CSU Alba Iulia (football)

{{about|the men's football team|the women's basketball team|CSU Alba Iulia (women's basketball)|men's rugby team|CSU Alba Iulia (rugby union)|multi-sport club|CSU Alba Iulia}}

{{Infobox football club

| clubname = CSU Alba iulia

| image = CSU_Alba_Iulia_logo.png

| image_size = 200px

| fullname = Clubul Sportiv Universitatea Alba Iulia

| short name = CSU Alba Iulia

| nickname = Studenții
(The students)
Albaiulienii
(The people from Alba Iulia)

| founded = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|2018}}

| ground = Pielarul

| capacity = 500

| owner = University of Alba Iulia

| chrtitle = General manager

| chairman = Aurelian Băbuțan

| mgrtitle = Head coach

| manager = Alin Minteuan

| league = Liga III

| season = 2023–24

| position = Liga III, Seria IX, 4th

| website = https://csualbaiulia.ro/

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Clubul Sportiv Universitatea Alba Iulia, also known as CS Universitatea Alba Iulia, or simply as CSU Alba Iulia, is a Romanian football team based in Alba Iulia, Alba County, which currently plays in Liga III, the third tier of Romanian football, following their promotion at the end of the 2021–22 season.

The team represents the football section of the multi-sport club CSU Alba Iulia, which also include athletics, women's basketball, men's rugby and powerlifting sections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.csualbaiulia.ro/despre-csu-alba-iulia/istoric|title=Istoricul clubului|trans-title=Club history|publisher=csualbaiulia.ro|access-date=10 April 2024|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410193308/https://www.csualbaiulia.ro/despre-csu-alba-iulia/istoric|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}

History

CSU Alba Iulia was established in 2009, with the support of University of Alba Iulia, having three sport sections (athletics, basketball and rugby). The football team was founded in 2018 and enrolled in Liga V – Alba County, the fifth tier of the Romanian football league system.

Under the leadership of Vasile Ursu and with experienced players such as Ioan Neag and Fabian Himcinschi, CSU finished 1st in Series II at the end of the 2018–19 season, promoting to fourth league.{{Cite web|url=https://ziarulunirea.ro/csu-alba-iulia-lot-spectaculos-pentru-liga-a-v-a-internationalii-f-himcinschi-si-i-neag-sub-comanda-lui-vasile-ursu-486086/|title=CSU Alba Iulia – lot spectaculos pentru Liga a V-a! Internaționalii F. Himcinschi și I. Neag, sub comanda lui Vasile Ursu!|trans-title=CSU Alba Iulia – spectacular batch for the 5th League! The internationals F. Himcinschi and I. Neag, under the command of Vasile Ursu!|publisher=ziarulunirea.ro|date=8 August 2018|access-date=10 April 2024|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410195537/https://ziarulunirea.ro/csu-alba-iulia-lot-spectaculos-pentru-liga-a-v-a-internationalii-f-himcinschi-si-i-neag-sub-comanda-lui-vasile-ursu-486086/|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajfalba.ro/ligaav-as2-2018-2019|title=Liga a V-a S2 2018 - 2019|publisher=ajfalba.ro|access-date=10 April 2024|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410195356/https://www.ajfalba.ro/ligaav-as2-2018-2019|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}

The 2019–20 season was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the university team in 2nd place, involved in the promotion battle, 5 points behind Ocna Mureș.{{cite web|url=https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-4/stop-joc-in-alba-ajf-a-decis-inghetarea-ligii-a-4-a-si-a-stabilit-campioana-si-reprezentanta-la-barajul-de-promovare-in-liga-3-in-actualele-conditii-uu-este-posibil-sa-juc-19135856|date=16 June 2020|title=Stop joc în Alba! AJF a decis ”înghețarea” Ligii a 4-a și a stabilit campioana și reprezentanta la barajul de promovare în Liga 3: ”În actualele condiții, nu este posibil să jucăm”|trans-title=Stop playing in Alba! AJF decided to "freeze" the 4th League and established the champion and representative at the promotion dam in League 3: "In the current conditions, it is not possible to play"|publisher=liga2.prosport.ro|access-date=11 April 2024|archive-date=23 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623203857/https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-4/stop-joc-in-alba-ajf-a-decis-inghetarea-ligii-a-4-a-si-a-stabilit-campioana-si-reprezentanta-la-barajul-de-promovare-in-liga-3-in-actualele-conditii-uu-este-posibil-sa-juc-19135856|url-status=live}}

The next season was also canceled in Alba County due to the numerous teams that did not meet the conditions of the medical protocol imposed by the Romanian Football Federation.{{cite web|url=https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-4/si-judetul-alba-spune-pas-liga-a-4-a-nu-se-reia-in-conditiile-impuse-de-frf-premiera-negativa-in-ultimii-15-ani-ajf-alba-fara-reprezentanta-la-barajul-pentru-liga-3-19178990|title=Și județul Alba spune pas: Liga a 4-a nu se reia în condițiile impuse de FRF! Premieră negativă în ultimii 15 ani: AJF Alba fără reprezentantă la barajul pentru Liga 3|trans-title=And Alba County is taking a step back: Liga 4 will not resume under the conditions imposed by FRF! Negative premiere in the last 15 years: AJF Alba without a representative at the playoff for Liga 3|accessdate=12 April 2024|publisher=liga2.prosport.ro|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427191428/https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-4/si-judetul-alba-spune-pas-liga-a-4-a-nu-se-reia-in-conditiile-impuse-de-frf-premiera-negativa-in-ultimii-15-ani-ajf-alba-fara-reprezentanta-la-barajul-pentru-liga-3-19178990|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}

In the 2021–22 season, with Mihai Manea as head coach, the team finished 1st and won the promotion play-offs against CSO Baraolt, the Covasna County champions, thrashing them 18–3 on aggregate (11–2 at home and 7–1 away).{{Cite web|url=https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-4/cs-universitatea-alba-iulia-si-a-confirmat-statutul-si-a-castigat-liga-a-4-a-alba-echipa-este-considerata-un-el-dorado-in-judetul-sau-promovarea-in-liga-3-este-scopul-nost-19233922|title=CS Universitatea Alba Iulia și-a confirmat statutul și a câștigat Liga a 4-a Alba! Echipa este considerată un ”El Dorado” în județul său. ”Promovarea în Liga 3 este scopul nostru primordial”|trans-title=CS Universitatea Alba Iulia confirmed its status and won the 4th Alba League! The team is considered an "El Dorado" in its county. "Promotion to League 3 is our primary goal"|publisher=liga2.prosport.ro|date=3 June 2022|access-date=10 April 2024|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410200618/https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-4/cs-universitatea-alba-iulia-si-a-confirmat-statutul-si-a-castigat-liga-a-4-a-alba-echipa-este-considerata-un-el-dorado-in-judetul-sau-promovarea-in-liga-3-este-scopul-nost-19233922|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}{{Cite web|url=https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-3/19235241-19235241|title=CS Universitatea Alba Iulia a spulberat campioana din Covasna, CSO Baraolt, în manșa tur a barajului de promovare în Liga 3. Stadionul Cetate, martorul unui rezultat incredibil|trans-title=CS Universitatea Alba Iulia crushed the champion from Covasna, CSO Baraolt, in the first leg of the promotion bracket in League 3. Cetate Stadium, witness to an incredible result|publisher=liga2.prosport.ro|date=19 June 2022|access-date=12 April 2024|archive-date=12 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412060011/https://liga2.prosport.ro/liga-3/19235241-19235241|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}{{Cite web|url=https://alba-sport.ro/2022/06/18/csu-alba-iulia-a-promovat-in-liga-a-3-a-11-2-in-tur-cu-cso-baraolt-returul-un-simplu-act-de-prezenta-galerie-foto/|title=CSU Alba Iulia a promovat în Liga a 3-a! 11-2 în tur cu CSO Baraolt! Returul? Un simplu act de prezență!|trans-title=CSU Alba Iulia has promoted to the 3rd League!|publisher=alba-sport.ro|date=18 June 2022|access-date=10 April 2024|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410201125/https://alba-sport.ro/2022/06/18/csu-alba-iulia-a-promovat-in-liga-a-3-a-11-2-in-tur-cu-cso-baraolt-returul-un-simplu-act-de-prezenta-galerie-foto/|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.albaiuliainfo.ro/studentii-albaiulieni-au-promovat-oficial-in-liga-a-3-a-cso-baraolt-csu-alba-iulia-1-7-1-5-56499.html|title=„Studenții” albaiulieni au promovat oficial în Liga a 3-a: CSO Baraolt – CSU Alba Iulia 1-7 (1-5)|trans-title=The "students" from Albaiulia have officially promoted to the 3rd League: CSO Baraolt - CSU Alba Iulia 1-7 (1-5)|publisher=albaiuliainfo.ro|date=25 June 2022|access-date=12 April 2024|archive-date=12 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412060909/https://www.albaiuliainfo.ro/studentii-albaiulieni-au-promovat-oficial-in-liga-a-3-a-cso-baraolt-csu-alba-iulia-1-7-1-5-56499.html|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}

In the first season in Liga III, led by Manea, CSU managed to climb on 5th place in the play-out of Series IX after was finish 7th in the regular season.

The next season was better for the Students as managed to qualify for the play-off of Series IX, after a strong battle with Unirea Ungheni and fellow citizens from Unirea Alba Iulia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.csualbaiulia.ro/stiri-anunturi/stiri/prim-obiectiv-indeplinit-pentru-echipa-de-fotbal-cs-universitar-din-alba-iulia|title=Primo biectiv îndeplinit pentru echipa de fotbal CS Universitar din Alba Iulia|trans-title=First goal achieved for the CS Universitar football team from Alba Iulia|publisher=csualbaiulia.ro|date=25 March 2024|access-date=18 April 2024|archive-date=18 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418064926/https://www.csualbaiulia.ro/stiri-anunturi/stiri/prim-obiectiv-indeplinit-pentru-echipa-de-fotbal-cs-universitar-din-alba-iulia|url-status=live}}{{in lang|ro}}

Grounds

Initially the team of the University Sports Club from Alba Iulia played its home matches at the Cetate Stadium in Alba Iulia, but since the spring of 2024 the team moved its home matches at Pielarul Sports Base in Sebeș.{{cite web|url=https://ziarulunirea.ro/din-primavara-csm-unirea-alba-iulia-se-muta-pe-minaur-zlatna-iar-csu-alba-iulia-la-sebes-pe-pielarul-871244/|title=Din primăvară, CSM Unirea Alba Iulia – se mută pe „Minaur” Zlatna, iar CSU Alba Iulia – la Sebeș, pe „Pielarul”|language=ro|trans-title=From spring, CSM Unirea Alba Iulia - moves to "Minaur" Zlatna, and CSU Alba Iulia - to Sebeș, on "Pielarul"|publisher=ziarulunirea.ro|date=19 February 2024|access-date=13 October 2024}}

Honours

Liga IV – Alba County

Winners (1): 2021–22
Runners-up (1): 2019–20

Liga V – Alba County

Winners (1): 2018–19

Players

=First team squad=

{{Fs player|no= 2|nat=ROU|pos=DF|name= Szabolcs Kilyén|other=Captain}}

{{Fs player|no= 4|nat=CIV|pos=DF|name= Abdoulaye Niakaté|other=on loan from CFR Cluj}}

{{Fs player|no= 6|nat=ROU|pos=DF|name= Andrei Dinu|other=on loan from FCSB}}

{{Fs player|no=21|nat=ROU|pos=DF|name= Bogdan Lazăr|other=on loan from Farul}}

{{Fs player|no=23|nat=ROU|pos=MF|name= Bogdan Sucitu|other=on loan from CFR Cluj}}

{{Fs player|no=??|nat=ROU|pos=DF|name= Antonio Dobrin|Sucitu|other=on loan from Sport Team}}

=Out on loan=

Club Officials

=Board of directors=

class="toccolours"
style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Role ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Name
Owners \| {{Flagicon\|ROU}} University of Alba Iulia
President \| {{Flagicon\|ROU}} Mihai Rotar
General manager \| {{Flagicon\|ROU}} Aurelian Băbuțan

class="toccolours"

style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" |Role

! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" |Name

Owners

| {{Flagicon|ROU}} University of Alba Iulia

President

| {{Flagicon|ROU}} Mihai Rotar

General manager

| {{Flagicon|ROU}} Aurelian Băbuțan

=Current technical staff=

class="toccolours"
style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Role ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Name
Head coach \| {{Flagicon\|ROU}} Alin Minteuan
Assistant coach \| {{Flagicon\|ROU}} Nicolae Ghișa
Goalkeeping coach \| {{Flagicon\|ROU}} Raul Unchiaș

class="toccolours"

style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" |Role

! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" |Name

Head coach

| {{Flagicon|ROU}} Alin Minteuan

Assistant coach

| {{Flagicon|ROU}} Nicolae Ghișa

Goalkeeping coach

| {{Flagicon|ROU}} Raul Unchiaș

League history

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Season ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Tier ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Division ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Place ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Notes ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Cupa României
2024–25	3	Liga III (Seria VII)	TBD
2023–24	3	Liga III (Seria IX)	4th
2022–23	3	Liga III (Seria IX)	5th

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Season ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Tier ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Division ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Place ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Notes ! style="background:#393186;color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #000000;" \|Cupa României
2021–22	4	Liga IV (AB)	align=center bgcolor=gold\| 1st (C)	Promoted
2019–20	4	Liga IV (AB)	align=center bgcolor=silver\| 2nd
2018–19	5	Liga V (AB)	align=center bgcolor=gold\| 1st (C)	Promoted

References

External links

{{official|http://www.csualbaiulia.ro//}}
{{facebook|CS-Universitatea-Alba-Iulia-Fotbal-100085193050401/}}

Category:Liga III clubs

Category:Liga IV clubs

Category:2018 establishments in Romania

Category:Alba Iulia

Category:Association football clubs established in 2018

Category:Football clubs in Alba County

Category:University and college association football clubs in Romania