10 Things You Did Not Know About FC Rapid Bucuresti

Did you know Bucharest has multiple top clubs? Did you know that Rapid Bucharesti have finished 2^nd in the league over a dozen times? Or that they have won the Romanian Cup over 10 times? Intrigued? Let’s dig deeper. Did you know…

1. That they are almost a century old

The club was formed on 23^rd June, 1923 after an agreement with Railroad workers as a fusion of two amateur clubs, "CFR" (ex-"Rampa Militari") and "Excelsior". 8 years later, in 1931, the Club then participated in the first league.

They are currently 92 years old!

2. That they have multiple rivals

Petrolul are Rapid’s traditional Rivals and even though the sides have not met often, the two sets of fans often clash before or after the match. Steaua Bucure?ti and Dinamo Bucure?ti are rivals as well. The three teams belong to the same place – Bucharest and the rivalry is such that often Police needs to interfere!

Rapid definitely has passionate supporters!

3. That they have finished 2^nd in Liga I & II over a dozen times

Rapid have won the league 3 times but have finished runners up 10 times! That’s right! 10 times! They have also finished 2^nd in Liga II 5 times while having won the league 4 times!

So close! None the less, the Romanian club has achieved a lot!

4. Ovidiu Herea is a recent Club Legend!

The 5'11 striker played for the Romanian side from 2007 to 2013 scoring 45 goals in 181 appearances. The forward managed to net 45 goals in 181 appearances for Rapid. The last 3 of his 6 years with the club the player managed to get past the keeper over 10 times a season! His younger brother Claudiu is currently playing with Rapid!

He managed an impressive 0.24 goals-to-game ratio!

5. The club had their names in 5 times in the span of 35 years!

They were originally called Asocia?ia cultural? ?i sportiv? CFR Bucure?ti. The Romanian club had then changed their name to FC Rapid Bucure?ti during the years 1937–45. They were called as CFR Bucure?ti during the years 1945–50 and Locomotiva Bucure?ti between 1950–58 before finally being renamed as FC Rapid Bucure?ti In 1958. The Romanian club has stuck with the name ever since!

Interesting isn’t it?

6. That They have won the Romanian cup over 10 times!

They have won the Cupa României 13 times whereas they finished 2^nd 6 times and they have also won the Supercupa României 4 times while finishing 2^nd twice!

That’s right! Interesting isn’t it?

7. Nicolae Grigore is a recent Club Legend!

The Romanian Defensive midfielder has made 198 appearances for the side during his 2 stints with the club. He has also managed to net 33 goals during his 12 year stay with Rapid. He has made the highest appearances for the club in the recent times.

One word - Legend!

8. That their stadium is set to Demolish!

The Giule?ti-Valentin St?nescu Stadium which was modeled after Arsenal’s Highbury,is one of the venues for European Championship 2020 and it’s due to this that the stadium is set to be demolished in order to make way for an all new 22,000 seater stadium! UEFA and the Government is Sponsoring the construction and their new stadium will be a big boost for the club as the current one was restricted to 11,000 due to safety issues.

Isn’t it great? The club is set to get an all new stadium!

9. That their European record is better than most!

The Romanian club’s European record has been decent as they have reached the Quarters of the UEFA Cup, UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup. They have won the Balkans Cup on two occasions and The European Railways Cup in 1968. They have also reached the Semi Finals of the Central Europe Cup in 1940.

Isn’t that impressive?!

10. Alexandru "Sandu" Neagu is a Club Legend

The Romanian forward donned the Jersey of the club between 1965 – 1978. He made 286 appearances during which he managed to score 110 goals for the club. He also finished as the Club’s top scorer on 4 occasions, 1969-1972!

Yes! He managed to repeat that feat 3 times! Top scorer of 4 consecutive seasons!