FC Vaslui

FC Vaslui

The Logo of FC Vaslui
Full name Fotbal Club Vaslui 2002[1]
Nickname(s) Galben-verzii (The Yellow-Greens)
Vasluienii (The Vasluians)
Founded 1 January 2002
as FCM Vaslui
Refounded in 2014 as "FC Vaslui 2002"
Ground Stadionul Municipal Vaslui
Capacity 9,240[2]
Owner FC Vaslui Supporters Association
Coach Sorin Tătaru
League Liga IV
Website Club home page

Fotbal Club Vaslui is a Romanian football club from Vaslui, which due to financial issues was relegated from Liga I, the top level of Romanian football, despite finishing 5th at the end of the season 2013-14. Formed in 2002 as Fotbal Club Municipal Vaslui, the club assumed its final name in 2005 and is the top-ranked football club from Vaslui.

Following its promotion to Liga I in 2005, the club has become one of the most prominent in Romania. It has gained a European spot in each of the past five seasons, narrowly missing the championship in 2012, and losing its first Romanian Cup final in 2010. Since their foundation the club have finished each season in a higher rank than in the previous.

The official team colours are yellow and green, giving rise to the nickname yellow-greens, but lately their away strip consisted of white with black stripes.

History

On 20 July 2002, the newly promoted Divizia C side Victoria Galați moved to Vaslui, after an agreement between Marius Stan and the Vaslui Municipality to use the Municipal Stadium. Ioan Sdrobiș was appointed as team manager, and the main squad was formed from Dunărea Galați players.[3] The club also changed its name to Fotbal Club Municipal Vaslui or FC Vaslui for short. Their main objective was to achieve the promotion in Divizia B.[4] Soon after their foundation Adrian Porumboiu took over the club and he immediately changed the colours of the team's strip from white and blue to yellow and green, the same as those used by his company.[5] At the end of the season, despite the achievement of promotion, Marius Stan, the club president, resigned and Adrian Porumboiu, the club owner, decided to stop sponsoring the team, because of what he perceived as the Vaslui Municipality's lack of interest in the team.[6] With a whole new management team, the objective for the newly promoted Divizia B team was to avoid relegation.[7] With a strong start to the season and with Adrian Porumboiu back at the club, the objective was changed from avoiding relegation, to promotion to Divizia A. The club managed to secure promotion the following season, setting a new record by being the club promoted to Divizia A in the quickest time, only three years after their foundation.[8]

With his club in Divizia A, Adrian Porumboiu set an impressive budget for a newly promoted team in the top flight. Despite signing Claudiu Răducanu, Sabin Ilie, Nana Falemi and Cătălin Cursaru, FC Vaslui had a poor record in the top flight: not a single victory at the end of the first part of the season.[9] In the winter break, Mircea Rednic changed Vaslui's transfer policy.[10] The club went on a good run and had one of the best records for the second half of the season. However the club was embroiled in controversy when they faced Steaua Bucuresti in the 30th round of matches. In order to secure the championship Steaua had to win at Vaslui. Steaua duly won by four goals, and as a consequence secured the league title, but the easy win was highly contested by not only the officials at Steaua's great rivals FC Rapid București, but also by Adrian Porumboiu, who decided the following day to give up ownership of FC Vaslui.[11] With no sponsorship, and with no squad, the media speculated that Vaslui would sell its Divizia A spot, although the club president denied those rumours.[12]

With a completely different team from the previous season, FC Vaslui had the same poor season start as before.[13] Despite this, FC Vaslui finished 8th at the end of the season, the club's best performance at the time. Fortunes had changed markedly under new team manager Viorel Hizo, who has been appointed on 24 September after Mulțescu was sacked.[14] However, despite his solid performances, Hizo decided to resign at the end of the season, because of FC Vaslui's poor infrastructure.[15] Adrian Porumboiu, who had returned to the club after his earlier departure, decided to invest the club's budget in improving the crumbling infrastructure, instead of new players.[16]

After Dorinel Munteanu was revealed as the new team manager, the main objective was set: qualification for European competition.[17] The season was one with ups and downs for the Moldavian team, FC Vaslui securing the final spot for European competition, thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Vaslui contested Oțelul Galați's decision to include two players, both of whom had been sent off in the previous matchday, in a league game between the two clubs. CAS awarded Vaslui the three points, and as a result FC Vaslui finished 7th, ahead of Oțelul.[18]

With his team in the Intertoto Cup, Adrian Porumboiu invested a significant amount of money in new players.[19] Viorel Hizo had also been reinstated as the team manager.[20] After defeating Neftchi Baku, FC Vaslui qualified for the UEFA Cup,[21] but ultimately failed to qualify for the Group Stages, after they were eliminated by Slavia Prague because of the away goal.[22] The championship was one with ups and downs for the team, Vaslui sitting in 9th place for almost the entire season. After a win against Universitatea Craiova in the final round, and thanks to the other results, FC Vaslui finished 5th, and secured a spot in the Europa League, for the second year in a row (Europa League being the new name for the UEFA Cup).[23] The team also reached the Romanian Cup semi-final, where they were beaten by CFR Cluj, after a number of errors by the referee.[24]

In its second season in the European competitions, despite winning in the first leg, FC Vaslui failed to qualify in the Europa League Group Stages for the second time, after they lost by three goals against AEK Athens.[25] Despite its unsuccessful European season, Vaslui had an excelennt domestic season, finishing 3rd in the championship,[26] and reaching the Romanian Cup final.[27]

Because FC Vaslui failure to qualify for the European Group Stages Adrian Porumboiu appointed Spaniard Juan López Caro as club manager.[28] The appointment was not a success however because he not only failed to get the team into the Group Stages,[29] but he also won only three matches in the first ten rounds, and the team was eliminated from the Romanian Cup by Liga III side Alro Slatina.[30] Because Caro had a $1,000,000 release clause, Adrian Porumboiu decided to suspend the Spanish manager,[31] with the club sixth in the league, only 7 points behind the leader, and reinstate Viorel Hizo, for the third time as the team manager.[32] Hizo not only managed to revive the team, but he turned it into a real title contender.[33] Meanwhile, on 4 January 2011, FC Vaslui received a nine-month transfer ban from FIFA, following a complaint by its former player, Ljubinkovic.[34] Despite Porumboiu appealing to the CAS, the decision remained, with the ban expiring on 6 September 2011.[35] At the end of the season, despite having made no transfers in the winter break, FC Vaslui finished 3rd for the second year in a row.[36]

After the Romanian Football Federation denied a licence to FC Timișoara, and therefore barred their participation in the European competitions,[37] FC Vaslui took its place in the UEFA Champions League's Third qualifying round.[38] However FC Vaslui was eliminated from the competition and so dropped into the Europa League Play-Off.[39] Vaslui faced Sparta Prague with major squad problems. No less than nine players were unable to play: Kuciak and Pouga refused to return to the team; Papp, Canu, Adailton, Wesley and Gladstone were injured; Milisavljevic and Pavlovic were excluded from the squad.[40] Despite this, FC Vaslui gained its most important victory from its history, a 2–0 home win against Sparta Prague.[41] Despite losing in the second leg, FC Vaslui managed to qualify for the UEFA Europa League Group Stages for the first time.[42] The team managed to make some great games in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League Group Stages against teams like Sporting Lisbon, S.S. Lazio and FC Zurich.In the same season the team finished 2nd in Liga I.

Stadium

Municipal Stadium

The Municipal Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Vaslui, Romania. It was opened in 1972, and it is owned by The Vaslui municipality. In 2002, when Victoria Galați (as they were then known) moved to Vaslui, they reached an agreement with the Vaslui municipality, and since then host their home games at this ground. The stadium has 18000 , and has a natural grass playing surface. Municipal also has an official stand, covered cabins for the guests and the press, a drainage and automatic irrigation system, internet access for the media, and a new club headquarters. The floodlighting system, with a density of 2000 lux, was inaugurated in 2008, this stadium being the 11th in Romania with a floodlighting system. It is rated at two stars by UEFA.

Rivalries

FC Vaslui's eternal rival is other team from Moldova region, CSMS Iași, and the matches between this teams are known as "Derby of Moldova", and also end with violent clashes between supporter of both teams. Even if CSMS Iași is a new team, founded in 2011, the prides are big, and CSMS inherited this rivalry from Iași's former team, Politehnica Iași. The rivalry between FC Vaslui and Poli Iași started in 2004, when Vaslui promoted in top division of Romanian football, being a result of the demographic and political rivalry between Iași and Vaslui cities. Poli Iași was dissolved in 2009, and CSMS Iași was founded as successor.

Current squad

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

No. Position Player
Romania GK Alexandru Filip
Romania GK Alexandru Chiriță
Romania MF Andrei Coropceanu
Romania MF Cosmin Mitrofan
Romania DF Denis Erdei
Romania DF Dan Dima
Romania MF Ionuț Codreanu
Romania DF Edmond Moraru
Romania FW Andrei Palade
Romania DF Alin Lișiță
Romania DF Mircea Modoranu
No. Position Player
Romania MF Dănuț Lazăr
Romania DF Andrei Tufă
Romania DF Victor Cumpănă
Romania DF Călin Stângaciu
Romania FW Costică Hariuc
Romania MF Daniel Stratulat
Romania MF Ionuț Popa
Romania FW Daniel Azamfirei
Romania MF Cristian Baetu
Romania DF Andrei Chiroșcă
Romania MF Andrei Dublea


Captains

The first Vaslui captain was Cătălin Popa, who previously captained Sportul Municipal Vaslui. Sorin Frunză took over the captaincy following Popa's departure in 2003. He was team captain until his departure in 2008, when vice-captain Bogdan Buhuș took over the captaincy, but only for a short spell, since Gabriel Cânu was appointed captain by new manager, Viorel Moldovan. During Cânu's first long-term injury, Buhuș was team captain while during his second long-term injury, team captain was Wesley. During 2012-13 season, the captaincy swang between N'Doye, Sânmărtean and Coman until Sânmărtean's permanent appointment.

# Name Years Years captain Notes
1. Romania Cătălin Popa 2003–04 2003–04
2. Romania Sorin Frunză 2002–08 2003–08 Vice-captains: I. Badea, Buhuș.
3. Romania Gabriel Cânu 2008–13 2008–11 Vice-captains: Buhuș, Wesley.
4. Brazil Wesley 2009–12 2011–12
5. Romania Lucian Sânmărtean 2010–14 2012–14
6. Zimbabwe Mike Temwanjera 2007–14 2013-14

Managerial history

Vaslui's last manager was Liviu Ciobotariu, who was in charge from 8 October 2013 until 24 April 2014, when he resigned due to the financial problems. Costinel Botez was interim until 19 May, when Vaslui officially relegated from Liga I.

Statistics and records

Vaslui's first competitive game was a 3–1 victory in Divizia C against Viitorul Hârlău. Mike Temwanjera holds Vaslui's overall appearance record - he played 202 matches over the course of 7 seasons from 2007 until 2014, and he also holds the record for League appearances with 174.

Vaslui's all-time leading scorer is Wesley, who scored 77 goals while at the club from 2009 to 2012. He also holds the record for the most goals in a season with 37 in 2011–12. The most goals scored by a player in a single match is four; Valentin Badea achieving this feat. Cătălin Andruș holds the club record for the fastest hat trick: he scored three goals in five minutes against CFR Pașcani in the 2002–03 season. Wesley is also Vaslui's all-time leading goalscorer in European competition with 6 goals.[43]

Vaslui's biggest victory is 9–0 against Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț II in 2003. Vaslui's heaviest defeat, 2–5, came against UTA Arad in 2006. Vaslui's 3–1 win against FK Liepājas Metalurgs in the UEFA Cup was the largest victory in Europe competition for the club.

Liga I

Season Position Wins Draws Losses Goals Points
2005–06 14 6 11 13 23-37 29
2006–07 8 13 11 10 41-44 50
2007–08 7 12 11 11 44-34 47
2008–09 5 17 6 11 44-37 57
2009–10 3 18 8 8 44-28 62
2010–11 3 18 11 5 51-28 65
2011–12 2 22 4 8 58-29 70
2012–13 5 16 10 8 50-33 58
2013–14 5 15 6 13 38-32 51

Honours

Domestic

Liga I:

Romanian Cup:

Liga II:

European

UEFA Intertoto Cup:

Individual

Liga I Foreign Player of the Year

Romanian Golden Shoe


European record

Season Competition Round Club Home Away
2008–09 UEFA Intertoto Cup Third round Azerbaijan Neftchi Baku 2–0 1–2
UEFA Cup Second qualifying round Latvia Liepājas Metalurgs 3–1 2–0
First round Czech Republic Slavia Prague 1–1 0–0 (a)
2009–10 Europa League Third qualifying round Cyprus Omonia Nicosia 2–0 1–1
Play-off round Greece AEK Athens 2–1 0–3
2010–11 Europa League Play-off round France Lille 0–0 0–2
2011–12 Champions League Third qualifying round Netherlands Twente 0–0 0–2
Europa League Play-off round Czech Republic Sparta Prague 2–0 0–1
Group Stage Portugal Sporting CP 1–0 0–2
Italy Lazio 0–0 2–2
Switzerland Zürich 2–2 0–2
2012–13 Champions League Third qualifying round Turkey Fenerbahçe 1–4 1–1
Europa League Play-off round Italy Internazionale Milano 0–2 2–2

Notable former players

For more details on this topic, see List of FC Vaslui players.

The footballers enlisted below have had international cap(s) for their respective countries at junior and/or senior level. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries while playing for FC Vaslui.

Player of the year

Year Winner
2002–03Romania Sorin Frunză
2003–04Romania Sorin Frunză
2004–05Romania Valentin Badea
2005–06Romania Valentin Badea
2006–07Romania Cristian Hăisan
2007-08Serbia Marko Ljubinković
2008–09Bulgaria Stanislav Genchev
2009–10Brazil Wesley
2010–11Brazil Adaílton[45]
2011–12Brazil Wesley
  
Year Winner
2012–13Poland Piotr Celeban
2013–14Romania Liviu Antal

References

  1. ↑ (Romanian) Romanian Football Federation - SC Sporting Club SA Vaslui
  2. ↑ "Stadium". Vaslui FC.
  3. ↑ "Victoria Galati se muta la Vaslui" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2002-07-20.
  4. ↑ "Cu ganduri mari spre promovare" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2002-07-29.
  5. ↑ "Colurile echipei" (in Romanian). Kamikaze. 2011-01-11.
  6. ↑ "Marius Stan si Adrian Porumboiu se retrag" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2003-06-09.
  7. ↑ "Obiectiv: salvarea de la retrogradare" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2003-08-18.
  8. ↑ "Promovare istorica" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2005-06-13.
  9. ↑ "Apel la divinitate" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2005-11-26.
  10. ↑ "Nu vreau nume, ci fotbalist" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2005-12-10.
  11. ↑ "Hotarat sa se retraga" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2006-06-10.
  12. ↑ "Vasluiul nu-si vinde locul din Divizia A" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2006-06-16.
  13. ↑ "Un esec" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2006-09-25.
  14. ↑ "Dulau pe banca vasluienilor" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2006-09-27.
  15. ↑ "Hizo pleaca" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2007-05-23.
  16. ↑ "Stadionul din Vaslui va avea nocturna din sezonul urmator" (in Romanian). Evenimentul. 2007-02-02.
  17. ↑ "Dorinel Munteanu prezentat oficial la Vaslui" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2007-06-08.
  18. ↑ "CAF: Vaslui merge in Intertoto" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2007-05-19.
  19. ↑ "FC Vaslui se pregateste de atac la Intertoto" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2008-06-21.
  20. ↑ "Viorel Hizo, din nou la Vaslui" (in Romanian). Realitatea. 2008-06-10.
  21. ↑ "FC Vaslui merge in Cupa Uefa" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2008-07-26.
  22. ↑ "FC Vaslui 1–1 Slavia Praga" (in Romanian). Prosport. 2008-10-02.
  23. ↑ "FC Vaslui pentru al doilea an in Europa" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2009-06-10.
  24. ↑ "Serea califica CFR-ul in finala" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2009-04-30.
  25. ↑ "Vasluienii eliminati din Liga Europa" (in Romanian). Realitatea. 2009-08-27.
  26. ↑ "Vasluiul prinde podiumul" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2010-05-22.
  27. ↑ "CFR castiga cupa" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2010-05-27.
  28. ↑ "Antrenor galactic la Vaslui" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2010-06-11.
  29. ↑ "Vasluiul scos din Europa de Lille" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2010-08-26.
  30. ↑ "ALRO Slatina elimina Vasluiul din Cupa" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2010-09-23.
  31. ↑ "Lopez Caro suspendat de FC Vaslui" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2010-10-08.
  32. ↑ "Hizo a condus primul antrenament al Vasluiului" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2010-10-08.
  33. ↑ "Vasluiul schimba prefixul si aspira la titlu" (in Romanian). Onlinesport. 2011-04-19.
  34. ↑ "FIFA pune lacat Vasluiului: Interzis la transferuri!" (in Romanian). Obiectivul. 2011-01-04.
  35. ↑ "TAS mentine decizia" (in Romanian). Vremea Noua. 2011-06-22.
  36. ↑ "FC Vaslui a terminat pe podium campionatul" (in Romanian). Adevarul. 2011-05-22.
  37. ↑ "13 cluburi din Liga I au primit licența pentru sezonul 2011–2012". FRF. 2011-05-31.
  38. ↑ "Oficial: UEFA a scos Timisoara din Europa". Onlinesport. 2011-06-14.
  39. ↑ "Twente muta Vasluiul din Liga Campionilor in Liga Europa". Onlinesport. 2011-08-03.
  40. ↑ "Vasluiul intr-un picior". Vremea Noua. 2011-08-16.
  41. ↑ "V-am Sparta!". Vremea Noua. 2011-08-19.
  42. ↑ "Sanmartean si ai lui in Liga Europa". Vremea Noua. 2011-08-26.
  43. ↑ "Profile". UEFA.
  44. ↑ Coupe Intertoto 2008. Listed are all 11 teams that won the Intertoto Cup, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
  45. ↑ "Meseriasul" (in Romanian). Vremea Noua. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2011-09-01.

"FC Vaslui Liga IV" http://www.vremeanoua.ro/fc-vaslui-2002-debut-cu-dreptul-in-fata-suporterilor" "FC Vaslui new site" http://fcvaslui2002.ro/ "FC Vaslui Liga 4" http://fcvaslui2002.ro/ "FC Vaslui last season" http://ro.soccerway.com/national/romania/liga-i/20132014/regular-season/r21700/

External links