Our U15 girls’ team finished the final four tournament in Buftea with silver medals, after narrowly losing the final by a single goal against U Olimpia Cluj.
Our U15 girls’ team finished the final four tournament in Buftea with silver medals, after narrowly losing the final by a single goal against U Olimpia Cluj.
Both teams were accompanied by large groups of supporters to Buftea, to the sports base of the National Football Centre, where the final was played in a loud and enthusiastic atmosphere throughout. Portik Helga’s team had secured their place in the final with a 3–2 win over Politehnica Timișoara in Thursday’s semi-final, and with a little more luck, a medal brighter than silver would not have been an unrealistic outcome. This time, however, our girls could not find the net, so the gold medals went to the team from Cluj.
The first half brought a balanced game, with chances at both ends. In the 10th minute, Szilágyi Dorka made a fine save after a corner, and two minutes later Pap-Ieney Ingrid’s long-range lob went just over the bar. In the 15th minute, Purcel tipped Orbán Anna’s effort out from under the crossbar, while at the other end Szilágyi Dorka produced another excellent save to prevent Cluj from taking the lead after a good through ball.
In the 31st minute, Pap-Ieney’s corner dropped onto the crossbar, and in the 37th minute Orbán Anna came close to scoring, but could not beat Purcel. A minute later, Szilágyi held Fanea’s shot, so the teams went into the break with the score still goalless.
At the start of the second half, in the 45th minute, Zvenyák Johanna found herself in a good position after a corner, but shot over from close range. One minute later, there was a momentary lapse in our defence, and Lupăescu rolled the ball into an empty net to give U Olimpia the lead.
After conceding, FK did everything to find an equaliser. In the 49th minute, following a close-range attempt by Kone, Szilágyi Dorka once again made a superb save, dropping to her knees and plucking the ball out of the air with one hand. In the 65th minute, Tóth Kincső was fouled around 18 metres from goal, and Zvenyák’s free-kick went narrowly wide, grazing the post. In the closing stages, in the 69th minute, we had a huge opportunity: we were able to shoot at goal three times, but first the Cluj goalkeeper saved, then the follow-up went wide. Near the end, Szilágyi Dorka denied another clear chance, but the score did not change.
Szilágyi Dorka was named the best goalkeeper of the final four. The bronze medal was won by Rapid Bucharest, who defeated Politehnica Timișoara 4–1.
Women’s U15 Elite League, final four, final
FK Csíkszereda – U Olimpia Cluj 0–1 (0–0)
Scorer: Lupăescu 46.
FK Csíkszereda: Szilágyi Dorka – Maksai Klementina, Benő Emőke, Balog Anita, Zvenyák Johanna, Pap-Ieney Ingrid, Basa Brigitta, Benedek Boglárka, Orbán Anna (capt.), Sándor Bernadett, Györfi Nóra.
Substitutes: Benedek Elvira, Bálint Bianka, Elekes Evelin, Daczó Biborka, Gergely Anita, Trinfuj Nikolett, Lukács Boglárka, Tóth Kincső, Asandei Kriszta.
Head coach: Portik Helga.
U Olimpia Cluj: Purcel Anastasia – Baidoc Ștefania, Criste Maia, Kone Ayana, Mărușca Maria, Cărbunar Sofia, Vulturar Maria (capt.), Fedei Daria, Fanea Gloria, Neag Adania, Bradea Antonia.
Substitutes: Pojar Ingrid-Maria, Pop Ariana, Lupăescu Cosmina, Reszeg Sanel, Bochiș Andrada, Bobanga Yasmina.
Head coach: Mara Anca Batea.
Head coach Portik Helga:
“We are a little sad that we could not win the league title, but if we look at the balance of power overall, at the start of the final four we would have signed for the silver medal. We really wanted this victory, the girls did everything to get this far, and they fought hard for this silver medal as well. In the final, we were not precise enough in front of goal, but our goalkeeper performed brilliantly, and our players gave everything. We were very close to reaching our ultimate goal. Right now there is still disappointment in us, but I think that after a little time has passed, the silver medal will shine beautifully too.”
According to the head coach, looking at the team’s performance over the whole season, the players deserve every recognition.
“We lost only one match all season, and won all the others. Of course, it does matter which match you lose, because losing in the final is the most painful, but overall the girls performed excellently. They improved a great deal, worked extremely hard, and gave everything to get this far. There was a huge amount of work, sacrifice, willpower, ambition and perseverance behind this result. I do not blame them for a single moment. Perhaps we only needed a little bit of luck to somehow convert our chances today, but even so, this was a great achievement from our side. For us, they were the best team.”
R. A.
Photo: Pál Zoltán