Steaua experienced bitter year – coming close, but losing at the very last moment and by very little. They reached the Cup final too, where they faced Politehnica (Timisoara). It looked like done deal… Politehnica won a single trophy in their history – the Cup in the distant 1958. They were naver among the top clubs, usually found in the lower half of the league, if they played in first division at all. 1979-80 was not different – they finished 10th, but only 2 points above relegation zone. They had a single national-scale star, who was a veteran nearing retirement. Steaua was full of national team players, as it ever was… there was to be no challenge.
Steaua scored an opening goal in the 25th minute, it was over… the picture suggests it clearly: Tudorel Stoica high above inferior goalkeeper Suciu. But Politehnica equalized 2 minutes before half-time. Neither team scored in the second half. In the overtime the center-back of Politehnica scored a second goal and preserved their fragile lead to the last whistle. Steaua lost everything this season.
It was unbelievable even before the overtime – Politehnica camp seems rather desperate…
Final
1 June 1980, “23 August Stadium”, Bucureşti, Referees: Nicolae Rainea
(Bârlad) – Otto Anderco (Satu-Mare), Vasile Tătar (Hunedoara)
Politehnica Timişoara – Steaua Bucureşti = 2 – 1 (1-1, 1-1)
0-1 Tudorel Stoica 25’
1-1 Viorel Vişan 43’
2-1 Dan Păltinişan 96’
Politehnica Timişoara (trainer Ion V.Ionescu)
Suciu – Nadu, Păltinişan, Şerbănoiu, Vişan – Manea, E.Dembrovschi,
T.Nicolae (61 Nucă) – S.Anghel, Nedelcu (91 Roşca), Cotec
Steaua Bucureşti (trainer Gheorghe Constantin)
Iordache – Anghelini, Fl.Marin, Sameş, Vigu – T.Stoica (75 Niţu),
Iordănescu (65 Zahiu), I.Dumitru, Aelenei – M.Răducan, Ad.Ionescu
Unexpected success for the old, but lowly club, closely related to the Univeristy of Timisoara. Their second trophy, their second Cup, and… their last to this date. Thus, a legendary victory. Even sweeter at the time, for it was against the odds and prevailing over mighty Steaua in Bucharest. Politehncia had very few strong players:
The defender Gica Serbanoiu, not a star, but well respected player, was the best a team like Politehnica usually was able to list. His partner in defense was a class higher:
Dan Paltinisan (sometimes written Paltinisanu) captained the team and was at his top form just at that time – he was included and played 3 matches for the national team of Romania in 1978-79. No matter how good, Paltinisan is only a local legend – one of the best ever players of Politehnica, but not a Romanian star at any time of his career. However, he was more than a hero because he played long time for the club – he delivered the victory this day, scoring the second and winning goal. Not bad for a defender.
The really big name of the team was Emerich Dembrovschi.
He was a big star for years and legendary Romanian player. He was also one of the Romanian players, who played at the last international finals Romania reached – the 1970 World Cup. Ten years later, he was going to retire and did so after the victory – Dembrovschi stepped down with style, with the Cup, as a true winner. But his presence also serves as a point showing the fantastical achievement of Politehnica: they were not a team even with a future – their top player was retiring and whatever was left was a local hero and a journeyman. That is why this quad deserves one more look:
Surprise Cup winners, looking modest even with the trophy in their hands, as not yet believing it was theirs. It was – and never again.