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CS Universitatea Craiova

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U Craiova 1948 Club Sportiv, commonly known as Universitatea Craiova (Romanian pronunciation: [universiˈtate̯a kraˈjova]), CS U Craiova, U Craiova, or simply Craiova, is a Romanian professional football club based in Craiova, Dolj County. It competes in the Liga I, the top tier of the Romanian league system.

Universitatea Craiova
Full nameU Craiova 1948 Club Sportiv SA[note 1]
Nicknames
  • Alb-albaștrii (The White-Blues)
  • Juveții (The Oltenia People)[3]
  • Știința (The Science)
  • Campioana unei mari iubiri
    (The Champion of a Great Love)
  • Leii din Bănie
    (The Lions from Bănie)
  • Studenții (The Students)
Short nameU Craiova
Founded
  • 5 September 1948; 77 years ago (5 September 1948) (as UNSR Craiova)
  • 2013; 13 years ago (2013) (refounding)
GroundIon Oblemenco
Capacity31,000
OwnersMihai Rotaru (65%)
Other shareholders (35%)
ChairmanMihai Rotaru
Head coachFilipe Coelho
LeagueLiga I
2025–26Liga I, 1st of 16 (champions)
Websiteucv1948.ro
Current season

Initially founded in 1948 as the football section of the CSU Craiova sports organisation, it remained within the structure until 1991, when its league place was taken by FC U Craiova following privatisation. Between 1948 and 1991, the club won four championship titles and five national cups.[4] Following a series of reorganisations and the eventual disaffiliation of FC U, the sports club re-established its football section in 2013.[5] The current entity asserts the honours of the original Universitatea Craiova, a position recognised by several court rulings and the Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal, although they remain disputed by an also re-established FC U Craiova side.[6][note 2]

In 2018, the club won the national cup, its first trophy following refoundation, and in 2021 secured its first supercup title. In European competitions, Craiova reached the semi-finals of the 1982–83 UEFA Cup and the quarter-finals of the 1981–82 European Cup. It was the first Romanian team to reach the semi-finals of a UEFA competition and remains the only one to have eliminated teams from each of the five major European leagues—England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. In the 2025–26 season, the club qualified for the league phase of a European competition for the first time, following success in the Conference League play-off round.

"The White-Blues" play their home matches at the Stadionul Ion Oblemenco, which has a capacity of 30,929. They maintain several rivalries, most notably with Dinamo București.

History

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Early years of football in Craiova (1921–1958)

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UNSR Craiova in 1948

Football in the city of Craiova began in 1921 when the first two teams were founded: Craiovan Craiova and Rovine Grivița Craiova. In 1940, the two sides merged in what resulted to be one of the most successful Romanian clubs of the Interwar period, FC Craiova, who were the first team of the city that won the Romanian football championship. However, the 1942–43 title is not recognized officially by FRF and LPF.

Following the birth of university education in Craiova,[11] a group of teachers and students founded CSU (Club Sportiv Universitar) Craiova in 1948, a sports club with athletics, volleyball, handball, table tennis, chess sections, and under the coordination of the Ministry of Public Education and the Uniunea Națională a Studenților din România (lit. National Union of Students in Romania), the football section was initially formed under the name UNSR Craiova and enrolled in the county championship. The first official match was held at Filiași, aganinst CFR Filiași, on 5 September 1948, with the Students being defeated 3–6. The team, led by head coach Nicolae Polojinski, wore white-and-blue shirts and was composed of Dumitrescu – Rădulescu, Mihăilă I, Carli – Ozon, Mihăilă II – Sabin, Ilie, Bădescu, Tudor, and Serghi.[12]

In 1950, the football section changed its name from UNSR Craiova to CSU Craiova, the same name as its parent club. The early squads coached by Nicolae Polojinski included, among others, Vulpe, I. Popescu, Zorilă, Stănculescu, Brebenaru, Gh. Florigoanță, Șerbu, A. Bratu, Cricitoiu, Florescu, I. Florigoanță, Borosan, Dilă, and Cumpănașu.[13]

In 1951, CSU Craiova recorded a 6–0 victory over Constructorul Craiova in what was also the club’s first official appearance in Cupa României. Two years later, the club was renamed Știința Craiova and reached the Round of 32 of Cupa României, where it was eliminated by Spartac București after a 2–2 draw following extra time, with the away team advancing according to the competition rules. The squad featured players such as Stoica, Dreșcă, Rizu, Pîrvuleț, Firu, Anuțescu, Dan Popescu, Dumitru Popescu, Babarada, Dilă, and Pădureanu.[13]

The following season, under coach Nicolae Oțeleanu, Știința once again reached the Round of 32 in Cupa României, before narrowly losing 0–1 to Locomotiva Timișoara. They also won the Craiova Regional Championship, securing promotion to Divizia B for the first time in its history after finishing first in the promotion tournament held in Arad.[12][14]

However, their spell in the second division lasted only one season, as they finished in 12th place in Series I and were relegated to the newly re-established Divizia C, with a squad that included Stoica, Urucu, Vulpe, Dreșcă, Rizu, Pîrvuleț, Razga, Dumitrescu, Ciulava, Anuțescu, Briac, Lambru, Căpitanu, Buldur, Ioniță, D. Popescu, V. Popescu, V. Lupu, Firu, Babarada, Pădureanu, Pantelimon, Iliescu, Coicea, and Matei.[15][13]

Chronology of names
Name Period
UNSR Craiova 1948–1950
CSU Craiova 1950–1953
Știința Craiova 1953–1962
CSO Craiova 1962–1963
Știința Craiova 1963–1966
Universitatea Craiova 1966–1991
Universitatea Craiova 2013–present

Universitatea, a rising team (1958–1970)

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In the following years, under the guidance of Bondoc Ionescu-Crum, the Students finished in 3rd place in Series IV of the 1956 season before securing a return to the second tier in the 1957–58 campaign. Știința won Series III after a tight battle for first place with Unirea Râmnicu Vâlcea, the two sides finishing tied on 34 points, with the White and Blues clinching promotion on goal average. The promotion-winning squad included Stoica, Matei, Căpitanu, Iliescu, Dumitrescu, Briac, Lambru, Scorțan, Anghel, Buldur, Croitoru, Coicea, Pantelimon, Dică, and Deliu.[16][17]

In their first season after returning to Divizia B, coach Bondoc Ionescu-Crum was replaced during the first half of the season by Gheorghe Scăeșteanu, who led Știința to a 13th place finish out of 14 teams in Series I, avoiding relegation due to the expansion of the second division. Moved to Series II for the following campaign, the Students gradually established themselves among the division's leading sides, finishing in 10th place in 1959–60 under Scăeșteanu.[18]

In 1960–61, Virgil Mărdărescu was appointed as the new head coach, leading the White and Blues to a runner-up finish, nine points behind Dinamo Pitești. In 1961, former Romanian international Valeriu Călinoiu was appointed head coach, guiding the team to a 4th place finish in the 1961–62 season.[13][18]

In 1962, the team was renamed CSO (Club Sportiv Orășenesc) Craiova, and Călinoiu was replaced after the first half of the season by Nicolae Oțeleanu, who led the team to a 5th place finish in the 1962–63 season.[13][18]

The reorganization of Divizia B ahead of the 1963–64 season returned Știința to Series I, where the Students became involved in a four-way battle for promotion, finishing first, tied on points with runners-up Metalul Târgoviște and one point ahead of 3rd-place Poiana Câmpina, and three points ahead of 4th-place Dinamo Bacău. The historic promotion to Divizia A was achieved under the guidance of Nicolae Oțeleanu, with a squad that included Dumitrescu, Vasilescu, Geleriu, Lungan, Deliu, Bărbulescu, Tetea, Ganga, Anton, Lovin, Onea, Vișan, Stanciu, Papuc, C. Stănescu, and A. Stănescu.[12]

The first season in Divizia A was challenging for the Students, who avoided relegation in the final rounds, finishing 11th, just one point above the first relegated team, Minerul Baia Mare. By the end of the following season, Știința had climbed to 8th place, laying the foundations of a side capable of challenging for the title.[13][19][20]

In the summer of 1966, the club was renamed from Știința Craiova to Universitatea Craiova. Nevertheless, supporters continued to include in their chants and their encouragements the name Știința. Universitatea supporters tend to chant Hei, hei, hai Știința! at times of loss.[citation needed]

As Universitatea experienced seasons of contrasting results, the team alternated between challenging near the top of the table and more modest campaigns, but managed to remain in the first division throughout the period, finishing 3rd in 1966–67, 11th in 1967–68, 7th in 1968–69, and 4th in 1969–70.[21]

"The Champion of a Great Love" (1970–1979)

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U Craiova in the 1972–73 season
Ion Oblemenco, one of the club symbols
Constantin Cernăianu led the club to its first league title in 1974

Craiova started the 1970s with a team built around Ion Oblemenco, Petre Deselnicu, Teodor Țarălungă, Lucian Strâmbeanu and Dumitru Marcu, among others. The start of the decade had the club in 6th place at the end of the 1970–71 season and 8th place at the end of the 1971–72. In the 1972–73 season, they finished at the same number of points with Dinamo București, but lost the championship on goal difference. The season coined a new nickname, "the Champion of a Great Love", a nickname created by the poet Adrian Păunescu, a big fan of the team from Bănie, named Dinamo only as the champion of the country, indicating that Craiova lost the title.[22]

In the 1973–74 season, the title fight was again between Universitatea and Dinamo. Craiova won the title by a point from Dinamo, with Craiova becoming the first university team to win a national title in Europe. Dinamo was considered to be the pet team of the communist regime, which often influenced the results as well and after the last season's incidents, Universitatea was increasingly seen as a representative of the people and simple man in the struggle with the communist regime, of pure football and football played on the pitch against the one dominated by arrangements and influences, so the nickname had gained a reputation.[23] The squad that won the first title was coached by Constantin Cernăianu and Constantin Oțet and had the following players included: Oprea, Manta – Niculescu, Bădin, Deselnicu, Velea, Strâmbeanu, Ivan, Niță, Balaci, Berneanu, Țarălungă, Oblemenco, Bălan, Pană, Boc, Ștefănescu, Marcu, Stăncescu, Kiss, Chivu, Negrilă and Constantinescu.[12]

The 1974–75 season brought a first UEFA European Cup presence against Swedish team Åtvidaberg, who lost 3–4 on aggregate but ranked third place at the end of the championship. The 1975–76 season had the team rank sixth place and announcing a generational change. For the last season of Ion Oblemenco, the team from Craiova won the Romanian Cup for the first time in its history in a final against Steaua București. In the Divizia A, the team finished in 3rd place.

With the generational exchange made, Universitatea continued to impress in 1978 by defending its Romanian Cup trophy, won a year before against Olimpia Satu Mare and a sixth place in the league. The 1978–79 season ended with fourth place and in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Fortuna Düsseldorf eliminated the team in the first round.

Craiova Maxima (1979–1991)

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U Craiova in the 1980–81 season, when they won the Double

Craiova Maxima (The Maximum Craiova) was the second generation of Universitatea. It was a squad composed of many players who grew up close to the first golden team and formed the basis of the Romania national football team including: Ilie Balaci, Rodion Cămătaru, Costică Ștefănescu, Zoltan Crișan, Ion Geolgău, Aurel Beldeanu, Costică Donose and Silviu Lung, among others.

At the end of the 1979–80 season, it was crowned the champion of Romania for the second time. The squad consisted of Boldici, Lung – Negrilă, Tilihoi, Ștefănescu, Ungureanu, Balaci, Beldeanu, Crişan, Donose, Cămătaru, Geolgău, Cârțu, Irimescu, Purima and Ciupitu – with coaches Valentin Stănescu and Ion Oblemenco.[12] Universitatea's UEFA Cup campaign eliminated Wiener SC and Leeds United until it was beaten in the third round by German football club Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1–2 on aggregate.

Ilie Balaci, a member of both Universitatea golden teams, was named Romanian Footballer of the Year in 1981 and 1982.

In the 1980–81 season, the team was managing the historical double, the cup, and the championship. As a result of this performance, the students qualified for the 1981–82 European Cup, where Craiova Maxima became more and more visible by eliminating Olympiacos and KB, being stopped in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, 1–3 in aggregate, a historical performance for the Romanian football at that time.

The long-standing presence in the European Cups affected the team, which finished only on second place. They later qualified in the UEFA Cup throughout the 1982–83 season, being the first team in the history of Romania that qualified in a European Cup semi-finals. Under the management of Constantin Oțet and Nicolae Ivan, the team took out Fiorentina (Serie A runners-up), Bordeaux, and Kaiserslautern. In the semi-final, Universitatea encountered Benfica, two times European champions and three times European Cup finalists at that time. After two draws, the Portuguese side advanced to the final on aggregate away goals. In the Divizia A, the team finished again in second place.

Throughout the rest of the 1980s, Universitatea Craiova ranked in the following places: 1983–84 (3rd), 1984–85 (4th), 1985–86 (3rd), 1986–87 (5th), 1987–88 (5th), 1988–89 (5th), and 1988–89 (3rd). The team had a constant presence in the European Cups eliminating teams such as Real Betis, Olympiacos, AS Monaco and Galatasaray, but they never got past the third round. The Students also lost a Romanian Cup final in 1985, 1–2 against Steaua București.

In 1991, CS Universitatea Craiova had its last Romanian cup. Prunea, Mănăilă, Săndoi, Ad. Popescu, Mogoşanu, Ciurea, Olaru, Cristescu, Zamfir, Badea, Pigulea, Agalliu, Craioveanu and Neagoe were the last players that have kissed the championship trophy, along with coaches Sorin Cârţu and Ștefan Cioacă.[12]

FC Universitatea Craiova (1991–2011)

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Chart of CS Universitatea Craiova's league performance 1955–2018

In 1991, Universitatea Craiova conquered its last national title and Romanian Cup, under the management of Sorin Cârțu.

However, in the same year, the CS Universitatea Craiova sports club dissolved its football section,[24] and Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova continued its tradition until the early 2010s—until 1994, the club was still controlled by the Ministry of National Education. FC U won a Romanian Cup in 1993 and reached three finals, in 1994, 1998, and 2000. There was faulty management during the 1990s and early 2000s, which led to the 2005 relegation, when 41 consecutive years of Divizia A were celebrated.

On 20 July 2011, the club was temporarily excluded by the Romanian Football Federation[25] for failing to withdraw their dispute with former coach Victor Pițurcă from a civil court, as per article 57 of the FRF statute which states that the Football Federation solves all the sports lawsuits.[26] However, the article allows disputes regarding employment contracts to be adjudicated in civil court.[27] The exclusion decision was approved by the FRF General Assembly on 14 May 2012.[28] All of the squad players were declared free agents and later signed with other clubs.

Rebranding (2013–present)

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I believe that this team [CS U Craiova] is the successor of the one established in 1948, under the auspices of the Senate of the University of Craiova.

— Corneliu Andrei Stroe, club president during the Craiova Maxima era, on 26 August 2013[29]

On 20 July 2011, the Romanian Football Federation decided to disaffiliate with FC Universitatea Craiova,[30] but the decision was found controversial in court.[31] Consequently, in the summer of 2013, local authorities of Craiova, supported by Pavel Badea and associated with Club Sportiv U Craiova SA (CS U), reestablished the football section of CS U Craiova.[32] CS U claimed that it owns all of the Universitatea honours,[33] and that the sports club did not offer its records to FC U Craiova, which was considered a new club; this was confirmed in justice in June 2016[34] and reaffirmed by LPF in November 2017.[7] CS Universitatea Craiova is the rightful owner of the brand and records – accepting the 1992–93 Cupa României, claimed[9] but not officially part of CS U's honours.[35]

The striped crest was used on the home shirt between 2013 and 2015, and on the away shirt until 2017.

On 14 August 2013, CS Universitatea Craiova was provisionally affiliated to the Romanian Football Federation, following complications with a licensing file.[36] After resolving the issues, the club was introduced in Liga II, the second tier of the Romanian league system. Universitatea made its season debut on 27 August, with a 6–1 success over Pandurii II Târgu Jiu in the fourth round of the Romanian Cup.[37] In the 2013–14 Liga II season, CS Universitatea Craiova and FC U Craiova met in two direct matches, which hid the true identities of the clubs. CS Universitatea Craiova promoted back to Liga I in 2014 after 23 years of absence, while FC U Craiova was permanently excluded, but later reappeared under the name of FC U Craiova 1948 in 2017.

After the promotion, Universitatea ended the 2014–15 campaign in fifth place.[38] This result was followed by eighth place in the 2015–16 season and a fourth place at the end of the 2016–17 season, the latter ensuring return to European competitions. The comeback in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League was Italian side AC Milan, with Craiova leaving the competition after 0–3 on aggregate.[39][40] On 27 May 2018, Universitatea won its first trophy since its reinstatement after beating second-tier club Hermannstadt in the Cupa României final. The game ended 2–0 and was hosted by the Arena Națională in Bucharest.[41] One month later, the Romanian Football Federation approved an application to rename the society from Club Sportiv U Craiova SA to U Craiova 1948 Club Sportiv SA.[1] As the winner of Cupa României, Craiova subsequently took part in the 2018 Supercupa României, which they lost 0–1 to CFR Cluj on home ground.[42]

U Craiova line-up prior to the UEFA Conference League first leg play-off match against İstanbul Başakşehir, August 2025.

Two years later on 3 August 2020, in a home ground game against CFR Cluj, Universitatea Craiova came close to winning its first national league since the 1990–91 season. Dan Nistor opened the scoring for Craiova in the 11th minute, but their title contenders won the final fixture of the season 3–1, thus becoming champions for a third consecutive year.[43] On 28 August 2025, Craiova secured its first-ever league phase qualification in European competitions, after defeating İstanbul Başakşehir 3–1 at home and 5–2 on aggregate in the Conference League play-off round.[44]

In the 2025–26 season, the club completed a historic domestic double. They defeated Universitatea Cluj on penalties after a goalless draw in the Cupa României final,[45] before securing their first league title since 1990–91 with a commanding 5–0 victory over the same opponent on the penultimate matchday of the Liga I season.[46]

Grounds

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Stadionul Ion Oblemenco (1967)

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The new Stadionul Ion Oblemenco

Stadionul Ion Oblemenco (Ion Oblemenco Stadium) was a multi-purpose stadium in Craiova, and it was originally named Central Stadium. It was used mostly for football matches and would hold up to 25,252 people before it was demolished in 2015. The stadium was opened on 29 October 1967, with the national teams of Romania and Poland tying after scoring two goals each.

It hosted many matches during the Craiova Maxima era, such as the 1981–82 European Cup quarterfinal against Bayern Munich and the 1982–83 UEFA Cup semi-final against Benfica. Following the death of Universitatea Craiova legend Ion Oblemenco in 1996, the stadium was renamed in his honour. In 2008, the stadium underwent a major renovation, and in 2015 it was entirely demolished.

Renovated Stadionul Ion Oblemenco

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The new Ion Oblemenco Stadium, with a capacity of 30,929 seats, was inaugurated on 10 November 2017 with a friendly match between Universitatea Craiova and Czech club Slavia Prague.[47]

Support

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Universitatea Craiova has many fans in Craiova, especially in the region of Oltenia; in Romania, they are the third-most supported team in the country after FCSB and Dinamo București, as shown in a 2016 survey.[48] Many ultras groups exist, but in 2013, a strong division among the fans occurred due to the uncertainty regarding the true identities of the two clubs which claim the record of Universitatea. Sezione Ultra' 2000 and Utopia from Peluza Nord chose to support CS Universitatea Craiova,[49] while Praetoria and Ultras 2004 from Peluza Sud 97 chose FC U Craiova. Later in 2017, Ultras Craiova 2004 left FC U and decided to remain neutral.[50].

After some time, given the fact that CS Universitatea Craiova acquired most of the records, many new groups were founded: Peluza Nord Craiova: North Lions,[51] Vechiul Spirit Ultras, Perspectiva Ultra', Nord Oltenia, Gruppo Sibiu, Gruppo Capitala, Ponsiona and UNU MAI UNIT.

In March 2018, FC U Craiova supporters attending a friendly game between Romania and Sweden at the Stadionul Ion Oblemenco booed CS U player Alexandru Mitriță upon being substituted out.[52] They also broke chairs, and as a response, CS U fans symbolically used insecticide to "get rid of the stench" left over by Peluza Sud 97 ultras.[53]

Rivalries

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Supporters at a match between Universitatea Craiova and Dinamo București in 1973.

Universitatea Craiova is rivals with Dinamo București. It first developed at the end of the 1972–73 season; the two finished with an equal number of points in the national championship, but Dinamo was awarded the title due to having a slightly superior goal difference.[54][55] Another event that contributed to the rivalry between the two teams is that on October 21, 2004, during the match between Craiova and Dinamo, "Poștașu", a Craiova's gallery leader at the time, entered the field and threw a Craiova scarf at Claudiu Niculescu. Niculescu was playing for Dinamo, having transferred from Craiova. His gesture was a reaction to Niculescu's departure, considered a betrayal by Craiova supporters.

Știința also has less intense rivalries with three other clubs from the capital: Steaua București, FCSB, and Rapid București. Throughout time, the club had local competition with sides such as Extensiv Craiova and, from 2013, FC U Craiova, the aforementioned entity that claims the Universitatea record. The 2010s also saw the start of a minor rivalry against Pandurii Târgu Jiu, another team from Oltenia.[56] Another rivalry between Universitatea Craiova, comes with teams from the region close to Oltenia, such as FC Argeș Pitești, especially in the context of decisive matches, was full of emotion and sporting rivalry.[57]

Honours

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Note: As of November 2017, LPF attributes all Universitatea Craiova trophies won between 1948 and 1991 to this entity.[7][8] The ownership of these honours is disputed with FC U Craiova 1948, which acted as the continuation of Universitatea Craiova after the sports club dissolved its football section in 1991.[24] Another court order from 2018 suggested that neither of the current clubs actually hold the original honours.[10] On 10 July 2023, the Timișoara Court of Appeal established that the historical record achieved until the end of 1990–91 season belongs to CS U Craiova.[58]

Domestic

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Europe

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European competition

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Notable wins

Season Match Score
UEFA Cup / Europa League
1973–74 Universitatea Craiova – Italy Fiorentina 1 – 0
1979–80 Universitatea Craiova – England Leeds United 2 – 0
1979–80 Universitatea Craiova – West Germany Borussia Mönchengladbach 1 – 0
1982–83 Universitatea Craiova – Italy Fiorentina 3 – 1
1982–83 Universitatea Craiova – France Bordeaux 2 – 0
1982–83 Universitatea Craiova – West Germany Kaiserslautern 1 – 0
1983–84 Universitatea Craiova – Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Hajduk Split 1 – 0
1984–85 Universitatea Craiova – Spain Real Betis 1 – 0
1984–85 Universitatea Craiova – Greece Olympiacos 1 – 0
1986–87 Universitatea Craiova – Turkey Galatasaray 2 – 0
1986–87 Universitatea Craiova – Scotland Dundee United 1 – 0
European Cup Winners Cup
1977–78 Universitatea Craiova – Soviet Union Dynamo Moscow 2 – 0
1985–86 Universitatea Craiova – France AS Monaco 3 – 0
European Cup / Champions League
1981–82 Universitatea Craiova – Greece Olympiacos 3 – 0
1981–82 Universitatea Craiova – Denmark KB Copenhagen 4 – 1
UEFA Conference League
2022–23 Universitatea Craiova – Ukraine Zorya Luhansk 3 – 0
2024–25 Universitatea Craiova – Slovenia NK Maribor 3 – 2
2025–26 Universitatea Craiova – Bosnia and Herzegovina FK Sarajevo 4 – 0
2025–26 Universitatea Craiova – Turkey İstanbul Başakşehir 3 – 1
2025–26 Universitatea Craiova – Austria Rapid Wien 1 – 0

UEFA coefficient current ranking

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As of 8 May 2026[59]
RankCountryTeamPoints
243EstoniaLevadia5.500
244RomaniaUniversitatea Craiova5.500
245North MacedoniaShkëndija5.500

Players

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First team squad

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As of 13 July 2026[60][61]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ROU Alexandru Maxim
3 DF  UKR Oleksandr Romanchuk
4 MF  ROU Alexandru Crețu
5 MF  GEO Anzor Mekvabishvili
6 MF  ROU Vladimir Screciu (Vice-captain)
7 FW  FRA Steven Nsimba
8 MF  ROU Tudor Băluță
9 FW  PLE Assad Al Hamlawi
10 MF  ROU Ștefan Baiaram (4th captain)
11 DF  ROU Nicușor Bancu (Captain)
12 FW  NGA Monday Etim
14 MF  ROU Alexandru Iamandache
15 DF  CRO Juraj Badelj
17 MF  CRC Carlos Mora
18 MF  ROU Mihnea Rădulescu
19 FW  CPV Heri Tavares
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 MF  ROU Alexandru Cicâldău (3rd captain)
21 GK  ROU Laurențiu Popescu
22 FW  FRA Simon Elisor
23 MF  POR Samuel Teles
24 DF  SRB Nikola Stevanović
25 DF  ROU Darius Fălcușan
28 DF  ROU Adrian Rus
29 MF  ROU Luca Băsceanu
30 MF  ROU David Matei
31 DF  JAM Ronaldo Webster
33 GK  ROU Alexandru Glodean
38 MF  ROU Denys Muntean
39 MF  ROU Sebastian Șerban
77 GK  UKR Pavlo Isenko
90 GK  ROU Răzvan Sava

Other players under contract

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW  ROU Ștefan Bană

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
27 FW  ROU David Barbu (to CSA Steaua București until 30 June 2027)
— DF  ROU Florin Gașpăr (to Chindia Târgoviște until 30 June 2027)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ROU Robert Ristoiu (to Unirea Slobozia until 30 June 2027)
— MF  ROU Dan Spătaru (to Politehnica Timișoara until 30 June 2027)

Club officials

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League history

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1989–present

Notable former players

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The footballers enlisted below have had international cap(s) for their respective countries at junior and/or senior level and significant appearances for CS Universitatea Craiova.

Romania
Argentina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Cape Verde
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Equatorial Guinea
France
Ghana
Guinea
Honduras
Italy
Jordan
Lithuania
Moldova
North Macedonia
Portugal
Slovenia
Switzerland

Universitatea Craiova players at final tournaments

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1984 UEFA European Football Championship

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1990 FIFA World Cup

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2015 Africa Cup of Nations

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2023 Africa Cup of Nations

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2024 UEFA European Football Championship

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2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup

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Former managers

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Notes

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  1. ↑ The club adopted its current name in 2018,[1] however the following year it formally requested to instead use the "Universitatea Craiova" trademark in all competitions it participates in.[2]
  2. ↑ As of November 2017, LPF attributes all Universitatea Craiova trophies won between 1948 and 1991 to the CS U entity.[7][8] FC U's only major trophy is the 1992–93 Cupa României, although this is also claimed by the former.[9] A separate ruling in 2018 indicated that neither entity definitively holds the original honours.[10]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Hotărârea Comitetului de Urgență al FRF din 21 iunie 2018" [FRF's Committee decision on 21 June 2018] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 22 June 2018. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "Deciziile Comitetului Executiv din 3 iulie 2019" [The Executive Committee's decisions on 3 July 2019] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. However, this only means they can use this name and NOT that they are Universitatea Craiova. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  3. ↑ "Definitia juveții definitie DEX Online, dictionar roman". Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "Istoric" [History] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  5. ↑ "Primarul Craiovei prezintă noua echipă de fotbal CS Universitatea" [Craiova's mayor presents the new CS Universitatea football team]. Adevărul. 4 July 2013. Archived from the original on 19 July 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  6. ↑ Buzărin, Alin (14 May 2020). "Ce înseamnă promovarea lui FC U Craiova în Liga a 2-a?" [What does FC U Craiova's promotion to the League 2 mean?]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020. This step forward of FC U will ignite the identity flame in Bănie. It always burned, and CS Universitatea, the League 1 team, always felt its flicker, even when Mititelu's side was struggling in the Fourth League.
  7. 1 2 3 "Informare cu privire la palmaresul CS U Craiova" [Information about the records of CS U Craiova] (in Romanian). LPF.ro. 10 November 2017. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  8. 1 2 "Profile: Clubul Sportiv U Craiova". UEFA. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Marcel Popescu vrea Cupa la Craiova după 25 de ani: "În faza asta nu mai există bun şi rău"" [Marcel Popescu wants the Cup in Craiova after 25 years: "At this point there is no good or bad"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 14 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  10. 1 2 "S-a întors circul în Bănie! Șefii lui CS U Craiova râd de rivala FC U și de Peluza Sud înaintea duelului de vineri din Liga a 3-a " A venit și replica lui Mititelu" [The show returns to Bănie! CS U Craiova's officials make fun of rival FC U and Peluza Sud before the Liga 3 match on Friday " Mititelu also replied]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 1 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  11. ↑ "Foundation and institutionalisation of the University of Craiova". ucv.ro. Archived from the original on 19 May 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Istoric". ucv1948.ro. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rădulescu, Gheorghe; Firescu, Alexandru; Opriș, Nicolae (1981). Fotbalul craiovean de-a lungul anilor [Craiova football over the years]. Editura Scrisul Românesc.
  14. ↑ "Turneul de calificare pentru categoria B a luat sfârșit" [The qualifying tournament for category B has ended] (PDF) (in Romanian). Sportul Popular. 15 November 1954. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2026 – via bibliotecadeva.ro.
  15. ↑ "Clasamentele oficiale de fotbal pe 1955" [Official football rankings for 1955] (PDF) (in Romanian). Sportul Popular. 5 January 1956. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 May 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026 – via bibliotecadeva.ro.
  16. ↑ "Divizia C - Season 1957-58 - Edition 6". romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  17. ↑ Ionescu, Mihai; Tudoran, George (1984). Fotbal de la A la Z. Editura Sport-Turism. p. 236-237.
  18. 1 2 3 "Divizia B tables". romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  19. ↑ "Divizia A - Tables - Season 1964-65". romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 14 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  20. ↑ "Divizia A - Tables - Season 1965-66". romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 14 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Divizia A tables". romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  22. ↑ Craiova, campioana unei mari iubiri » O idee care a intrat în legendă Archived 7 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine. gsp.ro (in Romanian)
  23. ↑ Campioana unei mari iubiri! Prima echipă de legendă a Universităţii Craiova s-a 'născut' în anii 70! Archived 7 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine. ProSport (in Romanian)
  24. 1 2 "Șah la rege" (in Romanian). Craiova-Maxima.ro. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  25. ↑ "Hotărâri ale Comitetului Executiv al FRF". FRF. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  26. ↑ "Somaţie trimisă Fotbal Club U Craiova". FRF. 13 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 September 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  27. ↑ "Statutul Federatiei Romane de Fotbal" (PDF). FRF. 26 February 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  28. ↑ "Universitatea a MURIT, trăiască Ştiinţa! Maşinăria de vot a lui Sandu a mers perfect". ProSport. 15 May 2012. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  29. ↑ "Preşedintele Craiovei Maxima este alături de CS Universitatea: "Prevăd un viitor luminos acestui proiect"" (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 26 August 2013. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  30. ↑ "HOTĂRÂRI ALE COMITETULUI EXECUTIV AL FRF" (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.
  31. ↑ "Craiova lui Mititelu contestă din nou dezafilierea". Libertatea (in Romanian). 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  32. ↑ "Olguţa Vasilescu: CS U Craiova are deja antrenor, 22 de jucători şi buget de 1,5 milioane de euro". Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  33. ↑ "Palmares" (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  34. ↑ "Lovitură grea pentru Mititelu. Decizia luată joi de Justiţie" (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 9 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  35. ↑ "CS U ia palmaresul Universităţii! Anunţul patronului Rotaru" (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  36. ↑ "CSU Craiova e încă în aer. Nu a fost afiliată de FRF!" (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  37. ↑ "CSU Craiova a "măturat" cu Pandurii II". Gazeta de Sud (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  38. ↑ "CSU Craiova a promovat în Liga 1" [CSU Craiova promoted to Liga 1] (in Romanian). Digi24. 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  39. ↑ "U Craiova 0–1 Milan". UEFA. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  40. ↑ "PSV out as third qualifying round concludes". UEFA. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  41. ↑ "Toată lumea știe, Cupa-i în Bănie!" [Everyone knows, the Cup is in Bănie!] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. 27 May 2018. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  42. ↑ "CFR Cluj a câștigat Supercupa României 2018" [CFR Cluj won the 2018 Romanian Supercup] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  43. ↑ "Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinicius. Ardelenii revin spectaculos, câștigă al treilea titlu consecutiv și se pregătesc de preliminariile Champions League" [Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinícius. Ardelenii turn the game around in a spectacular manner, win their third consecutive title and prepare for the Champions League qualifiers] (in Romanian). ProSport. 3 August 2020. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  44. ↑ "Video | Universitatea Craiova - Istanbul Bașakșehir 3-1. Calificare! Oltenii sunt în premieră în Conference League" [Video | Universitatea Craiova - Istanbul Başakşehir 3-1. Qualification! The Oltenia People are in the Conference League for the first time] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  45. ↑ "University of Craiova wins the Romanian Cup after defeating U Cluj in the penalty shootout". informat.ro. 14 May 2026.
  46. ↑ "Superliga: Universitatea Craiova este noua campioană a României, după 5-0 cu Universitatea Cluj. Echipa craioveană a reuşit eventul" [Superliga: Universitatea Craiova is the new champion of Romania, after 5-0 with Universitatea Cluj. The Craiova team succeeded in the event]. Digi24 (in Romanian). 17 May 2026.
  47. ↑ "Inaugurare SF pentru OZN-ul Craiovei" [Incredible opening for Craiova's UFO] (in Romanian). ProSport. 10 November 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  48. ↑ "Steaua rămâne echipa cu cei mai mulţi fani în România. Rezultatele celui mai recent sondaj" [Steaua remains the team with the most fans in Romania. The results of the latest survey] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 10 February 2016. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  49. ↑ "Trădare în Oltenia " Grupurile de ultraşi ai Universităţii Craiova se alătură echipei susţinute de Municipalitate!" [Betrayal in Oltenia "Universitatea Craiova ultras groups join the team sustained by the Municipality]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 4 September 2013. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  50. ↑ "Al treilea tip de ultrași în Bănie " Comunicat oficial: "Nici cu echipa lui Mititelu, nici cu CS U. Ambele sunt clone!" » Scandal cu emblemele după apariția noului echipament al FC U". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  51. ↑ "North Lions" (in Romanian). Craiova-Maxima.ro. 30 November 2015. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  52. ↑ "ROMÂNIA – SUEDIA 1–0 // Mitriță, afectat de reacția fanilor: "Nu e firesc!" + E în dubiu pentru derby-ul cu CFR Cluj" [ROMANIA – SWEDEN 1–0 // Mitriță, affected by fans' reaction: "It's not normal!" + His presence is in doubt for the derby with CFR Cluj]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 28 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  53. ↑ "Au folosit insecticid! Fanii Craiovei din Liga 1 au dezinfectat peluza ocupată la meciul cu Suedia de suporterii echipei lui Mititelu" [They used insecticide! Liga 1 fans of Craiova have disinfected the place where the supporters of Mititelu's team stayed at the match against Sweden] (in Romanian). ProSport. 30 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  54. ↑ "CRAIOVA-DINAMO. Titlul pierdut dubios în '73 a generat ura oltenilor" [CRAIOVA-DINAMO. The title lost in a strange way in '73 generated the hate of "the People of Oltenia"] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 22 April 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  55. ↑ "CS U Craiova – Dinamo, orgoliul a rămas, obiectivele s-au schimbat" [CS U Craiova – Dinamo, the pride remains, the objectives have changed] (in Romanian). Telekom Sport. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  56. ↑ "Fotbal – Derbiul Olteniei din Liga I, pe 23 februarie" [Football – Liga I's Derby of Oltenia, on 23 February] (in Romanian). Gazeta de Sud. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  57. ↑ "FC Argeș – Universitatea. Rivalitate istorică - Știri - LPF". lpf.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  58. ↑ Tudorache, Viorel (10 July 2023). "Verdict IMENS: Curtea de Apel Timișoara a decis că CS Universitatea Craiova deține palmaresul Științei! Hotărârea mai poate fi atacată cu recurs". GSP.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  59. ↑ "Uefa current ranking". May 2026. Archived from the original on 25 May 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  60. ↑ "Echipa" [Squad] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  61. ↑ "UNIVERSITATEA CRAIOVA" (in Romanian). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  62. ↑ "O femeie este noul acționar de la Universitatea Craiova! Are 95% împreună cu Mihai Rotaru: ce s-a întâmplat cu partenerii ceilalți" (in Romanian). Prosport. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  63. ↑ "Board of directors". Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  64. ↑ "Technical staff". Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
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