retired_peanut22

Awesome story and well done

retired_Andrea

Thanks guys, hope you enjoy the newest instalment... nice and long this one...

Ahh, the holidays...

I decided to draw up a list of players to offload and why. This would be necessary in finding replacements for them, as well as working out about how much cash we could get in for them.

Schwartz - Doesn't want to play for us any longer. Contract expires soon.
Paraschiv - Doesn't want to play for us any longer. Contract expires soon.
Martinovic - Wants to move. Worth money.
Ceran - Wants to move. Worth money.
Nogo - Won't get any first team play.
Tãnase - Won't get any first team play.
Rãdoi - Refusing to renew soon-to-expire contract.

I found some of this to be pretty rediculous, these players were playing for one of the best clubs in the league and getting offered teriffic wages and still wouldn't renew, when other players like Simic and Tãnasã were on lower wages, better than them and still willing to show their stuff.

U Craiova made a bid for Martinovic, it'd surprise me if he'd go there but I accepted anyway. Dinamo came in with another bid, I accepted this too, then Levski. Finally, I could shift this grumbling ungrateful twat to another side. If Schwartz was going, I'd have to replace him, so I submitted a bid for out of favour Ovidiu Petre, who'd been my captain at Feyenoord.

Luca decided to take his place as a psuedo coach, telling all the players they were 'doing it wrong', much to their bemusement. Martinovic's move to Sofia for €2,400,000 was finalised for 1st January, €200,000 more than we'd paid for him.

A stunning Russian reporter, Koshka Petrov, came to interview me regarding Ovidiu Petre, who we were on the verge of signing. "Lamb Petrov, the Galati Journal, Mr Doughty, do you feel that Ovidiu Petre is a top target for you?"
"Ahh, Miss Petrov, there are a number of players I have looked at and Ovidiu is just one of them."

My Poker face gave nothing away, deep down I knew the contracts were being signed as we spoke. I could've sworn I caught Koshka staring into my eyes and winking, but maybe the lights were just playing tricks on me. She followed me outside to the training field to record some of the session. Then she whispered in my ear, "I'm new in town, care to show me around?"

I must've looked such a douche, stummering, "Uhh... yeah sure, here's my number," I whispered back, slipping a bit of paper into her pocket. The cameraman was looking the other way, filming Luca sitting on the crossbar of the goal and telling players to "PASS IT LONG!" and "OUT WIDE!"

As soon as Koshka was gone, I breathed a sigh of relief, there were some telltale signs that she'd missed to tell her I was more than willing to show her around, some definitely not suitable for camera. Cristian sent me a text message saying that Petre had signed the contract and would join us on 15th January 2013 for €14,000.

The thirty-year-old would bring some much needed experience onto the ship, which we would need in our new captain to bring this club to the glory it deserved. Petre had played in Romania before, for Steaua, and also played for me at Bristol City, Feyenoord and Blackburn.

"So, how'd you wind up in this shithole?" The setting was a nightclub in Galati, new year's eve. Koshka paused, "I got bored of Russia. The people there are very uptight, the spirit here is much more free." I called over a bartender and motioned for more drinks. "And if you don't mind me asking..."
"I'm twenty-nine." She grinned, knowing the next question.
"You look awfully good for twenty-nine."

I really didn't have the James Bond touch, but she seemed to take to me, my poor attempt at humour was somewhat effective, we were both fairly nervous about each other. I realised then that it'd been a year since I'd had any real contact with the opposite sex, and how I'd missed it.

"May I have this dance?" We got up and engaged on the dancefloor, both a little tipsy. The kisses started sensible but by the end we were both deeply snogging like a couple who'd known each other forever. After the slow dance, she whispered courtiously, "Care to join me at my place?"
"I most certainly would."

She hailed a taxi and we were driven to a location on the rougher side of town, I had to be home by three in the morning but it was only midnight. We went upstairs in a block to a little flat. Then, it was into the bedroom. I was pretty sure it was going to be the start of something special.

I woke up naked, next to Koshka. '****,' I thought, 'I fell asleep here, I must've been drunk as ****.' I looked at the clock, it was eight. Luca would be awake and realise I'd been out all night. I kissed the sleeping woman next to me on the cheek, then carefully got out of bed, slipped my clothes on and stood outside.

I called a taxi, which soon came, though not soon enough as I'd had to sign at least fifty autographs for street kids in the time it'd taken. The taxi took me to my car, and then I drove to my flat. Luca was looking out the window, he ran out to greet me tearfully, "I was so scared!" He exclaimed.

I picked him up and held him in my arms, "I am so, so sorry, I will never do that again." A couple of hours and a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream bribe later and he decided that I was no longer a psycho, an idiot or a meanie, but he could definitely tell I'd been with a woman, and decided to question me over and over, despite me not telling him anything.

He told me, however, that while staying up late last night and watching Serbian SuperLeague highlights, he'd seen a right midfielder who we "need to sign!" At nineteen he was setting the Serbian league alight, so I submitted an enquiry for Jerko Banovic at Partizan. A bid of €3,300,000 was accepted for the right midfield ace. "So now you're a scout as well as a coach and assistant manager." Luca giggled.

The player didn't join us, opting instead for a shorter-term contract from E. Amadora in the Portuguese league. I bidded for a goalkeeper, Jovanovic, who was rated by my scouts (the paid ones) was one of the hottest talents in Serbia. I knew that realistically Tãnasã would be a ****** and ask to move eventually. Jovanovic signed a four-and-a-half year deal on 19th January for €30,000.

Eduard Constantin moved to Poli Iasi for €65,000. He wasn't in my first team plans for the foreseeable future, so I gave him his wish for first team football. Jovanovic rejected a loan deal with one of my feeder clubs, which was irritating because he needed some first team play and I already had a top 'keeper in the first team for the moment.

Thankfully he agreed to move to my other feeder club, CF Brãila, until the end of the season. I sent my head scout to get his match reports, as he was a definite one for the future in my eyes. Dragomir was going straight into the first team, and I was quite tempted to try Ceran up front, but I'd need a tour before the Rangers game to keep fitness up.

I set it up for Wales, to visit TNS, Airbus, Port Talbot and Barry. This would hopefully be a set of teams against which I could mess around with my starting lineup and hopefully know who'd be playing against Rangers.

TNS AWAY
Friendly - Tour of Wales

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Bucaricã (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Daminutã (DMC), Petre (MC), Milosevic (MC), Dragomir (AMR), Simic (AML), Ceran (FC); Bors, Kravchenko, Elek, Enescu, Schwartz, Tãnase, Lãcãtus, Cistean, Nogo, Sighiartãu, Izvoranu, Somodi.

TNS LINEUP: Evans (GK), Morgan (DR), Rowlands (DL), Whittington (DC), Morris (DC), Jarman (MR), Borg (ML), Carrick (MC), Bennett (MC), Weatherstone (FC), Field (FC); Blake, Boulton, Davies, Hamer, Hodgson, Jones, Jones, Morgan, O'Sullivan, Rogers, Thomas.

The players knew I expected a convincing win. The Welsh champions should be no match for us and they were fighting for their places in the team. Petre came off injured from a horrible foul in his first match in the shirt, to be replaced by Schwartz, some players just didn't seem to have a clue what a 'friendly' was.

Ceran scored a goal just before half-time, effectively smashing Simic's pass out of Evans' reach. I put Sighiartãu on for the goalscorer at half time, and encouraged the players. Sighiartãu made it 2-0 just before eighty minutes with a close range, well finished shot. Black pulled one back for TNS just before the final whistle, to end the game 2-1.

Attendance: 1,924.
TNS Goalscorers: 1; Blake 90'.
Otelul Goalscorers: 2; Ceran 37', Sighiartãu 79'.

I had to turn down the Newcastle chairman Freddy Shephard's lucrative job offer after the match, but the good news was Petre would only be out for about a week with a dead leg. I resent losing players in friendlies where nothing is at stake.

AIRBUS AWAY
Friendly - Tour of Wales

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Bucaricã (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Daminutã (DMC), Schwartz (MC), Milosevic (MC), Dragomir (AMR), Simic (AML), Ceran (FC); Bors, Kravchenko, Elek, Enescu, Tãnase, Lãcãtus, Cistean, Nogo, Sighiartãu, Izvoranu, Somodi.

AIRBUS LINEUP: Green (GK), Bloomer (DR), McCoy (DL), Taylor (DC), Bacon (DC), Liddle (MR), Warner (ML), Kennedy (MC), Jones (MC), Watson (FC), Gayle (FC); Barnes, Breckin, Harris, Hill, Howe, Leather, Lock, Maden, Maye, Oliver, Rowland, Tierney.

Luca seemed to find the orange, high-visibility ball amusing. They didn't use those in the Romanian league, I explained, but they were quite common elsewhere in Europe. The first goal was Airbus' penalty, put away by Bloomer, on their first attack.

We had two goals disallowed for adjudged fouls, both Dragomir and Ceran netting. This referee was a joke. Third time lucky, as Mijanovic headed powerfully into the back of the goal on thirty six minutes to level the scores.

I took Mijanovic off for Cistean and misfiring Milosevic for Enescu, who had been impressive in the few games he'd played so far, and told them to go get the win they deserved. Simic put us 2-1 up two minutes into the second half from a free kick at a very tight angle. Watson leveled the scores with a great close ranger, but we should've had five by this point.

Gayle put Airbus ahead from a clearly offside position, even the home manager agreeing that this referee was ****, then it was 3-3, Enescu placing from close range. Ceran fired viciously home in injury time to make it 4-3 to the visiting side. The real winner, it has to be said, was football.

Attendance: 1,925.
Airbus Goalscorers: 3; Bloomer p9', Watson 60', Gayle 75'.
Otelul Goalscorers: 4; Mijanovic 35', Simic 47', Enescu 87', Ceran 90'.

Dragomir had been underwhelming, but he would need time to get used to the way we play, there had been glimpses but not yet enough to show me that he was the player we were all expecting. I still felt we needed either a centre back (to move Ivanovic to right back) or a right back, because Rãdoi wasn't the best cross stopper in the world.

PORT TALBOT AWAY
Friendly - Tour of Wales

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Szabo (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Daminutã (DMC), Enescu (MC), Milosevic (MC), Dragomir (AMR), Simic (AML), Ceran (FC); Bors, Kravchenko, Elek, Schwartz, Bucaricã, Tãnase, Lãcãtus, Cistean, Nogo, Sighiartãu, Izvoranu, Somodi.

PORT TALBOT LINEUP: Dove (GK), Harris (DR), Grimshaw (DL), Griffiths (DC), Walters (DC), Griffiths (MR), Garner (ML), Tolley (MC), Misbah (MC), Jenkins (FC), Hughes (FC); Bloor, Davies, Evans, Harvey, Jones, Lavery, Pritchard, Ready, Rogers, Tobin, Walters, Watkins.

I wasn't surprised that the stadium was packed after such a great game against Airbus. Dragomir grabbed our first goal off a Ceran cross, kissing the badge synchronously with Luca kissing his badge, as he did often when we scored.

Simic scored the second, rising above Griffiths to head home. The keeper got a hand to it but there was no chance he was stopping it from there. Half-time came and it was 2-0. I didn't feel like changing anything, unusual for a friendly, and I sent the boys out to carry on.

I took off Szabo, Dragomir and Ceran at sixty minutes, putting on Izvoranu, Elek and Sighiartãu to take their places. Szabo had just come back from a virus, so he couldn't be expected to play ninety minutes, the other two decisions were mainly just about giving more lads a run.

Little else happened in the game, of note. Simic came close on a couple of occasions but really both sides were pretty content with 2-0.

Attendance: 5,895.
Port Talbot Goalscorers: 0.
Otelul Goalscorers: 2; Dragomir 8', Simic 27'.

I felt Dragomir had a much better impact on this game, putting some dangerous balls in the box and getting on the scoresheet. I also felt that the eleven I'd fielded was close to my strongest, with Petre replacing Enescu for my first choice first team. I added Petre, Dragomir and Bors to my UEFA Cup knockout stages squad.

retired_Andrea

And back again...

I submitted a bid for Craiova's Simunovic, a central defender grabbing rave reviews. Luca said that he thought Simunovic would be a leading star in our defense and also allow Ivanovic to move out to the right, where he was most comfortable. Head scout Zivkovic believed that Simunovic would be very interested in joining Otelul.

Koshka gave me a call while I was in Wales, saying we should meet up after I got back, as it'd been nearly a month since that passionate night and she still had feelings for me. I was pretty sure I had the same feelings for her, so we arranged to meet at 'Acid' in Bucharest, while Luca was in hospital on the 7th February.

BARRY AWAY
Friendly - Tour of Wales

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Szabo (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Daminutã (DMC), Enescu (MC), Milosevic (MC), Dragomir (AMR), Simic (AML), Ceran (FC); Bors, Kravchenko, Elek, Schwartz, Bucaricã, Tãnase, Petre, Cistean, Nogo, Sighiartãu, Izvoranu, Somodi.

BARRY LINEUP: Bull (GK), Evans (DR), Owen (DL), Jenkins (DC), Davies (DC), Carpenter (MR), Llewellyn (ML), Owen (MC), Sampson (MC), Roberts (FC), Bird (FC); Birch, Davies, Edwards, Hopkins, Jenkins, Jones, McNulty, Norris, Powell, Roberts, White, Wilson.

Dragomir grabbed another opener, his turn and volley beating Bull from twelve yards. Barry were definitely trying to play football, passing the ball instead of booting it downfield as Port Talbot had done. Dragomir created Ceran's goal later, intelligently slipping it along the ground behind the Barry defense for the tall striker to smash home.

Simic added another from Rãdoi's superb diagonal ball to make it 3-0 Otelul. What could I possibly change at half-time? Nothing. I sent the same eleven back into the second half.

Sixty-five minutes came and I decided to change Szabo for Bucaricã, the left back still not fully fit, put Sighiartãu on for Ceran and give Petre a run in Milosevic's place, as Milosevic wouldn't be eligible for the game against Rangers. Edwards grabbed a goal back for Barry on the seventy-eighth minute after Mijanovic chopped him down, but we were always in control and deserved more than the 3-1 win.

Attendance: 2,537.
Barry Goalscorers: 1; Edwards 78'.
Otelul Goalscorers: 3; Dragomir 8', Ceran 32', Simic 36'.

I took Luca to watch Manchester United play against my old club Blackburn at Old Trafford, the management being more than happy to give us some free tickets to watch the Rovers. Many fans were interested in how I was doing these days and I signed a fair few of their shirts.

We cheered the Rovers on to victory, a 3-1 drubbing of the title contenders. Blackburn were shooting for a UEFA Cup shot and I honestly hoped that they got it, I knew how passionate their fans were and how much it meant to them when I guided them there.

I had an offer of €3,100,000 accepted for Simunovic, my big transfer target for the window. He signed a deal until June 2017, unfortunately too late to be registered for Europe. Next Stop: Bucharest to take Luca to hospital and meet up with Koshka. I couldn't stop thinking about the dark-haired beauty whom I'd only spent one very magical night with.

We met up in the Acid bar and got quite drunk, this time leaving early to go back to a penthouse the newspaper had paid for. She'd come to do a report on Dinamo's newest signings, but I knew what was really on her mind when she'd happily taken the Bucharest location for reporting.

We kissed passionately on the soft king-sized bed, stripping each other, then spent about as long as we could manage going at it like rabbits. "I think I'm in love with you, Matt." She said simply, I nodded, "You know, I think I am too." I held her, flesh to flesh, in bed, this moment so perfect that I never wanted it to end, but alas, I had to get back to the hospital in the morning and she had to report back to the Journal.

We had one last go at it, she hadn't done it for a long time and it showed in her overexaggerated reactions. She told me how she'd had an abusive husband back in Russia and had taken until she met me to get over him. Four haunted years. I felt for her, holding her hand in mine, "You'll never be alone again," I said, "I promise."

Next up was the Rangers game, the home leg, our chance to either shine or be knocked out of the cup. Even if we were, we were going out to a world class side, not a little club like St Mirren or even Anderlecht, but Rangers, managed by David Moyes. They were sure to travel well, the Scottish always do.

Simunovic managed to **** off the fans within a couple of days, saying he saw Otelul as a stepping stone to better things wasn't the way to go about things. I told him his comments were unprofessional and anything more like it would see him get fined.

RANGERS AT HOME
UEFA Cup Knockout Stage - Round 1 - First Leg

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Szabo (DL), Ivanovic (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Daminutã (DMC), Enescu (MC), Petre (MC), Dragomir (AMR), Simic (AML), Ceran (FC); Bors, Izvoranu, Kravchenko, Elek, Bucaricã, Schwartz, Sighiartãu.

RANGERS LINEUP: Mandaluniz (GK), Cameron (DR), Jacobsen (DL), Draper (DC), Hool Egge (DC), Choubani (MR), Muntari (ML), Clément (MC), Adam (MC), Celsinho (FC), Boyd (FC); Alexander, Buffel, Cana, Figueras, Fleck, Henriksen, Sebo.

This was Petre's and Dragomir's first competetive match for the club, Luca sat nervously on the bench next to me. This was the biggest game in the club's history. Rangers started very brightly, pressing us well and showing their class in players.

Our best play was coming down the flanks, where we seemed to be able to cause them some trouble as their defense lacked pace, but they were definitely the better side in the opening exchanges. The best chance of the first half hour fell to us though, as Ceran nodded a free header from Dragomir's cross over the bar.

We controlled the last fifteen minutes of the first half, and I felt we could take something against the odds against the visitors, 0-0 at half time. I was happy with our resiliance and the wingers had gone forward well. I pulled Daminutã off for Schwartz on the hour, moving Petre to the holding role Daminutã had occupied.

A great save from Mandaluniz denied Ceran's header which would've given us a shock lead, but four minutes later, Petre put us ahead with a headed goal on his competetive debut. "Told ya he was good!" I grinned at Luca, who'd frequently commented that I talked about Petre too much. The game ended at 1-0. Rangers had no away goals and trailed but they were still heavy favourites to progress in Glasgow.

Attendance: 13,485.
Otelul Goalscorers: 1; Petre 79'.
Rangers Goalscorers: 0.

I was elated with the team, they had fought hard for the result and fully deserved it in a very even game. We had defended marvellously and looked good going forward. Ivanovic was ruled out of the return at Ibrox with the flu, a massive loss in defense and I would have to rely on Cistean to cover.

RANGERS AWAY
UEFA Cup Knockout Stage - Round 1 - Second Leg

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Szabo (DL), Cistean (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Daminutã (DMC), Enescu (MC), Petre (MC), Dragomir (AMR), Simic (AML), Ceran (FC); Bors, Izvoranu, Kravchenko, Elek, Bucaricã, Schwartz, Sighiartãu.

RANGERS LINEUP: Mandaluniz (GK), Cameron (DR), Hool Egge (DL), Draper (DC), Figueras (DC), Choubani (MR), Muntari (ML), Celsinho (MC), Adam (MC), Boyd (FC), Fleck (FC); Alexander, Buffel, Clément, Jacobsen, Scott, Sebo, Van den Broeck.

Luca had never been to a ground quite like the Ibrox. I had been to many big grounds, but this was the best set of supporters in Scotland. I had scored here for Lazio in a defeat and the pressure my players would be under was phenominal with the roaring Gers fans behind their side.

We certainly looked a little nervous but definitely determined to go for it. Our small travelling band could barely be heard above the constant merry singing of the Scots. Muntari put Rangers ahead just after the half hour, a great strike beating Tãnasã, who was left with no chance.

I pulled Dragomir off for Sighiartãu, we needed to make more shots up front because Rangers had dominated us from the word go. Ceran's blatant dive on the hour won him nothing more than a yellow card, as we went forward a little more but Rangers were still on top.

Seventy-eight minutes passed and I pulled Ceran off for Elek, moving Sighiartãu up front. A goal here would settle it as Rangers would need two to pull back. It was rangers who got the goal though, Sebo blasting past Tãnasã from Daminutã's poor back pass. Game over, but I could hardly be upset when the lads had worked so hard. We didn't deserve to lose.

Attendance: 48,643.
Otelul Goalscorers: 0 (1).
Rangers Goalscorers: 2 (2); Muntari 34', Sebo 84'.

The UEFA Cup dream was over, now it was down to the business of the league and fighting for a Champions' League place. I brought Koshka over to meet Luca, the two of them got on well and Koshka told me she'd always wanted a child.

Luca pulled funny faces as we kissed, we grinned at him and did it even more. I held the two of them in my arms, I was second in the league, with a girlfriend and a child who loved me. Could things possibly get any better? I was on top of the world and nothing could change that, this was my moment of glory, but how long could it last?

retired_Granty

Great story !

I'm eager to read more of you.

retired_dlevien

I was a bit skeptical about this at first, but it's a fantastic read! :thup:

retired_bizwinkle

Wow, AMAZING read. i'm loving it. kinda inspires me to write my own. KUTGW!!!!!

retired_Andrea

Thanks for the support guys, now I'm back after my Xmas break

After the break...

Five days until Cluj. We were heading towards our opportunity to unleash some payback to the team which had beaten us earlier in the division. We were going into the second half of the season with a stronger squad than we'd had in the first half, but we'd need to keep on our best to keep shooting for our Champions' League spot.

Going out to Rangers hadn't been too much of a downer, it wasn't an easy opponent by any means and the financial benefit of the cup had more than satisfied the board and fans. The transfer window closed, we hadn't been too active but then based on our performances there was no real reason to. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," as Luca told children's football magazines across Romania.

He was becoming a bit of a celebrity and seemed to enjoy his newfound spotlight, having been interviewed by lots of children's magazines and even some of the newspapers.

Schwartz made it clear that his intention was to move for free in the summer, but I felt Milosevic was taking his place from him anyway with his better dedication and hardworking ethic. My relationship with Koshka ended as fast as it had started, as we had a row in the streets, she said I cared about my football more than about her.

I couldn't let it get to me, I had to fix my sights on the game and on Luca. Maybe I was too dedicated on the game, maybe she was right, but it was a matter of life and death, so I think I was fully able to justify it.

U CLUJ AT HOME
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Ivanovic (DR), Szabo (DL), Simunovic (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Daminutã (DMC), Milosevic (MC), Petre (MC), Dragomir (AMR), Simic (AML), Elek (FC); Marinescu, Izvoranu, Dantes, Cistean, Bucaricã, Schwartz, Sighiartãu.

U CLUJ LINEUP: Tudor (GK), Mihai (DR), Gabor (DL), Kabelskiy (DC), Pop (DC), Villand (DMC), Mot (MC), Deaconu (MC), Sarkadi (AMR), Bus (AML), Stoianof (FC); Bosancic, Fãrcas, Giurgiu, Rioseanu, Rosenblum, Sîntejudean, Stefan.

It took eight minutes of pressing for us to take the lead, through a penalty won and taken by Elek. What a return to the first team. Simic should have made it two and three, twenty and thirty minutes later, but twice squandered chances when he was one-on-one with Tudor.

U Cluj looked a little stronger nearing the end of the first half, no longer taking time over every ball and trying to win instead of to frustrate. The 1-0 half time score flattered them a little but we needed to be at our best anyway.

Sixty seven minutes in I brought Izvoranu on for the unfit Ivanovic at an unfamiliar right-back position, and put Dantes on for Simic. Dantes played well and Elek really should have given him an assist, blasting a great cross against the post. The game finished 1-0 to us, and Luca celebrated his favourite player's goal.

Attendance: 11,795.
Otelul Goalscorers: 1; Elek 9'.
U Cluj Goalscorers: 0.

Dragomir showed his quality in the game, I felt, and the commentators agreed, giving him the man of the match award. Not bad for his Otelul Divizia A debut. Luca, the master tactician, head scout and assistant manager, let me know that Elek had once again outperformed my multi-million euro signings, but I showed him the team of the week naming Dragomir and childishly stuck my tongue out at him.

Ivanovic was ruled out of the next couple of games with a stubbed toe. Quite a pain really as he'd only just returned from a knock and he was part of the reason we'd had such a good season so far. Next up was Auxerre Logoj, a team which despite their league position, I felt we'd need a good performance to beat.

AUXERRE LOGEJ AWAY
Romanian Divizia A

OTELUL LINEUP: Tãnasã (GK), Rãdoi (DR), Szabo (DL), Simunovic (DC), Mijanovic (DC), Izvoranu (DMC), Milosevic (MC), Petre (MC), Dragomir (AMR), Simic (AML), Elek (FC); Marinescu, Daminutã, Dantes, Cistean, Bucaricã, Schwartz, Sighiartãu.

AUXERRE LOGEJ LINEUP: Micsa (GK), Bodea (DR), Dedu (DL), Pãun (DC), Mihai (DC), Deaconu (MR), Silaghi (ML), Nicola (MC), Marin (MC), Neagu (FC), Mirea (FC); Boghitoi, Dicu, Melinte, Miculescu, Muntianu, Pascu, Pecarov.

End to end stuff was on the menu, as both team had great chances in the opening exchanges. I think if you could video Luca's face in the opening twenty minutes you'd see the whole range, face in palm, sighs, lit up eyes, but the twenty second minute brought the one I love most, jumping up as once again Elek hit the back of the net from Milosevic's cross.

Dragomir had one ruled off just before half-time, I couldn't see why it'd been ruled off because he certainly hadn't impeded the keeper as was suggested, but we went in 1-0 up against the relegation strugglers. No changes at half time, and just a rallying cry for better finishing.

The home side pulled one back through Silaghi, and I was displeased with our start to the second half. I made a triple substitution on eighty minutes, Sighiartãu replacing Elek, Daminutã replacing Izvoranu and Schwartz coming on for Milosevic. Petre marked his first league goal for the club with a vicious thirty yard free kick. "GET IN!" I shouted, my opposite number whinging to the fourth official.

Petre added his second five minutes after, a volley from outside the box, as I told Luca, "That's why I never shut up about him." He grinned. Rãdoi's poor challenge nearly let the home side grab another late on, but Tãnasã pulled out a wondersave to keep it at three one.

Attendance: 3,283.
Auxerre Logej Goalscorers: 1; Silaghi 53'.
Otelul Goalscorers: 3; Elek 22', Petre 82', Petre 87'.

Marius called me to inform that Simic had set the club's record number of assists for one season, with thirteen, and it was only March, with plenty of games to go in the Divizia. We were eleven points clear of next opposition Gloria and third placed Dinamo, and as long as we kept this kind of tempo going, this was fast looking to be the best season in the club's history.

My question to myself though, could we win the division? I didn't think so, despite the gap only being five points, Steaua were winning emphatically and just weren't slipping up, we were never really looking as 'in control' as you need to be to win a league.

retired_Granty

Are you gonna quit this story?

retired_peanut22

Don't, it's great!