Former Spartan Alexandru Chipciu saves Cluj from disaster!

CFR Cluj faced Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka in the first round of the Champions League and were considered almost certain to qualify. In the opening match, they won 3-1 on home soil and promotion seemed like a done deal. But in the rematch, Banja Luka were looking for a sensation! The hopes of the Bosnian team were dashed by a great goal by Alexandru Chipciu!

The first act of the match ended 0:0 and there were no signs that the Romanian favourite should worry.

But during the second half, there was a four-minute cold shower! The home side took the lead in the 60th minute after a goal by Vranjes and in the 64th minute Moraitis increased it to 2::0.

If it wasn’t for the pre-season rule changes on away goals, Borac would have held the relegation cards in the home side’s hands at this juncture! But UEFA abolished the rule, so after 90 minutes the score was 3: 3 and it went to extra time.

The hero was former Spartan Alexandru Chipciu! He came on from the substitutes’ bench in the 66th minute.

In the opening half of extra time he received a yellow card. He saved the best for last! Two minutes before the end, from a good 25 metres, he headed the ball towards Chetkovic’s goal and he was astonished.

So Chipciu and Cluj are through to the second round of the Champions League. There, the Romanian team will be an even bigger favourite as they face the football midgets from Gibraltar.

Lincoln should not be any complication on the way to the 3rd preliminary round, where CFR Cluj can theoretically face Prague Slavia.

Sources: Livesport, rovids, Ondřej Zlámal