Romania's football team FCSB qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa League on Thursday, February 20, advancing from the play-off against PAOK Thessaloniki, a team coached by Romanian Răzvan Lucescu. 

After winning the first leg 2-1, the Bucharest team secured a 2-0 victory in the return leg at the National Arena, with the backing of 50,000 spectators. The team coached by manager Elias Charalambous scored in the 30th minute following a well-executed combination outside the Greek penalty area.

Just before halftime, in the 45+3rd minute, FCSB goalkeeper Târnovanu made an incredible save on a long-range shot from Michailidis, keeping FCSB’s 1-0 lead intact. PAOK struggled to create chances, and FCSB controlled the game, sealing the victory with a second goal in the 81st minute, scored by Miculescu. 

FCSB’s win secured a 4-1 aggregate victory, taking Romanian football into the Europa League round of 16, where they will face either Eintracht Frankfurt or Olympique Lyon. 

FCSB coach Elias Charalambous praised his players after the match, saying, “We made history! The players were fantastic. We controlled the game from start to finish. I am proud of my entire team. It’s been many years since we’ve seen something like this. The atmosphere was extraordinary, and what the boys did tonight was amazing!” 

PAOK coach Răzvan Lucescu admitted that FCSB deserved to qualify. “We came here without full belief in our qualification. In football, moments decide results, and everything went in FCSB’s favor. But they deserved it. I admired their aggression and determination. To win in football, you have to win duels, and they won far more than we did. They had confidence, while we arrived with our heads down,” he said, 

FCSB will finish the current season with at least 64 matches played, setting a record for a Romanian team following an extensive European campaign.

PAOK failed to create chances, the Bucharest team controlled the game and scored the second goal in the 81st minute, through Miculescu. FCSB won 2-0 and takes Romanian football to the knockout stages of a European Cup, Europa League, where they will face Eintracht Frankfurt or Olympique Lyon

Starting line-ups for FCSB-PAOK Thessaloniki

The starting line-ups for the match between FCSB and PAOK Thessaloniki, at the National Arena in Bucharest, in the second leg of the play-offs for qualifying for the round of 16 of the Europa League football competition:

FCSB: 32. Ştefan Târnovanu - 2. Valentin Cretu, 30. Siyabonga Ngezana, 17. Mihai Popescu, 33. Risto Radunovic - 21. Vlad Chiricheş, 8. Adrian Şut (captain) - 11. David Miculescu, 31. Juri Cisotti, 7. Florin Tanase - 9. Daniel Bîrligea. Coach: Elias Charalambous.

Substitutes: 1. Mihai Udrea, 38. Lukas Zima - 5. Joyskim Dawa, 15. Marius Stefanescu, 18. Malcom Edjouma, 22. Mihai Toma, 25. Alexandru Băluţă, 29. Alexandru Musi, 42. Baba Alhassan, 77. Andrei Gheorghiţă.

PAOK: 42. Dominik Kotarski - 19. Jonny, 16. Tomasz Kedziora, 5. Giannis Michailidis, 21. Abdul Rahman Baba - 82. Soualiho Meite, 27. Magomed Ozdoev - 14. Andrija Zivkovic (captain), 80. Dimitris Pelkas, 7. Giannis Konstantelias - 70. Mbwana Samatta. Coach: Răzvan Lucescu,

Substitutes: 54. Konstantinos Balomenos, 99. Antonios Tsiftsis - 2. Mady Camara, 9. Fedor Cealov, 15. Omar Colley, 22. Stefan Schwab, 23. Joan Sastre, 25. Konstantinos Thymianis, 71. Brandon, 77. Kiril Despodov.

Referee: Matej Jug; assistant referees: Matej Zunic, Manuel Vidali; fourth official: Mihael Antic (all from Slovenia)
Video referee: Dragoslav Peric; Video assistant referee: Roberto Ponis (both from Slovenia)

UEFA Referee Observer: Marian Ruzbarsky (Slovakia); UEFA delegate: Iveta Bankova (Bulgaria)

Over 5,000 Greek fans at the National Arena at FCSB - PAOK Thessaloniki. Before the match they had fun in the Old Town

81st minute: Goal for FCSB! David Miculescu scored after taking a ball crossed from a corner by Radunovic, on the second bar. The cross fooled the Greek goalkeeper, who was unable to intervene.

30th minute: Goal! Juri Cisotti scores for FCSB from inside the box amid the confusion of the opposing defenders.