CS Universitatea Craiova

Before Universitatea and founding

The football history in the city of Craiova began in the year 1921, when the first teams were founded: Craiovan Craiova and Rovine Grivița Craiova. In the 1940, the two teams merged, resulting in one of the most successful Romanian clubs of the Interwar period, FC Craiova, which was also the first team from the city to win the Romanian football championship, in the 1942–43 season. However, the title was not officialized by the Romanian Football Federation, because of World War II.

Finally, in 1948, Universitatea Craiova took life at the initiative of a group of students and professors, a team which would later become one of the most popular and successful teams of Romania.

"Craiova Maxima" era: domestic honours and UEFA Cup semi-final in the '80s

During the 1982–83 season, Universitatea recorded the most notable continental performance in its history. Under the management of Constantin Oțet and Nicolae Ivan the team reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, after defeating some of the best known clubs in European football, such as AC Fiorentina (Serie A runners-up), Girondins Bordeaux and FC Kaiserslautern. In the first European cup semi-final ever played by a Romanian club, Universitatea encountered S.L. Benfica, two times European champions and three times European Cup finalists at the time. After two draws, the Portuguese side advanced to the final on aggregate away goals. This generation of players earned the nickname of "Craiova Maxima" and included Ilie Balaci, Rodion Cămătaru, Costică Ștefănescu, Zoltan Crișan, Ion Geolgău, Aurică Beldeanu, Costică Donose and Silviu Lung among others.

Universitatea Craiova after the '90s

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

However, in 1994, the sports club CS Universitatea Craiova dissolved its football section and Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova continued their tradition until early 2010s.

Refounding in 2013

On 20 July 2011, the Romanian Football Federation decided to disaffiliate FC Universitatea Craiova, but the decision was attacked in court. Craiova's mayor, Lia Olguța Vasilescu, considered that FC U can't be reaffiliated. Consequently, in the summer of 2013, local authorities of Craiova, supported by Pavel Badea, and associated with Club Sportiv U Craiova SA, refounded the football section of CS U Craiova. CS U claimed that it owns the honours until 1992, 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. Therefore, CS Universitatea Craiova is the rightful owner of the records, brand and logo.

On 14 August 2013, CS Universitatea Craiova was provisionally affiliated to the Romanian Football Federation, due the problems with licensing file. 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.

The club has returned to the Liga I since the 2014–15 season.

Stadionul Ion Oblemenco

Ion Oblemenco Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Craiova, Romania. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground of Universitatea Craiova. The stadium used to hold up to 25,252 people before it was demolished. The stadium was opened on 29 October 1967 with national teams of Romania and Poland scoring 2 goals each and was originally named Central Stadium. It hosted many memorable matches during the Craiova Maxima era such as the 1981–82 European Cup Quarterfinal against Bayern Munich and the 1982–83 UEFA Cup Semifinal 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. The stadium was entirely demolished and will be replaced with an all-seater expected to open in the summer of 2016.

Stadionul Extensiv

Extensiv Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Craiova, Romania opened in 1949. It is used mostly for football matches and since 2015 it is the home ground of Universitatea Craiova. The stadium holds 7,000 people. The stadium was the home ground of Extensiv Craiova. In 2005 when Extensiv Craiova dissolved, the stadium was abandoned: plants and flowers grew on the pitch and the chairs were broken, but it was saved by Craiova's old boys' team.

Rivalries

Universitatea Craiova's main rival is Dinamo București. The rivalry started in the '70s, when Dinamo stopped Universitatea from winning the national title in 1973.

A rivalry with Steaua București also exists.

Leagues

Cups

First team squad

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

Out on loan

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

Second team squad (CS U II Craiova)

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

Managers