17 August 2007, by Catalin Parfene

End of the European dream for Cluj?

CFR Cluj 1-3 Anorthosis Famagusta

The Portuguese colony of Romania’s CFR Cluj suffered a severe and unexpected defeat at home on Thursday, on the team’s UEFA Cup debut, in the second preliminary round.

Cluj lost 3-1 at home to Anorthosis Famagusta, a very ambitious Cypriot team which brilliantly mastered the technique of the counterattack.

Besides the five Portuguese that played for Cluj, the winning team had also a player from Portugal, former Sporting midfielder Luis Loureiro, who was a substitute and came on the second half of the game.

The result leaves Cluj with a huge mountain to climb to reach the first round proper of the competition. The second leg takes place in Cyprus in two weeks’ time.

CFR Cluj*:
Stancioiu, Tony (MANUEL JOSE, 70), CADU, Sandberg, Panin (FREDY, 46), Muresan, ANDRE LEAO (Fabbiani, 54), ANTONIO SEMEDO, Trica, Culio, Didi
* Portuguese players in capitals

Goals:
[0-1] Zlogar, 42
[0-2] Boaventura, 48
[0-3] Sosin, 60
[1-3] Trica, 70 (pen)