Romania the Cup

The Cup boiled down to the usual big clash between Steaua and Dinamo. Steaua was looking for a double, Dinamo – for revenge. Dinamo prevailed 1-0.

That was a disappointment for Steaua – no double – but Dinamo was also very strong and highly motivated team on one hand and playing in Europe on top of domestic football plus having too many national team players was taking its tall. The success of Steaua apparently made life hard for various foreign journalists – the names were new and mistakes were common: here the playing assistant coach Iordanescu is named Weissenbacher. Well, Weissenbacher was a player… so far, largely a substitute.

Dinamo (Bucharest) took its revenge and also ended the season with a trophy. Top row from left: Andrei Marin – assistant coach, Ioan Zare, Alexandru Suciu, Ioan Andone, Lica Movila, Dumitru Moraru, Alexandru Nicolae, Marin Dragnea, Nicolae Ivan, Marian Damaschin, Florin Keran – assistant coach, Constantin Gaiu (?) – doctor.

Middle row: Ioan Varga, Iulian Mihaescu, Nistor Vaidean, Florin Prunea, Mircea Lucescu – coach, Ion Bucu, Mircea Rednic, Costel Orac, Nelu Stanescu.

Front row: Alexandru Cristescu – masseur, Dan Topolinschi, Cristian Sava, Gheorghe Banica, Marius Iordache, Virgil Mitici, Daniel Sava, Gheorghe Pantele – masseur.

No wonder they won the final – if Steaua had half-the-national-team, Dinamo had the other half. If Steaua was coached by great Jenei, Dinamo had Lucescu – already on the road of becoming famous coach. It was a matter who would have the day and this time Dinamo had it – and won its 6th Cup.