Viorel Hizo's Rapid Bucureşti keep winning

Rapid Bucureşti kept its Europa League hopes alive as it defeated relegation condemned Gloria Buzău 1-0 via João Paulo Pinto a minute into added-time

Constantin Cârstea's Buzău side playing for pride alone looking to heading for an pride-filled draw before the last gasp strike. After Lucian Răduţă won a clearance in the area the ball came to Pinto who after a controlling touch sent the ball in from the six yard box.

The Viorel Hizo led Rapid Bucureşti returns to action with a derby war against Steaua Bucureşti on Friday with Gloria Buzău trying to play the spoiler against Universitatea Craiova.

Viorel Hizo leads Rapid Bucureşti to victory over CS Otopeni

Once again Viorel Hizo came to rescue as the sixty-two year-old manager returned to lead Rapid Bucureşti for this fifth stint. Following the dreadful loss to Gaz Metan Mediaş, the wise veteran leader took charge and in his first match in-charge Rapid responded with an emphatic 3-0 devastation of CS Otopeni. The result pulls Rapid to within three points of CFR Cluj in the final Europa League spot.

After a scoring opening half Rapid took charge with João Paulo Andrade, on-loan from Porto, sent a powerful drive into the back of the net from twenty-five plus metres. Only six minutes later superb young product Lucian Răduţă gave Mr. Hizo reason to cheer as he scooped up a rebound of a João Paulo Andrade blocked attempt and drove the ball in from just inside the area. A minute into added time Ştefan Grigorie made it 3-0 as he took advantage of a similar loose ball and drove it in from fourteen metres.

Rapid Bucureşti falls 1-0 to surging Gaz Metan Mediaş

Gaz Metan Mediaş continued their remarkable fight for safety with their third successive win, this time defeating Rapid Bucureşti 1-0.

The matches lone goal came three minutes before the hour as Cristian Bud scored his fourth goal since joining the club. Accepting a depth chip pass into the area from Eric de Oliveira Pereira, Bud volleyed the ball on the outside of his right foot over on rushing Rapid 'keeper Elinton Andrade in absolutely brilliant goal. The twenty-four year-old striker, said to be valued at €250k has proven to be a highlight each match and a major part of the clubs surging play. Mediaş played the final nine minutes a man down as Cristian Todea was shown a red-card but they were able to hold Rapid at bay.

Rapid Bucureşti returns to play next Wednesday against relegation candidate CS Otopeni whilst Gaz Metan Mediaş visits Universitatea Craiova.

Romania hands the reigns to Răzvan Lucescu

Following the letting go of Victor Piţurcă, the Federaţia Română de Fotbal (Romanian Football Federation) has decided to hand the reigns of the national team to Răzvan Lucescu. With a goal of reviving the "tricolori" he has experienced tremendous success as a manager of FC Braşov and Rapid Bucureşti after his playing days with FC Sportul Studenţesc and Rapid concluded. A skilled tactician, Răzvan has his eye on the pulse of development of the game and will provide Romania the long-term leadership it requires as it looks ahead to Euro 2012. His appointment has been lauded already by his peers as a master-stroke for Romania and bodes well for the future.

For Romania fans his appointment is a bit of a double-take as his father Mircea Lucescu, presently Shakhtar Donetsk manager, led Romania in the early 1980's including their 1984 World Cup appearance.

Rapid Bucureşti edges back into Europa League spot

Following last match-day loss to Argeş Piteşti, Marian Rada's Rapid Bucureşti crept into Europa League spot with a 2-0 victory over Pandurii Târgu Jiu.

Juliano Spadacio gave Rapid six minutes before the half-hour as he accepted Montenegro international Radomir Đalović provision at the top of the box before driving the ball in via a opportunistic deflection off Târgu Jiu defender Alin Chibulcutean. Spadacio doubled the margin with seventeen minutes remaining as he struck a free-kick to the left corner from twenty metres out.

Rapid returns to play next week as they travel to face Gaz Metan Mediaş whilst Pandurii Târgu Jiu welcomes Universitatea Craiova.

Argeş Piteşti undeafted at home defeating Rapid Bucureşti 1-0

Coming off a 3-1 victory over Braşov, Rapid Bucureşti manager Marian Rada had his sights set on the closing the gap for a Europa League berth as his side traveled to face Argeş Piteşti on Tuesday. However the Alb-Violeţii, enveloped within a sea of controversy regarding allegations that their owner Cornel Penescu has attempted to bribe officials, have still yet to lose at home this year defeated Rapid lost 1-0 with the matches only goal coming from Adrian Iordache a half-hour into the match. With Rapid exposed at the back Elias Bazzi, a product of the Boca Juniors system, sent a perfect long ball from his own end to Iordache who drove the ball with his left foot past goalkeeper Andrei Marinescu from ten metres. Two minutes into the new half Rapid had a chance to level the match when Florian Lăcustă was adjudged to bringing down Radomir Đalović in the area and the spot was pointed to. However Juliano Spadacio could not connect from the spot and Argeş Piteşti kept their home record intact winning 1-0.

Rapid Bucureşti returns to action this Friday as they welcome Pandurii Târgu Jiu while Argeş Piteşti faces a difficult trip to Universitatea Craiova.

Marian Rada takes charge of Rapid Bucureşti

Following the dismissal of José Peseiro, Rapid Bucureşti have hired from within and appointed Marian Rada and Nicolae Manea as head coach and technical director respectively. For long time supporters of the Bucureşti giant, this is not merely a move you can be pleased with but one to rejoice of. Both had long playing careers as players and have been a major part of the development of younger players with the club.

Wolfsburg advances to UEFA Cup group stage

Wolfburg successfully makes its way to the UEFA Cup group stage with a 2-1 aggregate total over Rapid Bucureşti. After taking the opening leg 1-0 at Volkswagen-Arena, Wolfsburg played Rapid Bucureşti to a 1-1 draw. The home club's hopes took a difficult turn when Grafite scored twenty-three minutes into the match, which because of the "away goal" rule, required them to score three goals to advance. With twenty minutes left in the match Vasile Maftei scored for Rapid Bucureşti but it was far too late and the match ended in a draw, thus advancing Wolfsburg to the next round.

The match was sadly mired by late fan violence, something that needs to be rid from our game. Additionally the Rapid Bucureşti manager Jose Peseiro has been suspended from the squad.

Wolfsburg
Diego Benaglio,Andrea Barzagli,Marcel Schäfer,Ricardo Costa,Josué,Christian Gentner (Ashkan Dejagah 63'),Makoto Hasebe (Cristian Zaccardo 90+1'),Sascha Riether,Grafite,Edin Džeko,Zvjezdan Misimović (Alexander Madlung 87')

Rapid Bucureşti
Elinton Andrade,Vasile Maftei (Júlio César 72'),Ricardo,Marius Constantin (Nicolae Grigore 46'),Vladimir Božović,Daniel Barioni,João Paulo,Costin Lazăr,Juliano Spadacio (João Paulo 62'),Pierre Boya,Cláudio Mejolaro