CFR Cluj

CFR Cluj is a football (soccer) club from Romania.

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CFR Cluj is a Romanian professional football (soccer) football team from the city of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County county. CFR Cluj was founded in 1907 as Kolozsvári Vasutas Sport Club and renamed after the Romanian state railway carrier, Căile Ferate Române in 1918. CFR Cluj have spent most of their existence in the lower divisions, except for a spell in Divizia A in the 1970s, until they received significant financial backing from Árpád Pászkány in 2002. CFR Cluj returned to the top flight in 2004 and the following season took in their first UEFA competition, the UEFA Intertoto Cup, finishing as runners-up. In 2007-08, CFR Cluj were champions of Liga I for the first time in their history, taking the title away from Bucharest for the first time in 17 years, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stages in the process, six years after having been in the Liga III of Romanian league football. CFR Cluj started the UEFA Champions League 2008-2009 with an unexpected win against A.S. Roma, followed by a draw against the previous season's Champions League finalists, Chelsea F.C.. CFR is the Romanian football team with the most international players in its squad.

History

Early years

CFR Cluj was founded in 1907, when the city of Cluj-Napoca was part of Austria-Hungary. The club’s original Hungarian language name was Kolozsvári Vasutas Sport Club (K.V.S.C.) and represented the railway workers' team. From 1907 to 1910, CFR Cluj played in the Municipal Championship of Kolozsvár (today Cluj-Napoca). However, CFR Cluj did not have any notable achievements during this time.

In 1911, CFR Cluj won the newly organized Championship of Transylvania. CFR Cluj consistently finished in second place in that competition between 1911 and 1914, a competition that was interrupted because of the WW I. After the war, Transylvania became part of Romania and CFR Cluj accordingly changed its name to CFR Cluj, maintaining its links with the national rail organisation. They went on to win two regional titles, in 1918-1919 and 1919-1920.

Between 1934 and 1936, CFR played for two seasons in the Divizia B, ranking 6th in the 1934-1935 season and 8th in the 1935-1936 season. In 1936 CFR was relegated to the Divizia C, where CFR Cluj played for two seasons finishing 1st and 4th.

After the dissolution of Romania's third league (due to WW II), CFR played in the city championship. After the war, CFR played for one season in the third league, earning promotion. In the 1947-48 season, CFR Cluj merged with another local club, Ferar Cluj, and played in Divizia A for the very first time. Unfortunately, CFR Cluj lasted only two years in the first league and would not play here again for another twenty years.

In 1960, another merger with Rapid Cluj resulted in C.S.M. Cluj. In 1964, the team’s name was changed to Clujeana. In that same year the club’s junior team won the national championship. Three years later, the team’s name was reversed yet again to CFR Cluj.

1969-1976

In 1969, CFR finished first in Divizia B with forty points, five more than their rival, Politehnica Timişoara. The conclusive game of that season was a 1-1 draw with Politehnica. Politehnica had a 1-0 lead at half-time, but CFR came back with a fine header from Soos.

During the summer of 1969, CFR Cluj advanced to Divizia A under the leadership of coach Dr. Constantin Rădulescu, or "Jumate", as his friends called him in his youth. Rădulescu was originally from southern Romania, but he grew to manhood in the stern atmosphere of Transylvania. Before coaching, he had played for C.F.R. and another well-known local team, Universitatea Cluj, during the 1940s.

In the 1969-1970 first league championship, CFR made its debut with a victory (2-0) over ASA Târgu Mureş. The next few games did not go as well. Apart from a 1-0 win over FC Politehnica Iaşi, there were losses to Steaua Bucharest (1-3) and Dinamo Bucharest (0-2). Unfortunately, these and other defeats were a factor in the team's downhill slide. However, the following spring CFR bounced back with a win over ASA Târgu Mureş (1-0), after a lovely goal from Octavian Ionescu, and managed to avert relegation.

At the beginning of CFR’s second season in Divizia A, Rădulescu was replaced by Eugen Iordache as head coach. During his tenure, CFR did not do well, so that Rădulescu was swiftly brought back. Even so, CFR Cluj found itself again at the bottom of the table before the winter break. The spring of 1971 was somewhat better, although CFR struggled again to avoid relegation. CFR's last game of that season, against UT Arad, was a memorable one. CFR led 1-0 at half-time. UTA, however, managed to overturn the match after having scored twice. Nonetheless, the persistence of the players from Cluj was rewarded with a late goal, tying the game at 2-2. UT Arad went on to play in the European Cups, but, most importantly, CFR avoided relegation.

The 1971-1972 season started off badly for CFR. Losses to Dinamo Bucharest (1-3); Crişul Oradea (0-1, after a last-minute penalty kick), and Jiul Petroşani (1-2 after two regrettable own-goals) meant CFR's demise after the first round of the championship—the team finished at the bottom, with seven points. CFR’s return was spectacular, although inconsistent at times. The team won some important games, such as a 1-0 with FC Universitatea Craiova and a 3-0 with Petrolul Ploieşti. By the end of the season, however, CFR was again struggling to stay in Divizia A. CFR was tied at half-time after having led with 2-0 in their game against FC Politehnica Iaşi. In the second half, two late goals from Ionescu and Petrescu saved CFR Cluj from relegation. When Rădulescu and his players got back home to Cluj, 3,000 fans turned out to celebrate their feat.

During the summer of 1972, CFR made a transfer of utmost importance. Mihai Adam, from Universitatea Cluj, was traded for Soos. Mihai Adam had been twice Romania's top goalscorer, and was considered one of the best Romanian players of his generation. He and the rest of CFR Cluj would make the 1972-73 season the most glorious in CFR’s history. The team achieved its highest ranking ever in Romanian football—fifth in Divizia A. Several important results concluded a great season, including a 2-0 victory against Rapid Bucharest, a 2-2 draw against FC Sportul Studenţesc Bucureşti, and another draw, 1-1, with Steaua Bucharest. Additionally, the stadium that CFR continues to use even today was built in 1973. To celebrate completion of the stadium, CFR Cluj played a friendly against Cuba. The game ended in a 2-1 victory for CFR.

The 1973-74 season was a rather bad one for CFR, as it barely saved itself from relegation, ranking 14th at the end of the season. The only notable achievement of that season was Mihai Adam’s third title as Romania's top goal-scorer who, even though he was 33 years old, scored 23 goals.

The 1974-75 season was much like the one before: CFR struggled to avoid relegation, achieving its objective all the while.

The 1975-76 season marked CFR’s relegation and its last season in Divizia A during the 20th Century. The problem was that CFR Cluj was very old, with most of its players in their thirties.

1976-2002

During the 1977-78 season, CFR tried to make a comeback and play in the first league again. Unfortunately, CFR Cluj managed to finish only second in Divizia B, after FC Baia Mare. Four years later CFR slid further down, into the third division (Divizia C). From then on, CFR Cluj would alternate between the second and third leagues. In 1983, CFR played in Divizia B under its ever loyal coach, Dr. Constantin Rădulescu "Jumate".

In the 1990s CFR struggled financially and found itself more than once on the brink of bankruptcy. Nevertheless, several very talented players were raised, including Cristian Dulca, Attila Piroska, Cristian Coroian, and Alin Minteuan.

2002-2005

In January 2002 a new sponsor, Árpád Pászkány, head of S.C. ECOMAX M.G., founded the new commercial sport society, with ECOMAX M.G. as primary shareholder. By the end of the 2001-2002 season, CFR had been promoted back to Divizia B.

The summer of 2003 was very important for CFR as many new talented players were transferred. Among them—Cătălin Bozdog, Adrian Anca, Cristian Turcu, and Sabin Piglisan. With these players and others, CFR managed to enter the first league after a spectacular season in Divizia B. CFR Cluj began the season superbly, holding first place for a while. Then CFR Cluj's main sponsor, Arpad Paszkany, became involved in a public scandal, in which Paszkany accused several referees of corruption. This conundrum plagued CFR Cluj and ended up in head coach Gh. Cioceri's dismissal. CFR lost several consecutive games before the scandal blew away. After the winter break, Gh. Cioceri was replaced by Aurel Sunda. In the spring of 2004, Sunda's team had a nearly perfect run, winning 14 out of 15 games, with only one draw. One round before the season's end, CFR was one point behind Jiul Petrosani who were in first place. All this changed when Jiul were held to a draw by Gaz Metan Mediaş. This, along with CFR's 3-0 victory, was one of the most crucial moments for CFR Cluj in the 21st Century. Thus CFR Cluj advanced to the top league for the first time in 28 years.

In the summer of 2004, CFR acquired many new players, including Vasile Jula and Radu Marginean.

CFR Cluj's first year back in Divizia A was spectacular, yet inconsistent. CFR finished sixth after the first half of the 2004-2005 championship—a great accomplishment for a newly promoted team. It was during this time that CFR played one of its most amazing games ever, defeating, at home, F.C. Dinamo Bucureşti. The final score was 4-2, after four spectacular goals by Adrian Anca and Sorin Oncică, two goals each.

However, the second half of the championship proved disappointing for CFR, as it gathered only 12 points after 15 games. The team finished 11th, though, avoiding relegation.

2005-2007

The summer of 2005 brought some extraordinary changes to CFR Cluj. The club's executives signed up CFR Cluj for the UEFA Intertoto Cup. This would be CFR's first European adventure. CFR began well, qualifying for the second round after two victories against FK Vetra (3-2 and 4-1).

Also, the Romanian international Dorinel Munteanu came to CFR from Steaua Bucharest. Munteanu would have the double role of player-coach. His first game produced one of CFR's greatest successes. CFR Cluj defeated Athletic Bilbao of Spain 1-0, (although almost all players from Bilbao's side were from the reserve squad) during the second round of the 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup. The only goal of the match was scored by Cosmin Tilinca, with a brilliant header. CFR then lost at Bilbao (0-1) but still qualified to the next round after a tense penalty shootout.

Munteanu's team played the next game at Cluj, against French side AS Saint-Étienne. Adrian Anca played one of the greatest games in his career, even though the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Anca hit the crossbar with a header early in the game, and Cosmin Tilinca pushed the ball into the net from the rebound. Anca then went on to earn a penalty, but did not score. He then hit the crossbar a second time, in the second half. The away game, in France, was also an eventful game for CFR Cluj. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, so CFR went on to the next qualifying stage due to its away goals. The game began well for CFR, as Cristian Coroian scored from a penalty kick, earned by Adrian Anca. The second half went by less smoothly for CFR. Julien Sable managed to score for St. Etienne, tying the game at 1-1. Then followed CFR player Laszlo Balint's elimination. However, a Cosmin Tilinca goal gave CFR Cluj new hope, a hope fulfilled at the end of a memorable match, tied up by the French in the very last minute. In the next round, CFR Cluj easily disposed of Zalgiris Vilnius, 2-1 in Lithuania and 5-1 at home.

For the final match of the 2005 UEFA Interoto Cup, CFR Cluj's opponent was another French side, RC Lens. The first game, at Cluj, ended in a 1-1 draw, with both sides having scored from free kicks. Cristian Turcu scored for CFR. The second game was played at Lens, in front of 30,000 French fans. Unfortunately, the Romanian players showed signs of exhaustion and conceded three goals. The player-coach, Dorinel Munteanu, managed to regain some honour for his team with a beautiful goal from a free kick in the 89th minute. Thus ended CFR's Intertoto journey.CFR Cluj finished 5th at the end of the 2005-2006 season.

During the 2006-2007 season, major changes at CFR Cluj started to occur. Dorinel Munteanu resigned as player-coach, and was replaced by Cristiano Bergodi. Foreign players from Western Europe and South America were transferred. A partnership with Portuguese giants S.L. Benfica was signed. On 22 July 2007 CFR Cluj celebrated its centenary by playing a friendly game against Benfica and inaugurating its new illumination system.


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2007-present

New coach, Romanian Ioan Andone, formerly of Omonia Nicosia and Dinamo Bucharest started the 2007–08 well, with CFR Cluj leading the league by 8 points halfway through the season and remaining unbeaten. Their form was not as good in the second half of the season, and they were overtaken by Steaua Bucharest with two games remaining. Even though Steaua clashed Gloria Buzau 5-0 in the last matchday, it wasn't enough to bring the title in Ghencea, since CFR Cluj won against Universitatea Cluj saw the CFR Cluj win the title, the first team from outside Bucharest to win in nearly two decades. Three days later, CFR Cluj completed a league and cup The Double, beating Unirea Urziceni in the Romanian Cup final.

By winning the league, CFR Cluj qualified for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League 2008-09. They were drawn in Group A against Chelsea FC of England, A.S. Roma of Italy and FC Girondins de Bordeaux of France and given little chance of progressing, with odds of 300–1 being given on them winning the competition. In their opening game, Cluj caused a shock by beating Roma in the Italian capital, 2–1, and further exceeded expectations by holding the previous season's finalists Chelsea to a 0–0 draw at home.


Image:Ttrans 999995c.jpg,UEFA Champions League 2008-09


UEFA Champions League 2008-09,Group A

) season saw CFR finish fourth, CFR Cluj had two coaching staff changes in the second part of the competition and did not manage to secure a second title. The Romanian Cup was kept for a consecutive year at Cluj, achievement through which CFR ended the year in high spirits.

Stadium

CFR Cluj's play their home games at the Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Stadium which has an all-seated capacity of 25,000. With an investment of 10 million euros, from autumn 2006 till June 2007, CFR Cluj changed the field to higher quality turf, built a state of the art floodlight and updated its infrastructure. All the work has been completed for the 100th birthday of the Club, when the first official friendly game was played with Benfica Lisbon. In 2008 CFR Cluj expanded the stadium to a capacity of 25,000. The CFR stadium meets all of UEFA's regulations and can host UEFA Champions League matches.


Image:Stade Constantin Radulescu.jpg: 1
- - Liga I 2007–08

- Cupa României: 2
- - Cupa României 2007–08; Cupa României 2008–09

- Supercupa României: 1
- - Supercupa României 2009

European

- UEFA Intertoto Cup runner-up:
- - UEFA Intertoto Cup 2005
- UEFA Champions League group stage;
- - 2008–09 UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League:
- - UEFA Cup 2007–08
- - 2009–10 UEFA Europa League


Image:UEFA Intertoto Cup logo.svg
Image:UEFA Champions League logo 2.svg
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Performance in Romanian First League

{ (October 4, 2003)
- Greatest Loss: CFR Bucureşti 12 - 2 CFR Cluj (April 20, 1949)
- Player with Most Caps in First League: Marius Bretan 199
- Player with Most Goals in First League: Mihai Adam 47