Ricardo Cadu and Antonio Semedo tell of Cluj joy

Portuguese pair revel in Romanian Championship victory

The remarkable story of CFR Cluj goes on, with the success of the club that came from nowhere showing no sign of abating.

Based in Transylvania, Cluj began making waves two years ago when they implemented an innovative policy of contracting lesser known Portuguese players by the hatful, along with footballers from various other nations to complement the local talent.

The result has been nothing short of spectacular. After finishing 3rd last year and qualifying the Uefa Cup for the first time, Cluj fans yesterday celebrated the greatest moment in the team’s 100-year history as a 1-0 victory over their cross-town rivals clinched the Romanian Championship.


Related: Cluj champions of Romania!


Speaking to PortuGOAL, two of the clubs Portuguese heroes, captain Ricardo Cadu and Antonio Semedo, gave their reaction to the conquest.

PortuGOAL: How did you celebrate the victory?
Semedo: It was a moment of great joy. It was a long tough season but we knew we had the quality to win the title. Thanks to the effort of the whole team we did it.
Cadu: I can’t describe what it felt like when the referee blew the final whistle. It was a simply fantastic feeling. But we can’t go overboard because we’re playing the Romanian Cup final on the weekend and we want to do the double.


PortuGOAL: After leading the championship for so long, then slipping to second near the end did you think your chance had gone?
Semedo: Yes, we’d almost resigned ourselves to losing it. We were a bit nervous in some games and lost points and there were also some controversial refereeing decisions – it seemed we were destined not to win it. But when Dinamo beat Steaua it gave us all an enormous lift. At that moment it was back in our hands and we felt we could do it.


PortuGOAL: It has been reported that people linked to Steaua Bucharest offered your opponents in the yesterday’s title-deciding game one million euros to take points off Cluj so that they could become champions. What do you have to say about that?
Semedo: It’s true. But we showed that money isn’t everything in life. Our will, our determination and our ability proved stronger than the incentive to earn lots of money. We showed we are worthy champions.


PortuGOAL: It was without doubt the most important game in the history of Cluj. And what about for you personally?
Cadu: Without doubt it was the most important match of my career. Everything was riding on it and we managed to come out on top.
Semedo: It was my most important match certainly. It’s my first trophy as a professional footballer, and to be a national championship is fantastic.


PortuGOAL: What about the game itself. It was a tough local derby?
Semedo: Very very tough. Although they were already relegated there is a fierce rivalry between the clubs. They could play relaxed because their destiny had already been decided. Then there was also the money factor. In the first half we were nervous and didn’t manage to play well, but in the second half we got going, played our football and won naturally.


PortuGOAL: What about that penalty Cadu? Were you nervous taking it?
Cadu: Too right I was! The whole championship was riding on that penalty. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but fortunately I scored. But more important than scoring was the team winning. Like I said, when the final whistle went it was an indescribable feeling.


PortuGOAL: What are your thoughts about playing in the Champions League?
Semedo: It’s not going to be easy. We’ll be up against the best sides in Europe, but we’re looking forward to it. We’re building a strong team. In two years we’ve managed to achieve things that have never been achieved here, like finishing 3rd, then going to the Uefa Cup, then winning the championship. I’d like to meet a Portuguese team so we can show the country what we are capable of.


PortuGOAL: Changing subjects, Euro 2008 is about to start. What do you think of Portugal’s chances and Romania’s chances?
Cadu: I believe Portugal has every chance of becoming European champions. They have the players to do it. As for Romania, they have a really tough group. I don’t believe they’ve got much chance of getting to the next stage, but you never know in football.