 | 63 | -36 | 18 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

And the screenshot...

retired_charytine

KUTGW! i suppose that another season will be done! it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

retired_Andrea

(I plan to do another season in Romania, and then possibly more in another league, you'll have to read on to find out! PS - I'm glad people do read this because it's a lot of work writing reports.)

A Change of Plan...

Well, sitting by Luca's bedside, I got a good chance to think about what I believed the club needed, it was easy. Defenders, particularly some good full-backs. I sent a text message to Cristian asking for information on some fullbacks I had identified from our league matches as well as scout reports throughout the season.

The UEFA Cup qualification was definitely the highlight of the season. Our forward play was incredible but teams with wingers and good set pieces seemed to be our achilles' heel, and I didn't want to set a record for 'worst UEFA Cup qualifying games ever'.

The first player I offered a contract to was Ivan Ivanovic of Hajduk Rodic. A right sided defender who I'd had an offer of €1,900,000 accepted for. The deal went through quickly, as I liked, and I felt was a great bit of business for the young Serbian as he was an up-and-coming potential International.

Next was the Romanian left-back Szabo, in an agreed deal that would take Constantin the other way as well as €1,300,000 to fund Gloria's summer transfers. Szabo's transfer fell through for no reason though.

I sold Benga to FC Brasov for €375,000, and Rósa soon followed for €525,000 and a large sell-on clause. I decided to work on a 4-5-1 for the upcoming season, as the division was very 4-4-2 and I felt a 4-5-1 could best exploit that formation.

Vãtuva was next out, for €450,000 to FC Arges. I was determined to sort this squad out and get rid of the chaff. I enquired again about Szabo, he was a young left back who I really felt could become a great part of our team. We were going to have to be better than at the end of last season if we wanted to progress up the table and stay safe.

The board informed me that the upgrade to the training and youth facility would be finished around September 20th. I sat with Luca by the river Danube, my favourite thinking place, subconsciously munching on one of the sandwiches we had brought with us. "Uncle Matt," Luca started, "I know it's a silly thing to ask, but... can I stay with you when you leave Romania?"

I sat up, thinking about it. "I don't know, Luca, I'd like you to but I've got no legal right to take you with me." He snuggled up close to me in the warm sunlight, accepting my answer. I recieved word that Uzun's €240,000 move to FC Poli had gone through, so I needed to start looking at centre backs.

The first one I decided to offer for was Mijanovic, on the transfer list at OFK Nis for €275,000. Not the strongest in the air but a great man marker, which would be useful in my new system.

I offered a contract to Szabo after my €2,900,000 offer was accepted, at the same time Mijanovic decided he wasn't interested, after I outoffered what he was asking for. Git. He accepted my second offer, but cost me a million euros to bag him instead of three hundred grand.

Twenty first of July and we finally looked much better to me, with Szabo joining from Gloria my renovation of the defense was nearly complete. Next up was a new midfielder and a new right winger, the Galacticós of Romania were taking form. Scouts were sent around to look at some targets.

One midfielder we picked up wind of was Borac's Slobodan Milosivic, who signed for €1,100,000 after passing Luca's depthy interview process. The next was proving more difficult to sign, €4,000,000 being the first offer that was accepted for Nenad Simic. I hoped that my lucrative offer of ten times his current salary would persuade him to move to Galati, but there was no way it'd go through before the first game of the new season, against the old enemy Rapid

retired_Andrea

So the closed season's not in the summer...

That was one thing I'd found out about Romanian football so far, the closed season was when I joined, in the winter. Luca was telling me all about the fact that most transfers were traditionally done in the winter touring period. I told him this was probably part of what made it hard to get noticed as a Romanian club, you couldn't tour any of the big leagues. They didn't close in winter.

RAPID AWAY
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Ivanovic (DR), Szabo (DL), Mijanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Schwartz (MC), Daminutã (MC), Milosevic (MC), Elek (AMR), Ceran (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Bucuricã, Enescu, Izvoranu, Rãdoi, Kravchenko, Sighiartãu.

RAPID LINEUP: Coman (GK), Pistol (DC), Maftei (DC), Sãpunaru (DC), Popescu (MR), Dumitrescu (ML), Plesan (MC), Dina (MC), Tkachuk (AMC), Mazilu (FC), Burdujan (FC); Buga, Lucian Cigan, Enciu, Marc, Mot, Rusescu, Tãnase.

The pain was still there, undeniably it hurt to think of the last time we faced Rapid. We were ninety minutes away from a famous moment and we bottled it. I sat with Luca in the dugout, he was whispering to me that he thought we would win this one.

The last thing I remember telling the players was, "I don't want a repeat of last time, we can win this lads!" Ceran certainly thought so as he lashed the ball straight into the net from Schwartz's pinpoint cross on twelve minutes.

Ceran thought he had doubled the lead, but the linesman thought otherwise, and I remember a member of the crowd screaming at Luca, "Yeah, ****er!" when he cheered. Scum, Rapid scum. We had certainly been the better team up to this point, but we knew Rapid were good on the break and could hurt us from anywhere with their quality.

0-1 up at half time, ****ing excellent. I encouraged the lads to carry on, hoping that their nerves would hold. Ceran missed an absolute sitter which would've put the game a little further away from Rapid on fifty-eight, and Burdujan returned the favour a minute later.

On sixty minutes I subbed Izvoranu on for Schwartz, as the midfielder was being quite tenacious and had already been booked. Daminutã came off injured on seventy-five, Kravchenko his replacement. I hoped it was nothing serious but there was no way he was playing on.

Sãpunaru was sent off for Rapid for squaring a kick into Martinovic's knee, thankfully not taking him out of the game. We still had to be careful however, because ten-man Rapid is still a dangerous opponent.

The final whistle went, I was happy, but I couldn't help but wonder why we couldn't've done that two months ago. The physio informed me that Daminutã was going to be out for about three weeks with a damaged elbow, which was certainly better news than it could've been.

Attendance: 16,325.
Rapid Goalscorers: 0 (Sãpunaru sent off 78').
Otelul Goalscorers: 1; Ceran 12'.

Marius called me right after the match, you'd expect he was calling to congratulate me on a great result. You'd be wrong. "Matt, great result against Rapid but... I have to tell you something. The board expectation isn't going to earn you your bonus, Matt..."
"You what, Marius?"
"We're going to need a little more from you if you want seven million euros this time around..."
"What the ****, Marius?"
"Top half, Matt, it's all I'm asking."
"You're having a laugh, that's your son."
"**** my son, Matt, I can clear my whole debt with a top half finish!"

I thought he was joking, but he was deadly serious, I thought of something, "Marius... alright I'll ****ing do it, on one condition."
"What's that, Matty boy?"
"You sign something that says I can be Luca's legal parent."
"I'm gonna want more for that..."
"How much more?" Was he really putting a price on custody of his own child?
"UEFA Cup, get to the group stages."
"That's going to depend on the draw Marius, you know that."
"Just do it Matt. If the draw's really ****, I want you to finish in the top seven." He hung up.

Luca had heard the whole thing, and sat next to me on my bed. "What's up, uncle Matt?"
"Nothing, Luca, nothing."
"He wants you not to save me?"
"He wants to make it a lot harder."
"How?" The little boy started shivering.
"I have to finish top half."
"You can do it uncle Matt, but what was the stuff about you adopting me?!"
"If I qualify for the UEFA Cup group stages..."

I held him close to me, so brave of him to believe. I had already fronted the bonus from last year on his treatment, keeping only enough to clear my debt. His next treatment was due on the 31st July, two days.

It came and went with no trouble, I was getting used to the drive to Bucharest. My problem came when I realised Schwartz had no plan to renew his contract after all the club had done for him. He and Paraschiv were standing firm and trying to go to bigger and better things.

Next up was Steaua at home, a fixture which in the past would've been seen as nigh unwinnable but a few of the bookies even had us as favourites.

STEAUA BUCHAREST AT HOME
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Ivanovic (DR), Szabo (DL), Mijanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Schwartz (MC), Izvoranu (MC), Milosevic (MC), Elek (AMR), Ceran (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Bucuricã, Enescu, Dantes, Rãdoi, Kravchenko, Sighiartãu.

STEAUA LINEUP: Hutan (GK), Ionascu (DR), Nesu (DL), Goian (DC), Fedoriv (DC), Oprita (MR), Cristocea (ML), Rãdoi (MC), Paraschiv (MC), Torje (FC), Tudor (FC); Badea, Boghian, Dicã, Litovchenko, Neculai, Ninkovic, Vâtcã.

With Martinovic out on International duty, this really was stretching my striking options if I wanted to keep Elek and Ceran on the wings, Sighiartãu starting up front. I joked to Luca that "we should stop signing Internationals, they take too many days off."

Steaua came out well, pressing and passing strong. The bookies were wrong, by twenty minutes in I was already resigned to being happy with a point against a star-studded (Pardon the Pun) team. However, on forty two minutes we were ahead, Elek meeting a corner and smashing it past Hutan.

At half-time I told the team I was pleased, I wanted to keep morale up, but Torje drew the visitors level, finding Tãnasã off his line on sixty minutes. I took Majanovic off and put Radoi on, moving Ivanovic into the centre, and also replaced goalscorer Elek with Kravchenko.

Steaua went ahead on seventy minutes from a set piece, Nesu firing in from the edge of the box. Steaua probably deserved their win but it was disappointing to throw away a lead like that.

Attendance: 12,407.
Otelul Goalscorers: 1; Elek 42'.
Steaua Goalscorers: 2; Torje 61', Nesu 71'.

Simic signed for four million euros, the fans were impressed because we'd been pressed by other clubs for him. Next up was a run of matches we'd need to pick up good points from. U Cluj away, newly promoted Auxerre Logoj at home and then Gloria at home.

The bookies made us 33-1 for the title, which was a little optimistic in my opinion, considering that fan expectation was little more than safety. I was wondering when we would have to play the dreaded UEFA Cup games more than anything, especially with the stakes riding on them. God, my brother was a dickhead.

U CLUJ AWAY
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Ivanovic (DR), Szabo (DL), Mijanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Schwartz (MC), Lãcãtus (MC), Milosevic (MC), Simic (AMR), Ceran (AML), Sighiartãu (FC); Marinescu, Cistean, Izvoranu, Dantes, Nogo, Enescu, Elek.

U CLUJ LINEUP: Tudor (GK), Mihai (DR), Gabor (DL), Kabelskiy (DC), Pop (DC), Villand (MC), Giurgiu (MC), Deaconu (MC), Sarkadi (AMC), Stoianof (FC), Sintejudean (FC); Filip, Mot, Oae, Prodan, Rosenblum, Szekely, Vizitiu.

We could've been a goal up within a minute if it wasn't for a stunning save from Tudor to deny Ceran's close range volley, but it was the home side that went up within five, from a piece of **** backpass and even worse clearance.

Sighiartãu drew us level from a debut assist from Simic just after the half-hour mark, we had fully deserved a goal, and if I'm honest, the lead, but it was U Cluj who got that too, off a dodgy penalty just before the break. Twice we had been behind, no times deserving to.

I was embarrassed that we couldn't pull the game back, losing 2-1, it was really ****. We were the better team by a million miles and couldn't make it tell. This was rediculous. How the **** could I sort out our sloppy defending?

Attendance: 6,667.
U Cluj Goalscorers: 2; Stoianof 4', Szekely 44'.
Otelul Goalscorers: 1; Sighiartãu 33'.

I just couldn't wait for the next game to be honest, there was no way we could keep outplaying teams and losing, was there? I also couldn't wait for the olympics to finish so I'd have my best striker back.

The next game was a must-win if we were to get back on track, we couldn't afford to keep ****ing up if we were harbouring ambitions of a good finish. Even at this stage of the season we needed to get our act together and fast.

AUXERRE LOGOJ AT HOME
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Ivanovic (DR), Szabo (DL), Mijanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Schwartz (MC), Lãcãtus (MC), Milosevic (MC), Simic (AMR), Ceran (AML), Sighiartãu (FC); Marinescu, Cistean, Izvoranu, Daminutã, Martinovic, Enescu, Elek.

AUXERRE LOGOJ LINEUP: Pascu (GK), Muntianu (DR), Dedu (DL), Dobre (DC), Pãun (DC), Deaconu (MR), Boghitoi (ML), Marin (MC), Posteucã (MC), Neagu (FC), Pecarov (FC); Gosa, Leahã, Micsa, Mihai, Mirea, Nicola, Voiculet.

I really did expect a drubbing today, this was the day everything should click, and we should prove our ability. Ceran was injured within three minutes, replaced by Elek and Simic moved to the other side. Sending off? Thought not.

We were the best team in the first half, but failed to put the ball in the net, which is what counts. Even Luca knew that the team had underperformed, with his rose tinted glasses he couldn't say he was happy with the team's display. I told them at half time to get out there and blow this little club over.

Seventy five minutes, no goals, I put on Izvoranu and Daminutã but I was seething at the inability to turn chances into score. Eighty nine minutes, Sighiartãu picks up a nothing ball on the right wing, crosses, Elek crashes into it and bungles it into the net. Goal. Otelul Goal.

Gosa was sent off for the home team for pushing Schwartz in injury time. Finally a home win. Played two: won two, lost two. I threw my arms around little Luca who looked relieved more than anything that we'd finally put something away.

Attendance: 6,137.
Otelul Goalscorers: 1; Elek 89'.
Auxerre Logej Goalscorers: 0 (Gosa sent off 90').

The bad news, however, was Ceran was going to be out for between one and two months with fractured ribs, which at least would make the decision between Elek, Simic and Ceran for the wings easier for the time being. Elek's form was great, Simic needed games but Ceran was such a good player it was hard to drop him, although I suspected I'd've moved him into Striker as Sighiartãu was hardly setting the world alight.

I walked into the living room after a long ponder over the team, I saw Luca watching the English Community Shield, "You've managed in that league, right uncle Matt?" He looked up at me and I nodded, "Yep, at Bristol City, then Blackburn." Arsenal won the game against Liverpool 2-1. "I really want to see a Premier League game, uncle Matt."

I put my arms around him and lifted him onto my knee, sitting on the bed, "You will, Luca, you'll see whatever Premier League game you want." I flicked the TV over to the UEFA Cup draw, we weren't seeded. We ended up drawing St Mirren of Scotland, which I felt was a good fixture for us, something we had a hope of winning.

GLORIA AT HOME
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Ivanovic (DR), Szabo (DL), Mijanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Schwartz (MC), Daminutã (MC), Milosevic (MC), Elek (AMR), Simic (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Cistean, Lãcãtus, Enescu, Izvoranu, Kravchenko, Sighiartãu.

GLORIA LINEUP: Ciurea (GK), Tãut (DR), Puiu (DL), Iacob (DC), Cârciumaru (DC), Bãjenaru (MR), Turcu (ML), Pit (MC), Marc (MC), Neagu (FC), Rãducu (FC); Adam, Bichiri, Chivu, Fãrcuta, Neculai, Pintilii, Turcas.

The first ten minutes were pure Otelul pressure, three times Luca and I thought we'd scored just to see side netting, post and an amazing save deny Martinovic twice and Simic. The difference the star striker, as well as midfield workhorse Daminutã made to the team was astounding.

Neagu looked like the main threat, he was very pacy and capable of breaking the offside trap, so I told the defenders to lie a little deeper. Centre-back Majinovic scored our first goal from a corner on twenty minutes, I leapt for joy as Gloria were on rich form and an early goal should help calm the nerves.

Simic put us two up after Martinovic chipped over Ciurea, but wide of the target, to send us into half time 2-0 up. The dressing room was vibrant, we just couldn't wait for the second half. Undoubtably Luca's highlight was the Coca-Cola he was drinking, as the doctors had kept him off it until last week.

The second half started awfully, Neagu pulling Gloria back into it, I yelled to the lads to wake up. Wake up they did, Milosovic slapping home an edge of the box free kick that could well have been a penalty claim. Seventy five minutes came, and I put Izvoranu on for the tired Daminutã and Kravchenko on for Simic.

Turcu clawed Gloria back another goal from close range in the last ten minutes, and Luca beside me was literally praying that we kept the game. Four minutes of injury time, the fans roared in protest. I took Elek off for Lãcãtus to try to use more injury time as Gloria rushed forward. Three points well earned after a great game of football.

Attendance: 8,048.
Otelul Goalscorers: 3; Mijanovic 20', Simic 43', Milosevic 55'.
Gloria Goalscorers: 2; Neagu 46', Turcu 84'.

The next day, I think was the first time Luca's doctors had seen me without a scowl, he had the unenviable chance of spending his tenth birthday, August 27th, in hospital, but he was awake for it at least and we sat and played the Xbox IV on a TV the staff had kindly brought in for us.

I phoned Ovidiu Sabãu, Gloria's manager, and told him I felt they were the best side we'd beaten and he could still have a very successful season. He seemed happy, and joked about being sure I'd not do the same at his place. The heat was very much on though, I couldn't afford to **** up, especially when we would play St Mirren on 13th September.

retired_Andrea

Pride, Passion and Belief...

So, away to third-from-bottom FC Brasov, who would definitely be searching for a good result, and then our first UEFA Cup game under my management, with a possibility of reaching the group stage for the first time in the club's history. "I'm up for it!" The ten year old beside me shouted gleefully, when I groaned about the St Mirren game.

As a player for Lazio I had scored an embarassing own goal against the Scottish side in 2003, and I was pretty sure the fans wouldn't let it let it slip, especially considering I put them out with a brace in the second leg. Still, our concentration had to be on the Silviu Ploiesteanu in Brasov, a result here could put us a good few points above the halfway mark of the table.

I sent my UEFA Cup squad list to administration, requiring a few inclusions on merit of their being trained by our poor academy, despite the low chance of some of them making the cut to play any games. With our improving academy facilities I was ultimately hoping that in future the club could name home grown players for their merit rather than to meet rules.

The drive down was very pleasant, the sun was high and it was warm but not unbearable. I really loved the Romanian countryside, there was nothing quite like driving in my homeland, especially with a boy who enjoyed the sights and sounds and appreciated his life as much as Luca.

FC BRASOV AWAY
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Ivanovic (DR), Szabo (DL), Mijanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Schwartz (MC), Daminutã (MC), Milosevic (MC), Elek (AMR), Simic (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Cistean, Lãcãtus, Enescu, Izvoranu, Kravchenko, Sighiartãu.

BRASOV LINEUP: Zdrîncã (GK), Andronic (DR), Ganea (DL), Burcã (DC), Ciuciuleacã (DC), Rósa (MR), Ciorega (ML), Hodor (MC), Benga (MC), Peres (FC), Vasiliu (FC), Cipãu, Cristea, Cristescu, Damian, Iacob, Marin.

I named an unchanged squad from the win over Gloria, using the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mindset. Facing Otelul old boys Benga and Rósa was a challenge their former companions were relishing. Our fans applauded their names as they were welcomed back onto the pitch.

Brasov scored through a free kick with Hodor planting on four minutes. The players were furious as they thought it was never a free kick, I agreed. Other than the referee booking everyone who attempted to tackle, not much more happened before half-time.

Seventy minutes came and we were still somehow behind, I took off Schwartz and Elek for Izvorany and Sighiartãu. Izvoranu drew us level with his first touch, a free header from an amazing Simic cross. It finished 1-1 but we really let ourselves down by failing to convert chances. Next up: St Mirren.

Attendance: 4,054.
Brasov Goalscorers: 1; Hodor 5'.
Otelul Goalscorers: 1; Izvoranu 74'.

In a way I was looking forward to the visit of the Scottish team, they would play a style of football that I'd missed since leaving Britain. Luca was slumped up against my legs, playing FIFA while I tapped away on my laptop looking up the Scots.

Joe Bennett on loan from Chelsea looked like their danger man, but I wasn't sure if he was eligible to play in Cup matches. I ****ing hope not based on his ratings in the news. 28 year old USA International Christopher Joyce was their primary goalscorer, but he didn't look too impressive on the videos. He was no Shevchenko.

ST MIRREN AT HOME
UEFA Cup - First Round; First Leg

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Ivanovic (DR), Bucuricã (DL), Paraschiv (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Schwartz (MC), Daminutã (MC), Milosevic (MC), Elek (AMR), Simic (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Cistean, Nogo, Enescu, Izvoranu, Kravchenko, Sighiartãu.

ST MIRREN LINEUP: Brill (GK), Perch (DR), Mee (DL), McLaughlin (DC), Kendall (DC), Artus (MR), Bennett (ML), Griffith (MC), Cropley (MC), Kean (FC), Joyce (FC); Collins, Loy, Milsom, Ogogo, Ricketts, Robinson, Whing.

With Szabo ruled out with a rib bruised in training, Bucuricã had his chance to step up on the big stage. Bennett was allowed to play after all, which I found harsh to say the least, considering his talent, but that's football. Ivanovic had a job on his hands.

Schwartz missed a free header in the box on the fourth minute as we pressed impressively against the Scottish side. Martinovic also missed from in the box, I groaned because that was a great opportunity. McLaughlin put the visitors ahead ten minutes in as I grimaced at the way we defended the set piece.

Martinovic made a glorious run from a Simic through ball and drew us level at the other end, firing cooly into the inside netting at the far post. Disaster as Mijanovic got sent off for a second bookable offence after thirty minutes. I switched to a 3-5-1 but I was far from happy with the refereeing.

I took Daminutã off for Izvoranu and Elek for Kravchenko at sixty five minutes, searching for a winner, we went ahead through Izvoranu at seventy nine minutes after Tãnasã produced stunning saves consecutively from Bennett and Kean. I took off the knackered Milosevic for Cistean to play a 4-4-1.

Loy drew the visitors equal, the defense the culprit again, and then it was three, Artus firing in the third away goal. All to ****ing do at their place.

Attendance: 4,912.
Otelul Goalscorers: 2; Martinovic 28', Izvoranu 78' (Mijanovic sent off 32').
St. Mirren Goalscorers: 3; McLaughlin 11', Loy 86', Artus 89'.

******** to that, and another game straight up to put it right. And put it right I expected us to after that horrific performance. Mijanovic didn't even dare to protest his two week wage fine for the dismissal. The reason we ****ing lost.

I made it understood that I expected a lot ****ing better against Urinea unless some players wanted to lose their starting places. I told the media I expected a win in the game, and nothing less than a great performance to make up for the midweek bullshit.

UNIREA URZICENI AT HOME
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Izvoranu (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Milosevic (MC), Daminutã (MC), Schwartz (MC), Elek (AMR), Simic (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Bucuricã, Dantes, Lãcãtus, Mijanovic, Kravchenko, Sighiartãu.

UNIREA LINEUP: Negut (GK), Balint (DR), Crãciunescu (DL), Stoica (DC), Ninu (DC), Ilie (MR), Neagoe (ML), Sitaru (MC), Vãtavu (MC), Stere (FC), Jula (FC); Bar, Boangiu, Buhãescu, Murgan, Popescu, Stãnculescu, Surdu.

We possessed a lot of play, but it took forty minutes for Elek to nod home Simic's corner, for once a set piece going our way, Luca jumped for joy as his favourite player added to his tally.

Half-time was all determination. It wasn't done yet and in recent times we'd gifted teams goals in the second half. It wasn't over until the final whistle, that was the message I was trying to drill into these players.

Simic passed up a great chance to double our lead, hitting the post of an open goal. Unirea looked a lot more like scoring in the second half, but they hadn't taken over, it was a very open game with gasps at one end, near misses and great saves at the other. 'A great advert for the league, as long as we win,' I thought.

At seventy minutes I took the worn Milosevic off for a hungry Kravchenko, and we hung on for a very good win against Unirea, a little lucky to take all three points.

Attendance: 9,885.
Otelul Goalscorers: 1; Elek 42'.
Unirea Goalscorers: 0.

So, what next? FCU Poli Away, that's what. This was a lot of games in a very short period of time, proving to be pretty taxing. Luca yawned on the drive there, he hadn't slept well the night before, and as a result nor had I. He was very talkative recently as he was getting a lot better, and he'd gone from lethargic to hyperactive and finding it hard to sleep.

Poli was always a tough game, they were hard to break down and flying at fourth in the league, certainly not a team I expected to roll over, having said that, I still expected a committed performance.

FCU POLI AWAY
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Izvoranu (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Milosevic (MC), Daminutã (MC), Schwartz (MC), Elek (AMR), Simic (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Bucuricã, Dantes, Lãcãtus, Mijanovic, Kravchenko, Sighiartãu.

POLI LINEUP: Pantilimon (GK), Deaconu (DR), Boubatrân (DL), Dancia (DC), Uzun (DC), Hidisan (MR), Oprea (ML), Grigorie (MC), Lonca (MC), Staicu (FC), Gueye (FC); Baba, Bãd, Bãdoiu, Bãlace, Moldovan, Sandu, Stan.

Luca suggested from the off that this game would "redefine nailbiter" and from the looks of the first ten minutes, he was right. Both teams had clear goalscoring chances, neither taking them.

It took twenty eight minutes and two seconds for Martinovic to give our dedicated traveling band something to cheer about, taking the ball past two centre backs and then around the keeper to slot home into an open goal.

Half time came and we still had our lead, I told the players to keep going for the fans, hoping to keep their heads up, the league was a massive priority for us and we were doing very well. Martinovic scored his second, a volleyed cross from close range, ten minutes later.

Martinovic's hattrick was sealed on sixty-seven, and I made a double substitution, bringing off the booked Ivanovic for Mijanovic and Milosevic for Dantes. Three nil, if Martinovic was coming into form he'd picked a great time to do it.

Attendance: 30,555.
FCU Poli Goalscorers: 0.
Otelul Goalscorers: 3; Martinovic 28', Martinovic 56', Martinovic 67'.

retired_workingmom77

I'm liking this so far, it's a refreshing change to see a story set in Romania. :thup:

retired_Andrea

Thanks Xenon, yeah it was a league I'd never managed in before and I figured since the team had crazily offered me the job if I was going to take it it needed a story about it.

And it continues!

Next up, two away games, in the league against Otopeni and then in the UEFA Cup against St Mirren, in Scotland. Otopeni would be a very tough game, and St Mirren would be even harder, we really needed to focus on these two games as they could make a big difference in the shaping of our season.

CS OTOPENI AWAY
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Izvoranu (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Milosevic (MC), Daminutã (MC), Schwartz (MC), Elek (AMR), Simic (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Bucuricã, Dantes, Lãcãtus, Mijanovic, Kravchenko, Sighiartãu.

OTOPENI LINEUP: Munteanu (GK), Wagner (DR), Ivan (DL), Goga (DC), Sârbu (DC), Stegaru (MR), Vãscan (ML), Bâra (MC), Minea (MC), Bogdan (FC), Piturcã (FC); Ailincãi, Baba, Bãia, Dragomir, Gîrlã, Pop, Ratiu.

We were nearly up within twenty seconds as Milosevic hit the post from twelve yards, Elek however did score after fourteen minutes, running over to the dugout and hugging Luca, who was over the moon with the goal.

The lead lasted less than sixty seconds, Piturcã drawing level from what I percieved to be an offside possession. After twenty three minutes, we were ahead again as Daminutã stroked home from close range, capping a great passing move.

"Historically," Luca informed me, "This match has always made quite a few goals. It's never dull." I put my arm around him, "I can see why, both teams like to attack, not like some that we've played."

Not much was seperating the two clubs at half time but we were 2-1 up, I was very pleased with how we had battled for the first half. Otopeni definitely came out battling, they were all over us for a period of time. Elek came off injured on fifty five minutes, to be replaced by Kravchenko, Luca looked concerned.

Sixty five minutes and Martinovic put us ahead from the rebound from Kravchenko's shot. Piturcã brought the home side back into the game on seventy four minutes, but Milosevic's vicious long shot less than a minute later restored the two goal cushion.

Piturcã could've had his hattrick in injury time after Paraschiv failed to clear, but he fired over. On the run of play I definitely felt we deserved the win, and we were going to Scotland on great form.

Attendance: 5,290.
CS Otopeni Goalscorers: 2; Piturcã 15', Piturcã 74'.
Otelul Goalscorers: 4; Elek 14', Daminutã 23', Martinovic 65', Milosevic 75'.

So, next up: St Mirren. We were sitting third in the league, a point (and six goal difference) off the top after nine games. I really felt that Luca could have both his dreams at the end of this season, both his treatment and living with me. I hoped my uncaring brother would allow him to because he knew deep down that he didn't want a child. Elek was ruled out for up to two months, which would be tough for us to cover, but I felt we could.

"How the **** do you do it, Matt? How the ****... do you do it?" Marius burst into the flat, springing a cork out of a champagne bottle. I rolled my eyes, unimpressed by his high expectations recently, "I spend a lot of money on good players."

He sat down on one of my chairs, "You going to beat this **** Scottish side and get into the group stages?" I sighed, "Look, Marius, we all know anything can happen in a cup. There's no way you can just expect me to beat a side that's put three away goals past us." He pointed at Luca, "He expects you to, Matty boy, because he wants to live with ya, get me?"

"I getcha Marius, but just think. Why do you want him here with you if you don't love him?" He seemed unfazed by my accusation regarding his feelings towards Luca. Luca hugged me tight, "We can do it uncle Matt, we're the best team ever." His face, tear-stained, convinced me. "Marius, who do you want in the group stage?" I grinned, partly tiredness, partly euphoria and partly confidence. We WERE going to do this.

I recieved a text message after my brother had left. We had drawn non-league Conpet Ploiesti, a semi-professional side, in the Romanian Cup Fourth Round.

ST MIRREN AWAY
UEFA Cup - First Round; Second Leg
(St Mirren 3 - 2 Otelul Aggregate)

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Szabo (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Paraschiv (DC), Milosevic (MC), Daminutã (MC), Schwartz (MC), Kravchenko (AMR), Simic (AML), Martinovic (FC); Marinescu, Bucuricã, Cistean, Izvoranu, Enescu, Somodi, Sighiartãu.

ST MIRREN LINEUP: Brill (GK), Ogogo (DR), Mee (DL), McLaughlin (DC), Hughes (DC), Artus (MR), Bennett (ML), Griffith (MC), Cropley (MC), Kean (FC), Loy (FC); Arfield, Kendall, Milsom, Perch, Ricketts, Robinson, Simpson.

I took my seat in the dugout at St Mirren Park, this was more than just a game. When I told my players to do it for the fans, they had no clue who I really wanted the win for. It wasn't for them, for me or for Marius. It was for a ten year old who'd seen pain and suffered hardcomings that they would never be able to imagine.

Nineteen minutes in, it was level, Martinovic firing past Brill with a hellishly powerful shot. His next goal was a forty yard strike, we were on top! We were going to ****ing do this! Kean pulled St Mirren level and top on away goals, but I felt we were the better side in the first half.

The next goal was from Simic, bizarrely beating the 'keeper from the half-way line in a way that provoked chants of "XABI ALONSO!" from our supporters. Martinovic sealed his hattrick next, with a fine lash from the edge of the box. "****ING YES!" I shouted as the full time whistle went, "MOTHER ****ING YES!"

Attendance: 7,223.
St. Mirren Goalscorers: 1 (4); Kean 43'.
Otelul Goalscorers: 4 (6); Martinovic 19', Martinovic 37', Simic 69', Martinovic 82'.

St Mirren's manager was sacked after that result, presumably he had been expected to qualify for the group stage. I flew straight back, then strode into Marius' office, dropping a form on his desk and pushing a pen to him. "Mother****er!" He said, "How did you pull that **** off?"

I stood silently as he signed Luca's guardianship over to me, effective in Romanian law from Saturday 29th September 2012. "I pulled that **** off, brother, with a whole load of hardship." I knew he didn't care about Luca, he was drinking Jack Daniels to the win, as if he'd had a part to play. Then I realised, he had the biggest part to play. Marius had motivated me to go all out for the match. It was his plan all along.

"Don't hate me Matt. I would have signed anyway. I just needed to know that you would love him more than I did. The fact that he motivated you to do that tactically, the fact that he instilled so much belief in you, told me that you could be a better parent than I ever was."

I embraced my brother, he had done what was best for his son after all, he'd just wanted to know that I would go a step further before allowing me to take Luca's guardianship.

retired_Andrea

The Truth About Marius Stan, Luca Stan, Matthew Doughty and The UEFA Cup
HTTP://WWW.VIVID.RO EXCLUSIVE - INTERVIEW WITH MARIUS STAN...

VIVID: So Marius, is it true that you signed over the guardianship of your cancer-stricken son last night?
Marius: Yes, I granted my brother full guardianship and parental rights to Luca.

VIVID: Why do you see your brother as a good guardian?
Marius: I must admit to you, that I was never a good parent. I am a selfish man, and my life revolves around me. I loved and will always love Luca but I am not a parent, I am glad that my son loves my brother more than he loves me, because Matt was always the sensible one.

VIVID: A very honest review of yourself, Marius, but doesn't it pain you to lose him?
Marius: Matt saved him by turning a financial disaster into a great situation. I could never do that because I have vices. I am a gambling addict, I bed with many women, Luca's mother was a one night stand who left him on my porch. I never wanted a child.

VIVID: So you're saying he was a mistake?
Marius: You're misquoting me, he's a great kid but I don't have room in my life for a dependant. I don't see how my brother manages with him but the two of them get on really well and I'm glad that Luca can finally be happy.

VIVID: And Luca's mother is not your wife, Aryss, who is filing for divorce?
Marius: No, Aryss is not Luca's mother. I had always hoped that he wouldn't have to find out. I met Aryss before Luca was dropped on my doorstep.

VIVID: Why were you at a Poker tournament when your son was being diagnosed with leukaemia?
Marius: Because in my life, in my twisted view, Poker is more important than Luca. It's wrong but it's true, I am a gambling addict and it is a stronger addiction than any drug.

VIVID: What are your UEFA Cup aspirations?
Marius: My brother has fulfilled all expectations, I would like to think we can qualify for the group but that will depend on the draw. I am more worried about the league really.

VIVID: What does your brother have to do, to get his €7,000,000 bonus for Luca's treatment?
Marius: The board have set an expectation of a top half finish in the league. If he does not achieve this, he will not get the bonus.

VIVID: Surely this is risking Luca's health?
Marius: That's Matt's problem. I can't justify €7,000,000 for a poor finish. I know it may seem wrong to you but my responsibility is to my shareholders, and Luca is a low priority, another reason I'm not a good parent

VIVID: Thanks Marius, a summing up?
Marius: I'm not what you guys call normal, I drink a lot, I love my club, I love my vices and I never wanted a child. I never needed that dependance on me. I never wanted to put up with paying for treatment. My brother is the best person Luca could ever have in his life, he's loving and always with the boy. He's one of the nicest people I know, unless you play for him and your performance is awful, then he reminds me of a famous Scotsman.

enjikari

I've just read this whole thing through despite the ridiculous hour! I would say it's good but I'm not happy with the shocking reference to Lincoln and hoofing :p

In all seriousness though, good stuff mate. Keep it up :thup: